Chapter 47: Governor-General of Henan Circuit Locust Suppression Operations-Meios audaciosos, a Imperatriz me chama de canalha(O Urso Dezenove se apaixonou pelo Dezessete.)

Spreading heresy and deluding the masses!

Li Buqing, the Minister of Rites, was the first to react. Trembling with rage, he pointed right at Zhao Yi’s nose, spraying spittle all over his face.

You... you are utterly out of your mind!

Locusts are the wrath of heaven, an inauspicious plague sent by the gods! How dare you suggest that the citizens of our Great Zhou eat such vile filth?!

His old face flushed crimson with agitation, making him look like a rooster that had just been stepped on its tail.

Are you trying to turn the people of our Great Zhou into savage beasts that drink blood and chew raw meat?! Are you trying to destroy a thousand years of decorum and human ethics in our Great Zhou?!

With a look of utter disgust, Zhao Yi wiped the spit off his face.

*Old man, your tongue is sharp enough, but your mouth leaks a bit.*

Before he could even reply, his father, Zhao Zhao, panicked. Rushing forward in a single bound, he tried to drag his son back.

You rebellious wretch! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Hurry up and kneel before His Majesty to beg for mercy!

Beads of sweat rolled down Zhao Zhao’s forehead. Had this scoundrel of a son lost his mind? Daring to utter such blasphemy in the Golden-laced Hall? This was the kind of heresy that got people burned alive at the stake!

Shoving his father’s hand away, Zhao Yi took a step forward, locking eyes with the furious Li Buqing.

Lord Li, let me ask you.

Are bugs more important, or human lives?

Is your pride more important, or the bellies of a million refugees?

Zhao Yi’s voice was not loud, but every word struck straight at the heart.

The common people are already being forced to dig up Guanyin clay to eat! What are you blabbering to them about filth? What are you talking about regarding decorum and human ethics?

Your personal rice jar is full, so of course you are not hungry!

Why don't you donate your entire household's grain supply for the year? Consider it your contribution to sharing the nation’s burdens!

You! Li Buqing was left speechless by the rebuttal, his aged face turning the color of fermented bean curd.

sophistry! This is pure sophistry!

Zhao Yi sneered, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

What? Speechless now? Lord Li, let me tell you something else.

A playful expression appeared on his face.

Not only are these locusts edible, but they are also a medicinal herb! Whether it is recorded in the Classic of Herbal Medicine, I do not know, but it is written down as plain as day in the ancient medical texts passed down by the Zhao family!

This creature is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature. It can cure whooping cough, relieve asthma, and even invigorate the yang and nourish the kidneys!

The more he spoke, the more outrageous and righteous he sounded, until finally, he swept his gaze across the assembled civil and military officials.

My lords, looking at many of you, your complexions are pale and your steps are light. I imagine it is from toiling away for the country on a daily basis, which has worn down your constitutions.

These locusts will be just the thing to nourish you all!

Pfft—

Someone failed to hold back and burst out laughing.

Immediately afterward, a wave of suppressed, muffled chuckles rippled through the imperial study.

Even General Wang Lang, the Guardian of the Country, who always maintained a stern face, found the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

Li Buqing was so incensed that he nearly failed to catch his breath and passed out on the spot.

Invigorate the yang and nourish the kidneys?

*Your damn mother is the one who needs to invigorate her yang and nourish her kidneys! Your whole family needs to invigorate their yang and nourish their kidneys!*

Silence!

Wu Mingkong finally spoke up. Massaging her throbbing temples, she felt that if she listened any longer, her own mind would start going off the rails.

She looked at Zhao Yi, her stunning face carrying a complex mix of emotions.

There was shock, absurdity, and above all, a lingering sense of curiosity that she herself had yet to realize.

Zhao Yi, even if locusts are edible, simply eating them will not solve the root problem.

Locusts lay their eggs underground; come next spring, there will only be more.

Your Majesty is wise!

Zhao Yi had been waiting precisely for these words.

This was the exact effect he wanted.

First, use the most outrageous scheme to shatter everyone's worldview.

Only then, by tossing out a genuinely effective method, would they find it much easier to accept.

This was known as the broken window effect!

Your Majesty, eating them is merely a mid-range strategy to alleviate an immediate crisis.

This subject has yet another strategy—a masterstroke that cuts the firewood from under the cauldron!

Combining these two strategies is the only foolproof plan!

A genuine spark of light finally ignited within Wu Mingkong’s phoenix eyes.

Speak!

Zhao Yi cleared his throat. The bantering expression on his face gradually faded, replaced by the cool confidence of a strategist holding all the cards in his hands.

The second strategy is called—‘Raising’!

‘Raising’?

The court officials once again plunged into confusion.

That's right, raising!

Zhao Yi’s voice rang out, firm and resonant.

Locusts can be eaten, but chickens and ducks can eat them even better! And they can eat them a lot faster than humans can!

This subject humbly requests Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree, in the name of the court, to procure chickens and ducks at high prices from the prefectures of Jiangnan where the disaster is not yet severe, the more the better! Starting from a million, with no upper limit!

Then, organize these millions of chickens and ducks into a mighty, grand ‘divine army’ and dispatch them straight to Henan Province!

Wherever the locust army advances, our chicken and duck army shall follow right behind, eating their way through!

Once the chickens and ducks have eaten their fill of locusts, they will lay eggs! The eggs can hatch more chicks and ducklings, and also provide sustenance for the refugees!

This is what we call fighting a war by living off the enemy! Taking from the enemy, and using it for the people!

Zhao Yi’s speech was stirring, passionate, and resonant.

The entire imperial study fell into absolute silence.

Everyone was utterly stunned by Zhao Yi’s whimsical, yet somehow... surprisingly logical strategy.

Use chickens and ducks to eat locusts?

This... this is bloody genius!

Zhao Zhao’s mouth hung wide open as he looked at his son, feeling as though he were gazing at some sort of monster.

What on earth is stuffed inside this scoundrel's head?

Wei Zheng, the Grand Academician of the Cabinet, also felt a fire in his hazy, aged eyes. Trembling with excitement and with trembling lips, he seemed as though he wanted to say something.

Only Li Buqing was left with a face as dark as the bottom of a wok.

He knew he was about to lose.

Good!

Wu Mingkong abruptly rose from the dragon throne, slamming her hand down onto the imperial desk with unprecedented excitement and decisiveness!

What a brilliant stroke of fighting by living off the enemy!

Stepping down the jade steps, her gold-embroidered dragon robe dragged across the floor with a rustling sound.

Ignoring everyone else, she walked straight up to Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi, I don't care whether this strategy of yours was passed down by your ancestors or if you just made it up on the spot.

I only ask you: how certain are you?

Straightening his chest, Zhao Yi met the Empress's searing gaze.

Your Majesty, this subject dares not claim ten-tenths certainty.

However, this subject can guarantee that once these two strategies are deployed, even if the locust plague in Henan cannot be completely eradicated, its devastation will certainly be reduced to the absolute minimum!

At the very least, it will preserve the lives of those millions of refugees and keep them from turning into wandering rebels!

Good!

Wu Mingkong uttered that single word of praise once more.

Turning around to face the assembled court officials, her voice was cold and domineering.

I care nothing for heavenly punishments, nor do I believe in ill omens!

I only know that my people shall not starve to death!

Lifting her hand, she pointed from afar at Zhao Yi.

Heed my decree!

From this moment onward, I hereby promote Zhao Yi, Vice Minister of Works, to the title of 'Grand Supervisor of Locust Extermination in Henan Province'. He shall command all military and political affairs within Henan Province, and officials of the third rank and below shall all be subject to his authority! Upon the presentation of the token personally bestowed by me, it shall be as though I am present in person!

I give you military power! I give you financial power!

You want men, I'll give you men! You want money—

She paused, as if recalling something, and the corners of her mouth curved upward in a cunning arc.

You can go figure out the money yourself!

As for Lord Li...

Wu Mingkong looked toward the ashen-faced, trembling old man.

I shall look forward to seeing you fulfill your wager.

Turning around, Zhao Yi flashed a brilliant, beaming smile at Li Buqing.

Lord Li, it seems you need to prepare a few more after-dinner desserts.

I'm afraid the stock in the outhouse won't be enough for an elder of your stature.