The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 131 Extraordinary times may require extraordinary measures. (Please give me some monthly votes, I'll update more tonight!)

His eyes were full of hope.

Li Yichen's past displays of "prophecy" and "ingenious strategies" made him subconsciously believe that perhaps this time, there would be a different answer.

Li Yichen's gaze remained calm as he met the Crown Prince's anxious stare.

He understood that this locust plague was both a crisis and an opportunity to instill more pragmatic and scientific ideas in the crown prince.

In this era, when faced with natural disasters, in addition to passively enduring them and praying to heaven, we need to take proactive, cognitive-based responses.

"Your Highness's concern for the people is a blessing for all."

Li Yichen spoke slowly, his voice steady and carrying a strange, comforting power.

"Although the locust plague is severe, it is not entirely uncontrollable. The old laws of the court have their effectiveness, but they can be supplemented to make them more effective."

Li Chengqian's spirits lifted, and his body involuntarily leaned forward.

"Please explain in more detail, sir!"

"Firstly, it lies in the tools and methods used for suppression," Li Yichen said.

"When the government organizes the suppression, the people often rush forward as soon as the order is given, each relying on their own hands and feet, which is inefficient. I believe that the court should standardize the process and quickly produce a batch of simple and effective suppression tools."

"Tools?" Li Chengqian asked in confusion. "Nothing more than tree branches, brooms, and the like..."

"It's more than that."

Li Yichen shook his head.

“Craftsmen can make large nets with coarse cloth and hemp rope, with long handles and deep nets. Several people can work together to swing the nets and catch locusts, which is far better than using bare hands. A kind of ‘sticky pole’ can also be made, with a special adhesive coating the tip of the long pole, which can be waved to stick locusts in dense areas.”

"These tools are simple in structure and made of readily available materials. The imperial court can issue blueprints to the disaster area for them to be made on the spot, or they can be supported by neighboring prefectures and counties, which can greatly improve the efficiency of the killing."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up; this was indeed much better than blindly attacking.

"This method is excellent! We should inform the Emperor immediately and have it implemented!"

Li Yichen nodded and continued, "Secondly, besides extermination, we should find another way. I have heard that locusts prefer dry conditions and dislike dampness and certain smells."

"Lime can be widely spread on field ridges and in areas where locusts gather."

"Lime?" Li Chengqian was taken aback again.

"This item is mostly used in burials, and it can also kill locusts?"

“Yes,” Li Yichen affirmed.

"Lime releases heat when it comes into contact with water, and it is also very hot and dry. If locusts come into contact with it, it can damage their body surface, inhibit their activity, or even kill them directly."

"Large-scale application can create isolation zones, slowing the locust swarms and buying time for eradication. Moreover, lime is inexpensive and readily available. Although it cannot eradicate the locusts, it can be used as a supplementary method, employing multiple approaches simultaneously."

Li Chengqian nodded repeatedly, making sure to remember each and every one of them.

What Li Yichen said, though seemingly simple, were ideas he had never systematically used before, giving him a sense of sudden enlightenment.

If we can combine swatting tools with lime treatment, we might be able to contain the locust plague more effectively than before.

However, Li Yichen's next words made his eyes widen instantly, almost as if he had misheard.

"Thirdly," Li Yichen said in a calm tone, but then offered a startling suggestion.

"It all comes down to the word 'eat'."

"Eat?" Li Chengqian suddenly stood up, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

"Sir! You mustn't! You...you don't know the truth!"

He spoke hastily, his tone even carrying a hint of reprimand, as if he feared that Li Yichen might cause a great disaster due to his ignorance of the situation.

"Once locusts become a plague, they carry a deadly poison!"

"Historical records show that in previous dynasties and even in the early years of this dynasty, starving people had no choice but to catch swarms of locusts, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and in severe cases, death in an instant!"

"This is common knowledge. People say it is the wrath of the 'Locust God,' a divine punishment that should not be profaned! In some places, people even worship the 'Locust God' and pray for him to leave!"

"How can we eat this? Sir, this suggestion is absolutely unacceptable!"

He was so excited that his breathing became rapid.

Eating locusts?

This idea is so outrageous that it goes against long-standing experience and folk beliefs.

Li Yichen was not surprised by Li Chengqian's intense reaction.

He was well aware of the toxicity of phenylacetonitrile and its derivative hydrocyanic acid once locusts swarmed together.

They also understood the awe people held for the "Locust God" in that era.

His intention in proposing this idea was to break down this cognitive barrier based on one-sided experience and superstition.

"Your Highness, please calm down."

Li Yichen's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

“When I say ‘eat,’ I am not referring to the swarms of locusts that fly around in the sky, their color dark yellow. Those locusts are indeed poisonous and harmful to eat.”

Li Chengqian was taken aback: "Then what does 'sir' mean?"

"Your Highness, are you aware that locusts are not born this way?"

Li Yichen patiently guided him.

"Before they emerge, fly, and gather to cause a plague, they are still in the nymph stage, commonly known as 'nymphs'. These creatures are greenish-blue and leap between meadows and fields without gathering. At this stage, they do not contain toxins. Children in the community sometimes catch and roast them without any harm."

Li Chengqian seemed to be deep in thought. He vaguely remembered that there was such a saying, but the impression was unclear.

“Even if they have become locusts,” Li Yichen continued to explain in more detail.

"The root of its toxins lies in a kind of 'filth' produced in its body when it gathers together, which can be transformed into a deadly poison."

"However, this poison has a unique characteristic—it is afraid of fire and high temperatures. If it can be roasted over a strong fire for a long time, most of its toxicity can be neutralized."

He looked at Li Chengqian with clear eyes.

"Therefore, the key to eating locusts lies in distinguishing their appearance and using the correct cooking methods. Scattered green locusts are non-toxic or slightly toxic and can be eaten."

“Swarming locusts must be captured, scalded with boiling water, and then placed over a fierce fire to be thoroughly roasted in order to destroy their poison.”

"If it is simply roasted without sufficient heat, the toxicity will not be removed and it will still be dangerous."

Li Chengqian was dumbfounded; this explanation was completely beyond his comprehension.

Linking locust toxins with "filthy air" and "fire attack" sounds absurd.

"Sir...is this really true?"

His voice was hoarse, filled with immense doubt.

"This matter concerns the lives of countless people and is no child's play! The slightest mistake could lead to tragedy!"

"How dare I speak presumptuously?"

Li Yichen's expression was solemn. "If Your Highness does not believe me, you may conduct an experiment first. Capture a small number of locusts in the locust-stricken area, scald them with boiling water according to my method, then roast them over a strong fire for a long time, and then... find a condemned prisoner awaiting execution to taste them and observe their reaction to know whether it is true or not."

"If all goes well, we can gradually implement this method. This method can at least provide disaster victims with a way to supplement their food supply, which is better than clay, tree bark, and grass roots."

Upon hearing "food tasting by death row inmates," Li Chengqian's tense expression eased slightly.

This is indeed a verification method. Although it sounds somewhat cold, it is a relatively safe choice when lives are at stake and the safety of a larger group of people is involved.

His trust in Li Yichen ultimately prevailed.

"If...if what you say is true..."

Li Chengqian slowly sat back down, his eyes flashing with a complex light.

"That undoubtedly opened up an unprecedented path to survival! However... people regard locusts as gods, so even if they are not poisonous, I'm afraid no one would dare to eat them, let alone hunt them on a large scale to reduce the disaster."

"This matter needs to be handled step by step, with official guidance," Li Yichen said.

"The government can first step forward to explain how to distinguish the state of locusts and how to cook them, and organize disaster victims to catch locusts through work relief. The government can then purchase the locusts in bulk and process them strictly. They can be used as livestock feed or cooked by government chefs to gradually change people's perceptions."

Even if it cannot be used as a staple food, it can still provide temporary relief.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and tried to digest these shocking remarks.

He realized that what Li Yichen proposed was not just the action of "eating", but a complete approach from identification and capture to processing, which was based on a profound insight into the essence of things and a bold challenge to "common sense".

"The student...has learned a lot."

He finally nodded heavily.

"The student council will seek an opportunity to inform Father Emperor about this matter and earnestly request that it be tested first. If it proves effective... then the achievement will be immense!"

The conversation then turned to more practical issues.

Li Chengqian's brows furrowed again.

"Even if there are some new methods for culling, even if... eating locusts is feasible, the reduction in grain production after the locust plague is a foregone conclusion."

"Grain prices are bound to skyrocket, and those unscrupulous merchants who hoard grain will never let such a golden opportunity pass by. I... cannot stand idly by and watch the people die of famine; I must find a way to curb grain prices!"

His tone was resolute, carrying the responsibility and determination of a crown prince.

Li Yichen shook his head slightly: "Your Highness's desire to suppress grain prices is commendable. However, I believe that not only should we not forcibly suppress grain prices at this time, but we should... allow grain prices to rise."

"What?" Li Chengqian was stunned again, almost thinking he had misheard.

"Sir! Why do you say this? Isn't this blatantly allowing those unscrupulous grain merchants to make dirty money and exploit the disaster victims? Historical records show that government price suppression is a common policy for pacifying the people!"

"Does Your Highness know that historical records also show that whenever the government forcibly suppresses prices, grain miraculously disappears from the market?"

Li Yichen countered with a question that was so calm it was almost cruel.

How did the grain traders respond?

Li Chengqian was taken aback, and answered subconsciously.

"They...they hid the grain, refusing to sell it, or they turned it upside down on the black market, selling it at a higher price..."

"exactly."

Li Yichen's gaze was sharp.

"When the government forcibly lowers prices, grain merchants make no profit, or even lose money. Why would they sell?"

"They would rather let the grain rot in the granaries than release it to stabilize the market price. As a result, government decrees became empty words, there was no grain to buy on the market, and even with money, disaster victims could not buy food to survive."

"In the end, they will only be able to take desperate measures or starve to death. This is not price suppression, but driving the people to their deaths!"

Li Chengqian opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found himself speechless.

He had read too many such accounts. Every time the imperial court forcibly suppressed prices, the end result was often market stagnation, rampant unscrupulous merchants, and the people's situation worsened.

"Then... then in your opinion, sir, what should we do?"

His voice carried a hint of confusion and anxiety.

"Are we just going to stand by and watch food prices skyrocket, with the rich hoarding and the poor starving?"

"The most important thing right now is to ensure that the disaster victims have food to eat and can survive," Li Yichen said in a deep voice.

"Allowing grain prices to rise moderately will encourage grain merchants to transport grain to disaster areas for sale if they see a profit to be made."

"As long as there is grain circulating in the market, no matter how high the price is, someone will always be able to buy it. It is better than having a price but no market and completely losing hope."

"This is to utilize the human instinct to pursue profit, guiding rather than blocking it."

He paused, looking at Li Chengqian whose expression was constantly changing, and continued his analysis.

"Rising grain prices can also attract grain merchants from unaffected areas and even more distant places to transport grain to sell, thereby increasing the grain supply in disaster areas."

“Once supply increases, although prices are high, a new, market-accepted equilibrium point will naturally form, preventing them from soaring to an unbearable level.”

"This is the regulation of the 'invisible hand,' which is stronger than the brutal 'visible hand' of the government."

"But...but the disaster victims are so poor, how can they afford such expensive grain?"

Li Chengqian grasped the core of the problem.

“Therefore, the government’s responsibility is not to suppress prices, but to provide relief and regulate them,” Li Yichen said.

"The imperial court should allocate funds and grain to set up soup kitchens to directly relieve the poorest people who have no money to buy grain and ensure their most basic survival."

"On the other hand, work-for-relief programs could be implemented, organizing disaster victims to participate in projects such as locust control, road repair, and water conservancy, and distributing money or grain as compensation so that they would be able to purchase food on the market."

"At the same time, the imperial court can also use the grain stored in the Ever-Normal Granary and release it to the market at an appropriate time. This is not to suppress prices, but to increase supply, stabilize excessive price fluctuations, demonstrate the imperial court's control, and prevent unscrupulous merchants from engaging in excessive speculation."

Li Chengqian fell into a long silence.

Li Yichen's words completely overturned his previous understanding of "benevolent governance".

Allowing grain prices to rise and taking advantage of merchants' profit-seeking mentality was incompatible with his upbringing of "emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce" and "governing the country with benevolence and righteousness."

However, reason told him that what Li Yichen said pointed directly to the most intractable core contradiction in disaster relief throughout history, and its logic was cold and realistic, yet it seemed... to be more effective.

Li Chengqian snapped out of his reverie.

"Bonds can raise money to develop Xizhou. If we can quickly raise funds and grain, the imperial court can provide relief more easily."

“This method is feasible and can solve the immediate problem,” Li Yichen affirmed.

"However, this is still only a temporary measure. Relief can only provide temporary relief and cannot restore production. Moreover, Your Highness should know that bond issuance also takes time, but the disaster cannot wait for anyone."

"The more crucial question is, even if money and grain are raised, how should they be distributed? It still comes down to what I just mentioned: should we choose to forcibly suppress prices, causing market stagnation, or allow market prices to fluctuate while supplementing them with government relief and regulation?"

He summarized: "Locust control, grain procurement, disaster relief, and people's well-being are all interconnected."

"Eliminating locusts requires proper methods, consuming locusts requires verification, grain prices need to be regulated, and relief efforts need to be precise."

"If Your Highness is willing to make a difference in this disaster relief effort, you need to break free from old patterns and consider all aspects. Extraordinary times may require extraordinary measures. The fundamental principle is to ensure the flow of food, the survival of disaster victims, and the eventual reconstruction and restoration of production."

(End of this chapter)