Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Gu Mingli began to set rules for the ducks and give them commands.

Only after rehearsing with the ducks several times did he feel at ease.

To his surprise, the animal group seemed particularly sensitive to commands.

They are highly organized and disciplined.

Master Gu expressed great satisfaction.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gu Mingli's [Beast Language] skill went into cooldown.

He withdrew his skills and waited outside the tent for half an incense stick's time.

It was confirmed that the orchid fragrance, originally intended to seduce the ducks, had mostly dissipated.

He then straightened his clothes and went to the main tent.

Inside the tent, Gu Mingyue and Xiao Ye were bowing their heads before the desk, discussing something in hushed tones.

Hearing the sound of the tent flap being lifted, the two of them looked up at the same time.

Gu Mingli's cheeks were slightly flushed, and there was still a little sweat on his forehead.

Gu Mingyue smiled secretly, picked up her teacup, and quickly took a sip.

Xiao Ye sat upright in the large chair, looking at him with a serious expression.

"Is the duck matter settled?"

"All done, perfect!"

Gu Mingli was completely unaware of this, casually pulled up a small stool from the side, and plopped down on it with a swagger.

He disregarded all formalities between ruler and subject, and picked up a cup of cold tea from the table.

He tilted his head back, gulped down a large mouthful, and sighed contentedly.

"These hundreds of thousands of ducks can go to the ground at any time."

"In addition, a matrix-style duck-herding team can ensure that the ducks do not become disorderly."

"it is good."

Xiao Ye nodded seriously, a slight smile playing on his lips for a moment.

"Then tomorrow we'll be entirely at Master Gu's disposal."

Gu Mingyue couldn't help but suppress her laughter and mumbled, "Yes."

Gu Mingli tilted his head in confusion, looking at his sister's somewhat unserious expression.

"Mingyue? What's wrong? Is something fun happening?"

"fine."

Gu Mingyue coughed lightly and stood up.

"Let's go back early. We have to get up early tomorrow to start arranging the tasks for controlling the locust plague."

The three of them walked out of the tent together.

Gu Mingli and Xiao Ye walked side by side in front, whispering to each other.

Gu Mingyue glanced furtively at her brother's back and sighed softly.

Huang Jiaojiao is not so easily fooled.

She dared not admit that she hadn't stopped Huang Jiaojiao earlier.

While her brother was at the duck pen, Huang Jiaojiao completely ignored her idle chatter.

They followed them straight to the secluded tent next to the duck pen, which offered a fantastic view.

Through the tent window, the emperor watched as her brother used seductive voices and sweet talk to coax the ducks in the duck pen, and how he made grand promises in various ways.

And that outrageous move of "dividing rooms and wives~"...

I watched the whole thing unfold.

Gu Mingyue was initially worried that the emperor might think her brother was a monster.

Fortunately, the emperor's ability to accept things is extraordinary.

After watching that good show, Xiao Ye didn't ask any questions.

He simply chuckled softly and turned back to the main tent.

Gu Mingyue and Xiao Ye had already discussed the locust control measures and how to take the opportunity to improve people's livelihoods in the north in great detail.

Going forward, Pujitang will serve as a solid grassroots force.

Using commerce to drive agriculture, stabilize people's livelihoods, and vigorously develop agriculture in the north.

At the same time, the emperor, on behalf of the court, issued the following policy:

"In the seven disaster-stricken counties including Anyang, land taxes will be fully waived this year, and all corvée labor will be temporarily suspended to alleviate the people's hardship!"

This decree will be issued first thing tomorrow morning.

Only when the people know that the court has not abandoned them can they truly feel at ease.

Instead of panicking and selling land to flee, they turned back to do everything they could to save the land that their ancestors had relied on for generations.

Live and work in peace and contentment.

The next morning, at the Jizhou guesthouse.

Zhao Pucheng arrived before dawn.

Clutching a document in his hand, he paced back and forth on the porch in the front yard.

Jia Zhengjing arrived a little later.

Not seeing His Majesty, he leaned against the corridor, fanning himself with a handkerchief and wiping his sweat.

The two stood a few steps apart, neither speaking to the other.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Gu Mingyue walked out of the inner courtyard, followed by Yi Wu and Tao Zhi.

She now has full authority over the locust control efforts, and county officials naturally have to obey her orders.

Zhao Pucheng quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Master Gu, regarding the method for eradicating locusts that you mentioned yesterday, I would like to confirm it again..."

He lowered his voice, his face showing barely concealed unease.

"You really use ducks?"

Gu Mingyue nodded.

Zhao Pucheng gripped the document in his hand, his tone filled with unease.

"Well... I'm not questioning Master Gu's decision."

"But the number of locusts is so great. Three thousand cages of ducks may seem like a lot, but if they scatter into the ground, I'm afraid..."

"Magistrate Zhao".

Gu Mingyue knew what Zhao Pucheng was thinking.

After all, they only saw three thousand duck cages and didn't know how many ducks had actually been transported.

But the CEO doesn't need to explain much when he does things.

She gave the instructions, and her subordinates simply followed them.

Gu Mingyue said, "You just need to gather the duck herders. The more people there are, the shorter the time we can spend on disaster relief."

"These ducks are free-range ducks bred in Jiangzhou. They are raised in the wild from a young age and grow up eating insects. An adult free-range duck can eat two hundred locusts a day."

Zhao Pucheng was taken aback.

"Two hundred?"

The ground was covered with locusts; you could easily grab two hundred of them with a single grab.

If we rely solely on ducks for food, how long would it take to last?

Zhao Pucheng lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before finally nodding with some doubt.

"This humble official understands."

He turned to leave, but Gu Mingyue called out to him.

"Wait. There's one more thing."

Gu Mingyue handed over a draft of a notice that Yi Wu was holding behind her.

Zhao Pucheng took it and unfolded it, reading line by line, his brows easing more and more as he looked.

"For all farmers who cooperate with Pujitang, Pujitang will purchase all of their annual grain production at the standard market price, without shortchanging them..."

Zhao Pucheng raised his head, his eyes lighting up.

In previous years, the grain grown by the people could only be sold to the Cui family.

The price the Cui family paid for grain decreased year by year, and most importantly, they were shortchanged on weight.

The people had nowhere to seek justice.

But if we don't sell them, we have no other sales channels and can't make money.

The emergence of Pujitang has clearly broken the Cui family's monopoly.

Pujitang was a royal merchant, and the Cui family dared not touch it.

Zhao Pucheng happily cupped his hands in greeting.

"Should this notice be posted today?"

Gu Mingyue nodded.

"The sooner the better. Post notices on every bulletin board inside and outside Anyang city."

"In addition, gather manpower from all the affected villages. They will assemble outside the city early tomorrow morning and collect ducks to kill locusts, organized by village."

"yes!"

Zhao Pucheng carefully rolled up the draft of the notice, tucked it into his sleeve, and walked away with light steps.

From the pillars, Jia Zhengjing watched the whole scene with half-closed eyes.

He twirled the handkerchief between his fingers twice, a mocking smile on his face.

Only after Zhao Pucheng had walked far away did he slowly stroll over.

His thick hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his smile revealed a hint of shrewdness.

"Master Gu, I've heard that the imperial court is using ducks to combat the locusts this time?"

Gu Mingyue glanced at him.

"Lord Jia is quite well-informed."

Jia Zhengjing chuckled twice, his chubby face creased with wrinkles.

"What I'm trying to say is that this locust plague is no small matter. Throughout history, locust control methods have always involved burning them, using nets, and even employing livestock to deal with swarms of locusts that seem to stretch the sky..."

He paused, carefully considering his words.

"I'm worried for Master Gu. If the results are unsatisfactory, the people of Jizhou will likely be disappointed and hold us accountable."

That's very clear.

If this were to cause a popular uprising, it would be the fault of Pujitang, and would have nothing to do with the Jizhou government.

Gu Mingyue gave him a cold glance.

"We'll know how it goes tomorrow."

That evening, at the Jia residence.

Jia Zhengjing sat in his study, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, and shook his head repeatedly at Cui Zhe, whose face was full of gloom.

Using ducks to control locusts? That's utterly outlandish!

"What good are a few thousand ducks?"

"The locusts in Jizhou are too numerous to count. When the time comes, even if the ducks are running around in the fields, the locusts will still fly. When the people see that this is all the court can do, their hearts will naturally turn away."

"At that time, if the Cui family spreads the word that only the Cui family's grain store can keep the people of Jizhou from starving, won't these unruly people beg for help?"

Cui Zhe sneered.

"I'll send in some more people tomorrow to stir up trouble."

"Let those tenant farmers think that the imperial court is treating disaster relief like a joke. By then, Ji Province will still be ours."

At this point, the two exchanged a smile.

They couldn't wait to see the chaotic and incompetent scene of the emperor personally touring the north to manage the locust plague.