The Grand Secretariat was most concerned about Shen Yun.
They had taken the credit for recommending him and were now seated in the Wen Yuan Pavilion, deliberating.
"A locust plague in Gan Jin, if it can be managed, is a great accomplishment, a great merit for the people and the court. Prime Minister Song is indeed showing favoritism," said Song Wenyuan, Grand Scholar of the Wu Ying Hall and Minister of Justice, to Song Sanqing, Grand Scholar of the Wen Yuan Pavilion and Minister of Personnel, his tone tinged with envy.
"If it's managed well, it's merit. If not, it's a grave error," Song Sanqing replied placidly.
To aspire to great merit, one must also possess the capability, otherwise, it would only invite disaster.
Song Wenyuan was silent for a moment and said no more.
Meanwhile, Shen Yun was already en route to the Gan Jin region with a cartload of "pet ducks."
Upon arrival, he discovered that the locust-infested areas spanned "south of You Zhuo, north of Chang Huai, west of Qing Yan, and east of Liang Song"—precisely the regions that had suffered the most severe drought previously.
The reason for these areas being so affected was due to their geographical environment and favorable weather conditions.
As this land was alternately arid and flooded, it provided excellent conditions for locust breeding.
Shen Yun had consulted numerous historical records and conducted on-site research. Based on the methods for locust control provided by Su Xiaoqi, he compiled a series of strategies for locust eradication.
Shen Yun was unsure how long the locust control efforts would take.
It was currently planting season, and delays were simply not an option.
One could not risk missing the planting season due to fear of locusts.
If the planting season were missed, there would be a severe shortage of food for the winter.
He recalled the documents Su Xiaoqi had pressed into his hands before his departure, which mentioned that this year certain crops that locusts disliked, such as taro, mulberry trees, peas, mung beans, hemp, and sesame, could be planted.
Additionally, grass and wood ash, or lime, could be sieved into fine powder and sprinkled on crops, deterring locusts from consuming them.
To prevent Shen Yun from being troubled by the matter of seeds, Su Xiaoqi had already arranged for He Qiulei to prepare them for him.
These were to be distributed free of charge; the common people merely had to plant them in their fields.
Shen Yun personally led the local populace in following these methods, and the results were remarkable.
Unlike before, when crops were planted and just as green shoots emerged, they were completely consumed by locusts that swept through, leaving nothing behind.
With the crops secured, Shen Yun then focused his attention on the locust control itself.
First: Cut away the water plants in low-lying, waterlogged areas to eliminate breeding grounds for locusts.
Second: Lead people to check locust breeding sites for signs of disturbed soil (caused by insect eggs developing into larvae) and immediately organize soldiers and manpower to deal with them.
Of course, this task would be best carried out in spring and summer when the eggs formed.
It was already somewhat late.
However, it was better than doing nothing.
Third, and most urgent:
At this point, some eggs had already hatched into larvae, requiring ditches to be dug to trap and kill them.
The government would issue announcements to purchase locusts, encouraging the populace to catch them.
Furthermore, at Su Xiaoqi's suggestion, Shen Yun opened the eighteen carriages that had accompanied him from the capital.
Inside were carts filled with ducks.
These were released into the fields most infested with locusts, allowing them to roam and feed on the locusts.
These ducks were highly effective at flying and devouring locusts; even natural predators could not compare.
The common people, witnessing their great efficacy, immediately began to emulate this practice.
Additionally, the ten thousand ducks previously purchased from Jiangning Prefecture had also arrived.
Given the proven effectiveness, Shen Yun did not need to make many arrangements. The local magistrates immediately summoned the village gentry and heads of households, disseminating the instructions.
This further increased their admiration for the young physician from the capital.
With various plans implemented concurrently, after more than half a month of effort, the locusts gradually began to diminish.
Shen Yun reported this matter to the imperial court. Emperor Xingzhao was overjoyed upon hearing it and issued a decree ordering his return to the capital.
Shen Yun then summoned the five county magistrates of Gan Jin and informed them, "The matter is nearing its conclusion. From now on, you merely need to persist in implementing the aforementioned plans to reduce or even eliminate the locust plague.
Should it recur next year, you may also employ these methods, and there will be no cause to fear locust infestations."
The two prefectural and five county magistrates all rose and offered their thanks.
In just over half a month, they had witnessed this young Zhuangyuan, accompanied by those dark and lean commoners, traversing the fields.
He had personally entered the fields to clear out locust nests and directed the ducks to swarm and devour the locusts.
It was precisely through his hands-on efforts that the common people, amidst continuous natural and man-made disasters, rekindled their hope and joined them in controlling the locust plague.
The officials were initially dismissive of him, believing him to be merely a bookish scholar who was good at reading and academics.
After all, how could someone who spent his days immersed in books understand matters of the fields?
They likely thought he couldn't even distinguish between rice and weeds, nor understand the difference between leek sprouts and wheat seedlings.
Who would have thought that one could not judge a person by their appearance, nor measure the sea with a dipper?
That someone with his noble bearing and refined appearance would understand agricultural matters was truly astonishing.
Thus, their initial skepticism and distrust transformed into trust and respect.
He had demonstrated his immense personal charisma.
He dared to act, was willing to work, and was capable.
He had resolved their most pressing concern.
"Officials Zhang, Wang, Liu, Du, and Li, I bid you farewell. Take care," Shen Yun observed their emotions and changes clearly.
However, he had no desire to compete with them.
His purpose in coming was clear: to eradicate the locust plague.
Therefore, their initial attitudes had no impact on him.
As long as they didn't hinder his progress, that was all that mattered.
Now that the locust plague was resolved, their attitudes toward him had also shifted.
Shen Yun did not feel any particular honor from this.
He acted without needing others' commentary and was not swayed by their opinions.
Shen Yun successfully brought the locust plague in the Gan Jin region under control and returned to the capital in early September.
Meanwhile, the experience he had summarized during nearly a month of locust control had already been compiled into a book.
It was distributed to the publishing house, printed in large quantities, and sent to other prefectures and counties ravaged by locusts, instructing them to follow these methods.
This undertaking had been initiated while Shen Yun was still in the Gan Jin region.
Therefore, by the time he returned to the capital, good news had already been received from various places.
Following these methods, the locust plagues in all regions had been quelled.
Consequently, Shen Yun's achievements were magnified.
Before even returning home, Shen Yun went directly to the palace to report his success.
Emperor Xingzhao received him in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
At that time, there was no one else present besides them.
Only a eunuch was there to serve tea.
Shen Yun glanced at the eunuch and inwardly fretted, wondering if the emperor had some confidential matters to discuss.
He quietly awaited the instructions of the monarch on the throne.
Emperor Xingzhao, nearing sixty, had been an extremely diligent emperor in his youth.
He possessed both literary and military talents and harbored great ambitions.
He pacified the Northern Chu, pacified the Southern Yue, campaigned in the West, quelled the rebellion of the Prince of Qin, and implemented reforms.
The policies he established were all greatly beneficial to the people.
He could be considered a good emperor.
However, having reigned for thirty years and achieved some accomplishments, his demeanor had inevitably become somewhat capricious.
Furthermore, with the increasing number of sycophants around him who flattered him, honest advice was disregarded, leading him to become gradually more incompetent.
He saw Shen Yun and first spoke of his achievements.
"My dear minister, you have been in office for less than half a year, yet you have already accomplished several feats. You are truly a capable minister who benefits the world."
Shen Yun, sensing that the emperor's words were somewhat unusual, became more attentive and cautious in his response.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Your humble servant has achieved this through Your Majesty's abundant grace."
Emperor Xingzhao narrowed his eyes, looking at the young minister before him.
He recalled that he himself had ascended to the throne at such an optimal age.
It had been over thirty years since then.
Looking back on these thirty years, he had done many meritorious deeds, but he had also committed many foolish acts.
He had promoted capable officials, but he had also executed meritorious ones, and he had even allowed some treacherous officials to gain power...
After recalling a past event, Emperor Xingzhao said to Shen Yun, "I am old. The imperial court belongs to you young people..."
Shen Yun's heart skipped a beat. He immediately knelt and pleaded guilty, stating that he devoted his heart to the service of the Great Liang dynasty and dared not bear the name of disrupting governance.
"Hahaha... There is no need to be nervous, cough cough cough cough... I was merely joking," Emperor Xingzhao said, looking at Shen Yun's displayed apprehension with great satisfaction.
Even the most capable ministers had to be utilized by him.
After listing Shen Yun's achievements, he coughed again for a long while, and with a flushed face, suddenly asked, "Regarding the matter in Jiangning Prefecture, was Liu Qiaosheng the only one involved?"