Chapter 79: Quelling the Insect Plague "As long as everyone listens to my instructions, we will definitely be able to...
Liu Yeshu ignored his joke and returned to her room. She emerged holding a thick booklet. She stroked the cover. It was the fruit of a whole year's hard work. She had meticulously copied and mapped every geographical annotation provided by the system.
Returning to Qi Yu's study, she gently placed the booklet on the desk. In the candlelight, she flipped to the first page. "This is the Geography of Mobei. It details the water sources, pastures, and climate changes of various regions."
Qi Yu took a closer look. Beside the densely packed text lay an exquisite topographical map, each stroke meticulously drawn. He noticed the different colored markings on the map. "What do these symbols represent?"
"The red ones are oases with lush vegetation," Liu Yeshu's slender fingers tapped the vermilion mark on the map. "The cyan ones are hidden valleys, perfect for large military garrisons." She then pointed to several yellow marks. "These are sandy areas. Be especially careful when marching; you can easily get stuck in quicksand."
She turned to the next page and pointed to the detailed text: "The specific location, characteristics, and best grazing season of each terrain are recorded here." In the candlelight, her profile was focused and serious.
Every mark on the map is incredibly detailed, even the most inconspicuous mountain streams are recorded. Even more remarkable is that it also notes climate change in each region, such as when strong winds will occur and which seasons are prone to snowfall.
"Shu'er, how do you know this?"
"I know what you're asking." Liu Yeshu pursed her lips and smiled. She had been asking the system questions bit by bit, meticulously mapping out the trade routes, under the pretext of understanding them. "When you come back this time, I'll tell you everything."
Qi Yu carefully flipped through the map, his eyes scanning every intricate annotation. This was no simple map; it was a detailed marching guide. Water sources, topography, climate—everything was clearly documented. Having this was like having an extra pair of eyes on the Mobei steppes.
"This trip to Mobei, with this local chronicle, gives us a better chance of victory." He gently closed the booklet and looked up at Liu Yeshu. "In this case, it's unreasonable not to give me a reward."
Liu Yeshu stared at the candlelight in a daze, and after a while she said, "I heard that the white jade hairpins in Mobei are as white as snow, and they are very beautiful."
As soon as she finished speaking, she blushed a little, lowered her head and fiddled with her sleeves. This was the first time she had asked for something in such a coquettish way.
Qi Yu couldn't help but smile as he saw her rarely showing her little girlish demeanor. "The white jade from Mobei is indeed rare. If I return victorious, I will definitely find you the best one."
*
Early that morning, Liu Yeshu was checking on the chicks in the chicken coop when the system suddenly prompted: [Insect infestation detected in the surrounding area, suspected invasion of the East Asian migratory locust. Immediate prevention and control measures are recommended.]
Before she finished speaking, Liu Yeling came running over in a panic: "Sister! Go and take a look in the fields, in the fields, in the fields..."
Old Man Wang followed closely behind, his forehead covered in sweat. "Miss Liu, the crops in the field are in trouble! There are so many insects that they can eat up a whole field of wheat seedlings in the blink of an eye!"
Liu Yeshu hurried to the wheat fields and could hear screams from afar. The farmers were either squatting at the edge of the fields or standing on the ridges, their faces gloomy as they looked at the tragic scene before them.
"Oh my God! What shall I do?" Old Man Wang sat down on the edge of the field, pointing with trembling hands at the wheat seedlings that had been gnawed to pieces by the locusts. "This whole field is ruined! It's all ruined!"
"My ten mu of land was fine yesterday. It's only been overnight..." Mr. Li said, wiping away tears, his voice choking. The wheat in his fields was his family's hope, yet now he watched helplessly as locusts devoured it all.
Young and strong farmers tried to drive away the locusts. Some waved their straw hats, some beat them with branches, and some even lit torches. But there were too many locusts. When they drove away one, another came flying back.
The system immediately popped up detailed information: [The East Asian migratory locust has a breeding period of approximately 28 days and feeds on young leaves. An adult can consume plants equivalent to its body weight daily. Estimated scale of this infestation: medium to high.]
"What should I do? What should I do?" Aunt Zhang squatted on the ground with her knees hugged, watching her wheat fields being eaten away by locusts bit by bit, tears streaming down her face. "If we don't harvest a single grain, we'll starve this year..."
Seeing that everyone was in a panic, Liu Yeshu stepped forward quickly: "Don't panic, I have a way!" Her voice was clear and firm, giving the panicked farmers a glimmer of hope.
"Shu girl, do you really have a solution?" Old man Wang stood up tremblingly, with an expectant glint in his eyes.
"There is a way," Liu Yeshu nodded, "As long as everyone listens to my instructions, we will be able to save this wheat field."
"Ling'er, take a few strong young men to the market and buy some more wood ash and lime." Liu Yeshu turned to Old Man Wang and said, "Uncle Wang, have your men dig a ditch on the ridge of the field. Make sure it's three feet deep and two feet wide."
"Dig a ditch?" Old man Wang was skeptical.
Tip: East Asian migratory locusts are not good at jumping, so deep trenches can effectively block their path. It is recommended to sprinkle wood ash and lime in the trenches to burn the locusts' skin.
"Yes, dig a ditch." Liu Yeshu nodded firmly. "I'll have someone prepare sulfur and mugwort, and then light them on the edge of the field to smoke it out. Uncle Wang just needs to arrange for the men to dig the ditch."
Liu Yeling ran off to the market. Although Old Man Wang had his doubts, seeing Liu Yeshu's determined expression, he led the tenants to start digging a ditch.
Soon, Liu Yeling and a few of his men returned with more than a dozen bags of wood ash. "Sister, the lime is on the way and will be here soon." He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Do you think this will really work?"
Liu Yeshu glanced at the system prompt: [The alkaline substances in wood ash can burn the locusts' skin; lime has a dehydrating effect. Using these two together can effectively stop the locusts from advancing.]
"It works," she explained as she ordered someone to pour wood ash into the insect-proof ditch. "The ash will hurt their skin, and the lime will dehydrate them. Then light the wormwood, and they'll smell the smoke and change their route."
"Then I'll go get all the mugwort we have at home!" Liu Yeling was about to run again, but halfway through, an idea struck her and she turned back. "I'll go to the chicken coop and drive all the chickens over, so they can eat the locusts?"
"It's not time to release the chickens yet. We have to wait for the ash and lime to take effect."
Old Man Wang came over and wiped his sweat, saying, "Miss, the ditch is done. It's three feet deep and two feet wide, and the bottom is leveled."
"Okay," Liu Yeshu nodded. "Look, Uncle Wang, the locusts have been blocked by the ash. Once the lime arrives, we'll spread another layer and they won't be able to get through."
Sure enough, the locusts retreated when they encountered wood ash. Some locusts that fell into the ditch struggled in the ash for a while and then stopped moving.
The system displays: [Prevention and control effectiveness: 45%, it is recommended to continue strengthening the defense line.]
"Ling'er," Liu Yeshu called over to her brother, "Go have someone light the mugwort upwind so the smoke drifts toward the locust swarm."
Soon, thick smoke filled the fields and the locusts began to change direction.
Liu Yeling was stunned: "Sister, how do you know these methods?"
Liu Yeshu smiled but didn't answer, continuing to check the system data: [Prevention and Treatment Effectiveness: 67%, Recommended to start grazing.]
"It's time to release the chickens!" she ordered. "Divide the flock into three groups and take turns grazing them. Don't let them get too tired."
Everyone did as she said, and it really worked. At the end of the day, the locust plague was initially under control. Old Man Wang was amazed: "Miss Liu, where did you learn all these methods?"
"I read it in a book," Liu Yeshu said calmly, "and I didn't expect it would come in handy."
Liu Yeling interrupted and changed the subject. Lately, he'd always felt like his sister had acquired some magical abilities, as if she knew what was going to happen in advance. But he also understood that this might be his sister's secret, so he couldn't ask any more questions, and he didn't want anyone else to ask.
At nightfall, Liu Yeshu checked the system data for the last time: [Control effectiveness: 89%. It is expected that the pest infestation will be completely under control within three days. It is recommended to continue control measures.]
She stood on the ridge of the field, watching the insect plague gradually subside, and the villagers finally smiled. At this moment, the system suddenly popped up a prompt:
[Congratulations on completing the pest control mission! ]
[Task Rating: Perfect]
【Rewards:
Farming skills upgrade: Pest control level upgrade
Special item: Insect repellent sachet recipe, can be used to make insect repellent sachets
Unlock new skills: Pest warning, which can predict pest disasters three days in advance]
After accepting the rewards, Liu Yeshu suddenly thought of Qi Yu, who had been away for over half a month. It was freezing cold in Mobei, and she wondered if he was doing well over there.
*
In mid-October, the army encountered the first sandstorm in Mobei. Yellow sand filled the sky, obscuring the sun. Ordinary carriages were shattered by the strong wind, some even sinking into the quicksand. However, Liu Yeling's specially crafted grain cart remained unmoved. Special grooves in the wheel hubs allowed the sand to flow away, and the reinforced carriages protected the grain and fodder securely.
The baggage handlers were pleasantly surprised to find that not only were the food and fodder safe and sound, but even the wheels were intact. While Xiongnu scouts observed from afar, believing the Han army would suffer heavy losses, Qi Yu's army was quietly waiting for the storm to pass.
At nightfall, the sandstorm finally subsided. Under the moonlight, the soldiers expertly dismantled the food carts and quickly erected warm tents. Qi Yu stood outside the tents, admiring the ingenious designs. The vents resembled fish scales, dissipating heat while keeping the wind out. The carefully designed vents on the carriages not only blocked the wind but also allowed fires to be lit inside the tents. Soon, smoke curled up, and the aroma of hot meals wafted through the chilly night.
The bonfire flickered in the cold night, illuminating the soldiers' reddened faces. As the rations unloaded from the forage carts were distributed, everyone eagerly took out a bite.
It was a kind of dried meat I had never seen before, slightly black in appearance, but exuding a mellow aroma. Veteran Liu Wuzi took a bite and his eyes lit up immediately. "What a taste!" he praised repeatedly. "I've fought in the war for twenty years, and this is the first time I've eaten such good dried food!"
The meat jerky was not only soft but also remained intact even after being exposed to biting cold winds for a long time. The grain was even more unique, not only not freezing but also remaining incredibly filling.
"I heard that this was developed by the chef in General Qi's mansion." Someone said, and took another sip of hot soup.
"What cook?" Wang Sanya continued, "I heard from the guards that it was developed by a woman, Miss Liu from General Qi's mansion!"
"Miss Liu? Is that the Miss Liu who raises chickens?" Liu Wuzi's eyes widened in surprise. "No wonder. I heard she was exiled and knows the hardships we face in battle."
On the tenth day of the march, scouts arrived on horseback with a report: "Hun cavalry have appeared on three sides, cutting off our supply lines!"
Qi Yu was unfazed by the news. He pointed to a mark in the Mobei Geography and said, "Here, on the west side of the Wulan Valley, there's a hidden oasis with abundant water and grass. If we take this mountain road, the Xiongnu won't be able to find us."
At dawn, Qi Yu personally led the team to explore the route. Sure enough, hidden among the mountains, they discovered a vast expanse of water and grass. Clear mountain springs flowed from cracks in the rocks, surrounded by lush green grass. This oasis, nestled among the mountains, was not only secluded but also shielded from the biting north wind.
The army then moved on, and the horses were given ample rest here. Whenever night fell, the soldiers would convert the food carts into tents, and the specially built stoves on the carts would blaze brightly, allowing the soldiers to drink hot soup even on cold nights.
On the eve of the decisive battle, a blizzard swept across the grasslands without warning. The swirling snow almost merged the sky and earth into one, nearly burying even the tents. In the distance, faint cries of panic could be heard from the Xiongnu camp; it was clear their camp had been destroyed by the heavy snow.
The Han army, however, remained unharmed. Qi Yu had long ago chosen a sheltered valley, following the records in the local gazetteer, to set up camp. The mountains blocked the harshest winds, and the specially constructed food carts proved particularly effective. The soldiers reassembled the carts into warm tents. Even the horses were well cared for, sheltered from the snow in makeshift stables.
The real fiercest battle took place on the Ulan Butong grasslands. The wind and snow from the northern desert cut men's faces like knives, and icicles froze the horses' manes. Yet, the soldiers on the front lines remained steadfast, thanks to a unique stove designed by Liu Yeling. He installed a windproof and heat-dissipating stove on the grain cart, allowing the soldiers to cook hot soup even in the freezing snow.
As Qi Yu inspected the front lines on horseback, he saw soldiers gathered around a fire, drinking hot soup and eating specially prepared dry rations. Some were gnawing on jerky that wouldn't freeze, while others were drinking warm rice soup. The camp was filled with the aroma of food.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Xiongnu camp was dire. Their rations had frozen in the snow, and their horses, unable to find fodder, were emaciated. The soldiers huddled in tattered tents, unable to even get a sip of hot soup.
The outcome of this battle was clear before it even began. By the time the two armies actually engaged, the Han soldiers were in high spirits, while the Xiongnu soldiers had been tortured by cold and hunger and had lost their fighting spirit.
In just half a day, the Hun army collapsed, leaving armor all over the ground and fleeing in a panic.
*
On a winter's day in Ning'an County, a light snowflake drifted quietly. The flakes swirled gracefully, coating the city walls with a thin layer of silver. Liu Yeshu stood atop the city gate tower, gazing northward through the swirling curtain of snow. Ever since hearing the news of the army's triumphant return three days ago, she had come here daily to watch, unwilling to leave even when her hands and feet were numb from the cold.
"Miss Liu!" A soldier hurried up the creaking wooden ladder. "The army is already outside the city, but..." He hesitated. "I heard that the general is going directly to the capital to report, and may not enter the city."
Liu Yeshu wrapped her cloak, shook her head, and said with a smile: "He will come." Snowflakes fell on her eyelashes and quickly melted into water droplets.
Sure enough, at noon, outside the city gate came the sound of hurried horse hooves, treading through the snow. Qi Yu, accompanied by several personal soldiers, arrived, dusty and exhausted. From afar, he spotted the slender figure on the city gate tower, riding forward, his face weary but still smiling: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"I knew you would come." Liu Yeshu said softly, "This is the first snow this winter." Snowflakes fell on her black hair, making her look even more beautiful.
Qi Yu looked up and squinted at the falling snowflakes. Frost still formed on the wolf fur coat on his shoulders. "This is much lighter than the snow in Mobei." He dismounted swiftly and took out a small bundle tightly wrapped in oil paper from his arms. "I brought this back from Mobei."
Liu Yeshu reached out to take it, but before he could open it, he heard an urging voice from a distance: "General, it's time to set off! His Majesty is waiting for your report!" The voice was a little blurred by the wind and snow.
Qi Yu sighed softly and raised his hand to brush the snowflakes off her shoulders: "Wait for me to come back."
"Wait for you to come back." She replied softly, watching him climb onto the horse.
Looking at Qi Yu's figure disappearing in the vast snow and wind, Liu Yeshu opened the bag.
A crystal clear white jade hairpin lay quietly on the oil paper. The shape of the hairpin head was exactly the same as the grain cart designed by Liu Yeling.
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