Using Money to Wipe Out Locusts
Xue Ji followed Daoist Master Wuqing into the City God Temple. Looking up, he saw a man in a purple dragon-patterned robe standing in the hall. From his attire alone, Xue Ji knew he was the Grand City God and immediately bowed.
"Henan Governor Xue Ji pays his respects to Grand City God King Fumingling!"
Jiang Hao nodded. "Rise. No need for formalities. I had the City God summon you because I wish to discuss the locust plague."
"What would King Fumingling like to ask?" Xue Ji said respectfully.
"Tell me everything, from beginning to end," Jiang Hao said.
Xue Ji began recounting the matter. "Five days ago, a massive swarm of locusts suddenly appeared in Kaifeng Prefecture, affecting more than a dozen counties at once."
"Wherever the locusts passed, it was as though the sky had darkened, blotting out the sun. The larger swarms covered more than a dozen li, while even the smaller ones stretched several li. The moment they landed, they could devour dozens or even hundreds of mu of crops clean in an instant. Wherever they went, not a blade of grass remained."
"This is precisely the season when autumn crops are growing. Now they have been eaten bare. I fear there will not be a single grain harvested this year."
"I sent an urgent dispatch to The Court. Yesterday, I received His Majesty's reply: the national treasury is empty, and there are no disaster-relief funds. I am to find a way to handle the relief myself. If I fail, I will be held accountable."
"Now the swarms are growing ever larger and spreading into other prefectures. The damage is severe everywhere. Though I have issued disaster-relief orders, I fear they will accomplish little. This year's catastrophe may be unavoidable.