Chapter 666 Locust Plague

A few days later, the bridge was finally repaired with the efforts of everyone.

Wang Xiaoer trotted all the way to Xi Yu, his face filled with pride and excitement, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, the bridge is repaired!"

When Xi Yu heard this, his eyes suddenly shone with surprise. He stood up suddenly and said eagerly: "Seriously? Come on, let's go and take a look!"

After a while, Xi Yu brought Tuo Bayu to the bridge. Xi Yuzai inspected it carefully, with a look of satisfaction on his face. He kept nodding and said with a smile: "Everyone did a good job! This bridge is strong and beautiful. Thank you for your hard work!"

Tuobayu also stepped forward, with admiration in his eyes, and said: "It is indeed a superb work, and everyone has contributed a lot to it!"

Wang Xiaoer, who was standing aside, scratched his head when he heard the compliment, smiled, with a blush on his face, and said with some embarrassment: "If we can satisfy the Prime Minister, it will be worth all our hard work!"

Wang Xiaoer looked at Xi Yu, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of worry and reluctance, and he asked cautiously: "Prime Minister, are you leaving?"

Xi Yu nodded slightly, with a hint of helplessness and emotion in his expression.

After hearing the news, the faces of many people around were instantly filled with gloom and made them look ugly.

An old man came forward, his lips trembling, his eyes full of prayer: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, we hope you can stay here!"

A young woman next to him also echoed, with red eyes and a crying voice: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, what will we do if you leave?"

Xi Yu looked at everyone, his heart filled with emotion. He sighed deeply and said firmly and gently: "Folks, there is no such thing as a banquet in the world. Although I am leaving, I believe your life will get better and better in the future. "

The people were silent, but their faces were full of loss and nostalgia.

Looking at the sad expressions of the people, Xi Yu couldn't help but feel sad in his heart.

He suppressed the reluctance in his heart and raised his voice and said: "Don't be so sad, everyone. After I leave, you should also live a good life and build our land more prosperous."

At this time, a child in the crowd grabbed his mother's clothes tightly and asked with big watery eyes: "Then will the Prime Minister come back to see us?"

Xi Yu knelt down, gently touched the child's head, and replied with a smile: "Yes, child. As long as I have the chance, I will definitely come back to see you."

Wang Xiaoer, who was standing aside, had tears in his eyes and choked up his voice: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, you have done so many good things for us during your time here. We really can't bear to see you leave."

Xi Yu stood up slowly and looked around everyone, his eyes full of encouragement and expectation: "I believe that even if I am not here, you will be able to live a happy life with your own efforts."

The people nodded one after another. Although they still couldn't hide their sadness, there was more determination in their eyes.

The next day, the sun shone on the earth, and Xi Yu and Tuo Bayu continued to ride horses.

Tuobayu frowned slightly and said to Xi Yu with a serious face: "Husband, I hope we will drive hard and not encounter other things on the way so that we can arrive smoothly."

Xi Yu tilted his head slightly, with a firm look on his face, and retorted: "Tuobayu, if we encounter people in pain again, we can stay and help."

When Tuobayu heard this, he frowned even more and said anxiously: "But our schedule is tight and we can't delay any longer."

Xi Yu's eyes were bright and his expression was resolute, and he said loudly: "Nothing is trivial for the common people. If we can relieve their difficulties, what's the point of a little delay?"

Tuobayu shook his head helplessly, sighed, and said, "You are always so kind-hearted."

Xi Yu smiled slightly, with tenderness and firmness in his eyes, and said, "My heart is like this, I can't change it, and I don't want to change it."

Tuobayu looked at Xi Yu's determined look and knew that it would be difficult for him to convince him, so he could only slow down his tone and said, "That's all, I'm up to you. I just hope you won't miss something big because of this."

Xi Yu laughed heartily, patted Tuobayu on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I know it well. If something goes wrong because of this, I will bear all the responsibilities."

After saying that, the two continued to move forward, and the horses' hooves raised a cloud of dust. Tuobayu looked back from time to time, still looking worried.

Xi Yu, on the other hand, stared straight ahead firmly, as if waiting for the next person in need of help to appear.

Xi Yu and Tuo Bayu rode horses and slowly entered a peaceful village.

As soon as we arrived at the entrance of the village, a dilapidated temple came into view, where many villagers knelt down to pray devoutly. The two looked at each other with confusion in their eyes, so they tightened the reins and stopped the horse.

After a while, everyone finished praying and got up and dispersed.

Xi Yu got off his horse and walked quickly to an old woman with wrinkles on her face.

He bowed slightly, with a gentle and curious expression on his face, and asked softly: "Old man, what are you doing?"

The old woman's wrinkled face was full of worry, and she said slowly: "Locusts have appeared around our village recently. The locusts are so dense that they are harming the crops. We really have no choice but to come here to pray for blessings and let the locusts disperse quickly."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yu's expression immediately became serious, his eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes showed concern and attention.

He then turned his head and glanced at Tuobayu.

Tuobayu met his gaze, with a knowing smile on his face, and said jokingly: "I knew that with your kind-hearted nature, you would stay to deal with this problem again."

Xi Yu pursed his lips and said firmly: "How can I stand by and watch when the people are suffering!"

Tuobayu crossed his arms and nodded with a smile.

"Okay, then let's find a way to deal with these locusts together!"

Xi Yu frowned slightly and asked eagerly: "Old man, who has the final say in this village?"

The old woman raised her hand tremblingly, pointed in the direction of the village, and said, "Of course he is the clan leader."

Hearing this, Xi Yu's eyes flashed with determination, and he immediately said, "I want to see the clan leader."

The old woman looked at them with suspicion, and asked cautiously: "Who are you two?"

Xi Yu said, "You don't have to worry about it."

Then he said to the old woman in a gentle tone: "Old man, could you please tell us where the patriarch is?"

The old woman looked at his sincere eyes and said quickly: "The patriarch's house is in the largest courtyard on the east side of the village."

Xi Yu smiled and thanked the old woman: "Thank you very much."

Afterwards, he and Tuobayu mounted their horses together and walked slowly towards the clan leader's home.

Along the way, Xi Yu looked solemn, thinking about how to help the villagers solve the locust problem.

The patriarch's home is a slightly crude house made of adobe. At this time, the patriarch, a man in his fifties with a vicissitudes of life but a resolute face, was sitting in the yard sorting farm tools.

The patriarch's wife was cooking in the kitchen nearby, and smoke was rising.

Suddenly, the patriarch saw two strangers walking into the courtyard. He frowned slightly, his eyes full of doubts and vigilance, and quickly stood up and asked, "Who are you?"

Xi Yu had a humble smile on his face, his eyes were clear and gentle, and he responded: "Chief, we are two scholars. We were passing by here and suddenly saw locusts here. We were curious, so we wanted to stay here and take a look."

The patriarch glanced at them critically, his expression still not relaxed, and he asked suspiciously: "Just scholars?"

Tuobayu also hurriedly took a step forward, cupped his hands, and said sincerely: "Clan leader, we have absolutely no ill intentions. We just saw the locusts raging and wanted to do our best."

After hearing this, the patriarch's expression softened slightly, but he still looked a little suspicious and said, "Okay, but don't cause trouble in the village."

Xi Yu looked at the clan leader with firm eyes and said solemnly: "Clan Leader, the two of us are here to help you."

When the clan leader heard this, his face was full of curiosity. He stared at Xi Yu and asked, "Oh? What can you do?"

Xi Yu replied without hesitation: "That's killing locusts!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the patriarch's wife was so frightened that she ran out of the house.

Her face turned pale, her hands trembled, and she shouted in panic: "This must not be done! Locusts are divine insects, how can they be hunted and killed casually?"

Hesitation and worry also appeared on the face of the clan leader, his brows were furrowed and he was lost in thought.

Xi Yu looked serious and raised his voice: "Madam, locusts are raging and damaging crops. If we don't kill them, how will the villagers survive?"

Tuobayu also echoed: "Yes, madam, we cannot allow locusts to destroy our livelihood because of superstition!"

But the patriarch’s hands were gloomy and he was determined not to allow such a thing to happen. He opened his eyes angrily and said loudly: "No! You two guys who don’t know the heights of heaven and earth. I think you are just here to cause trouble. Leave our village quickly and don’t give us anything." Add to the chaos!”

Tuobayu looked anxious and wanted to argue: "Clan leader, please listen to us..." Before she could finish her words, Xi Yu took her hand.

Xi Yu frowned slightly and looked calm. He shook his head at Tuo Bayu and said, "That's all, why not just leave first."

After the two left the patriarch's house and walked on the path in the village, Xi Yu stopped and looked firmly at the fields in the distance and said, "Why don't you go to the fields quietly first and take a look."

Tuobayu nodded, with firmness in his eyes: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

So, they avoided the sight of the villagers and walked quietly toward the fields.

Xi Yu and Tuo Bayu quietly came to the edge of the field, and the sight in front of them shocked them.

I saw dense swarms of locusts sweeping across large tracts of farmland like dark clouds.

The green crops instantly turned yellow and withered under the gnawing of locusts, making a heartbreaking "crunching" sound.

Wherever the locusts go, there is a mess, leaving only bare branches and broken leaves.

Xi Yu clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, his eyes almost bursting with fire as he shouted angrily: "These demons!"

Tuobayu's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief and pain, and he murmured to himself: "How can this be possible? The people have worked hard for a year!"

They looked at the ravaged farmland, filled with grief and indignation and deep sympathy for the villagers.

Xi Yu raised his foot and stepped hard on the locusts on the ground, but there were too many locusts and it was of no use.

In the fields, the original vibrant scene no longer existed, leaving only despair and desolation, as if they were cursed. Xi Yu looked at the tragic situation and secretly vowed to find a way to help the villagers solve this disaster.

Xi Yu looked at the devastated fields with mixed feelings in his heart. He knew that in ancient society, many people were superstitious and believed that locusts should not be hunted, otherwise they would be punished by God. He turned to look at Tuobayu and asked solemnly: "Tuobayu, what will happen if you encounter this kind of situation in Xianbei?"

Tuobayu frowned, thought for a moment and then said: "Xianbei, I have never encountered such a situation."

Xi Yu's eyes were firm and he asked: "What if?"

Tuobayu was a little helpless by his questioning. He scratched his head and replied seriously: "If we really encounter it, I think we must find a way to solve it. We can't just watch the crops be destroyed and the people starve."

Xi Yu nodded slightly and said thoughtfully: "Yes, we can't just sit idly by because of superstition."

Tuobayu's eyes were full of trust, and he patted Xi Yu on the shoulder and encouraged: "Husband, you are so wise, you must have a way to convince the clan leader."

After hearing this, Xi Yu frowned, his face full of worry, shook his head and said, "It's not that simple. It's not easy to reason with the people, especially when they are so superstitious. "

Tuobayu looked at his lack of confidence, held his shoulders with both hands, and said seriously: "But you have always been resourceful, and I believe this time is no exception."

Xi Yu let out a long sigh, but there was still hesitation in his eyes: "I hope, it's just this matter... eh."

Tuobayu looked at Xi Yu with a question in his eyes: "Husband, are we going to live in a farmer's house next?"

Xi Yu nodded slightly, looking slightly tired.

So they started walking towards the farmer's house.

Along the way, the two looked left and right, and finally stopped in front of a slightly dilapidated house.

Xi Yu stepped forward and knocked on the door. When the door opened, an old man with gray hair appeared in front of him.

Xi Yu quickly clasped his fists and said politely: "Old man, we want to stay here, it's just a courtesy." After saying that, he took out the money.

Old man Nie waved his hand with a simple smile on his face: "I'm just staying here for one night, there's no need to ask for money."

Xi Yu quickly explained: "Old man, we may stay here for several days."

Old Man Nie laughed heartily: "That's okay, it's not easy to be away from home, so come in!"

In this way, Xi Yu settled down at Old Man Nie's house.

At night, the dim lights in the house flickered, and several people sat together.

Xi Yu looked solemn and mentioned the damage caused by locusts.

"Old man Nie, this locust disaster is really serious."

After hearing this, Old Man Nie sighed heavily, his weather-beaten face full of sorrow, and said helplessly: "That's right, this year's locusts are simply evil, and they have ruined the crops."

Xi Yu frowned and said angrily: "But praying alone can't solve the problem."

Old man Nie shook his head, with confusion and helplessness in his eyes: "What can we do? The common people have no choice but to pray in the temple every day, hoping that the locusts can leave quickly and protect us from having food to eat."

But Xi Yu's eyes immediately became firm and he said resolutely: "It is impossible to make the locusts leave just by praying, we must take action!"

When Old Man Nie heard this, his face was filled with astonishment and he asked anxiously: "What's going on?"

Xi Yu looked serious and expressed his intention to eliminate the locusts without hesitation.

After hearing this, Old Man Nie turned pale with fright. He jumped up, his hands kept trembling, and shouted in horror: "You can't do it, you can't do it! The locusts are gods. If you can't move, you will be punished!"

Seeing that Old Man Nie was wavering, Xi Yu struck while the iron was hot, squatted down, looked at Old Man Nie sincerely, and slowed down his speech and said: "Old Man Nie, think about it carefully, if we keep sitting like this, waiting for the so-called god to come. If we don’t save it, then our fields will be completely destroyed. How will we live in the future?”

Old Man Nie raised his head, and the wrinkles on his face became deeper due to tangles. His lips trembled and he said, "But... what if I offend the gods..."

Tuobayu then said: "Old man, how can any god watch us suffer and not care. These locusts are ordinary pests, and we have ways to deal with them!"

Xi Yu nodded solemnly, clenched his hands and said firmly: "Old man, please believe in us once. As long as we work together, we will be able to drive away the locusts and save our crops!"

Old Man Nie looked at their determined expressions. The fear in his eyes was gradually replaced by a glimmer of hope, but he still said hesitantly: "Is this... really possible?"

Xi Yu stood up, pulled Old Man Nie up, and said with bright eyes, "Old man, it can definitely be done! We can no longer be constrained by such superstitious ideas."

Old Man Nie let out a long sigh and said slowly: "Okay, then I'll listen to you. I hope we can really drive away these harmful locusts."

Xi Yu frowned and said worriedly: "The clan leader may not agree, and everyone may not agree either."

Old Man Nie looked solemn, nodded and said, "That's true. To be honest, even though I agreed, I didn't agree with it in my heart."

Xi Yu's eyes were firm and he clenched his fist tightly and said, "I will definitely find a way to convince everyone!"

Old Man Nie sighed helplessly and said, "Then you can stay here first."

After a while, Old Man Nie went out.

Tuobayu looked puzzled, looked at Xi Yu and asked, "Husband, what is he going out for?"

Xi Yu snorted coldly and said seriously: "If I am not wrong, he must have reported the information to the clan leader."

Tuoba Yu was so angry that his face turned red, his eyes were wide open, and he said loudly: "If this is true, it also proves that this old man is worse than a beast!"

Xi Yu shook his head gently, his expression calm, and slowly said: "This is just my guess. Besides, he has the freedom to inform on others."

At this time, Old Man Nie really came to the clan leader's house.

After listening to Old Man Nie's report, the clan leader was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, and slammed the table. (End of this chapter)