Chapter Fourteen: The Locust Plague Rages Like a Tiger

Last year there was a locust plague, and this year again the locusts have returned, fiercer than before. Naturally, as the governor of the county, Cui Weizhi was already at his wits’ end. The court was still full of conflicting opinions on how to deal with the disaster. The current prime minister, Yao Chong, who strongly advocated exterminating the locusts, seemed to have gained the upper hand, dispatching Locust Inspectors to all regions to supervise the hunt. Yet the opposition was even stronger. Not only did his fellow prime minister, Lu Huaishen, claim that killing locusts offended the heavens, but many ministers in court vied to object. It was said that Ni Ruoshui, the magistrate of Bianzhou, was particularly adamant, outright refusing to accept the Locust Inspector sent by the court!

Thus, even without Cui Jianxuan’s suggestion, Cui Weizhi had already resolved to try whatever desperate measures he could, and was prepared to see the young man from the capital, Du Shiyi from Duling, who had come to speak on the matter of locusts. Now, sitting in his study, he watched as the bamboo curtain at the door was lifted high and a boy of about thirteen or fourteen, dressed in coarse cloth, was ushered in. Cui Weizhi examined him carefully.

Compared to the slightly older Cui Jianxuan, this youth was thin and his attire could hardly be called simple; it bordered on shabby. The black cloth shoes on his feet were so faded they had almost turned white. Yet, unlike most scions of noble families when meeting an elder or official, he did not bow his head in humility. Instead, he met Cui Weizhi’s gaze calmly, and what surprised him even more was that, after stepping forward, the boy offered only a long salute without kneeling.

Cui Weizhi didn’t mind such formalities and frowned slightly before asking directly, “You are Du Shiyi? You’ve come to see me about hunting locusts?”

“That’s right.”

Upon entering, Du Shiyi noticed the bamboo curtain behind Cui Weizhi, shadows flickering as if someone else was present. He had no time to ponder whether the women of this household had a habit of spying on guests, so he spoke plainly, “Today in the city’s markets, several grain shops and rice dealers hung up signs declaring their stock had run dry, and the people are full of complaints. If we do not hunt the locusts with all our strength, this year, compounded with last year’s disaster, the locusts will swarm over Dengfeng County, and this autumn’s harvest will be lost. So I have come uninvited, to volunteer myself for the task of hunting the locusts.”

This time, the previously indifferent Cui Weizhi suddenly sat up straight. He stared at Du Shiyi for a long moment before asking in a low voice, “You mean you are willing to take on the locust hunt? Young man, do you understand the gravity of such a task?”

“I am well aware of the implications you speak of. Locust plagues destroy crops, and if left unchecked, who knows how many will starve in the countryside. Though I am weak and alone, I am willing to give it a try!”

To answer the court’s inquiries, Cui Weizhi had posted the locust-hunting notice days ago. Few commoners responded, and even the officials pushed the responsibility onto others. Now, a scion of the Du clan had unexpectedly stepped forward to shoulder the task. After his initial surprise and delight, Cui Weizhi quickly regained his composure.

“Please sit, Young Master Du.” He smiled and invited him to take a seat, ordering peach syrup to be brought in, then fixed his gaze and asked, “Since you claim to be from the Du clan of Duling in the capital, why are you willing to take on the locust hunt in Dengfeng County?”

“To be frank, I was once gravely ill, so my younger sister brought me to Song Mountain to seek medical treatment. By heaven’s blessing, I have recovered and now live at the foot of Junji Peak. Hearing that last year’s locust plague was followed by another this year, causing grain prices to soar and even money could not buy rice or flour, I entered the county town today and realized the situation was even worse than rumors suggested. I cannot stand by and do nothing.” Seeing Cui Weizhi’s expression soften, Du Shiyi pressed his point, “And I am not exaggerating. This year we must not only hunt the locusts, but treat the plague with all our might, otherwise next year the locusts may return even stronger. If this continues year after year, barren land will stretch for miles, and it will be a calamity beyond measure!”

At these words, Cui Weizhi’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could dismiss it as alarmist talk, another voice sounded from behind the curtain: “You say improper management of the locusts will cause them to return year after year. Do you have any evidence for this?”

Upon hearing the clear voice from within, Du Shiyi glanced at the silent Cui Weizhi, then replied calmly, “Locust plagues are most severe in summer and autumn, as the crops are ready to mature. If the locusts lay eggs among the grass and trees, and autumn and winter are mild, their larvae can survive and emerge the following February or March. The Book of Han records that in the fourth year of Emperor An’s Yongchu era, there was a locust plague in six provinces in April; then in the fifth year in March, locusts afflicted nine provinces. The second year’s disaster occurred earlier, in March, because the locust eggs came from the previous year. Now we have two consecutive years of locust swarms; if we fail to eradicate them completely, who can say they won’t return next year? Though I am unworthy, I am willing to do my utmost, even if only for my own livelihood!”

Though the question had come from Cui Jianxuan, Cui Weizhi too was convinced. He had taken office in Dengfeng two years ago, and if the locust plague continued into next year, his reputation as a son of the illustrious Cui clan of Qinghe would surely suffer. As he hesitated, Du Shiyi spoke again.

“Many in the court and among the people claim locust plagues are caused by loss of virtue, and that hunting them is futile and offends heaven, suggesting instead that sacrifices at the Eight La Temple or good governance will drive them away. I am sure you have heard such talk. But if, after the sacrifices and good governance, the locusts still ravage the land, then it is the loss of virtue that is truly proven! The plague is as fierce as a tiger; if you do not turn me away, I am willing to take this on alone!”

“Well spoken!”

At that moment, the rear curtain parted, and Du Shiyi saw a youth a few years older than himself stride out with hands clasped behind his back. His gaze lingered on the youth’s delicate yet handsome face, unable to discern whether he was male or female, and he was momentarily stunned.

Cui Jianxuan paid no heed to such thoughts. He stared at Du Shiyi with great interest and, smiling, said, “Last year in Chang’an, I heard the child prodigy Du Shiyi of Fanchuan was critically ill and out of talent. I thought, well, it’s just one less talented poet, nothing worth noting, but today’s meeting has proven otherwise!”

He then turned to Cui Weizhi and said, “Seventh Uncle, let me put in a word for him. Allow Du Shiyi’s request. It does you no harm, and there will be an answer for the Locust Inspector.”

Having been pre-empted by his nephew, Cui Weizhi could only cough awkwardly and then said with a broad smile, “Very well. Since Du Shiyi shows such resolve, I will entrust this matter to you. All county staff are at your disposal!”

“Thank you, Sir!”

Seeing his request granted, Du Shiyi quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to take his leave, Cui Jianxuan spoke again, “Seventh Uncle, this is such an important matter, I’ll accompany him to observe. If there’s any progress or difficulties, I can report directly to you. Du Shiyi, let me see what you’re truly capable of!”

Cui Weizhi was dumbfounded as Cui Jianxuan took charge and dragged Du Shiyi out. After a long pause, he finally came to his senses, angrily pounding the seat, intending to call back his unruly nephew, but after opening his mouth, he said nothing.

Cui Jianxuan had come from Luoyang not to visit his uncle, nor to pray at Song Mountain, but at his grandmother Lady Du Dezhi’s behest, to seek instruction from the renowned recluse Lu Hong at Xuanlian Peak. Though he appeared refined, his temperament was eccentric, often offending others, disliked reading, and hated composing poetry. Clearly, he was using Du Shiyi’s proposal as an excuse to delay.

“Let it be. He’s not my own son; if he wants to meddle, it’s his business…” Cui Weizhi muttered. He then summoned a servant and quietly instructed, “In a few days, go to Yongfeng Ward in Luoyang and deliver a message. Tell them that Eleventh Young Master, seeing Dengfeng beset by locusts and hearing Du Shiyi’s advice, was moved to join the effort. Say nothing more.”

Dragged out by Cui Jianxuan, Du Shiyi had barely spoken a word before the boy—who looked almost like a girl—released his grip, stood lazily to one side, and watched with an air of amusement. Du Shiyi ignored him, and when Cui Yuan came out and cheerfully said he was ready to assist, Du Shiyi had him gather all county staff. After a quarter of an hour, standing in front of the hall, Du Shiyi saw only seven or eight weary and indifferent officials. Even with his expectations, his heart sank.

As expected, when they heard Du Shiyi had taken the locust hunt from the county magistrate, the staff looked at each other, until the middle-aged official who had initially announced him stepped forward, smiling apologetically, “Young Master Du, it’s not that we’re shirking our duty, but this is a difficult matter! Last year we mobilized so many and spent so much, but the harvest barely fed anyone. This year, the farmers have given up and gone to the Eight La Temple to pray instead! Moreover, many in the court say this offends heaven, and the more effort put into hunting locusts, the greater the fear of divine retribution!”

“So it’s fear of offending heaven and incurring punishment.” Du Shiyi paused, then smiled, “If that’s your concern, you need not worry. I am Du Shiyi of Duling, once gravely ill and brought to Song Mountain’s Songyang Temple to seek medicine by my sister. Before I could find a cure, thanks to her sincerity, I was blessed by the Lord of the Underworld and my late father appeared in a dream, granting me renewed life. I could live peacefully, but to repay this grace, I have taken on the locust hunt.”

Seeing some of the staff surprised and others skeptical, he continued, “If any of you doubt me, you may go to Songyang Temple and ask Master Taichong whether I recovered without medicine! In short, since I dare to take on this task, if there is any punishment from heaven, I alone will bear it. If you fear, you need not come tomorrow; if not, from tomorrow, follow me to the fields. I guarantee that after the locusts are eradicated, not only will there be no punishment but you will be rewarded!”

Cui Jianxuan, who had been idly looking around, now stared wide-eyed as he listened to Du Shiyi recount his recovery and promise to shoulder all consequences, even offering rewards. As Du Shiyi strode out of the county office, Cui Jianxuan suddenly beckoned to a servant nearby.

When the man approached, he whispered, “Go to Songyang Temple and find out if what Du Shiyi says is true!”