Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: Chapter 197 The Pattern is Too Small_i (1/2)

Chapter 202: Chapter 197 The Pattern is Too Small_i

Translator: 549690339 |

“These locusts are not the strongest; I’ve caught three particularly large locusts. Their strength is greater, and they have even more terrifying rallying power. If these special locusts are merely generals among locusts, then each of these three particularly large locusts could serve as a marshal of a locust corps.”

Qin Niu displayed the three particularly large locusts that he had captured in cages.

“There, there’s even stronger ones!”

The Young Master of the Yan Family took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and began to wipe his sweat.

Merely special locusts had already made Masters Mo and Shi cry out in exhaustion. It was only after Qin Niu was asked to construct a new line of defense in front and specially target those special locusts that they managed to hold the line.

Now, even more powerful locusts had appeared, and their size alone was already terrifying.

The Young Master of the Yan Family knew, even with his toes, that any one of these locusts could probably break through Master Mo’s defenses.

If it weren’t for Qin Niu’s presence here, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He grew even more appreciative of Qin Niu’s insect control abilities.

This Ah Niu, seemingly unremarkable and indifferent to women, turned out to be so powerful.

Actually, this was just the tip of the iceberg of Qin Niu’s strength.

Even Old Master Huang’s Bee General was killed by Qin Niu, which was a Grade Five insect.

Compared to the Bee General, these three particularly large locusts were nothing.

Qin Niu presented the three particularly large locusts, surely to ask the Young Master of the Yan Family for money.

After completing the work, it was only natural to receive payment.

It was now up to the Young Master of the Yan Family to respond.

“These particularly large locusts are truly enormous, fearsome at a glance. Master Qin has successfully intercepted and captured them, commendably preserving our Yan Family’s crops. Would it be acceptable to price these three particularly large locusts at fifty Wen Money apiece?”

The Young Master of the Yan Family’s perspective was ultimately a bit narrow.

He was only willing to pay fifty Wen Money for an enhanced Grade Three locust, which was downright insulting.

After hearing this, Qin Niu calmly said, “These three locusts were indeed exceedingly difficult to capture; consider them a token of gratitude to the Yan Family. I won’t accept any money.”

The furniture given to him by the Yan Family last time was in fact a significant debt of gratitude.

The smallness of the Young Master’s character provided the perfect opportunity for him to repay that debt.

“How could I accept that! Master Qin, you are too courteous. I’ll have Yan Qi send over some fine wine later, as a small token of my appreciation.”

The Young Master thus managed to save on that expense.

“After a night of exhaustion, it’s time for me to head back and rest. I’ve left insects I’ve controlled to guard this place; as long as no more of these particularly large locusts come, they should be able to hold the line.”

Having said this, Qin Niu left with the three particularly large locusts, floating away.

“Yan Qi, have a carriage escort Master Qin!”

“There’s no need to trouble Steward Qi,” Qin Niu declined, “I have some personal matters to attend to, and walking is more convenient.”

He wanted to check on Daoyuan Village.

Having some connection with the Tang Family, and with the locusts exhibiting changes these past few days, the three thousand ducks rented by Daoyuan Village might not hold on.

If Daoyuan Village fell, the now peaceful Shuangfeng Village might once again succumb to the plague.

As he walked along the river leading to Daoyuan Village, he could see many locusts gnawing and wreaking havoc on any plants they could eat. The tender branches of some small trees had been chewed away completely.

Leaves are extremely important to plants.

They are essentially the ‘lungs’ of the plant.

In the sweltering heat of summer, a large tree whose leaves have been completely devoured is likely to wither and die.

When the leaves fall, the roots wither.

The tree roots and leaves nourish and accompany each other, more like inseparable comrades in battle.

The roots supply the tree with water and most of the nutrients, while the leaves help the tree complete the essential process of photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

When all the leaves are gone, the water absorbed by the tree roots cannot be evaporated through the leaves.

It will slowly reduce water absorption, causing the roots to rapidly shrink.

This is also why, when a ring of bark is stripped from a tree, it quickly perishes.

The roots and leaves are interdependent, neither can be without the other.

Many fields by the roadside are now completely barren, the seedlings that were replanted after the floods have been devoured by the locusts.

The years of great disaster have arrived.

The first half of the year had already seen crop failure, and with the inability to replant young crops for the second half, it’s virtually a total loss for the whole year.

With even the wild grass and leaves in the fields eaten by locusts, the starving populace might not even have grass to eat soon.

As Qin Niu witnessed all this, he sighed inwardly, grateful that he had already undergone the initial phase of transformation and was no longer at the very bottom of the peasantry. Certainly, many people were going to starve to death.

In times of great famine in history, people even resorted to swapping children for food.

A single bag of grain could buy a beautiful virgin bride.

Fortunately, upon entering Daoyuan Village, one could see that the defensive line made by those three thousand ducks remained intact.

Having not seen them for a few days, these ducks had grown plump and large, their feathers replete.

Rich in nutritional value, the locusts fed the ducks to satiety daily, promoting their swift growth.

Moreover, their feathers seemed to differ from those of ordinary ducks.

Shining with a lustrous sheen, they faintly displayed a splendid luster.

Since these were no ordinary locusts, it was only natural for the ducks to experience some evolution after consuming them in large quantities over a long duration.

Qin Niu thought to himself that if any duck managed to evolve, he could surely sell it for a pretty penny when sold separately.

Inside Daoyuan Village, though the crops suffered some damage from the pests, compared to the barrenness outside, it was like entering a vibrant green world full of life.