Free Web NovelChapter 266: Chapter 265: Asking the Daoist to Intervene
"Since the beginning of summer, western Lu Province, southern Ji Province, and most of Yu Province have been experiencing a persistent drought. Agricultural drought resistance has entered a critical period."
"Due to a persistent warm high-pressure ridge and a delayed northward shift of the subtropical high, the region has experienced significantly dry weather with little rain since summer began in late May. Some farmland is now suffering from moderate to severe drought, posing a periodic challenge to agricultural production."
"Currently, the three regions have initiated emergency responses to combat the drought and protect seedlings. Multiple departments are working together to advance drought relief efforts, and various measures are being taken to ensure agricultural production."
"Yu Province has coordinated the opening of sluice gates to release water from irrigation districts like Yellow Lake and the Chi Channel, covering over 800,000 mu of drought-stricken farmland. The Lu Province Bureau of Agriculture has issued a high-temperature and drought warning, guiding farmers to adopt water-saving irrigation methods like sprinklers and micro-irrigation. Ji Province has dispatched work groups to the countryside to promote techniques such as fertigation, reducing the combined impact of high temperatures and drought on crops."
"In addition, the meteorological departments of the three provinces are prepared to carry out cloud seeding operations, seizing favorable weather conditions to induce rain."
"A representative from the Yu Province Bureau of Agriculture stated that if effective rainfall occurs within the next 10 days, the summer grain yield is expected to stabilize. If the drought continues, the focus will shift to ensuring the sprouting of summer-sown crops, striving to make up for summer losses with the autumn harvest."
"According to the Central Meteorological Administration, there will indeed be a period of light precipitation in the north within the next six to eight days. However, the following half-month will still be dominated by high temperatures, and the situation for combating the drought and protecting seedlings remains severe."
Gu Zhao watched the news report on the northern drought while eating twice-cooked pork with white rice.
"I feel like I see reports about drought every year," Li Man said. "But I never see grain production decrease. The reports always say that the annual grain yield sets a new record."
Gu Qi explained, "The country is just too big. Localized droughts are a normal occurrence. A drought in one place doesn’t mean other places are also in a drought. Look, there’s been basically no drought in the Northeast or Jiangnan this year."
At this point, Gu Qi pointed to the TV again. "Besides, technology has advanced, and the system takes it seriously. There are water conservancy projects everywhere, using all sorts of methods to reduce the impact of drought on grain yields."
Gu Zhao nodded. "Food is the first necessity of the people. The system places great importance on agriculture."
Li Man laughed. "You spend all day cultivating, and you still know the system places importance on agriculture?"
Gu Zhao picked up another slice of meat and said casually, "I’ve come across so many articles and videos about the soybean and grain wars from over a decade ago. I’ve almost memorized the details.
Besides, we’ve been using food as a weapon in wars since the Spring and Autumn period. We even suffered losses with soybeans before. If we still don’t take it seriously, are all those historical records just for show?"
Li Man put some more vegetables on Gu Zhao’s plate. "Right, right, you’re right about everything!"
...
After giving a jar of wine to his parents and sending another to his maternal grandparents, Gu Zhao finally brought Taoist Ming Yu back to the modern era. Then, with one more jar of wine, he went to find Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi.
The two women had the day off. They had originally planned to go shopping, but it was just too hot outside. Without Gu Zhao to accompany them, they both felt a bit lazy, so they ended up lounging at home in the air conditioning, watching dramas, and not wearing much.
When Gu Zhao walked in, he was greeted by the sight of a bottomless ravine and a pair of long, straight, fair legs.
So, Gu Zhao put down the wine jar and got some exercise first.
...
After their exercise, the three of them tidied up the living room and the sofa, then sat down together to watch TV. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Xiao Ya found a TV series that Gu Zhao could tolerate watching, while Jiang Shishi washed some fruit and put some snacks on the coffee table.
"Technology is getting more and more advanced these days," Jiang Shishi said, picking up a slice of watermelon. She let Gu Zhao take a bite first before eating it herself.
"How so?" Gu Zhao asked.
"We never had watermelons like this when we were kids." Jiang Shishi pointed to the fruit platter on the coffee table. "Watermelons used to have lots of seeds and thick rinds. The part near the rind wasn’t sweet, and you’d often get an unripe one. But now... I have no idea how they breed them!"
The watermelon on the coffee table platter was bright red, with only a few scattered white seeds on its surface. The rind wasn’t even five millimeters thick.
Xiao Ya peeled an orange. "The fruit we have now is almost like a different species compared to the fruit from a decade ago."
Gu Zhao looked at the watermelon, melon, oranges, mangoes, grapes, cherries, and blueberries on the coffee table...
"Are you two running a fruit platter business?" When Gu Zhao lived alone, he rarely had more than two types of fruit at home at the same time. It was only now, living in Daluo Palace, that he could eat so many different kinds at once.
He hadn’t expected Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi to be even more extravagant than the Silk Embroideress.
"But they’re all so delicious!" Jiang Shishi pointed at the coffee table. "We didn’t want to buy pre-cut fruit. It’s too expensive, and we worry it’s not fresh. So we just bought a little bit of each kind."
Xiao Ya added, "It’s no trouble to prepare it ourselves. And it’s cheaper, fresher, and more hygienic."
Jiang Shishi grinned, held a cherry between her lips, and leaned close to Gu Zhao’s mouth, murmuring, "Half for you, half for me."
Gu Zhao bit off his half, then held out both hands. "I want two more!"
...
「Meanwhile.」
"What is it?"
"Taoist Ming Yu just contacted us."
"Is there anything that requires our support?"
"No, he was asking for a distribution map of the drought-affected areas, as well as the amount of rainfall needed in each region."
"What?" Someone suspected they hadn’t heard correctly.
So the speaker repeated what he had just said, causing a wave of astonishment. freeweɓnøvel.com
Everyone exchanged glances, unable to hide the shock in their eyes.
The old man who had previously spoken with Taoist Ming Yu, Chen Yao, shook his head. "Don’t scare yourselves. Who said they could solve the entire problem with a single spell? They’ll obviously do it piece by piece!"
Zheng Hongsheng, who was seated at the head of the table, thought for a moment and then remembered. "They did indeed say that we could ask for their help if needed."
Chen Yao smiled. "We haven’t even asked, yet they’ve offered on their own initiative."
Zheng Hongsheng nodded. "The old Daoists have the country in their hearts. This is a good thing."
"So... do we let them take action?" someone asked.
A few people next to him shot him a strange look. Chen Yao tapped the table in exasperation. "They are our equals. Do you think they won’t act just because you don’t give them permission?"
"So if you have a clear head, it’s best to be proactive."
"In that case..."
"Then let’s ask the esteemed Daoists to lend their aid!"
The people in the office quickly got busy. Phone calls were made to the lower-level departments, and they compiled the drought map along with data on crop cultivation and rainfall requirements for each area. Finally, it was all summarized into a PowerPoint presentation and returned to Zheng Hongsheng’s hands.
While looking at the map in his hand, Zheng Hongsheng called Taoist Ming Yu. He sent over the current situation and the requirements, and once again expressed his gratitude.
