plague?
Hearing this word, Chongzhen's pupils immediately shrank.
But he immediately shook his head and said: "It's such a cold winter that humans and animals can't stand it. The mice must have frozen to death. How could there be a plague?"
"The mouse burrows about ten meters deep. The ground is cold, but the ground is warm."
"Moreover, the male and female rats have been trapped underground for several months. They hide in their nests and give birth to babies when nothing happens. How many rats will they be able to produce when the weather warms up?"
"At that time, the entire capital will be overrun with rats. If humans and rats live together in the same room, it will be a ghost if there is no plague!"
Hu Yunqing said.
Historically, the first plague broke out in the capital in the first year of Chongzhen. About 20% of the capital's population of one million died.
Emperor Chongzhen turned his hair white and spent money to control rats, leaving the northern frontier army without food and pay. It was difficult to confront the slave army and they retreated into the city.
Only in the second year did Huang Taiji have the opportunity to take advantage of Mongolia to surprise the capital and attack the city.
A series of chain reactions, not only because Huang Taiji had a strategy, but also because the imperial court made the plague miserable.
At this time, Hu Yunqing proposed making medicine to prevent the plague. Although it was to make money, it was also the last thing he did for the Ming Dynasty.
"Is there really going to be a plague?"
Chongzhen's head was buzzing.
Of course he knew what would happen if a plague broke out in the capital.
Even if he lives in the palace and is not infected, what will happen to the soldiers and civilians outside?
If at that time, Jiannu got the news and sent troops to attack, I am afraid that the court would not even be able to convey the decree.
Covered in cold sweat, Chongzhen was so frightened that he stood up quickly.
Wei Zhongxian frowned and asked: "Little brother, you said that mice can dig holes more than ten meters deep. What is the basis for this?"
"Oh, you rich people are really troublesome. You don't believe what I say, brother Yunqing. If you don't believe it, just follow me. The hole I dug for rats to eat a few days ago is right there. Look, is it more than ten meters deep?" Niu Wazi said. With contempt on their faces, these people didn't believe what Brother Yun Qing said.
Chongzhen and his party immediately followed him out the door.
Seeing this, Hu Yunqing followed behind the door and shouted: "Brother, I will clean up the east room for you. Come back and stay at night. Don't be embarrassed, brother."
After speaking, Chongzhen and the others seemed to have not heard him due to the wind and snow, so they responded to him. He shook his head helplessly and went to clean up the side room...
…
Chongzhen and his party followed Niu Wazi to a barren crop field, and suddenly saw a large abandoned pit, at least ten meters deep.
Seeing this, Wang Chengen jumped down. After a while, he climbed up, holding a ball of mouse hair and millet in his hand, and said: "Master, there is a mouse hole down there."
Chongzhen frowned tightly, glanced at Niu Wazi who was humming with pride, and said, "Thank you, Cheng'en, give him some money."
After saying that, Chongzhen walked towards the direction of the carriage he was riding.
When the group of people returned to the group, Chongzhen suddenly stopped in front of the carriage and asked: "Chengen, can you kill these rats before they come out?"
Wang Chengen hurriedly knelt down, lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, I have thought about it all the way, but there is nothing I can do."
"Forget it, let's talk about it after we return to the palace!"
Chongzhen put down his hand and looked at Wei Zhongxian who was bowing his head, knowing that he had no idea at the moment.
After returning to the palace, Chongzhen immediately summoned six ministers and nine ministers to discuss matters in the Wenhua Palace.
By this time, it was already dark.
Although there were carriages along the way for the ministers who were here to meet him, they were all shivering in the cold.
Seeing their appearance, Chongzhen couldn't help but think of the warmth in Hu Yunqing's hut. After trembling slightly, he ordered: "Come here, serve hot soup for me and each of the adults!"
"Thank you, my emperor, for your grace." All the ministers thanked him.
After hearing this, a eunuch immediately brought hot soup. After drinking it, Chongzhen and the ministers felt a sense of warmth.
After seeing that they all recovered, Chongzhen went straight to the topic and said: "I invite you to come here to talk about two main things.
Chongzhen raised his hand to signal them to get up, and then said: "First thing, the winter in the capital is severe today. I am worried that there will be a rat infestation after spring. Do you have any way to prevent it?"
He talked about rat infestation, not plague, because Chongzhen felt that the root cause of the problem was rats, and the plague would be solved naturally if the rats were eliminated.
Rat infestation?
The ministers looked at each other in confusion. Rat infestations have always been a problem and have been dealt with repeatedly. What can they do?
And in the cold weather, His Majesty called them here just to prevent rats?
This is too childish, aren't you afraid that these old men will slip and fall while walking?
However, everyone still turned their attention to Cao Qian. As the Minister of Industry, you have the final say on this matter.
Cao Juan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, thought for a moment, stepped forward and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, if you are worried about rats, just spread rat poison along the roads in the city."
"Is there a better way?" Chongzhen asked again.
Chief Assistant Han Xu stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the best way to control rats is to use poison. If Your Majesty is worried, we can put medicine at the entrance of the rat hole now. That way, all the rats will die in the hole, and we won't be afraid that they will come out to cause trouble in the spring." "
"Master Chief Assistant, this method is very fast!" Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites, also said.
"As the old saying goes, strike first. Now Lord Chief Assistant proposes to strike first. I believe that all those hungry rats will be dead before spring starts after they eat rat poison!"
But one person stood up and refused: "Your Majesty, this method is inappropriate. Not to mention how many rat holes there are in the entire capital, even if we want to use medicine, we don't have the money!"
The person who spoke was Bi Ziyan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the national treasury has no money. The Guanning Army in the north has been without pay for half a year. How can we use the only money we have to prevent the rat infestation? On your body?"
"Your Majesty is also prepared for a rainy day. If there is a rat infestation in the capital, where will the dignity of the Ming Dynasty be? Where is the dignity of Your Majesty? Why should you cry for poverty, Mr. Bi?" Xu Guangqi retorted.
"It's a joke. Nurhaci's reunification with the Jin Dynasty is about to happen, and the Jiannu invaders may come in spring. However, my court's border troops have been without pay for half a year, and their morale is low! If they come over by then, will Mr. Xu fight with face? Really?" The Minister of War also stood up and said angrily.
Seeing a quarrel in the hall, party disputes continued.
Chongzhen felt a splitting headache.
I was extremely disappointed.
These are his humerus ministers?
Be brave and active when fighting for power and gain.
Nowadays, the rat plague is imminent, but those who say they have no money have no money, and those who beg for money want money.
Fortunately, he has already thought of a way to make money!
Seeing Chongzhen's bad expression, Wang Cheng'en shouted: "Quiet!"
Only then did all the ministers become quiet.
Chongzhen paused and said slowly: "Let's wait a moment about the rat problem. I'll talk about the second thing now." After that, he waved his hand.
Wang Chengen immediately went down with a completed drawing and handed it to Cao Qian, Minister of Industry.
As soon as Cao Yan took it, he immediately frowned. This is a big boiler. He was so busy bringing a few pipes to make a stove. What is your majesty going to do with this thing?
