…

 

"In addition, we also need to actively support the Yingshou Lu Clan, Jinsha Xu Clan, and Donggang Chen Clan," Wang Shouzhe said seriously, "In the past forty to fifty years, our Wang Clan has established deep relationships with them through intermarriage."

 

These three clans are not very powerful, which is why they have intermarried with the declining Ping'an Wang Clan. Among them, the Yingshou Lu Clan has the closest relationship, and Wang Shouzhe's biological mother comes from the Lu Clan's direct line.

 

At the same time, the current wife of the Yingshou Lu Clan Leader, Wang Liuling, is also the sixth generation direct daughter of the Wang Clan and Wang Shouzhe's aunt. Their relationship is quite complicated and close.

 

"That's right, now these three clans have a close relationship with our Wang Clan, so what's your idea, Shouzhe?" Wang Xiaozhi nodded in agreement. His two daughters married into the Shanyang Gongsun Clan and the Donggang Chen Clan. His son, Wang Dingbang, who died young, married into the Jinsha Xu Clan's direct line.

 

"Fourth Grandfather needs to quickly sort out the cause and harm of this insect disaster. I will send messengers to notify these six clans tonight," Wang Shouzhe said quickly, "The Shanyin Liu Clan and the Changning Xu Clan have already cultivated Lingchongshi in their clans. As long as we provide them with methods and ways, I believe they can solve this crisis on their own. In addition, the main business of the Jinsha Xu Clan and the Donggang Chen Clan should not be in agriculture. After fulfilling our notification obligation, we will reduce their losses."

 

After a pause, Wang Shouzhe continued, "The more troublesome ones are the Yingshou Lu Clan and the Shanyang Gongsun Clan. First, we must fulfill our notification obligation as soon as possible, and we need to actively assist them and show our utmost sincerity. Even if they suffer great losses in the insect disaster, they will only be grateful to us instead of harboring resentment."

 

Wang Xiaozhi was stunned by this calculation and speech. He never thought that a sudden outbreak of insect disaster would involve such a complicated situation.

 

More importantly, Wang Shouzhe was able to arrange everything so carefully and thoughtfully in such a short time, taking care of every aspect.

 

"Shouzhe, Fourth Grandfather underestimated you and Luojing," Wang Xiaozhi sighed and said with a bitter smile, "Your generation of young people is indeed more outstanding. We, the Xiaozhi generation, are really getting old."

 

"Fourth Grandfather is too modest. If it weren't for your generation preserving our ancestors' legacy, where would we, the younger generation, have a foothold?" Wang Shouzhe humbly replied before coldly laughing, "Except for those six clans, especially the Liu Clan and the Zhao Clan…"Wang Xiaozhi's expression suddenly became serious: "Don't worry, Shouzhe. In the next ten days, our Wang's Clan will completely block the news from the three major farms."

 

Unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe narrowed his eyes and smiled: "The outbreak of the insect plague cannot be hidden. Every family has agricultural experts. Within three days, the entire Changning Wei region will boil. By the way, Fourth Uncle, didn't you stock up on a batch of insecticide at a low price?"

 

When this matter was mentioned, Wang Xiaozhi's expression was filled with regret: "Yes, last year's winter insecticide was the lowest price in years, and there was a large quantity discount. I thought that our three major farms couldn't do without insecticide, so I discussed with a few elders and stocked up enough for our family to use for three years. Now, there are still more than 300 Top Gold of goods left. I lost a lot of money. After this insect plague, how can those insecticides be useful?"

 

The family is already so tight on money, losing more than 300 Top Gold at once is enough to make Wang Xiaozhi feel guilty enough to go to the grave.

 

"Insecticides should not have completely lost their effectiveness, right?" Wang Shouzhe pondered for a moment, and his brain quickly started to work.

 

"Not completely, but it's more difficult to deal with adult honeybees than insect eggs." Wang Xiaozhi's face was very serious. "I just tried it out. It takes a double dose mixed with grass and wood ash juice to quickly get rid of the honeybees, and it doesn't include the subsequent hatching of more honeybees."

 

Then, Wang Shouzhe fired off one question after another like a machine gun.

 

Wang Xiaozhi was previously intimidated and did not dare to underestimate Wang Shouzhe anymore, patiently answering each question. He is now seventy-five years old and has been involved in farming since he was fifteen, with over sixty years of experience.

 

"Then, in an ordinary year, the winter wheat yield per mu is about 15 big copper coins." Wang Shouzhe quickly organized the data in his mind. "After deducting taxes, tenant farmer commissions, fixed expenses such as farming tools, oxen, seeds, and insecticides, the expense for insecticides is about 1 big copper coin per mu, and the overall gross profit per mu is 8 big copper coins. If the insect plague is not controlled properly, according to a 50% reduction in yield, the farm will enter a slight loss stage, and the more the yield decreases, the greater the loss…"

 

"If nothing is done, the yield may decrease by about 70%." Wang Xiaozhi's body trembled, and he somewhat understood Wang Shouzhe's meaning. He roughly estimated, "If 2 big copper coins are invested in insecticides at the outbreak of the insect plague, the disaster can be controlled to a reduction of less than 20% compared to previous years.""The Great Qian currently implements a unified grain reserve mechanism. Any aristocratic family or business that dares to speculate on grain prices during years of abundance or disaster is committing a great crime." Wang Shouzhe continued to sort out various conditions. "Therefore, based on a 70% reduction in production, every 1% of production recovered will result in a loss of 1 big copper and 50 small copper coins. Recovering 50% of the reduction is worth 7 big copper and 50 small copper coins. So, the problem is, if there are no spirit insect masters to control the honey insects, is it worth investing 2 big copper coins in the insecticide?"

 

"Worth it!" Upon hearing Wang Shouzhe's analysis, Wang Xiaozhi immediately nodded vigorously. "Even if it's 4 big copper coins, I'll invest." At the same time, his eyes lit up with excitement. "So, what you mean is that the three hundred Top Gold of insecticide powder we've hoarded not only didn't lose value, but it's now worth six hundred Top Gold? Great! Those guys who laughed at me for hoarding insecticide powder are the ones who lost out."

 

"At least it's worth six hundred Top Gold. Our family has Wang Luo Jing, a junior spirit insect master who specializes in treating honey insects. We don't need those insecticides anymore. But compared to the entire Changning Wei area, spirit insect masters are just a drop in the bucket. Most families still have to rely on insecticides to survive disasters." Wang Shouzhe smiled faintly. "Congratulations, Fourth Grandfather, you've made a big profit for the family."

 

"Hahaha, that's great." Wang Xiaozhi laughed until his face turned red. "My Luo Jing is really a treasure. She's truly my granddaughter."

 

Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitched. This Fourth Grandfather was really shameless. He had previously shown a preference for male descendants and said that even granddaughters would lose money. But now, Luo Jing had become a treasure.

 

But speaking of which, Luo Jing, the future spirit insect master, was indeed a treasure. Even if the insecticides were updated and continued to be effective in the future, she could still save the family one or two hundred Top Gold of expensive "pesticide fees" every year. And the money saved was pure profit.

 

"However, all of this is thanks to your good fortune, Shouzhe." Wang Xiaozhi laughed so much that he couldn't close his mouth. "Fourth Grandfather also understands your words now. Sometimes, bad things can often turn into good things. Shouzhe, you are a lucky person. When you become the clan leader, our Wang Clan will definitely become better and better."

 

Although superstition was not good, Wang Shouzhe appreciated Wang Xiaozhi's superstition towards him.

 

Moreover, with his forward-thinking, if he didn't seize some business opportunities in this insect plague, he would be unworthy of being a transmigrator. The grain prices were strongly controlled by the Great Qian government and could not be speculated on, but did the government prohibit the speculation of insecticides?

 

A plan was gradually taking shape in his mind.

 

…