"The last place where locusts infest is Yunyang County."

Jing Liang spread out the map and pointed out the location of Yunyang County. Yunyang County belongs to the scope of Shendu Prefecture, and it is not very far from Shendu in a straight line, but because there is a Wangtai Mountain between them, if you go to the past, you still need to walk a certain distance.

Tang Yun made a decision immediately, called a brigade of men and horses, and hurriedly left the Demon Hunting Division.

There are actually quite a few people stationed in the Demon Hunting Division, but most of them need to monitor all directions, and with the rotation of three shifts, the manpower is also stretched. It is impossible to dispatch a thousand people at will like Zuo Xiaowei, and the first brigade is already the limit.

"The lieutenant of the Monster Hunting Division in charge of Yunyang County reported very early, saying that locusts were ravaging the fields, but when they arrived in Yunyang County, they disappeared without a trace. He thought it was weird and reported it. However, the examiner's chief examiner felt that although this matter was strange, it was harmless to the people, so he put it below, and I only found it out this morning. ”

Jing Liang reported the results of the investigation, and at this moment, the horsemen had already left the city gate.

In the fields on both sides of the official road, people can be seen everywhere holding bamboo baskets to catch locusts.

After riding fast horses for about an hour, several people finally saw the city of Yunyang County. This city is much lower than the tall and glorious walls of the divine capital. The stone bricks of the battlements are a little gray, and there is a bridge in front of the city gate in front of the moat, and the old peasant pushes the ox cart and passes leisurely through the city gate.

There were two lazy guards at the city gate, they were different from the forbidden army guarding the Shendu, but they were just the local garrison. Yawned, and again, did not accuse them.

The people of the Demon Hunting Division behind Tang Yun, although there are only 100 people in the first brigade, it is also spectacular in such a county.

When the two guards heard the voice, they quickly straightened their backs and stood upright.

Yunyang County is near the Shendu, and no one will think that the enemy army is coming, but it is more likely that the official army will pass by.

Jing Liang's beard was unshaven, and he was born with a murderous aura, and the armor of the Zhou army on his body did not look like a fake, so several guards swallowed back what they wanted to ask, and let the people of the Demon Hunting Division ride through.

"Xiaguan Yunyang County Commander Chang Mingxun, I've seen adults."

Yunyang County Ling was a middle-aged man with a thin face, his face was very dark, and he spoke with a dialect of Huainan Province. It can be seen that he has worked hard to speak official again, but his accent is still a little awkward.

"Chang Ming Mansion, you don't have to be nervous. This official came here just to ask how you dealt with the locust plague? Tang Yun said.

Speaking of locust control, Yunyang County Ling's face finally showed a hint of brilliance, and his eyes actually had a pious look.

"We have meritorious work in curing locusts, and we all rely on the protection of the locust god!"

……

People are afraid of the unknown.

When we first learned about the world, we were terrified and curious, so many things that could not be explained by common sense were replaced by corresponding gods.

Floods worship the god of the river, landslides worship the god of the mountain, and the plague of locusts, naturally there is also a locust god to receive the incense in the world.

Everyone present knew about the locust gods, and many villages were particularly obsessed with worshipping these locust gods. Crops are the hope of the peasants, so when the locust plague comes, the desperate peasants will place their spirit on the locust god.

However, such a word appeared in the mouths of court officials, which inevitably seemed a little absurd.

"Chang Ming Mansion, this official is asking you seriously." Tang Yun emphasized.

Chang Mingxun trembled, and his eyes lit up: "My lord, what the lower official said is absolutely true!" ”

……

Tang Yun walked into the Locust Temple under the leadership of Chang Mingxun, and as for the rest of the people of the Demon Hunting Division, they were scattered throughout the county, looking for clues everywhere.

The Locust Temple is a small road outside the city, where the people spontaneously built a temple to worship the locust god. The main hall is carved beams and painted buildings, white tiles and vermilion eaves, at this moment it is the time when the incense is vigorous, there are already many people standing in front of the temple, and wisps of smoke float out from the inside of the locust temple.

"Changming Mansion is here, please come in!" There were also a few Taoist priests wearing Taoist robes standing outside the temple, and when they saw that it was Chang Mingxun, they hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

Chang Ming said: "I'll accompany the nobles here to worship, you are busy." ”

Tang Yun and Jing Liang followed Chang Mingxun, but Chang Mingxun deliberately let go of a few steps. Several Taoist priests are sharp-eyed people, and it can be seen at a glance that they should be people with a higher status than Chang Mingxun.

"In that case, then the poor road will no longer bother." The Taoist priests left with a smile.

Tang Yun glanced at the Taoist priests and asked, "How could these people be here?" ”

Chang Ming said: "These people are Taoist priests from nearby Taoist temples, and they are used to worship the locust gods. ”

A few people walked through the main entrance, and it was full of pilgrims who had come here to offer incense. Tang Yun noticed that in addition to some old farmers, there were also many richly dressed people.

Chang Mingxun seemed to notice Tang Yun's eyes and explained: "The land outside the county town is all in the name of these people, and under the locust plague, these people will also suffer huge losses. Therefore, on weekdays, they will also worship devoutly, begging the locusts not to come near the county seat. ”

Tang Yun didn't have the slightest interest in worshipping any locust god.

"What is the basis for you to say that the locust god is so miraculous?" Tang Yun asked.

Chang Mingxun lit three incense sticks, kowtowed in front of the locust statue, and reverently inserted the incense candle into the incense burner. Then he stood up and said, "My lord, forgive me, the lower officials are also for the sake of the whole county, and when worshipping, you must be sincere." ”

Chang Mingxun took Tang Yun to a secret room and finally explained his words.

It turned out that the locust plague had indeed reached the fields outside the county seat.

At that time, Chang Mingxun's heart was heavy, but he had already made preparations, he had already gathered the young and strong, and was ready to hunt and kill the locusts.

However, the locusts in the sky completely made him die, and countless locusts swept down, and people were almost unstable on their feet, and many people ran into the house screaming, as if a strong wind was blowing outside.

Eventually, someone came running and said that if you go and worship the locust god, the locust will retreat.

Tang Yun said in a condensed voice: "So, you went?" ”

Chang Mingxun nodded: "Yes, but I initially thought that this was a very ridiculous thing." But in order to stabilize the hearts of the people of the county, I also have to go. ”

"However, I did not expect that as soon as I offered the incense, the locusts flew away as if they had received some order."

"The locusts have all dispersed, and since then, there has been no locust infestation in Yunyang County."

"Lord Tang, if it's you, do you believe it or not?"

……

Tang Yun and Jing Liang left the temple, and Chang Mingxun said goodbye to the two and went to the county government to deal with official business.

"Do you believe it?" Tang Yun asked Jing Liang.

Jing Liang shook his head: "Although it's nonsense, the words of Chang County's order don't look like a fake." ”

"He didn't tell a lie, and we saw that the locusts did fly away." Tang Yun walked in the county seat and suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Jing Liang asked.

Tang Yun frowned and looked around, and suddenly said, "Here, something is wrong." ”

Wrong?

Jing Liang looked around suspiciously, he also felt a little weird, but he couldn't say it.

Those houses are no different from other counties in Dazhou.

"It's too quiet." Tang Yun muttered, "This is the county seat around the Shendu Mansion, even if there are few people, how can it be so quiet." ”

Jing Liang suddenly realized.

When they came, it was really unimpeded.

It's as if the entire county has disappeared, and there isn't even a single vendor on the road.

Except for the number of people in the temple of locusts, it was as if there were no people in the city.

People, where have they gone?