Steel Dynasty - Chapter 312

[Chapter 312 Locust Disaster Omen]

The sky was hazy and the night had not completely faded away.

At this time, a person was walking in a hurry on the streets of Qingzhou.

Pang Yukun took a report and was heading to Prince Qi’s Mansion.

The matters in this report are very serious to him and may endanger farming in the six states.

“Pang Changshi came really early today. Your Highness took Shilang Feng to visit Qingzhou City yesterday. He may be a little tired and hasn’t gotten up yet.” Luluo blocked Pang Yukun from the bedroom.

Pang Yukun looked anxious, “This is a serious matter and cannot be delayed. Could you please Miss Lu Luo to call you Your Highness?”

Lu Luo was a little unhappy. In her opinion, it was rare for King Qi to sleep for a while after working so hard. This was also true for Pang Yukun.

“What happened?” When Lu Luo was hesitating, Xiao Ming’s voice came from inside the house.

Pang Yukun immediately said loudly: “Your Highness, I received a letter from a friend in Jizhou a few days ago. He said that there has been no rain in Jizhou for several months, and there are already signs of a locust plague.”

“Signs of a locust plague!”

Xiao Ming was talking slowly in the house. Putting on clothes, after hearing this, he walked out without caring about his disheveled clothes.

“Yes, Your Highness, as the saying goes, there will be locusts in extreme drought, and there will be locusts in prolonged drought. This friend from Xiaguan said that there was very little rain in Jizhou last year. The drought led to a decrease in food last year. Many people have no surplus food in their homes. Now, Spring plowing is coming soon, but the cultivated land is dry and cracked and it is impossible to cultivate. Looking back on the early spring of this year, we only had a light rain in Qingzhou and never rained again…”

Pang Yukun looked a little solemn when he said this.

Xiao Ming’s face was a little embarrassed, and he said: “It’s okay, you continue.”

“Your Highness, historical records have shown that since ancient times, when drought and locust plagues appear, Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou are often affected together, and natural disasters stop them. So after receiving the letter, the official ordered the governor of the six states to go out for inspection, and found that there were indeed a lot more locusts in the fields this year than in previous years. His Highness should take precautions at this time and purchase a large amount of grain reserves in case of unexpected events. “After that, Pang Yukun said. There was a lot of worry on his face.

“Is it really the Little Ice Age?” Xiao Ming smiled bitterly. The Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou lines that Pang Yukun mentioned are basically equivalent to the modern Hebei, Henan, and Shandong areas.

Even in modern times, this area is prone to droughts and locust plagues.

In Xiao Ming’s memory, there were several major locust plagues in the Chongqing Kingdom decades ago, which caused people to starve and die everywhere, and there were even cases where people revolted.

Taking a deep look at Pang Yukun, Xiao Ming had a hint of admiration in his eyes. This was his long history. He could recognize the subtleties and take precautions.

He said: “How is the food reserve now?”

“Back to Your Highness, the food reserves in the six states are only enough for one year. The severity of this locust plague is unknown. We should deal with it in the worst case scenario.”

“Well, Now you immediately inform Li Kaiyuan to barter a large amount of food into Qingzhou and reduce some temporarily unnecessary things.” Xiao Ming ordered.

After putting on his clothes, he continued: “You should immediately draft a memorial and report this matter to the court so that the court can take precautions in advance.”

Pang Yukun wrote down Xiao Ming’s words one by one.

“Your Highness, your friend also said that after the drought, King Yong not only did not reduce taxes, but instead increased them. He said that he wanted to overhaul Jizhou City to resist the barbarians. He was worried that King Yong’s actions would add to the disaster. , It affects our place.”

Xiao Ming frowned when he heard this. There was no conflict between the vassal king and the vassal king. He couldn’t criticize King Yong’s behavior, but Pang Yukun’s worry was not unreasonable.

Nowadays, the gentry and clans in Dayu are annexing a large number of lands among the people, and the relationship between the people and the government is already in danger. It is not impossible for King Yong to act recklessly at this time.

“I understand what you mean, but this is not a matter that I should be concerned about. Reporting this matter to the court is already a proxy. The rest depends on my father’s decision.” Xiao Ming said loudly.

After putting on his clothes, Xiao Ming continued: “Now let’s think about how to prevent the locust plague in the six states.”

Pang Yukun suddenly frowned, “Your Highness, this locust plague is a natural and man-made disaster. It must be the fault of the powerful people of the Chongqing Kingdom in recent years. There are too many. God is going to punish the country of Chongqing. How can we prevent it since it is God’s will?

” What a mess, I don’t believe in heaven, I only believe that man can defeat heaven!”

Pang Yukun was stunned when Xiao Ming said this.

It was the first time Luluo saw Pang Yukun so deflated in front of Xiao Ming, and she couldn’t help covering her mouth and snickering.

Pang Yukun’s old face was a bit confused, but there was really nothing he could do to deal with the locust plague. He said: “Your Highness, please make it clear!”

“Eat!”

“Eat?”

“Yes, people eat, chickens eat, ducks eat, toads eat, as long as they can Those who eat locusts are sent to the fields. “Xiao Ming said: “Go and tell Li Kaiyuan that in addition to buying food, I will also buy a large amount of chickens, ducks and geese during this period. I will also publish information on preventing locust plagues in the newspaper. Let the people take the initiative to raise chickens, ducks and geese.”

Xiao Ming’s technology library records many methods of locust control, but the most practical method in Chongqing is biological control. According to data, two thousand ducks can control four thousand acres. The locusts on the ground ate everything up.

Pang Yukun had never heard of Xiao Ming’s arguments, but Xiao Ming’s words were sound and logical, and they must be well-founded. He bowed and walked out of the palace.

“Your Highness, this locust plague is so terrible, can it really be prevented by raising a few ducks?” Luluo asked after hesitation.

Xiao Ming sighed, “The locust plague has not yet formed a climate, and timely prevention and control can still see some results. What I am worried about is not Qingzhou, but Jizhou. King Yong has always been brave and foolhardy. I am afraid that this locust plague cannot be responded to in time. Then there will be famine again in Jizhou. “

Yes, many people from King Yong’s fiefdom have fled to Qingzhou despite the good weather. If there is a big disaster, wouldn’t it be possible that a large number of refugees will come here again?”

“Your Highness is in short supply right now .”

Is it labor? If a large number of refugees come here, wouldn’t it solve His Highness’ urgent need?”

A voice suddenly came, but it was Zi Wan who came over with a bowl of mouthwash tea.

“Sister, what you said is wrong. How could Your Highness take advantage of others’ danger?”

Zi Yuan smiled and said, “How could Your Highness take advantage of others’ danger and take in the refugees? Your Highness is doing this for the country and the people.”

Xiao Ming glared at Zi Wan , “Don’t make sarcastic remarks about King Yong now. We still haven’t said a word about whether our fiefdom can cope with this locust plague. We should focus on our own affairs first.”

Aster stuck out her tongue and responded, “Yes.”

(End of this chapter. )