Chapter 446 Preparing for the Locust Plague
"Have you heard? The boss said there will be a locust plague in three days!"
"It's a huge commotion outside!"
As soon as someone spoke, the other tenants gathered around. After knowing the truth, they dared not delay any longer. This was their food for the whole year. If it was really eaten by locusts, they would all be dead!
Because of Magistrate Wang’s strong actions, some other families became suspicious, while others took immediate action.
In short, most people took action, after all, they couldn't afford to gamble.
One day later, at Prince Huai’s Mansion.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Prince Huai slammed the letter on the table and looked at the messenger: "You said that Guan Cheng has believed it?"
Master Qin knelt on the ground, knowing that Prince Huai did not believe what his master said.
But no matter what, you have to give it a try.
"I guarantee this with my life, and Your Majesty also guarantees it with my official position. If locusts are really coming, Your Majesty, please pay attention and ensure the peace of the people of Youzhou!"
"This is a letter from Lord Wang, please take a look!"
Prince Huai looked at the prefect's seal in his hand, knowing that the prefect would not joke about this matter. However, Youzhou was so big that it would be impossible to harvest all the grain fields in two days even if he worked day and night.
On the contrary, if locusts really appear...
Prince Huai didn't dare to imagine the consequences and didn't dare to make a decision easily for a while.
After all, if the news was false and the court seized upon it, a reprimand would be inevitable, and one would be afraid that Emperor Jiancheng would take the opportunity to cause trouble.
Prince Huai frowned, and after Master Qin left, he asked someone to bring the officials in charge of agricultural affairs in the city, as well as the prefect of the city, over as well.
Several people discussed in the room for an entire afternoon, and from time to time, quarrels could be heard coming from the room.
Master Qin couldn't stay in his room, so he came out and heard it. He found that Prince Huai had not taken any action yet, and his mouth was bubbling with anxiety.
He wanted to rush in to vouch for the truth of the news. After all, more than one locust had appeared yesterday.
But the guards at the gate stared at him as if he were a thief. Not only could he not enter, but even when he walked outside, there were people following him.
Hey, why isn’t the prince here?
My lord, you said that the prince is sensible and if he knew about the locust plague, he would definitely take measures immediately.
It was not until late at night that the door of Prince Huai's study was pushed open. Master Qin had been leaning against a big tree at the gate of the courtyard. He opened his eyes immediately when he heard the sound.
"Your Majesty?"
Prince Huai saw that he was still there and frowned: "It's so late, why don't you go back and rest."
"Your Highness, have you come up with a plan?" Master Qin asked with concern.
Several officials around him took a look at him and knew that he was sent by the prefect of Guancheng, Wang, to report the news, but time was urgent and they had no time to deal with him, so they all said goodbye and prepared to get busy.
That night, many people set out from the provincial capital, and fast horses worked overtime to deliver the news to all parts of Youzhou.
Since we will arrive at Guancheng in three days, but it is quite far away from Guancheng, we still have some time to gain.
But for the provincial capital, all preparations must be completed within one day.
Hunting tools, digging trenches to trap insects, bonfire trapping, catching insects and removing their eggs...
The people of the entire city, like those in the border city, all went out.
In this tense atmosphere, there is an area that is as quiet as ever.
Su Mansion, the largest grain merchant in Youzhou.
Mr. Su was not in a hurry at all. He even advised the merchants who were on good terms with his family not to be anxious either.
"I've found out everything. This is all the work of the Ming family!"
If the people harvest all the grain in advance, the yield will definitely decrease. If the Ming family directly raises the price of grain, won’t they make a huge profit?
His Su family would never be fooled.
As for why they were so sure it was the Ming family's plan, ever since the Ming family gained a foothold in Guancheng, their grain business had been impacting other towns with great momentum, which made the Su family, who had always been the industry leader, very unhappy.
This time, even though the Ming family has persuaded Prince Huai and various officials, if the news is false, then the Ming family, humph!
"But the Ming family is not fools. Why would they risk offending Prince Huai by suggesting a locust plague?" someone wondered.
Master Su froze for a moment, then said, "Humph, what do you know? Maybe this was already discussed!"
Don’t you see how good the relationship between Prince Huai and the Ming family is?
They have the protection of the prince, but we don’t.
"Master Su, what you said makes sense. Then we will listen to you."
Master Su nodded slightly: "It's just that old man from the Wan family who has been bewildered by his mental illness. It seems that our Northern Chamber of Commerce is bound to have to undergo a major purge."
When the other merchants heard this, they immediately had an idea in their minds.
Someone complimented him: "Master Su is indeed wise. He risked offending the prince to remind us. We should all remember the kindness Master Su has shown us."
"Thank you, Master Su!"
Everyone's thanks made Mr. Su smile widely.
“Where, where…”
The Su family was the largest grain producer in Youzhou, and many people actually believed him after he deceived them.
"Your Majesty, the Su family owns over 300,000 mu of land. If we delay any further, what if..."
Prince Huai's expression was indifferent: "Since he is unwilling, I will not force him."
After all, he still didn't believe there would be a locust plague.
Moreover, the fields are currently short of water, so whether or not to harvest early does not make much difference.
Master Qin brought back the news from the provincial capital to Guancheng. After hearing this, Prefect Wang sighed and said that if possible, he really wanted to ask them to come to Guancheng to take a look.
"In the past two days, locusts have appeared again."
Master Qin's expression changed drastically: "Then are the people ready?"
Magistrate Wang nodded slightly and said, "We have done everything we can. Even if it means risking our official hat, I hope that God will open his eyes and let us go."
…
Luo family.
Old Master Feng looked at his calm grandson and granddaughter-in-law in front of him and sighed softly.
"You two, how come you make such a big noise when you make a scene?"
"Prefect Wang has sent me news. I wonder if Prince Huai will cause trouble for you later!"
Although timely notification is given, if the loss is unbearable, people will inevitably look for scapegoats!
The Ming family, who discovered the locusts, were the first to be affected.
"Grandfather, this is a decision made by Tingshan and I after we discussed it together. If we think it is reasonable, we will do it, regardless of what others think!" Zhu Mingqing said lightly.
Old Master Feng frowned: "That being said, we must also consider the reality."
"Looking ahead and behind, being timid and fearful!" Luo Tingshan on the side suddenly said.
Old Master Feng's eyebrows jumped up at that moment: "I say, kid, how can you talk to your elders like this?"
Luo Tingshan looked over calmly: "Elder? Who said that I have no connection with the Luo family in this life?!"
Whenever he thought about the time when his mother died, he ignored his father's and his own pleas and insisted on bringing his mother's body home, and the indifferent expression on his face when he said that the Feng family and the Luo family had no connection anymore, and all the disgusting things the Feng family had done to him over the years.
Luo Tingshan couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.
Old Master Feng was speechless for a moment. After a long pause, he stammered, "Child... Grandfather is sorry for you. He didn't take good care of your two uncles. Grandfather apologizes to you on their behalf!"
Luo Tingshan said coldly: "No need, I will avenge myself!"
Old Master Feng was anxious: "Does it have to be like this?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
