Chapter 164 Giving Birth to Eight Sons
"Besides, locusts don't appear in such large numbers all at once. They must have accumulated over the years. Last year there were fewer locusts, so they laid eggs. Then there were more locusts last year, and it was a warm winter, so the number has formed a certain level this year.
The drought has been going on for a long time, and it’s definitely not just in Liangzhou, so…”
He was afraid that it would be another series of disasters!
Sang Ning had to admit that Huo Baohong knew more about the locust plague than she did.
Perhaps, things are more serious than she thought.
The head of the village and the villagers turned pale.
Those who had just made up their minds not to harvest were now all shaken.
"The locust plague, the locust plague is terrible!"
At some point, Old Man Liu also came.
"You Liangzhou people have only heard of them, but never seen them. You don't know how terrifying these locusts are. If you stand in the fields, they can bury you and turn the sky black..."
Old Man Liu knew more about this than Huo Baohong.
Huo Baohong had only seen the tragic scene after the locust plague, but had not seen what the locusts looked like when they flew.
In short, combining the two people's statements, plus the villagers who came back to report the news, said that the Xu family, the Shi family, the Lu family... have all started harvesting crops.
The village head and a group of villagers no longer hesitated, went home to get their sickles and went to harvest.
Not only did the villagers collect it, but they also told their relatives.
Some believed it, some didn't, and some went to the county government office and the prefectural magistrate's office to inquire.
Bai Yi and Rong Kun ran to the fields and saw that many people had already started harvesting crops.
"The Huo family is so bold that they actually incited the people. What do they want to do?"
Rong Kun secretly thought, could it be that he can really turn the tables, so he is so confident?
There has never been a case in this dynasty where someone could turn the tables after being convicted of treason!
No, there are.
But that was a complete turn of events, a direct rebellion.
The Huo family only has women and disabled children left, so they have no capital to rebel!
Bai Yi came to Xu Wudetian with a sullen face.
"Xu Wude, how can you bear to lose so much grain during the harvest?"
Normally, collecting food from him is like asking for his life, why is he so generous now!
Xu Wude's heart was already numb with pain.
Everyone who comes and goes asks this question, either laughing or asking again and again, it’s so annoying!
But Bai Yi still didn't dare to be careless when asking questions.
"When locusts come, there's nothing left to catch, so you have to give up even if you're reluctant."
"You really believed what Sang said. How did she incite you?"
Xu Wude frowned.
"Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, you can't say that. What's the point of encouraging or not encouraging? I'm a businessman. When someone reminds me, I make my own judgment. Even if I lose money, I have to bear the consequences myself."
"Oh, if you admit it yourself, then you will lead so many people to harvest. When they have no food to eat, they will also admit it themselves?
I remind you, if they starve to death due to lack of food, it will all be your fault!"
Xu Wude was very angry.
Wasn't it time for this cold-hearted, black-faced county magistrate to donate money and supplies?
"Then may I ask, sir, if the locusts really come and all the people who haven't harvested their crops have nothing to gain, will that be your fault? After all, Madam Sang did warn you about that!"
"Xu Wude!" Bai Yi warned sternly.
Xu Wude lowered his head, not daring to confront him to the end.
But also make your position clear.
"A master has his own difficulties. I'm just a businessman. Now I don't even have a son. I've already let go of some things. Winning or losing isn't that important. If the people I harvested really can't survive, I'll spend all my wealth to help them!"
Bai Yi was stunned.
Is this what Xu Wude said?
Even when you want to borrow a porcelain bowl, there are people following you begging for it.
Want to spend all your wealth to help the people?
It's really weird.
Bai Yi was incredulous, but a feeling of shame welled up in his heart.
Even a profit-seeking businessman has such a realization. He is the governor of a city, and for his own future...
But...will the locusts really come?
It never happened in Liangzhou.
Bai Yi was a little confused, staring at the crops in the field in a daze.
The Xu family's housekeeper was frightened and whispered, "Master... are you really going to give away all your wealth to those poor..."
"Nonsense! Those harvesting with us are our tenants. We can just pay less rent when the time comes. Do we really need to work so hard?
If Bai Yi forces me, I'll just run to Tianjin. I've already bought real estate there anyway..."
Yes, yes, yes, the butler breathed a sigh of relief.
A fair, slender girl with bright eyes appeared beside Bai Yi at some point.
"Mrs. Sang? I was just looking for you." Bai Yi immediately straightened his expression and spoke in a serious tone.
But after I finished speaking, I no longer wanted to say what I wanted to say.
"Sir, I'm looking for you too."
Bai Yi immediately responded, "What do you want from me? The locusts again? Many people have already started harvesting, so it's almost done. Don't let it get out of hand."
"There's something I've been thinking about and I still want to say it." Sang Ning ignored Bai Yi's somewhat irritable tone.
Anyway, she just said one thing, and if she didn't say it, she couldn't sleep.
How he does it is his business.
"My second uncle said that this year's locusts are very similar to the locust plague that struck the Jingjiang River basin nineteen years ago."
Nineteen years ago.
Jingjiang River Basin...
I have heard that it was a very serious disaster.
But Bai Yi was young and had only a vague understanding of this, so he didn't feel it very deeply.
Xu Wude is different.
When the locust plague hit Jingzhou, he was already fifteen years old and had long followed his father into business. At that time, his family only ran a cloth shop, and many of the cloths were shipped from the south.
After the disaster in Jingzhou, the supply of goods was cut off, so he and his father went there in person.
It's like hell on earth over there, so miserable.
Children were being sold and dead bodies could be seen everywhere on the roadside.
The cloth shop simply couldn't produce so many goods, and his business was getting worse day by day, so he started to change his career and sell porcelain.
When Xu Wude heard what Sang Ning said, he let out a loud "Ao".
"Harvest quickly! Harvest within three days, and I'll give everyone a liter of corn! No, two liters!"
He kicked the housekeeper and said, "Hurry up and go to the mansion and find all the men and women who are breathing. Collect the food!"
"Is Xu Wude crazy?"
The merchants of all sizes who were sitting on the ridge drinking tea and watching the fun laughed out loud when they saw Xu Wude jumping high.
"Ah, Xu Wude is really not as good as before. He is going downhill and even believes what a female prisoner says."
At this time, Xu Wude shouted again: "All the tenants of the Xu family who follow me to collect grain will be exempted from rent this year!"
This triggered a flurry of calls.
All the Xu family tenants who were still uneasy went home to get their sickles.
"Crazy, crazy, really crazy!"
"He, is he sacrificing his life for justice?"
"What kind of confusing soup did that female prisoner feed him? Could it be that he has a crush on her?"
Then, cheers were heard from the Shi family’s field.
The Lu family...
These companies have always been sticking together, but unexpectedly, at this time, they also followed Xu Wude and went crazy.
Even Bai Yi was shocked.
No, this matter was a little beyond his expectations. He had to go back quickly and discuss with others what to do.
Sang Ning now really admires Xu Wude.
There is a reason why he became the richest man.
It depends on the situation. You can be stingy when necessary, but you will never hesitate when it is time to take action.
"Fatty, you're so generous! This is a very righteous act. God blesses those with kind hearts! I'll give you a big fat son next year!"
"Really? Then I take it seriously!" Xu Wude became excited when he heard his son.
"However, you are the real kind person. I wish you, Madam Sang, to give birth to eight sons in this life!"
Sanning: "..."
Damn it, why are you still cursing people!
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