The villages and counties that have not yet been affected by the disaster are located in remote areas, surrounded by rolling mountains, with rugged and winding mountain roads, making transportation extremely inconvenient.
The spread of information here is like a snail's crawl, slow and arduous.
The villagers still follow the ancient rhythm of life, working hard in the fields from sunrise to sunset.
They wore simple smiles, completely unaware of the impending disaster.
They carefully tended to the crops, watering, fertilizing, and weeding them, eagerly anticipating the moment of harvest.
Imagine the harvested grain filling the granary, and the family living a prosperous life.
However, they were unaware that danger was closing in with heavy steps, and the shadow of death was quietly looming over them.
By the time the government finally realized the rapid spread of the locust plague and urgently sent out the message, the best opportunity for prevention and control had already been missed.
The constables rode swiftly on their horses, galloping along the dusty country lanes. The billowing dust kicked up by their hooves seemed to be a manifestation of their inner anxiety.
They called out from house to house, their voices hoarse and dry from anxiety and exhaustion, each call filled with concern for the people and helplessness in the face of the disaster.
However, faced with the overwhelming, dense swarms of locusts, all remedial measures seemed like a drop in the ocean, like throwing an egg against a rock, unable to stop the devastation.
The Prince's mansion was shrouded in gloom, the clouds of sorrow lingering. Prince Xin, Ning Yu, paced back and forth in the mansion's long corridors, his brows furrowed so deeply they seemed capable of trapping a fly.
His boots pounded heavily on the stone pavement, making a dull and rapid "tap-tap" sound. Each sound seemed to strike his heart, making him feel uneasy.
Outside the window, the scene of locusts ravaging the area was a true reflection of a catastrophe.
In the boundless fields, the crops have been completely devoured, leaving only withered stalks trembling helplessly in the wind, as if silently accusing the cruelty of this natural disaster.
Looking at this desolate landscape, Ning Yu understood that with the existing strength of the fiefdom, it was simply impossible to contend with this overwhelming disaster.
He abruptly stopped, a resolute glint in his eyes. Without hesitation, he summoned his most trusted confidant, his gaze filled with unwavering determination, and swiftly made arrangements.
After receiving his orders, the trusted confidant hurriedly left. Ning Yu watched his retreating figure, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his worry growing deeper.
The messenger rushed to the stables like an arrow, and among the many horses, he immediately spotted the magnificent steed that exuded a spirited aura.
The horse was agile, with smooth and firm muscle lines, and its glossy brown coat shimmered with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
With its long, powerful hooves, it is clearly a fine steed capable of long-distance running.
The messenger nimbly mounted his horse, and with a sharp crack of his whip, he startled the birds into scattering.
With a neigh, the horse galloped off like lightning, disappearing instantly outside the gates of the Prince's Palace.
The sound of horses' hooves was rapid and frequent, leaving a trail of hurried footprints on the dusty official road.
The blazing sun hung high in the sky, unleashing its intense heat, scorching the earth and the messenger.
The sunlight was like a scorching hot iron, burning his skin until it ached, and sweat poured out of his forehead, cheeks, and neck like a burst dam.
His clothes were soaked and then quickly dried, leaving streaks of white salt. The clothes clung tightly to his body, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
The rations had long since become dry and hard, as hard as stones and difficult to eat.
He painstakingly broke off a piece, put it in his mouth, and chewed it with difficulty, each bite feeling like swallowing sand and gravel.
His throat was sore from choking, but he could only endure the discomfort and drink large gulps of water.
Thirsty, he bent down to the roadside, cupped his hands in the muddy river water, and drank it all down, ignoring the mud and impurities in the water.
Night fell, and all was quiet except for the sound of horses' hooves and his heavy breathing echoing in the darkness.
He dozed off on horseback, only to be jolted awake by the slightest jolt. He rubbed his sore eyes and continued on his journey.
The long ride caused his legs to rub against the saddle, gradually breaking his skin and causing blood to seep out, sticking tightly to his clothes.
Each rise and fall of the horse brought excruciating pain; his lips were bitten until they bled, yet he never stopped moving forward.
He had only one belief in his mind: to deliver the letter to the capital as soon as possible.
Finally, after a week of non-stop travel, the messenger arrived in the capital.
When he staggered to the post station in the capital, he was utterly exhausted, as if he had used up his last bit of strength.
His legs were a bloody mess, his trousers were stuck tightly to the wounds, and the dried blood mixed with dust made for a shocking sight.
Every movement pulled at his wound, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.
His lips were pale, cracked and peeling, covered with streaks of blood, his face was ashen, and his eyes were sunken.
His eyes were filled with exhaustion and haggardness, and his body swayed precariously, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
He mustered his last shred of consciousness and handed the urgent letter to the official in charge of the Ministry of Justice.
Watching the officials from the Ministry of Justice rush off on horseback to the palace, his tense nerves snapped instantly.
Everything went black before his eyes, and he fainted instantly, falling heavily to the ground with a thud, raising a cloud of dust.
(Happy Lantern Festival, everyone! I haven't been replying to comments much lately, not because I've gotten arrogant, but because there's a reason.)
The young author may have a lot of good luck this year, because he had good luck on New Year's Eve when he bumped into a road because the road was too slippery.
I bumped my arm and foot, luckily without any fractures, but it hurt for days.
My arms had just started to get better on the ninth day of the lunar month when I got gingivitis. I didn't sleep all night because of the pain, and as a result, I couldn't stand up straight when I went to the bathroom in the morning.
I staggered forward several steps, bumping my face into the corner of the wardrobe. Then, my tooth ached, and my face and forehead started to hurt at the same time.
The young author feels that this year will definitely be a year of great luck, hahaha, things are much better now, the toothache is gone, and the swelling has almost subsided.
Finally, I'd like to ask what kind of fillings you all had for your glutinous rice balls and sweet dumplings? I had sesame filling, they were so sweet!
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