Just after dawn, the sky began to lighten, and the morning sun pierced through the thick clouds, casting wisps of light onto the majestic and magnificent Golden Palace.
Inside the hall, wisps of incense smoke rose and swirled, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence.
On the dragon throne, the emperor sat upright, his expression solemn, his sharp gaze slowly sweeping over the assembled officials, as if scrutinizing every subtle change in the court.
The morning court session had been going on for some time, and the officials stepped forward one by one to report on the collection of taxes, water conservancy repairs, and other trivial matters concerning people's livelihoods in various regions.
In the past, these government affairs were all important parts of the court's operation, but in today's oppressive and solemn atmosphere, they all seem insignificant.
As each matter was presented in an orderly manner, a brief and oppressive silence fell over the hall. The air seemed to be compressed by an invisible pressure, becoming so heavy that it was almost solidified.
Prime Minister Qin and Prime Minister Su stood side by side at the front of the court, turning slightly to exchange a glance.
This glance was like a silent dialogue, conveying the solemnity of the report and the deep concern for the disaster in Haiyan County.
Su Jinyun's chest heaved violently. She took a deep breath and gently adjusted the exquisite crane pattern embroidered on her court robe.
The delicate silk threads shimmered faintly in the flickering candlelight, revealing her status and position.
Composing herself, Su Jinyun took steady and powerful steps toward the center of the main hall.
Her posture was as upright as a pine tree, her back straight, displaying the majesty and demeanor of a high-ranking official.
Then, she slowly bent her knees and knelt steadily on the cold, hard floor tiles, clasping her hands together and raising them high.
He announced in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I, Su Jinyun, humbly request your well-being! I have important matters to report."
Her voice was loud, clear, and penetrating, echoing in the empty hall for a long time, carrying an undeniable firmness and decisiveness.
"In Haiyan County, the fiefdom of Prince Xin, disaster has suddenly struck without warning recently."
An extremely rare locust plague is raging across that land with alarming force.
The locusts swarmed in, densely packed together, like an endless, dark cloud that completely blocked out the sunlight.
Wherever they went, the world seemed to be shrouded in a gray gloom.
The sound of their flapping wings intertwined into a chilling roar, like the whisper of death.
Under the rampant onslaught of these overwhelming insect swarms, the once vibrant and thriving crops in the fields were devoured in a very short time.
The once lush green fields are now nothing but a scene of devastation.
The withered stalks and fallen leaves trembled in the howling wind, as if silently recounting the cruelty of this disaster.
Su Jinyun paused slightly, fine beads of sweat already appearing on her forehead, glistening in the candlelight.
Her tone was full of worry and earnestness, and every word seemed to carry a heavy weight.
It makes people truly feel the urgency and severity of the situation: "At present, it is a critical time for farming, and every inch of land carries the hard work and hopes of the people throughout the year."
Every crop embodies the hard work and sweat of the people, and is related to their livelihood and basic needs.
If effective measures are not taken immediately to contain the disaster, there will inevitably be no harvest, and the people will undoubtedly fall into a desperate famine.
At that time, they will be destitute, homeless, and starving, and the tragic scene of corpses everywhere may be mercilessly played out on this land at any moment.
Even more seriously, once people's lives become unsustainable, the panic and despair in their hearts will spread rapidly like wildfire.
This could very likely trigger large-scale public unrest, thereby jeopardizing local stability and peace.
A single spark can start a prairie fire; this small disturbance could snowball, affecting the very foundation of the nation and shaking the stability of the state.
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you promptly select a capable minister who is well-versed in locust control."
These capable ministers not only need to have rich experience in locust control, but also need to have outstanding wisdom and adaptability.
They are able to formulate practical and feasible locust control strategies based on local conditions.
At the same time, sufficient locust control resources were allocated, including a sufficient number of personnel, to ensure that all locust control measures were effectively implemented.
It also includes various material resources, such as a large number of locust control tools and possible medicines.
It is imperative to ensure that supplies are provided in a timely and sufficient manner, without any delays.
They were instructed to travel day and night to Haiyan County, racing against time to reach the disaster-stricken area and begin rescue and recovery efforts.
Only in this way can we save the people from suffering and rescue them from dire straits.
We urge Your Majesty to make a decision soon and issue an imperial edict so that the people of Haiyan County may know that the court cares about them at all times.
Let them feel the warmth and strength from the imperial court during this difficult time, thus putting their minds at ease. Only in this way can the safety and peace of this land be ensured.
After saying that, Su Jinyun gently touched her forehead to the ground and remained there for a long time.
Her back trembled slightly, whether from the soreness of kneeling for a long time or from the tension and unease in her heart, it was hard to tell.
The entire hall was so quiet that only her soft breathing could be heard.
As soon as Su Jinyun finished speaking, the Golden Palace fell into a deathly silence, as if the whole world had been muted.
The air seemed to freeze instantly, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. Even the slightest sound was amplified infinitely in the empty hall.
Those close officials of the emperor who already knew about the locust plague in Haiyan County maintained their composure and stood upright in place, upholding the solemnity expected in the court.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
