Chapter 298: Locust gue in Southern Jiang!


    Li Yuxin saw Lin Beifans expression and knew what he was worried about. She smiled and said, Master Lin, theres no need to worry. Its not a big deal. They just had a collective stomachache. Theyve taken medicine and will be fine after resting for two days.


    I see, then I can rx! Lin Beifanughed and extended an invitation, Lady Yuxin, its been a while since youst visited my mansion. Instead of a formal invitation, how about a chance encounter? Come to my house tonight for a simple meal and then leave. My wife has been mentioning you!


    Thank you for the invitation, sir. Ill be honored to ept! Li Yuxins heart was filled with joy.


    The two of them returned to Lin Mansion with smiles andughter.


    Lin Beifan had some matters to attend to in his study, so Li Shi Shi received Li Yuxin.


    Li Shi Shi was very happy, saying, Yuxin, youve finallye. Youve lost some weight, I see!


    Sister Shi Shi, its been a while. Youre looking healthier and better each time I see you! Li Yuxin was also delighted and held onto Li Shi Shis hand, saying, ording to Master Lin, you often talk about me, so I came to see you.


    Do I really talk about you not? Li Shi Shi blinked.


    Really? Li Yuxin looked puzzled.


    Li Shi Shis gaze shifted slightly, and she chuckled softly, Actually, its my husband who talks about you all the time! He says that the days without you feel like an eternity. So, Yuxin, please doe often!


    Does he really mention me often? Li Yuxin was pleasantly surprised and a bit shy.


    Can I lie to you? Li Shi Shiughed, So please make sure to visit often. Consider this ce your home. I want us to be good sisters for a lifetime!


    Yes! Li Yuxin lowered her head and replied softly.


    At this moment, the spirited Little Princess rushed in, saying, Im here, Im here! Whats for dinner tonight? Is dinner ready? Im almost starving!


    Li Shi Shi smiled and said, Little Princess, its almost ready! Just wait for about half a joss sticks time!


    Okay, okay! The Little Princess nodded happily.


    Lin Beifan was disturbed and walked out, saying helplessly, I hardly see you around, but youre quite enthusiastic about dinner!


    Not being enthusiastic about dinner means theres something wrong with your brain! The Little Princess retorted confidently.


    Being too enthusiastic about dinner means theres something wrong with your nerves! Lin Beifans face turned serious, Let me see which nerve of yours is messed up that youre acting so hyper.


    Ugh, you meanie! Youre so mean. Im going to the kitchen. I wont pay any attention to you! The Little Princess stormed off.


    Laughter and merriment filled the courtyard.


    However, at this moment, in the distantnd of Southern Jiang, the mood of the Prince of Southern Jiang was not good.


    He stood under the scorching sun, sweat dripping down, in a field that was starting to dry up. He was anxious, looking at the withering rice seedlings. Whats wrong with this damned weather? It hasnt rained for three months straight, and the weather is still so hot. Even the riverbed is dry if this continues, the harvest will be ruined!


    He was in a crucial phase of preparing for an uprising, waiting only for a bountiful autumn harvest to fully prepare the grain, and then he could start the rebellion.


    If the harvest was poor, his military strength would be greatly diminished.


    The officials around him trembled in fear, afraid of incurring the kings wrath.


    But the Prince of Southern Jiang didnt me them; he knew very well that this was beyond their control.


    How could human effort influence the weather?


    Looking up at the zing sun, he wiped the sweat from his brow and couldnt help but curse, Heavenly deity,st year you sent a flood, and this year a drought! Are you deliberately opposing me?


    A thought urred to him, By the way, hows the grain situation in the capital?


    Everyone looked at each other, none daring to speak.


    Fugui, you tell me! The Prince of Southern Jiangs face was stern, Tell me everything truthfully, without hiding anything. If you dare to fabricate military information, Ill make you answer for it!


    Yes, Your Highness! Wang Fugui forced a smile and stepped forward, bowing, Your Highness, since the beginning of the year, the capital has enjoyed fair weather, warm like spring. The crops are thriving! Coupled with therge-scale water conservancy projects undertaken by the prefect, the implementation of the Eight Agricultural Methods, and the expansion of fertilizer varieties, theres no doubt that this years crop yield will increase significantly!


    Damn it! The Prince of Southern Jiang gritted his teeth in anger.


    His days were getting worse, while his enemies were thriving. It was unbearable! And the thought of the enemy having abundant grain reserves made it even more unbearable!


    His face turned ck with fury.


    Seeing this, Wang Fugui realized the situation was turning unfavorable and hastily continued, Your Highness, although our situation isnt great, the situation in Northern Hebei and Wuxi isnt favorable either.


    Northern Hebei has always been barren, with limited crop yield! The poption is decreasing significantly, and there are fewer people farming. This years crop yield is sure to be poor!


    Wuxi, too, is facing a simr situation! Moreover, theyre currently being harassed by the rebel forces, suffering continuous losses in troops. Their situation is worse than ours!


    Among the three kings, our situation is rtively better!


    Well, thats true! The Prince of Southern Jiangs expression finally improved.


    These were troubled times, and although he might be in trouble, as long as others were worse off than him, he felt happy and satisfied.


    Looking at the withered rice fields, Wang Fugui looked worried and asked, Your Highness, what should we do now?


    What else can we do? The Prince of Southern Jiang replied irritably, Quickly dig channels, dig deep wells, and divert water here. Otherwise, we wont have any grain to eat this year!


    Yes, Your Highness. Ill have someone take care of it! Wang Fugui hurriedly agreed.


    Just then, a buzzing sound came from the distance.


    The Prince of Southern Jiang and his group turned to look and saw a dense mass of insects forming a dark cloud, descending upon them like a swarm.


    The Prince of Southern Jiang was dumbfounded, What is this?


    Many officials were terrified.


    A locust gue!


    Its a locust gue!


    These locusts flew swiftly over the crowd, leaving behind devastated rice fields.


    The Prince of Southern Jiang let out a mournful cry, My grains!


    News of this incident quickly reached the imperial court, and the Empress immediately convened her ministers to discuss the matter.


    Theres a locust gue in Southern Jiang, wreaking havoc in the rice fields! ording to the information from below, this locust gue has reached a scale that only urs once every hundred years, and its causing significant harm! The locusts are migrating toward the capital. Esteemed ministers, how can we prevent this?


    The civil and military officials exchanged bitter smiles. How could one prevent and control a locust gue?


    Locust gues, along with floods and droughts, were among the three most destructive natural disasters. Among them, locust gues were particrly terrifying. Their vast numbers and swift movement made them impossible to eliminate or control. Once they appeared, they brought massive destruction and led to reduced crop yields.


    This was beyond human control.


    Under the Empresss gaze, all the officials lowered their heads.


    The Empress turned her attention to Lin Beifan, her eyes carrying a glimmer of hope, Sir Lin, do you have any sound advice?


    Your Majesty, I have a few immature suggestions, Lin Beifan said, bowing.


    The Empresss eyes lit up, Please, go on!


    Your Majesty, just like the chickens and ducks we raise, they actually eat locusts! If we release chickens and ducks, do we need to fear the locust gue? Lin Beifan chuckled.


    The Empresss eyes brightened further, This idea sounds promising!


    However, Your Majesty, there are too many locusts. The number of chickens and ducks we raise is too small to tackle the locust gue.


    The Empresss eyes dimmed, I see


    Your Majesty, I have another idea!


    The Empresss eyes brightened again, Go on!


    In fact, locusts taste quite good and are rich in nutrients. Chickens, ducks, and geese cant finish them all. We can have people catch and eat them! Lin Beifan suggested again.


    The Empresss eyes gleamed even more, It sounds like a feasible n!


    However, catching locusts is quite difficult due to theirrge numbers. Regr citizens wont be able to catch many. It might be better for us to save our efforts, Lin Beifan advised.


    The Empresss eyes dimmed once more, True, catching locusts is challenging.


    Your Majesty, I have one more idea


    The Empress became furious!


    This guy cant speak straightforwardly; hes teasing her in a back-and-forth manner, which is so infuriating! Clenching her teeth, she said, Minister, are you deliberately ying games with Us?


    Lin Beifan felt quite wronged, Your Majesty, how could your humble servant dare to do that? Your humble servant just said these were immature suggestions. You were the one who insisted I speak. Not speaking would be going against your will!


    The Empress was so furious she felt like using his head as a ball to kick around!


    This little rascal had be more mischievoustely, often making fun of her. This was outrageous!


    Minister, just give Us the final solution directly!


    Lin Beifan cupped his hands, This Your servant truly has no way. Please understand, Your Majesty.


    This locust gue couldnt be thoroughly solved now, let alone in ancient times. Even in the modern era, the focus would mainly be on prevention.


    Prevention would involve methods such as spraying pesticides or utilizing natural predators of locusts, like chickens, ducks, and birds. If the locust gue was extensive, pesticide spraying might be used, but ancient timescked such conditions.


    The Empresss gaze dimmed.


    However, theres no need to worry too much!


    The Empresss gaze brightened again, Minister, why do you say that?


    Lin Beifan smiled, The threat of this locust gue to me is indeed substantial. However, its urrence is conditional. Generally, it only appears during hot and dry weather, which is exactly the situation in Southern Jiang. But our capital has been enjoying fair weather, abundant rain, and moist air since the beginning of the year. So, the threat of the locust gue to us is limited.


    We can only hope for that! The Empress sighed with concern.


    At this time, news of the locust gue in Southern Jiang also reached his two brothers.


    In the residence of the Duke of Wuxi.


    Upon learning of this, the Duke of Wuxi was ted and burst intoughter, saying, Brother, without grain, how will youpete with me? This contest for the throne, youre going to be out of it early! Haha!


    Summon people to monitor the situation of the locust gue in Southern Jiang at all times. Report immediately if anything happens!


    Yes, Your Highness!


    In the residence of the Prince of Northern Hebei.


    Simrly, the Prince of Northern Hebei was extremely delighted, his face radiant with joy, Younger Brother, facing two natural disasters in a row, is this not heavens will? It seems youre not destined for the throne! Someone, quickly send that bell back to the Prince of Southern Jiang to console him! Haha!


    Yes, Your Highness!