Iron Dynasty

The sky was hazy, and the night had not yet completely faded away.

At this time, on the streets of Qingzhou, a person was in a hurry.

Pang Yukun took a report and was heading towards the Qi Palace.

The matter in this report is very serious to him, and it is likely to endanger the farming of the six states.

Pang Changshi came very early today. His Highness took Feng Shilang around Qingzhou City yesterday. He may be a little tired and he hasn't gotten up yet. Luluo blocked Pang Yukun from the bedroom.

Pang Yukun showed anxiety, This matter is a big matter and cannot be delayed. I'd like to ask Miss Luluo to call her highness.

Luluo was a little unhappy. From her point of view, King Qi was so hardworking that it was rare to be able to sleep a little longer. This is true of Pang Yukun.

What happened? When Luluo was hesitating, Xiao Ming's voice came from the room.

Pang Yukun immediately said loudly: His Royal Highness, a few days ago, Xiaguan received a letter from a friend in Jizhou. He said that Jizhou has not rained for several months, and there is a precursor to a locust plague.

Signs of a locust plague!

Inside the house, Xiao Ming was slowly getting dressed. Hearing that, he didn't care about his clothes and walked out directly.

Yes, Your Highness, as the saying goes, locusts are caused by extreme drought, and there must be locusts in a prolonged drought. This friend of Xiguan said that there was very little rain in Jizhou last year, and the drought caused a decrease in the food supply last year. Many people have no surplus food at home. Now Spring ploughing is about to begin, but the arable land is dry and cracked, and it is impossible to plough. Looking back on the early spring of this year, our Qingzhou only had a light rain and it never rained again...

Speaking of which, Pang Yukun's expression was a little dignified.

Xiao Ming's face was a little embarrassed, he said: It's okay, you continue to talk.

His Royal Highness, according to historical records, since ancient times, when this drought and locust plague appeared, Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou were often affected together, and natural disasters blocked, so after receiving the letter, the lower official ordered the six prefectures to go out for inspection, and the result was I found that the number of locusts in the fields this year has indeed increased a lot in previous years, and His Highness should plan ahead and buy a large amount of food reserves in case of unexpected events. After that, Pang Yukun had a deep worry on his face.

Is it really the Little Ice Age? Xiao Ming smiled wryly. The Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou lines that Pang Yukun said were basically equal to the modern Hebei, Henan, and Shandong areas.

Even in modern times, this area is a drought-prone area with a high incidence of locust plagues.

In Xiao Ming's memory, several large locust plagues occurred in the Great Yu Kingdom several decades ago, causing the people to starve and die, and there were even cases where the civilians rose up.

Taking a deep look at Pang Yukun, Xiao Ming has a hint of admiration in his eyes. This is his long history. He can see the details and plan ahead.

He said, How is the grain reserve now?

Go back to Your Highness, the grain reserves in the six states are only enough for one year. The severity of this locust plague is unknown. We should deal with it in the worst case.

Well, now you immediately inform Li Kaiyuan that he is now bartering goods, in exchange for a large amount of food to enter Qingzhou, reducing some temporarily unnecessary things. Xiao Ming ordered.

Putting on his clothes, he continued: Now you immediately prepare a memorial and report this matter to the court, so that the court can take precautions in advance.

Pang Yukun wrote down Xiao Ming's words one by one.

His Royal Highness, the friend of Xiaguan also said that after the drought, King Yong not only did not reduce taxes, but increased them, saying that it was to prevent the barbarians from needing to overhaul Jizhou City, and Xiaguan was worried that King Yong's actions would make the disaster worse. , spread to our place.

Xiao Ming frowned when he heard the words. Between the vassal king and the vassal king, the well water did not break the river, and it was inconvenient for him to accuse King Yong of his behavior, but Pang Yukun's worry was not unreasonable.

Today in the Great Yu Kingdom, the gentry and clans have annexed a large number of land among the people, and the relationship between the people and the government is already in jeopardy. If King Yong came here at this time, it is not impossible.

This king understands what you mean, but this is not something that this king should manage. It is already a matter of time to bring this matter to the court. The rest of the matter is up to the father and the emperor to decide. Xiao Ming said loudly.

Putting on his clothes, Xiao Ming continued: Now let's think about how to prevent a locust plague from happening in the six states.

Pang Yukun immediately frowned, Your Highness, this locust plague is a natural and man-made disaster. It must be because the dignitaries of the Great Yu Country have done too much in these years. God wants to punish the Great Yu Country. Since it is God's will, how can we prevent it?

Bullshit! Xiao Ming angrily scolded Pang Yukun, The king of loss just praised you for your knowledge and knowledge, so plan ahead, and now you are telling this king about these nonsense things. This king does not believe in heaven, but only believes that people can conquer heaven!

When Xiao Ming said this, Pang Yukun froze in place.

This was the first time Luluo saw Pang Yukun so shriveled in front of Xiao Ming, she couldn't help but snickered while covering her mouth.

Pang Yukun's old face was a little unbearable, but he really couldn't deal with the locust plague. He said, Please also express your highness!

eat!

eat?

Yes, people eat, chickens, ducks, toads, as long as they can eat locusts, they will be sent to the fields. Xiao Ming said: Go and tell Li Kaiyuan, in addition to buying food, buy a lot during this time. When entering chickens, ducks and geese, this king will also publish the prevention of locust plagues in the newspaper, and let the people take the initiative to breed chickens, ducks and geese.

In Xiao Ming's science and technology library, there are many methods for preventing and controlling locusts, but the most practical method in Dayu is biological control. According to data, two thousand ducks can eat all the locusts on four thousand acres of land.

Pang Yukun had never heard of Xiao Ming's arguments, but what Xiao Ming said was right and must be well-founded. He bowed and walked outside the palace.

His Royal Highness, this locust plague is so terrifying, can it really be prevented by raising a few ducks? Luluo asked hesitantly.

Xiao Ming sighed, The locust plague has not yet formed a climate, and timely prevention and control can still see some results. What this king is worried about is not Qingzhou, but Jizhou. King Yong has always been brave and reckless, I am afraid that this locust plague cannot be dealt with in time. At that time, there will be a famine in Jizhou again.

That's right, there are still many people from King Yong's land who have fled to Qingzhou. If there is a catastrophe, wouldn't it be that a large number of refugees will come here again.

Isn't what Your Highness lacks right now? If a large number of refugees come here, wouldn't it solve His Highness' urgent need?

A voice suddenly came, but it was Aster who came over with a bowl of mouthwash tea.

Sister's words are wrong, how could Your Highness take advantage of others' danger?

Aster smiled and said, How could Your Highness take advantage of people's danger and take in refugees? Your Highness is doing this for the country and the people.

Xiao Ming glared at Aster, Don't speak slanderous words of King Yong now, whether our fiefs can deal with this locust plague is still unclear, let's care about our own affairs first.

Aster stuck out her tongue and responded, Yes.