eurekapd Chapter 119: This person who has been dead for almost half a year is still missed
Chapter 119: This person who has been dead for almost half a year is still missed
At the end of midsummer, locusts attacked from the north.
No one knew where these locusts came from, but they have ravaged almost half of the Northern Frontier. They moved southward, leaving no grass growing wherever they passed. Famine broke out and the people were suffering terribly. The affected people in the Northern Frontier migrated southward one after another, causing considerable pressure on Lingyin's northern border.
What's more serious is that the vanguard of the locust army has crossed the border. Although we have received the news and made preparations long ago, the sight of the locusts covering the sky and the earth still makes people tremble with fear.
Emperor Lingyin had already sent Jing Muyang and the Crown Prince to provide disaster relief.
Xiaowu was eyeing the Ministry of Revenue's purse, Xiaoliu was afraid of trouble, and Xiaoba and the Queen were eyeing him and trying to make a comeback, so they could only be left by their side and watched by themselves, and Xiaosi went to the south to collect grain again.
In the emperor's opinion, it was just right to send the crown prince and Jing Muyang. Firstly, with Jing Muyang's help, the crown prince could accumulate political achievements; secondly, Jing Muyang also needed to stabilize the border to prevent riots by disaster victims; thirdly, the two could be put together to get used to each other, put aside their past grievances, and put the country first.
The emperor has already discussed this with Jing Muyang, and the emperor will not depose the prince.
The prince also admitted to the assassination, but he said that he found clues about tomb robbery and sent people to Yangshu Village to inquire about the situation, not to assassinate Xiaojiu. Moreover, Jing Muyang and his group were so low-key and sneaky at that time, and it is estimated that those who were sent there mistook Xiaojiu for a tomb robber.
After all, no one would think that a dead and buried person could come back to life, right? Anyway, all those who assassinated him were dead. The prince had not received the news and was still investigating the matter. Then Jing Muyang came back. When the prince saw that Jing Muyang did not mention it, he did not mention it either, for fear of causing misunderstanding.
The prince spoke frankly in front of the emperor. The prince has always been kind. After Jing Muyang calmed down, he was willing to believe the prince once. Even if the matter was over, at least on the surface it was like that.
However, this locust plague was quite tricky. The challenges they had to face were huge. It was not just the locust plague, but also the famine that followed the plague. There were starving people everywhere in the northern border, the victims had already revolted, and the royal family was also in civil strife.
If they cannot control the situation, or if it drags on for too long, Lingyinguo will also face the same situation. They must control the situation as soon as possible.
*
"Your Highness, the locusts have entered the country two days ago. The entire locust belt stretches for several kilometers, leaving no grass behind wherever they pass. The crops in the northern part of Xucheng are almost completely destroyed. They have now reached the vicinity of Changya Mountain." Qingshan received the latest report.
"Well, has the deep trench on the south side of Longfang Mountain been dug?"
"It's done. The soldiers led the local people to dig a lot, and the subsequent preparations have also been made. But, Your Majesty, will the locusts come here?"
"I don't know, but it should be possible. The princess said that locusts migrate with the wind. The wind coming from Changya Mountain is northwest wind, so we set a trap in the southeast, which should not be wrong." Jing Muyang stared at the map on the table and analyzed it carefully.
"We can't completely eliminate the locusts in one go, Xiaojiu, we have to think of other methods." The prince also analyzed.
"Use the same method to deploy in advance in several cities and counties in the southeast, and control the locust swarm within this range. We can eventually eliminate it after a few more attempts." Jing Muyang looked up, "Qingmu, order the local people to catch locusts and dig out locust eggs wherever the locusts pass through. The imperial court will collect them by the pound regardless of whether they are dead or alive, and then send people to deal with them in a centralized manner."
"Yes!" Aoki followed the order and left.
"Xiaojiu, this may not be enough. If the locusts don't come in this direction, then all our work will be in vain! I suggest taking measures around Xucheng at the same time, just in case."
"We don't have that many people to form such a long front. We must focus our strength on the route where the locust swarm is most likely to advance." Jing Muyang retorted.
"just in case……"
"There is no such thing as a surprise. What the princess said cannot be wrong. We just need to pay attention to the wind direction."
"Okay, just as you said locusts travel with the wind, but locust eggs are not that easy to find. How can you catch locust nymphs that haven't grown wings yet? Do you have to follow them and catch them one by one? How long will it take to catch them?"
"Locust eggs are indeed hard to find, but Chujian has taught Qingmu how to find them, and he has already taught many people and sent them to the front line, and they are very effective. As for locust nymphs, digging trenches and trapping them with fire is also effective.
Your Highness, you are responsible for the resettlement and reconstruction of the victims, and I will take care of the locusts. I have already explained the general method to you. If you encounter a large number of locusts, just follow the method. "
"What you said is unfounded. Xiaojiu, you are too idealistic. Our Lingyin country has never been successful in controlling locusts since its founding. You are taking too much risk by throwing a gamble! Do you want to discuss it further?"
"You also said you have never succeeded. Who can you discuss this with? I am sure of success, and I have also made preparations for the surrounding areas. I just put a large group of troops in the southeast. That's it. Don't waste time. Don't worry, if you succeed, the credit will be yours, and if you fail, the responsibility will be mine!"
"Xiaojiu, that's not what I meant."
"It doesn't matter. This is what I meant. I have already reported it to my father." Jing Muyang showed no emotion. "I will go to the front line to command. You stay behind to settle the people."
After saying that, Jing Muyang left. The prince felt very uncomfortable standing in the camp. Although the emperor sent the two of them here without clearly specifying the leader and deputy, he was the prince after all. However, except for the people he brought with him, the others did not listen to his command at all. They all listened to Jing Muyang.
Moreover, it has always been Jing Muyang who has been giving him orders, which makes him a little angry. If this goes on, even if he becomes emperor in the future, he will still have to listen to him. What's the difference between him and a puppet?
Xiaowu was right. Xiaojiu was a big hidden danger, but my father trusted him so much.
The prince shook his head. There was nothing he could do. His father had warned them both before they set out that the country should be put first in everything.
However, he was puzzled. Xiaojiu said so confidently that he was sure of it. He was so superstitious about Chujian. Where did Chujian get this strange knowledge? How did she know the habits of locusts? She even knew what locust eggs looked like, where they were laid, and how to find them. Her methods of control were so systematic and set.
This person who has been dead for almost half a year really makes people miss him, and I feel a sense of fear.
In the following time, the two of them cooperated quite well, mainly because Jing Muyang guessed the direction of the locusts' advance. They dug trenches, caught them with fire, dug up eggs, and even spread pesticides to kill them. It took more than a month, and they basically controlled the locusts in the area near Changya Mountain in the north of Xucheng, and they prevented them from invading southward on a large scale.
The locusts that had escaped due to minor strikes were quickly controlled. It can be said that this prevention and control was very successful.
Due to the locust plague in Xucheng, the imperial court requisitioned a large amount of grain, which was escorted by the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince. There was no other way, Jing Muyun could not handle it alone. Although the imperial court had plenty of people available, the Fifth Prince begged the emperor every day to give him the opportunity to make meritorious contributions.
They are all sons, right? Although Jing Muhao once spied on the Ministry of Revenue and embezzled some money, he was ultimately following the advice of his mistress and was blinded by money.
This time Jing Muyun is with us and is only responsible for escort, so there shouldn't be any problems.
In this way, the four brothers met happily in Xucheng on the border.
**