Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1017 - 95: A Locust Plague Looms in the North

Zhao Yao completed the letter, fastened it to Xiao Jin’s leg, and gave it grave instructions: "Xiao Jin, you must fly back to the capital as fast as possible. Once you reach the capital, immediately hand this letter on your leg personally to my father, and do not give it to anyone else, nor lose it, understand?" This letter holds vital importance, impacting the lives of thousands. Were the circumstances not so pressing, he would have sent the Hidden Guard to deliver it to the capital.

Xiao Jin nodded in compliance: [Yao Yao, rest assured, I will fly back to the capital swiftly and definitely won’t lose your letter.]

Zhao Yao trusted Xiao Jin to handle this task, and he softly stroked its small head, saying affectionately: "When you return from the capital, I’ll treat you to a big meal."

At the mention of "big meal," Xiao Jin’s eyes lit up with excitement. It lifted one wing, thumped its chest, and assured Zhao Yao: [I will definitely complete the mission and come back for the big meal.]

"Do you have the strength to fly now? If so, fly to the capital immediately." The letter Zhao Yao had just written was too urgent; otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked Xiao Jin to help deliver it.

[I’m full of energy now, I’ll fly away immediately.] Xiao Jin beat its wings and quickly vanished into the night sky.

Zhao Yao remained at the window, observing Xiao Jin’s departure.

General Hu approached and nuzzled its large head against Zhao Yao’s leg.

[Yao Yao, what’s happening?] Animals possess the sharpest instincts, and General Hu detected the anxiety from Zhao Yao.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Zhao Yao knelt down and extended his hand to stroke General Hu’s large head, replying gravely: "Something big has happened." An enormous event.

[What’s the big issue?]

"The North is about to have a locust plague." The content of Zhao Yao’s letter to the Emperor was about the locust disaster. "Thanks to you, otherwise, I wouldn’t have noticed."

[Us?] General Hu cocked its head, gazing at Zhao Yao with confusion, [Yao Yao, we didn’t discover any locust plague, nor did we go to the North. Also, what is a locust plague?]

"If it weren’t for you and Xiao Jin hunting in the woods every day, I wouldn’t have known about the impending locust plague in the North." Zhao Yao uncovered the hints from Xiao Jin and General Hu’s previous remarks. "A locust plague means locusts, and locusts devour grain, stripping every last bit wherever they pass. If a locust plague strikes, the whole northern population will face starvation, creating masses of disaster victims, which spells grave trouble for Great Zhou."

Though General Hu is an animal, raised by Zhao Yao from a young age, it possesses far greater intelligence than typical tigers.

[Yao Yao, does it mean many people will go hungry?]

"Yes, many people will go hungry."

General Hu inquired with worry and haste: [Yao Yao, will you go hungry then? If you run out of food, I’ll go into the mountains to catch deer for you, catch lots and lots of deer so you won’t be hungry.]

Hearing General Hu’s words, a surge of warmth spread through Zhao Yao’s heart. He caressed General Hu’s face and replied with a smile: "I won’t go hungry."

[Yao Yao, if you ever feel hungry, you must tell me.] General Hu pressed against Zhao Yao’s palm, [I’m very capable now and can catch many things for you to eat.]

"Of course, my General Hu is capable." Zhao Yao lightly tapped General Hu’s head, "Now go out and help me call One Hundred back."

[Okay.] General Hu swished its tail and leaped out the window right away, vanishing swiftly from Zhao Yao’s view.

With General Hu gone, Zhao Yao went back to the desk and penned another letter. This one detailed the locust plague and strategies to combat it.

As soon as Zhao Yao finished the letter, General Hu came back with One Hundred.

One Hundred is a sparrow, a successor to Lai Yi, and has received thorough training from Zhao Yao. It assumed Lai Yi’s duties, commanding all sparrows, tasked with collecting intelligence and carrying messages.

"One Hundred, take some of your brothers to the North." Zhao Yao directed, "The North will soon experience a locust plague. Go there to investigate the situation and send a sparrow back to tell me once you gather information."

[Locust plague?] One Hundred was familiar with locust plagues. Though its tiny face showed no feelings, delight rang in its tone. [Locusts are good things; we love eating them.]

"Once you reach the North, find ways to gather all sparrows and other birds to eat locusts." Zhao Yao now wished that the locust plague in the North wasn’t as bad as he feared.

[Sure.] One Hundred added, [Yao Yao, can I bring many brothers and other birds to the North to eat locusts?]