Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1018 - 95: Imminent Locust Plague in the North (2)

"Sure, but can they soar that far northward?" The vast expanse between Lingnan and the north stretches thousands of miles, and the majority of birds lack the endurance to travel so remotely.

[I’ll ask.] Since they’ve been trained to reach the capital, flying to the north should pose no issue for them either.

"Incidentally, once you arrive in the north, there’s another task I want you to handle for me."

[Yao Yao, just say it.]

"When you get to the north..."

As soon as Zhao Yao completed his words, Bai took off without delay. That very night, it gathered numerous sparrow companions along with various other birds and set course for the north.

With Bai departed, Zhao Yao called forth the Hidden Guard and passed him the confidential letter detailing the method to combat the locust plague that he had personally drafted.

"This confidential letter holds great importance and requires immediate action; you must rush it to the capital at top speed."

Accepting the command, the Hidden Guard replied, "Your Highness, have no doubts, I’ll promptly organize its swift delivery to the capital."

Zhao Yao gave him a nod of approval, and the guard withdrew.

Once the Hidden Guard had gone, Zhao Yao summoned Tong Xi, instructing, "Fetch Yiyue right away."

Tong Xi’s expression shifted dramatically at these words, and he hurried off without hesitation to summon Yiyue.

Shortly afterward, an unremarkable woman in appearance entered the room.

"Your Highness, what commands do you have?"

"Assemble a team and head straight to the north at once to probe the locust plague conditions."

"Locust plague?" Yiyue inquired, stunned.

"Indeed, a locust plague." Zhao Yao succinctly described the looming locust disaster in the north to Yiyue, "I fear that once it strikes, grain traders in the north and fellow merchants might exploit the chaos to stockpile food and inflate prices. Upon your arrival there, monitor them closely, with particular vigilance toward Prince Han."

"Understood, Your Highness."

Zhao Yao offered Yiyue further directives prior to dismissing her.

Yiyue moved with efficiency, departing Swamp Prefecture shortly thereafter alongside a group of scouts.

Noticing Zhao Yao’s solemn demeanor, Tong Xi inquired with worry, "Your Highness, what’s the matter?" Such a serious look on His Highness was a rare sight for him.

"A locust plague is about to strike the north."

Tong Xi cried out, "What? A locust plague?" Terror etched across his features, "Your Highness, is this for real?" Though Tong Xi had never witnessed one firsthand, he was well aware of the ruinous impact it wrought, instilling dread in him and everyone else at the mere thought of locusts.

With a heavy countenance, Zhao Yao replied, "I only wish it weren’t so."

"Your Highness, should a locust plague hit the north, then..." Tong Xi trailed off, unable to voice the rest.

"Prompt handling could mitigate the worst, but..." Even traveling at Xiao Jin’s utmost velocity, it would require five days to arrive in the capital. After Father gets my dispatch and dispatches aid northward, additional days would pass. Ultimately, the process could span ten days, at which point the locusts may well have descended upon the north. "It could prove too late."

"If it’s too late, won’t the north suffer terribly..." Tong Xi pressed urgently, "Your Highness, might the locusts reach Lingnan?"

"They won’t." Zhao Yao assured, "I’ve already penned a letter to Father outlining the strategy to curb the locust plague."

Curiosity piqued, Tong Xi questioned, "Your Highness, what’s the way to curb the locust plague?"

"Eat them."

"Eat?" Tong Xi was puzzled, "Your Highness, are you suggesting we consume locusts? Are they even edible?"

"Absolutely, they can be stir-fried or deep-fried, and they taste wonderful." Zhao Yao grinned as he added, "Despite being pests, locusts boast high nutritional content; consuming them provides ample protein and can even enhance beauty, refine skin, alleviate coughs, and ease asthma."

"Oh? Locusts can enhance beauty, refine skin, alleviate coughs, and ease asthma?" This was news to Tong Xi, whose expression brimmed with skepticism. "Really?"

"It’s completely true." Zhao Yao directed Tong Xi, "Summon my second uncle."

"Yes, Your Highness."

In short order, Liang Run presented himself to Zhao Yao. No sooner had he arrived than Zhao Yao informed him of the forthcoming locust plague in the north. His response mirrored Tong Xi’s, a mask of fright overtaking his face.

Zhao Yao detailed the approach to handling the locust plague for Liang Run. The revelation that locusts were edible and offered numerous advantages left Liang Run astonished.

"Second uncle, set out for the north tomorrow, and upon arrival, begin acquiring locusts from all corners."

"Acquiring locusts?" Liang Run’s surprise was evident.

"Second uncle, whenever money flows for buying locusts, folks will scramble to capture them, accelerating the resolution of the plague." Wealth moves mountains, particularly against locusts. "After securing the locusts, instruct the restaurant’s cooks to deep-fry and stir-fry them."

Liang Run deemed Zhao Yao’s plan sound, yet...

"Yao Yao, I accept that locusts are edible, but will the public buy into it?"

"Second uncle, right after reaching the north, promote how devouring locusts boosts beauty and refines skin, invigorates virility and fortifies kidneys—countless buyers will flock, no doubt. " Zhao Yao gave Liang Run a sly wink, "Lay extra stress on invigorating virility and fortifying kidneys."

Liang Run grasped Zhao Yao’s scheme in an instant and flashed a clever grin. Thumbs up to Zhao Yao, he declared, "Yao Yao, you’re a genius."

"Hehehe..." Scarcely any man can withstand the allure of boosted virility and fortified kidneys. "Second uncle, rest assured, locusts won’t go uneaten then."

"Brilliant, truly brilliant," Liang Run’s admiration for Zhao Yao’s commercial savvy deepened, "Never imagined locusts could turn a profit. When I get to the north, I’ll definitely sample their flavor."

"Second uncle, do you intend to..."

Perceiving Zhao Yao’s misconception, Liang Run hastened to clarify, "No, no, that’s not it—don’t misunderstand; I simply wish to try them since you claim they’re tasty."

Zhao Yao shot him a glance that said "I get it, no need to elaborate," then added, "Second uncle, to be safe, we ought to stockpile sufficient grain against merchants jacking up prices amid the crisis." Throughout the years, Zhao Yao had repeatedly urged the Liang family to amass grain stores. Truth be told, even without his prompts, Liang Run had proactively acquired and reserved grain for emergencies.

"Very well."

"Oh, and I’ll request my grandfather dispatch some ducks northward."

"Dispatch ducks north? For what purpose?"

"Ducks devour locusts." Anxious over a potential overwhelming swarm, Zhao Yao resolved to transport ducks to the north.

"Ducks devour locusts?" Liang Run heard this novelty for the first time.

"Correct; to ducks and sparrows alike, locusts rank as exquisite treats." Zhao Yao went on, "Locust-fed ducks yield exceptionally savory meat. Post-consumption, they’re perfect for roast duck, achieving dual benefits effortlessly." Under the capital’s cultural sway, northern folk have taken a liking to roast duck as well.

"That’ll bring in a windfall." Commerce remains Zhao Yao’s undeniable strength.

Following more guidance to Liang Run, Zhao Yao released him. Once gone, Zhao Yao swiftly composed a missive to his grandfather, imploring Governor Liang to procure ducks by any means. Securing a hundred thousand might prove unattainable, but gathering the maximum feasible amount would prove beneficial.

With all preparations in place, a measure of relief washed over Zhao Yao.

"Sigh."

Catching Zhao Yao’s sigh, Tong Xi queried, "Your Highness, with countermeasures for the locusts all set, why the sigh?"

"I’m concerned Prince Han could meddle." No sooner had Zhao Yao voiced this than he seized paper and ink, drafting epistles to Prince Chu and Prince Wei detailing the approaching northern locust plague and enlisting their watch over Prince Han to thwart any opportunistic moves.

Upon finishing the pair of letters, Zhao Yao ordered Dark Guard Camp members to convey them posthaste to the residences of Prince Chu and Prince Wei.