Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1019 - 96: A Bumper Early Rice Harvest

On the matter of resolving the locust disaster, Zhao Yao has sent a letter to the Emperor, leaving him to await the outcome. He wishes he could head north personally to handle the infestation directly. Regrettably, as a Vassal King, he remains confined to his domain without a royal edict permitting travel.

Zhao Yao places full confidence in the Emperor's strategies and promptness. In the days that follow, he sets aside concerns about the northern locust crisis, pouring all his energy into overseeing the early rice gathering.

Should the northern locust outbreak worsen dramatically, every province up north would face devastation, sparking grain shortages that could spawn waves of refugees. To avert a flood of such displaced folks from the north, Zhao Yao opts to ship relief grain their way.

Though he has already dispatched a message to his grandfather-in-law, imploring the Liang family to hasten grain shipments north, he fears their earlier acquisitions and reserves might prove inadequate. The northern region spans more than a dozen provinces teeming with over a million inhabitants. In the grimmest case, more than a million refugees could arise, overwhelming the Liang family's stores entirely. Therefore, he plans to stockpile and forward additional grain northward within days.

Zhao Yao resolves to redirect the soon-to-be-reaped early rice to the north, easing the critical food deficit in that area.

He started with modest hopes of half success for this year's early rice yield, but now Zhao Yao's optimism runs high. He fervently wishes the harvest would surpass previous ones by several folds. Thus, after guaranteeing Swamp Prefecture's residents ample sustenance, he could dispatch even larger quantities north.

Out of prudence, Zhao Yao procured vast stocks of grain from overseas traders. Back at the trade fair, he had sealed multiple grain contracts with them. This round, his substantial order thrilled those foreign merchants.

For merchants originating from Annan and Pyu, grain abundance is the furthest from scarcity. In truth, their nations yield such vast amounts yearly that full use eludes them, causing heaps to decay in silos. To dodge spoilage from surplus production, inhabitants there choose to skip reaping, letting the rice rot amid the paddies instead.

Despite widespread choice to abandon fields to waste, these lands overflow with extra grain. Yet, ever since Great Zhou began acquiring their surplus a few years prior, the habit of field neglect has vanished.

The overseas traders responded with haste, funneling a hefty load of grain to Zhao Yao over mere days. Securing the shipment, he at once mobilized teams to rush it northward.

Of late, Zhao Yao juggles the reaping of early rice alongside handling the foreign-sourced grain and coordinating its swift transport to the north.

Zhao Yao himself steps into the paddies to reap the early rice, illustrating to Swamp Prefecture's dwellers his profound regard for grain's vital role.

Beholding Prince Han laboring personally in the rice fields stirs the locals to action, spurring them to dive into the harvest with zeal.

This year's early rice flourishes beyond compare, gladdening hearts amid the reaping. Having resided in Swamp Prefecture for decades or even lifetimes, the people have never witnessed rice thriving so splendidly.

The residents credit the exceptional vigor of this season's early rice wholly to Prince Han. Absent his guidance on agricultural techniques, their crops would lack such bounty. In light of this, profound thanks swell toward Zhao Yao among the people.

During the early rice reaping, Zhao Yao tenders generous sums to claim half the yield. He caps it at half to secure the rest for household consumption.

Last year, fresh upon entering Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao issued his debut edict: a three-year waiver on all taxes for the populace, grain tributes included.

Yearly, Swamp Prefecture's folk must yield fixed grain quotas to both regional officials and the imperial throne. This burden extends to Lingnan's other districts and fellow princes' realms. Put simply, multitudes across lands endure double grain demands annually.

In fertile grain zones, dual tributes still permit leftovers. But for the bulk of folks, such repeated extractions strip away margins, dooming many to scant meals. Hence, despite Lingnan's dual rice cycles, satiety often evades its people.

Viewing the double grain levy as excessively cruel, Zhao Yao mandated its end for court submissions. As Vassal King, he pledges to furnish the throne's portion from his own means. Swamp Prefecture's inhabitants now tender grain solely to him.

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