Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1021 - 96: Early Rice Bumper Harvest (Part 3)

"Collaborating with a Prince who perpetually prioritizes the well-being of the commoners is indeed our tremendous blessing." Wen Daoji, formerly compelled to ally with Zhao Yao out of necessity, now genuinely revered him from the depths of his heart. "Given that the people express such deep gratitude and affection for His Highness, we cannot afford to fall short. Let us execute our responsibilities with unwavering commitment, forever safeguarding the interests of the populace."

The assembled officials nodded their heads in firm concurrence.

Tong Xi summoned Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian to confer with Zhao Yao.

The moment Zhao Yao laid eyes on them, he revealed the looming locust disaster in the North. Their shock was profound upon hearing this revelation. Only once Zhao Yao detailed the countermeasures against the plague did their faces relax somewhat.

"The initial harvest of early rice has been gathered. Zheng Qian, see to it that personnel are dispatched tomorrow to acquire grain from the locals," Zhao Yao commanded. "After the acquisition concludes, my men will convey the provisions northward, averting any surge in costs there and guaranteeing that the northern folk remain fed."

"Fear not, Your Highness. I shall oversee it come morning." The Ministry of Revenue had reaped handsome gains from the trade summit, eliminating any concerns over insufficient coffers for procuring the citizens' grain.

"Your Highness, those recent acquisitions of grain from overseas—were they destined for the North as well?" It dawned on Wen Daoji that Zhao Yao had bypassed the Ministry of Revenue's treasury, prompting his stunned inquiry: "Your Highness, did you fund the purchase of that grain personally for shipment to the North? Did the Emperor order this?"

"No, my father did not issue such an order. I chose to acquire and dispatch the grain to the North on my own initiative."

"You undertook this entirely by yourself?" Wen Daoji burst out in astonishment.

Zheng Qian’s cousin shared the same level of amazement.

Noting the stunned looks on Wen Daoji and the rest, Zhao Yao countered, "Was it wrong for me to take this step?"

Wen Daoji hastily shook his head: "Your Highness, it's not a question of right or wrong on your part. Matters like this fall under the purview of the Imperial Court. What prompted you to procure and ship grain to the North using your own resources?"

"I possess extra grain stores and deem it straightforward to obtain supplies from abroad," Zhao Yao responded. "Even though the North lies outside my domain, its inhabitants are still subjects of the Great Zhou, and as one of its Princes, it's my duty to aid those in the North during their hardship."

This wasn't Wen Daoji's initial encounter with Zhao Yao; their acquaintance spanned several years. While he couldn't profess complete insight into the prince's character, he grasped its essence. He recognized that Zhao Yao's endeavors stemmed not from a desire for acclaim or imperial approval, but solely from a wish to assist the northern dwellers.

Throughout the years, His Highness had undertaken myriad acts to benefit the masses, always without expectation of reward.

"His Highness embodies true benevolence." Serving beneath such a prince marked their profound privilege. The Great Zhou and its citizens were fortunate indeed to have His Highness among them.

Zhao Yao dismissed the praise with a wave, declaring, "I'm simply fulfilling my obligations."

"Your Highness, not all share your mindset," Wen Daoji observed meaningfully. "The other princes at court lack your viewpoint."

"Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother would proceed just as I have."

At these words, Wen Daoji offered only a faint smile and held his tongue.

Amid the cutthroat imperial power struggles, those princes resorted to every tactic imaginable. It might be that Prince Chu and Prince Wei would mimic His Highness by forwarding grain north, yet their underlying motive would scarcely be relief for the afflicted region—instead, it would serve to bolster their own prestige.

"Exercise utmost caution in executing the grain procurement," Zhao Yao ordered.

Zheng Qian bowed deferentially, affirming, "Understood, Your Highness."

"Only you two shall know of the locust crisis in the North. Keep this intelligence confidential to avoid widespread alarm," Zhao Yao directed, mindful that despite the North's distance of a thousand li from Lingnan, the tidings would unsettle all who heard them. Should overseas traders learn of it, they would undoubtedly exploit the situation to inflate grain costs.

Wen Daoji vowed, "Have no doubts, Your Highness; we shall breathe not a word to others."

"Once the early rice reaping finishes, prepare the fields for the subsequent rice planting," Zhao Yao proposed. "This season's early rice output proved bountiful, and the follow-up crop should fare at least as well."

"This success owes entirely to Your Highness’s earlier tactics."

"The terraced fields have delivered abundant yields. Let's broaden the terrace farming this year, promising even richer returns next season." Though the terraces fell short of 200 jin per mu, they managed 150 jin. In truth, this surpassed Zhao Yao’s anticipations. He had forecasted merely 90 jin per mu, hardly expecting more than 100 jin. "Our goal is to eclipse Jiangnan within two or three years, establishing Lingnan as the Great Zhou's premier grain hub."

Had Zhao Yao voiced this ambition in the past, Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian would have dismissed it as fantasy, yet now they were convinced his ambition could come to fruition.

"Your Highness, this feat is absolutely within our grasp."

"I trust we shall accomplish it." Overtaking Jiangnan remains merely a question of when.

Zhao Yao imparted several additional directives to Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian prior to dismissing them back to their official posts.

Once Wen Daoji and his companions departed, Zhao Yao reckoned the timeline and figured the Emperor ought to have gotten Xiao Jin's returned missive a few days ago. By the previous day, Zhao Yao’s own dispatch regarding the locust plague countermeasures would have arrived as well.

At this juncture, the Emperor must have sent agents northward to tackle the infestation.

In silent prayer, Zhao Yao hoped the locust outbreak had only just started and hadn't escalated to dire proportions yet.