EBE Chapter 248: Prime Minister Zhao, Why Are You Worried?
Chapter 248: Prime Minister Zhao, Why Are You Worried?
The atmosphere above the court hall was solemn.
Minister Zhao Xiang stepped forward, his expression worried. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have recently heard that a locust plague may be imminent. If this scourge strikes, I fear the people's crops will be destroyed, granaries will be empty, and people's livelihoods will suffer. I urge Your Majesty to make a decision soon."
Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne with his brows furrowed and his eyes deep.
He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, "I understand. The locust plague is a threat to the very foundation of our nation and must not be taken lightly. I will immediately issue an order directing officials in all prefectures to closely monitor the locusts' movements and mobilize the people to combat the disaster. First, order agricultural officials to investigate past locust control strategies to see if there are any lessons to be learned. Then, solicit good advice from the public. Anyone who can resolve this crisis will be handsomely rewarded."
Li Shimin paused, his dignified face etched with determination. "I share the suffering of the people. I must minimize the damage caused by these locusts and ensure the peace and tranquility of the people of the Tang Dynasty."
After saying this, he waved his hand and said, "My dear ministers, please make preparations quickly. There must be no mistakes."
Li Shimin paced the empty hall, muttering to himself, "Although the locust plague is a natural disaster, I, as the Son of Heaven, must protect the people. I will first send elite cavalry to the disaster area to survey the details, order all granaries to be opened, and allocate grain in advance for disaster relief to appease the people."
"Gather the wise men from all quarters to discuss the best way to exterminate the locusts. We can either burn them or dig pits to bury them. We cannot just sit and wait for them to die. I must ensure that the Tang Dynasty survives this disaster and usher in a good harvest."
After he finished speaking, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, as if he had already prepared many strategies for dealing with the situation in his mind.
Prime Minister Zhao returned to his residence and solemnly addressed his staff, "Everyone, this locust plague is urgent. The Emperor has issued a strict decree. We must act immediately. You must quickly collect the relevant files on locust plagues in various states over the years and examine the effective response measures. Don't miss a single one."
"Send reliable personnel to the people to recruit talented individuals. Anyone familiar with the habits of locusts and skilled in prevention and control, regardless of their background, should be recommended immediately. Tomorrow I will discuss with other ministers the preparation of supplies and the organization of manpower. This is a matter of life and death for millions of people and the future of the Tang Dynasty. We must give our all. Any slackness will be unacceptable under the laws of the state and a betrayal of the emperor's grace."
Everyone nodded their heads, then hurried away, each going about their own business.
Prime Minister Zhao paced back and forth in his study, his brow furrowed as he pondered, "This locust plague is coming with such force. If not handled properly, it will inevitably lead to widespread public outrage and shake the foundations of the nation. Now that the Emperor has made his resolve clear, I must do my utmost."
"But how should we allocate these manpower and material resources most appropriately? Furthermore, there are many methods for controlling locusts, but they vary from place to place. How can we adapt them to local conditions? Furthermore, if we want to mobilize the people, we must provide incentives to prevent panic."
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, and the faster his steps became.
After a long time, he walked to the pavilion and saw that the teacup was ready on the stone table, so he sat down, poured a cup of tea, and took a big sip, hoping to calm his mind. At this time, his good friend Mickey came to visit.
Mickey entered the pavilion and saw Prime Minister Zhao's serious expression. He asked softly, "Prime Minister Zhao, what worries you so much?"
Prime Minister Zhao looked up, glanced at Mickey, and sighed, "Mickey, you also know about the disaster of locusts. This is a major issue concerning the safety of the country. I have thought about it for a long time, but I still have no good solution." After that, he took another sip of tea.
Mickey sat down and thought for a moment. "Prime Minister Zhao, I think the most urgent task is to send people to various places to investigate the locust situation and the local material and human resources."