Chapter 14

After reaching a consensus with Liu Chang'an, Zhao Junchen felt more confident about his plan. He also resumed his previously kind and amiable attitude and began to discuss the specific measures for eradicating the locust plague with Liu Chang'an.

It must be said that although Liu Chang'an was undoubtedly a corrupt official, he had many years of experience in office, was mature and steady, and had considerable ability. Unlike Zhao Junchen, who had ideas but lacked experience and was merely making assumptions, Liu Chang'an could consider things more comprehensively and realistically.

Therefore, although it appeared that the two were discussing the matter, and Liu Chang'an even acted as if he was seeking advice from Zhao Junchen, in reality, most of the time, it was Liu Chang'an who was making suggestions and explanations, while Zhao Junchen only nodded in approval.

"Sir, since you have decided to eradicate the locust plague, it will be necessary to organize a large number of people. In my humble opinion, the troops stationed near Lu'an Prefecture have been idle. It would be better to mobilize them to assist in the extermination of the locusts. This way, we can have more manpower, and if any disturbances arise, they can be promptly suppressed. What do you think, sir?"

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Liu Sir, what you said makes sense. This time, His Majesty has given me the authority to act as I see fit. After we return, you can send someone with my order to mobilize the troops. I believe they will not dare to be negligent."

"Liu Sir, you flatter me. If it weren't for your guidance, I would still be confused about the locust plague," Liu Chang'an humbly replied. He then continued, "However, in my opinion, to eradicate the locust plague, relying solely on the soldiers and constables is far from enough. We need to mobilize the people of Lu'an Prefecture. But the people are ignorant and superstitious, believing in the locust god. Most of them would be afraid to kill the locusts. However, they trust the local gentry and elders the most. Therefore, if we want to mobilize the people, we need to persuade these elders first. At that time, it will probably require you, sir, to personally intervene. As a special envoy of the court, you represent the court, and your words will be heeded, and they will not dare to delay."

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "That's right. Eradicating the locusts is something I have strongly advocated. I will personally persuade these gentry and elders."

Liu Chang'an continued, "However, this locust plague has come too quickly and fiercely. It is difficult to completely eradicate it in Lu'an Prefecture alone. The plague has already spread to Taiyuan and Hedong. Even if we eradicate the locusts in Lu'an Prefecture, if Taiyuan and Hedong are affected, the plague will still not be under control. Therefore, I think it would be best to coordinate with the surrounding prefectures and counties. This way, we can root out the problem. However, these prefectures and counties are not under my jurisdiction. What do you think, sir?"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "This time, I have been ordered to inspect Lu'an Prefecture, and I have no authority to interfere with the surrounding prefectures and counties. However, after we return, I will send people to deliver letters to the officials in charge of these areas, mentioning your suggestions. I believe they will give me some face, as this will also benefit the stability of their jurisdictions."

Seeing that Zhao Junchen had adopted his suggestions one after another, Liu Chang'an became even more pleased, feeling that he had become Zhao Junchen's confidant. His old face glowed with a youthful radiance.

Seizing the opportunity, Liu Chang'an continued, "Since that's the case, we shouldn't delay. Sir, shouldn't we turn back to the prefectural office and start arranging the extermination of the locusts? After all, eradicating the locusts is the most urgent task, and inspecting the disaster area can wait."

Just as Liu Chang'an thought Zhao Junchen would continue to adopt his suggestions, Zhao Junchen shook his head and looked at Liu Chang'an meaningfully before slowly saying, "That's not necessary. In my view, without investigation, there is no right to speak. If we don't inspect the disaster area, how can we know how serious the situation is? If we can't grasp the basic situation, how can we effectively manage the eradication of the locusts? Liu Sir, your concern for the country is commendable, but this statement is putting the cart before the horse."

Zhao Junchen understood Liu Chang'an's thoughts. To Liu Chang'an, inspecting the disaster area was just a formality. Whether or not it was done didn't matter as long as the locusts were eradicated, and he could claim credit and receive rewards. Other matters were of no concern to him.

Since Liu Chang'an thought he understood Zhao Junchen's thoughts, he became even more proactive in eradicating the locusts. For a middle-level official of his age, the opportunity for promotion was rare, so his eagerness was understandable.

However, Zhao Junchen was different. This time, he not only had to eradicate the locusts but also provide disaster relief to the affected people. Otherwise, even if the locusts were eradicated, if the people were starving, the good reputation he could gain would be limited. Therefore, inspecting the disaster area and understanding the actual situation was essential for Zhao Junchen.

However, the timing for providing disaster relief was not yet right, and Zhao Junchen did not plan to reveal his intentions to Liu Chang'an. At this point, Liu Chang'an probably still thought Zhao Junchen was still interested in the disaster relief supplies.

On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen reject his suggestion, Liu Chang'an was taken aback but did not insist. Instead, he immediately admitted his mistake and said, "Sir, you have a deeper understanding. I have learned from your instruction."

Zhao Junchen nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself, "Liu Chang'an can serve as a prefectural governor, and his ability to accept good advice is crucial. Although I know he is a corrupt official, because he is so obedient, I can't help but feel no ill will towards him, which is quite rare."

...

Thus, as the two discussed, they were unaware that it was already close to noon. The carriage carrying them finally arrived in the countryside and, at Zhao Junchen's instruction, stopped near the fields.

When Zhao Junchen got out of the carriage, he was stunned by the scene before him.

Previously, while staying in Lu'an Prefecture, Zhao Junchen had not seen many locusts, and although he knew the locust plague was severe, he could not imagine just how severe it was.

On the way, sitting in the carriage with the curtains tightly drawn, he had been focused on discussing matters with Liu Chang'an and had not paid attention to the scenery outside.

It was only now, upon reaching their destination, that Zhao Junchen truly understood the severity of the locust plague.

In fact, this was Zhao Junchen's first time witnessing the power of a locust plague, and it made him finally understand what it meant for "locusts to leave no grass behind."

Before him, the sky was filled with locusts flying everywhere, a vast, dark cloud covering the mountains and fields. The sound of their wings beating was almost frightening, and the fields before Zhao Junchen were completely bare, leaving only barren soil.

In fact, not just the fields before him, but as far as the eye could see, Zhao Junchen could not find a single green leaf. All the green plants in the world seemed to have been devoured by the locusts.

Although the locusts were shocking, what truly moved Zhao Junchen were the people around him.

Because Zhao Junchen and his companions were in plain clothes, they did not attract the attention of the people. In fact, Zhao Junchen felt that even if they had come in grand attire, the people might not have cared.

Around the fields, there were many people, some walking, some standing, watching the vast sea of locusts with expressions of fear and helplessness, but mostly despair and numbness. They stared blankly at the barren fields, as if still wondering where the crops they had worked hard to grow for a year had gone.

In the distance, faint cries could be heard.

What Zhao Junchen saw was a scene of utter despair, a world of gray, with no trace of hope.

Although the locust plague had only been going on for a month, Zhao Junchen had not yet seen the tragic scenes of widespread starvation and cannibalism, but the endless despair and helplessness on the people's faces were enough to shock him.

If before, Zhao Junchen had thought about putting on a show to gain a good reputation, at this moment, he felt that he should truly do something for these people.

After all, the two were not mutually exclusive but could complement each other.

Seeing Zhao Junchen's silent face and fluctuating eyes, Liu Chang'an sighed, "Alas, the people are suffering..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen glared at Liu Chang'an, stopping him from continuing. At this moment, the pretense of a corrupt official who was still planning to embezzle disaster relief supplies made Zhao Junchen feel nauseous.

Although, Zhao Junchen admitted, he had no right to judge others.

While Zhao Junchen was lost in thought, suddenly, the laughter of children came from the distance, like a ray of light in the darkness, drawing his attention.

Looking in the direction of the laughter, Zhao Junchen saw two children, about three or four years old, playing in the fields. They were dressed in simple peasant clothes, innocent and carefree, unaware of the meaning of the locusts before them or the tragedy that awaited them. Instead, they were happily chasing and catching the locusts.

Not far from the children, an old man stood, also dressed in peasant clothes, his age evident in his frail appearance. Unlike the other despondent people, he was smiling as he watched the children play.

It seemed that the old man was the children's elder.

Without hesitation, Zhao Junchen walked over.

Liu Chang'an and Xu Qingyan quickly followed.

"Old sir, I greet you," Zhao Junchen said, bowing. "I have just arrived here and, seeing the locust plague, am worried. But I see you smiling, as if you are not concerned?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Junchen regretted it.

Because he suddenly noticed that although the old man was smiling, it was a forced smile, and his eyes, like those of the other people, were filled with despair and helplessness.

Sure enough, the old man turned to look at Zhao Junchen, noticing his fine clothing and numerous attendants. He was slightly surprised but did not show the expected courtesy, instead smiling even more broadly, though it was a bitter smile.

"It's not that I'm not worried, but that I'm waiting to die," the old man said in a hoarse voice. "Last year, the government increased the rent by seventy percent. My son, angry, went to the government to argue, but was beaten and crippled. He still can't get out of bed. To treat him, we sold our house and land, and my daughter-in-law ran away. Now, in my family, besides my two grandsons and my bedridden son, there's only this useless old man left. I'm too old to work the fields, and even without this locust plague, my family would not survive. So, what is there to worry about?"

The old man's voice was slow, as if telling a story unrelated to him. He looked lovingly at the two children running around and continued, "I'm a failure. I want to find a way for my grandsons to survive, but in this world, boys are not valuable and can't be sold. As our food runs out, my family can only wait to die. My grandsons are innocent, the older one is four, the younger one is three. I don't want them to be unhappy and worried because of me before they starve to death. So, I can only smile, to let them be happy for a few more days... That's all I can do for them..."

As he spoke, the old man, though still smiling, had tears streaming down his face, a strange and tragic sight.

The two children, noticing Zhao Junchen and his companions, and then the crying old man, were frightened. They stumbled over to the old man, each grabbing one side of his robe, one saying, "Grandpa, what's wrong with you?" the other saying, "Grandpa, don't cry, grandpa, don't cry."

The old man wiped his tears, still smiling, and said lovingly to his grandsons, "Grandpa isn't crying, the wind is just blowing in my eyes... Grandpa will roast beans for you tonight, come, let's go home..."

With that, the old man ignored Zhao Junchen and his companions and led the two children away.

Zhao Junchen was silent for a long time, then glared fiercely at Liu Chang'an, making the already nervous Liu Chang'an tremble.

Liu Chang'an was about the same age as the old man, but compared to the withered and hopeless old man, Liu Chang'an's health and vigor were glaringly out of place.

The tragedy of the old man's family was clearly not just due to the locust plague, nor was it an isolated case.

"An increase of seventy percent, what audacity..."

Zhao Junchen sneered.

Liu Chang'an quickly tried to explain, "Sir, don't believe this rogue's lies..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen waved him off, saying, "No need to explain, I don't want to hear it. I won't hear the truth anyway."

Liu Chang'an still had his uses, and Zhao Junchen did not plan to take action against him yet.

Moreover, for his own safety, Zhao Junchen had already decided to unite with all corrupt officials, accepting anyone willing to work for him.

So, Zhao Junchen did not want to hear more, for fear that he might impulsively change his mind.

Looking at the vast sea of locusts, Zhao Junchen thought to himself, "Locusts, corrupt officials, compared to these corrupt officials, the harm caused by locusts is small..."

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