Chapter 301: Coping with Disaster? It’s all about accumulating good fortune!
Locust plague!
It was indeed a locust plague!
A once-in-a-century locust plague!
He had witnessed this natural disaster more than once, each time bringing terrifying devastation. When the locusts passed through, not a blade of grass remained, all the food was devoured, and it was a force beyond human control. It was impossible to eliminate!
More terrifying than droughts and floods!
The Wuxi Duke was in a panic!
Back when he faced tens of thousands of warriors in the Qinglong Mountains, he had never been this panicked!
Even now, with the emergence of the Rat Army, he hadn’t panicked!
Originally, he had only planned to watch the show from the sidelines, but he didn’t expect the show to come to him!
Grasping a soldier’s arms, he urgently asked, “Are you telling the truth? Is the locust plague really coming? Don’t tell me you’re trying to deceive me?”
“Your Highness, how could I dare deceive you about something like this? Even if I had nine heads, it wouldn’t be enough to chop off!” The soldier’s face was bitter.
“It’s actually true?” The Wuxi Duke staggered.
If it were in the past, he wouldn’t have been so worried!
Even if they ran out of food, they could just take it by force, or spend a bit more money to buy it. There was always a way.
However, now he was already at his wit’s end, waiting to mobilize his forces after the autumn harvest.
Before that time came, if all the food was eaten, what was he supposed to do?
He was in a dire situation. His soldiers might starve to death even before reaching the Phoenix Mountain Range!
The Wuxi Duke grabbed both of Strategist Fengchu’s arms and shook them vigorously. “Strategist, tell me what to do now? Quickly think of a solution for me, come up with something!”
Strategist Fengchu was almost shaken out of his wits.
What could he do in this situation?
This wasn’t about marching or fighting; he couldn’t deploy his troops. Even if they couldn’t win a battle, they could still retreat!
But this was a locust plague, one of the Three Great Natural Disasters!
It was beyond human control!
Even if you could escape, the food couldn’t!
Strategist Fengchu shouted loudly, “Your Highness, don’t worry. It’s not the time to worry yet!”
The Wuxi Duke was puzzled. “Why do you say that, Strategist?”
Strategist Fengchu smiled calmly. “Your Highness, our Wuxi territory is extremely vast. From north to south, it spans 800 li, and from east to west, it stretches 1200 li. The land is extensive, but there are few suitable places for cultivating crops. The group of locusts might just pass by coincidentally. Let’s worry when they reach our grain-producing areas.”
“Strategist, you’re absolutely right. I was too agitated just now,” the Wuxi Duke calmed down.
Just then, another soldier rushed in anxiously.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the locusts are flying towards the grain fields!”
The Wuxi Duke was taken aback. “What? They’re flying towards the grain fields?”
“It’s absolutely true, Your Highness!”
The Wuxi Duke became agitated once again, grabbing Fengchu by the neck and shaking him vigorously. “Strategist, the locusts are flying towards the grain fields. Quickly think of a solution! Come up with something…”
Fengchu was once again being shaken out of his wits.
Struggling desperately, he said, “Your Highness, stay calm! There’s no need to panic now! It’s not the time to worry!”
The Wuxi Duke let go of Fengchu, puzzled. “Strategist, why are you saying this?”
Fengchu coughed twice before saying, “Your Highness, even if the locusts are flying towards the grain fields, there’s no need to worry! They might just be passing through. Let’s worry when they actually reach the grain fields!”
“Strategist, you’re right. I was too impulsive just now. I frightened myself,” the Wuxi Duke calmed down once again.
At that moment, a fourth soldier rushed in urgently.
“Your Highness, it’s bad. The locusts are already devouring our rice paddies! There are so many locusts, what should we do?”
The Wuxi Duke turned to Fengchu once more.
Fengchu called out in advance, “Your Highness!”
The Wuxi Duke asked expectantly, “Strategist, do you have a brilliant plan?”
“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare claim it’s brilliant! I just want to remind you…” Fengchu clasped his hands, “Now it’s time to worry!”
The Wuxi Duke gave Fengchu a slap. “Damn it, you jinx!”
Then, the two of them hurried to the grain fields.
As far as the eye could see, there were locusts covering the mountains, blocking out the sun and dimming its light!
And these creatures were busy eating his crops, indulging themselves in their feast. On a single stalk of grain, more than ten locusts were gnawing at the same time.
The Wuxi Duke was alarmed and shocked. “Quickly, eradicate the pests and protect the crops!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Everyone sprung into action, exterminating the locusts.
The Wuxi Duke took the lead, frequently lending a hand, annihilating the pests and defending the fields.
News of the locust rampage in Wuxi quickly spread throughout the world.
In the Northern Hebei territory, the royal palace.
Strategist Zhuge entered with great excitement. “Your Highness, fantastic news!”
The Prince of Northern Hebei was puzzled. “Strategist, where’s this fantastic news coming from?”
Strategist Zhuge smiled and saluted. “Your Highness, I’ve just received word that the locust plague that originated in Southern Jiang has reached the Wuxi territory! Right now, they are devouring the Wuxi Duke’s fields!”
The Prince of Northern Hebei’s delight was evident. “Is that really the case? Haha… That’s wonderful! Little brother, you must have done something that angered both heaven and people, thus attracting this natural disaster! Heaven wants to eliminate you, haha!”
“You’re absolutely right, Your Highness!” Strategist Zhuge stroked his beard.
“Make sure to keep me updated on the Wuxi locust plague at all times. Report every single development, especially the changes in my little brother’s expression! I’m sure it will be a magnificent spectacle!” The Prince of Northern Hebei gloated.
“Your Highness, I’ll follow your orders!”
In the Southern Jiang region, within the royal palace, the Prince of Southern Jiang had returned in a gloomy mood. The blow had been too great, leaving him feeling closed off as he locked himself inside his room and refused to come out. Wang Fugui rushed over with cheerful news, “Your Highness, I just received a message. Although the locusts haven’t invaded the capital, they’ve made their way to the Wuxi territory and are currently wreaking havoc on the Wuxi Duke’s crops.”
With a loud thud, the Prince of Southern Jiang burst out, “Is that true? I might not be well-educated, but don’t try to deceive me!”
“Your Highness, it’s absolutely true. How could I dare to deceive you?” Wang Fugui smiled…
“Hahaha…” The Prince of Southern Jiang laughed heartily with his hands on his hips. “This is karma at work, justice served! This is the proper outcome of a locust plague! My poor little brother, you’re finally facing the consequences! Hahaha…”
The days of his depression could finally be vented.
One word: satisfying!
“Fugui, there’s something I’d like you to do for me!”
“Please, Your Highness.”
“Deliver that bell to me. Comfort my poor little brother. Haha!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
In the capital, within the Great Wu Court, the Empress was equally joyful, her mouth never closing shut after a morning court session.
“Who would have thought that my uncle would encounter such a rare locust plague, a once-in-a-century event? I’m both pleased… no, I’m deeply grieved. Someone, quickly write down our advanced disaster relief experience and share it with my uncle!”
The court officials were all baffled. “Your Majesty, we don’t have any disaster relief experience, do we?”
“Of course, it’s all about praying for rain!” The Empress laughed brightly. “Minister Lin, tell us about our disaster relief experience!”
Lin Beifan was puzzled. “Your Majesty, this is something you can only accumulate good karma for! If your karma is good, there will be heavy rain, and the locusts will perish. If your karma is bad, it’s a matter of life and death between you and the locusts!”
The Empress slammed the table and stood up, laughing. “You’re right, it all depends on karma! Hahaha!”
Equally delighted were the Slanted Moon Army, who were nestled between two mountain ranges raising rabbit-rats.
“Princess, the Wuxi Duke is currently facing the locust plague! According to what I’ve learned, this is an exceedingly rare occurrence that’s beyond human control. The Wuxi Duke is in trouble! This is highly advantageous for our great cause!”
Princess Ziyue’s face was filled with joy. “You’re absolutely right, the locust plague is a natural disaster, a sign that even heaven is helping us! While the Wuxi Duke is without grain, we have so much meat. The scales of victory are tilting in our favor!”
“Princess is right, our restoration cause is hopeful!”
As they looked around, the entire mountain range was densely packed with rabbits. These rabbits were their source of food and had grown into a significant resource. Many Slanted Moon soldiers were busy turning the rabbits into dried meat, storing them just like provisions.
“The Wuxi Duke is suffering from a locust plague. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to take action!”
“Princess, are you suggesting…”
“That’s right!” Princess Ziyue nodded and smiled. “While the Wuxi Duke is preoccupied with eradicating the pests, we can take advantage of the situation to strike a blow, kill some people, burn some grain, and weaken their power!”
“Princess is absolutely right, I’ll arrange for our people to act!”
“Wait! There’s no need to send so many people. Send a few skilled individuals instead!”
“Yes, Princess!”
Thus, the Slanted Moon Army mobilized, reigniting their guerrilla warfare. Killing people, burning grain, starting fires—this severely disrupted the Wuxi Duke’s pest elimination plan!
The Wuxi Duke’s attention was divided, and he was growing increasingly frustrated. “This group of Rats is causing chaos while taking advantage of the situation! It’s outrageous! I won’t tolerate sharing the same sky with them! Once the locust plague is over, I’ll allocate manpower to deal with them!”
In the end, the locust plague remained unrelieved.
Soldiers were ambushed by the Slanted Moon Army and suffered thousands of casualties.
Staring at the rice paddies stripped bare by the locusts, the Wuxi Duke spat out a mouthful of blood. “All of my grain… it’s all gone!”
