It was July, and the weather was scorching.
Waves of intense heat swept through.
The farmlands were scorched black.
Clearly, they had been burned.
In fact, in a few more days, it would have been time for the autumn harvest.
But facing the locust plague, Prince Qi ordered the fields to be burned.
This was to prevent the locusts from spreading.
The willow trees on both sides were even worse off.
They were bare, with not even bark left.
Fat locusts could still be seen on the ground.
Ning Que slowed down.
Jingyang County was a prosperous land.
Now, however, it was a scene of devastation.
Everything was barren.
Even the grass on the ground had been completely eaten away.
“This locust plague is truly terrifying.”
“The Jingyang County Magistrate set the farmlands ablaze, perishing with the locusts.”
“But a strong wind blew, causing some people to be burned to death.”
Butler Fu followed behind, his heart aching.
He himself was from Jingyang County.
He often came here to handle government affairs.
Jingyang County was, after all, Ning Royal Mansion’s fiefdom.
Prince Qi was merely managing it on their behalf.
Land rents and taxes all had to go to Ning Royal Mansion.
This year was a complete disaster…
Ning Royal Mansion would have to reduce taxes.
Otherwise, the people of Jingyang County would have no way to survive.
“Your Highness, there are many people ahead.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
Ning Que frowned deeply.
Many common people were gathered by the Jingshui River.
Each of them was emaciated and sallow from hunger.
But their faces were incredibly devout.
They shouted slogans and continuously prostrated themselves.
“We beg the Locust God to spare us!”
“Our county is too small, too poor!”
“We implore the Locust God to show mercy!”
“When spring comes next year, we will surely offer sacrifices.”
The village official, wearing a ritual crown, led the prostrations.
On the incense altar were various offerings.
Ox heads, sheep heads, pig heads.
Fine salt, millet, and wild fruits.
In the very center was a half-human-tall pottery figurine.
The pottery figurine was entirely greenish-gray.
It was, strikingly, a standing locust statue.
Ning Que walked forward.
He waved his hand, instructing his people to bring down all the food.
Finally, he kicked the Locust God statue into the river!
“You… you… you audacious fellow!”
“Are you blind? This is His Royal Highness the Heir Apparent!”
Butler Fu stood in front, scolding angrily.
It was then that they seemed to wake from a dream.
“Heir Apparent… Your Highness?!”
“We respectfully greet His Royal Highness the Heir Apparent!”
“Rise.”
Ning Que waved his hand indifferently and said calmly, “Worshipping this kind of clay idol is useless, especially this kind of evil god. Locusts gnaw at our crops, and what we need to do is protect our crops. Whoever prevents us from farming, we will bury them in the ground!”
“Ah?!”
The village official opened his mouth, speechless for a long time.
This Heir Apparent of Ning Royal Mansion was indeed as rumored.
He disregarded propriety and was rebellious!
Worshipping the Locust God was an ancient custom.
Whenever there was a locust plague, three sacrificial animals would be slaughtered for offerings.
If the Locust God showed mercy, the punishment would be lessened.
“His Royal Highness the Heir Apparent…”
“You’ve finally come to Jingyang County!”
A dark-skinned old man knelt and kowtowed.
He was shedding tears and snot.
“Please rise quickly.”
“It is I who arrived late.”
Ning Que was also somewhat choked up.
Jingyang County was the fiefdom of successive Princes Ning.
Many of its people had once been Prince Ning's personal guards.
Old Prince Ning treated them like family.
Every time he returned victorious, Old Prince Ning never smiled.
He would often say things like, 'A general's success is built on a mountain of bones.'
Then he would distribute the rewards given by the late Emperor.
These were used to compensate the fallen soldiers.
“Heir Apparent… you’ve grown taller.”
“If my little one were still alive, he would be this tall too.”
“I apologize…”
Ning Que felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.
The battle at Yumen Pass was too tragic.
It wasn't just his Ning Royal Mansion.
All the personal guards who accompanied the army died in battle.
None were spared!
How could he face these elders and fellow villagers?
“This humble official greets His Royal Highness the Heir Apparent.”
“Rise.” Ning Que raised his hand indifferently, “By my command, anyone in Jingyang County who dares to sacrifice to the Locust God shall be fined two sets of armor.”
“We obey your command!”
The so-called fine of two sets of armor meant a penalty of sixty taels of silver!
The village official trembled all over.
He felt a bit bewildered.
He had never met Ning Que, but he had heard rumors.
They all said Ning Que was an incompetent fop.
He spent all his days in pleasure quarters.
And he was constantly doting on a woman.
But now?
His every gesture exuded an irresistible authority!
Could it be that he had been pretending all along?
“Take me to see the village.”
“Yes.”
The village official walked ahead, leading the way.
Ning Que chose to walk this time.
Along the way, many locusts could still be seen.
They swarmed past in dense masses.
Everything edible had been consumed!
“I remember Chang Divine Doctor once told me that locusts can be used in medicine to treat night blindness and coughs. If used to feed ducks and pigs, they can make them grow faster and fatter.”
Chang Baicao was not in Jingshui Village.
He had gone elsewhere.
After all, the disaster in Jingshui Village was still manageable.
Crucially, there had been no plague outbreak.
“Butler Fu, send out a notice.”
“Say that this Heir Apparent is buying locusts at a high price.”
“Regardless of whether they are dead or alive, one catty of locusts for half a catty of millet.”
“However much there is, this Heir Apparent will buy it all!”
“Is Your Highness serious?”
“A gentleman's word is his bond.”
Ning Que waved his hand calmly.
Even after drying them, he would still profit.
Locust powder as a medicinal ingredient was not cheap.
Earlier, Lin Xianhong wanted to prescribe medicine.
But there was no locust powder in all of Chang'an.
In the end, Ning Que had to send people to deliver it.
“His Royal Highness the Heir Apparent…”
“We’ve caused you trouble again.”
Several old farmers heard the news and their eyes reddened.
One by one, they knelt down.
They knew this was Ning Que taking care of them.
Now, with the locust plague, there were locusts everywhere.
One sweep of a net could catch at least half a catty!
“What are you talking about?”
Ning Que frowned and helped them up.
“You are all people of Jingyang County.”
“Jingyang County has always been the fiefdom of my Ning Royal Mansion.”
“When you encounter difficulties, the master should help.”
“After all, you pay land rent every year.”
“But…”
“No buts, just do as I say.” Ning Que spread his hands, saying calmly, “I’m also doing business here. The more you catch, the more this Heir Apparent earns. If you want me to earn more, then you must catch more.”
“Yes!”
They exchanged glances, all with tears in their eyes.
“The Heir Apparent is here, we are all saved.”
“Prince Qi sat by and watched as unscrupulous merchants inflated grain prices.”
“He would just watch us die!”
They didn't forget to badmouth Prince Qi.
By now, they had reached the village entrance.
On both sides were rammed earth and thatched houses.
However, there was no sign of cooking smoke.
A young child, dressed only in short coarse clothes and straw sandals, squatted on the ground.
He held a bran cake in his hand, eating it in small bites.
“Whose child is this?”
“Quick, take him away!”
The old farmer immediately shouted.
They all knew Ning Que was kind-hearted.
He couldn't bear to see such things.
Mainly, Ning Que had arrived in Jingyang County so suddenly.
Otherwise, they could have hidden it in advance.
“Everyone, step back.” Ning Que squatted down, looking at the bewildered child, “Child, is this all you eat?”
“Yes.”
“Where are your family members?”
“My father died, and my mother is ill.”
Ning Que gently patted his shoulder.
“Can I taste your bran cake?”
“Yes.”
Ning Que took a bite.
The texture was coarse and hard.
This stuff was actually used to feed livestock.
Now, it had become life-saving food…
Ning Que slowly stood up.
“Your Highness, please don’t be angry.”
“Their family is poor, that’s why it’s like this.”
“Actually, our lives are quite good.”
As he spoke, he tightened his belt.
Ning Que looked at these people who were putting on a brave face.
But he couldn't bring himself to hate them.
Jingshui Village was Jingyang County’s hero village!
Every household had military merits to their name.
They would rather starve to death than accept relief grain.
He had come today because he heard they had distributed the relief grain to other villages.
“Butler Fu, prepare hot porridge!”
“Yes!”