Datang: Only by resisting the decree can we become stronger

I am afraid that in another year next year, the countries of the Western Regions will be completely conquered.

The Silk Road, which had been broken for several years, was reopened.

But who would have expected that there would be another plague of locusts for no reason at this time.

In the report of the officials of the household department, whether it is the Luoyang area, the Guanlong area, or the Shandong area.

All were severely affected.

Only when it was time to report to Jingzhou, Yuezhou, and Fuzhou.

They paused visibly.

Unspeakable concealment.

Seeing them like this, Li Shimin, who was already upset, frowned.

"Why did you stop?"

"How is the disaster in Jingxiang area?"

Hearing Li Shimin's questioning, Han Zhongliang, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, could only bite the bullet and say, "Report to Your Majesty."

"According to the report from the warrior Xun, the governor of Jingzhou."

"Jingzhou, Yuezhou, and Fuzhou are also severely affected by the disaster."

"The crops in the fields were destroyed."

"However, the crops that the Ministry of Civil Affairs conducted experiments in these three states have not been greatly affected by the locust plague."

"So, within these three states."

"Half of the farmland is unproductive."

"In addition, the farmland where the Ministry of Civil Affairs conducts experiments is safe and sound."

Hearing this, the Tai Chi Hall exploded immediately.

All the ministers scoffed at the memorial to the governor of Jingzhou, the warrior Xun.

"Hmph, this warrior Xun is really a joke in the world."

"Could it be that he thinks we're all three-year-olds?"

"The locusts that overwhelm the sky, don't they just eat other people's crops?"

"The only way to know is to eat the crops planted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"

"Oh, that's it."

"What time is this now?"

"He is still thinking about fabricating a lie and wants to claim credit."

"This locust plague is so severe that in autumn, so many people have no crops and cannot survive the winter."

"At that time, a large number of refugees will starve to death."

"Even the army fighting on the front line has to face the problem of food and grass."

"Master Chen, you are right."

"A state official like this should really be held accountable, so as to serve as an example to others."

Hearing the chaos of the people below, Li Shimin waved his sleeves annoyed.

"Okay, just shut up for me."

"Ma Zhou!"

"You are the servant of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

"What is the current situation in Jingzhou, Yuezhou, and Fuzhou?"

"I know Samurai Xun, he will never be at such a critical time."

"A liar."

"What's more, he tried his best to refuse when I usually offered him an official position."

"How could you do the thing that invites credit?"

Hearing this, Ma Zhou, who was standing in the back row, also stepped out immediately.

In terms of rank, he is a fourth-rank official like the minister.

But being squeezed out by these officials, he stood in the ranks of the fifth-rank officials.

Of course, Ma Zhou is the same as Li Qiu back then.

I really disdain this little trick.

"Report to Your Majesty."

"Since the outbreak of the locust disaster, Minister of Civil Affairs Duan Lun, Lord Song You and others have been stationed in Jingzhou and other places."

"The current situation over there is just as stated in Master Wu's memorial."

"About half of the land in the three states is still the old crops planted by the local people and gentry."

"This part of the farmland has been severely affected by the locust plague."

"Almost nothing."

"The remaining half of the cultivated land are all new seeds planted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

"The impact of the locust plague is minimal."

"Let's look at the current crop growth."

"But at the time of the autumn harvest at the end of the year, not only will the harvest not be complete, but production will be reduced."

"It can at least triple the crop harvest compared to the past."

Upon hearing Ma Zhou's words, the court once again exploded.

Many officials were there to criticize and reprimand.

It is said that Ma Zhou really deserves to be a domestic slave in the Furong Garden.

His words were as absurd as that of the King of Peking.

It was just said that it was affected by the locust plague.

Now suddenly it has tripled the harvest? !

It really makes no sense!

At this time, Li Shimin stared at him very seriously and said, "Ma Zhou, are you serious?!"

At this time, Ma Zhou held the guard board, bowed his body and said loudly, "I dare not speak half a lie about what I said."

Li Shimin nodded vigorously at this time.

"Okay, you have a lot of doubts about Ma Zhou's words."

"I also have some doubts."

"Let's go to the land of Jingzhou to see it with our own eyes, and take a look."

"It will be clear at a glance what will happen at that time."

For Li Shimin's proposal.

Some support it, some oppose it.

At this time, Changsun Wuji came out and said, "This plague of locusts is no worse than floods and droughts."

"Like when there is a flood, it can prevent dredging and blockage and treat it."

"As in previous droughts, wells can be drilled and canals repaired to deal with it."

"But there is really no good way to deal with the locust plague right now."

"I feel that what His Majesty said is very reasonable."

"Instead of sitting in the court hall, it's better to go to Jingzhou and other places with your own eyes."

"Also take a look at the disasters everywhere."

Chapter 821

Two days later, Li Shimin drove away.

Leaving Chang'an City for Jingzhou and Yuezhou.

Changsun Wuji, Wang Gui, Yuchi Jingde and others accompanied him.

Fang Xuanling, Qin Qiong, Zuo Tunwei General Zhou Fan and others were left in Gyeonggi.

At the same time, this is also the first time that Prince Li Chengqian has been appointed to act as an agent of the government.

Although it is only in name, in essence, we still need to listen to Fang Xuanling's wishes more.

Let's talk about Li Shimin first.

Immediately after leaving Chang'an City, they saw the plague of locusts around Chang'an City.

The real situation was far more serious than Li Shimin had expected in advance.

The crops in the farmland, not to mention the ears of wheat.

Even the branches, leaves and rhizomes were eaten up.

Countless people looked sad.

But looking at the bare farmland, they have nothing to do.

It's late summer now.

The food stock at home is basically exhausted.

They are all counting on the newly arrived grain in autumn to pay taxes and live.

If this continues, within two months.

The world must be full of refugees again.

Mourning is everywhere.

From Chang'an City to Jingxiang area.

Going southeast all the way, it's only a few days' journey.

Following the march of Li Shimin and others.

What they saw became more and more serious.

Everyone's mood is also heavy to the bottom.

On the way, Li Shimin said to Wang Gui and Changsun Wuji: "The current situation does not seem to be any worse than the drought a few years ago."

"Wang Gui, after returning to Chang'an."

"You have to take someone to take stock of the real situation of the granaries in various state capitals."

"At the same time, with regard to this year's tax, all areas that have been severely affected by the disaster will not be collected."

"As long as the people can survive this disaster, they are lucky."

"And the auxiliary machine."

"Learn lessons from previous years of famine."

"From now on, you have to start raising food everywhere."

"Once refugees are formed, it will be too late to raise food in the future."

"Except for the food and salaries of the army on the front line and the supply and demand of the Supreme Emperor, all other links."

"Even in my palace, we must save as much as we can."

Listening to Li Shimin's words, Changsun Wuji and Wang Gui also sighed deeply.

His expression was quite heavy.