HLnovel Chapter 84 The Year of Disaster Arrives as Expected: A Fool Proposes a Good Solution
Chapter 84 The Year of Disaster Arrives as Expected: A Fool Proposes a Good Solution
A few days later, before Qianyan returned to the academy, I bought him a gift.
I had a private chat with Qianyan:
"These are just some simple words for you."
Congratulations, young scholar!
Having said that, he took out a jade crown and gave it to Xiao Qianyan, then continued:
"You will be returning to the academy in a few days."
You are truly remarkable; at such a young age, you have already passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.
Um... There's something I need to tell you.
You call almost everyone under the age of 12 by their first name.
We're at home, so there's nothing to do.
"Be extra careful when you go out!"
"Hmm...I know."
I haven't been outside, but I'll be more careful in the future.
Seeing that the child knew, Mu Huaisheng didn't say anything more.
We chatted about everyday things and took the kids out for some good food.
In the spring, the entire Great Hao suffered from a locust plague that affected almost the entire country.
In the disaster-stricken areas, there was no harvest at all!
The emperor summoned his key ministers every day to discuss the matter.
Because of the emphasis on agriculture in previous years, most people still have some grain reserves.
This locust plague has resulted in a complete crop failure.
People could no longer cultivate the land; any seeds planted were immediately eaten.
If people can't grow grain, they won't be able to harvest any grain in the fall, and this won't last long.
Many families don't know if they can make it to winter!
But the worst thing is running out of food to survive the winter.
Some vigilant families began to stockpile grain.
Some people feel that money can buy anything, and everything is as usual.
Inside the shop, Madam Wang also cleaned up all the servants' quarters and padded them with boards.
I bought food from various places, but I didn't dare to buy too much at once, for fear of causing panic among people.
Mu Huaisheng then asked them to buy more of various whole grains.
Empty rooms in the house can be tidied up and used to store grain.
Mu Huaisheng thought for a moment and asked his friend for help to find the prince and inquire about the situation outside.
The Crown Prince immediately instructed his wife to take Mu Huaisheng to the study.
The old Duke and Qi Luan were also in the study, and Mu Huaisheng greeted them.
"Huaisheng, why did you have Qingwu ask me about the situation outside? Did you hear something?"
"The people all say that this year they have been hit by a locust plague."
There was no way to plant the next night's worth of food.
Once planted, they were eaten by insects!
Most families in the capital were still busy as usual.
However, a locust plague is no small matter!
Your Highness, as you know, I've seen all sorts of things since I was a child.
In Yedu, although no one made any major moves.
It's because in recent years, crops have been planted for two nights.
However, in bad years, two nights' lodging might only be enough to fill one's stomach.
It's just that it's much better than in previous years when everyone was starving.
"With crops unable to be planted, it's uncertain whether the villagers' surplus grain will last until winter!"
The Crown Prince, Qi Luan, and the old Duke exchanged a glance.
"Qingwu, have someone guard the door and forbid anyone from coming in!"
Sit down, Huaisheng!
After giving her instructions, the Crown Princess sat down on another stool.
"So how did you deal with bad harvests in the past?"
The old king asked openly.
"Reporting to the Duke, those with money should buy grain."
Those who had no money stole grain from other people's households that had grain.
If all else fails, they'll resort to looting food.
He'll be beaten to death, that'll end it all!
"What? Is that so!"
Such blatant disregard for the law?
The old Duke slammed his fist on the table in anger.
Mu Huaisheng dared not utter a sound.
"Father, the common people couldn't even survive back then, so why would they care about the law?"
Qi Luan continued, "..."
The old Duke calmed down and sighed helplessly.
"What does Huaisheng want to know by sending Qingwu to ask me, the young master?"
"Your Highness, there hasn't been any major upheaval yet because everyone still has surplus grain."
For the sake of the future, the imperial court could send people to buy grain!
"Nonsense!"
If we buy up all the grain from the people, they won't even survive until autumn!
The old Duke was furious.
"Your Excellency, please calm your anger."
I really want to suggest buying from ordinary people.
But I didn't say that we should buy from our ordinary people!
You can buy it from the people of Daliang; they weren't affected by the disaster and it's a land of plenty!
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
"This method is acceptable!"
Qi Luan affirmed.
How did you come up with this floor?
"Reporting to Third Master, my eldest sister married the steward of the Marquis's mansion, who is in charge of the Marquis's annual business trips to the Great Liang Kingdom."
He said that not only the Marquis's mansion, but many other high-ranking and noble families had merchants who traveled to various places.
"Father, we do indeed have some in our household!"
The Crown Prince exclaimed excitedly.
"The caravans from each prefecture alone are definitely not enough. It would be best to assign some experienced people from each prefecture to other areas."
Each of them led their caravans out again.
Otherwise, it would attract attention, and if the merchants of Daliang and the imperial court noticed, things would not go well.
"Father, Ah Luan and I will go to the palace now!"
"Huaisheng, go change into men's clothing and come with us to the palace!"
Qi Luan thought for a moment and added.
"Huh? Eh!"
Upon entering the palace, the emperor immediately summoned him to the imperial study.
Mu Huaisheng secretly compared them in his mind:
The Forbidden City was more impressive in its later form.
Several adult princes were present. After performing the kneeling ceremony, the Crown Prince and Qi Luan reported their methods and suggestions.
The emperor had aged a few years, but hadn't changed much.
The princes have all grown up.
"Great! Great! This method works."
Qi Luan is indeed a genius, a blessing to our nation!
Qi Luan quickly reported:
"Your Majesty, this time, it was not a method I came up with."
It was the idea of the child, the physician of my household.
"Father, the child who once took your pulse has grown up!"
The outspoken second prince hasn't changed at all.
"Oh? Lift your head!"
It's true, you've grown so much!
How did you come up with this idea?
The prince quickly took over and repeated what he had told them.
"I see!
They say poor children learn to be independent early, no wonder they came up with these ideas, they deserve a reward!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Mu Huaisheng immediately knelt down and kowtowed.
He was carefully considering and struggling with his thoughts:
No, I can't take it!
Since we've come into this world and have this opportunity, we should do something meaningful.
Mu Huaisheng mustered his courage and continued:
"Your Majesty, there are still some points in my method that I haven't finished explaining!"
"Please allow me, Your Majesty, to speak!"
"allow!"
"This humble subject has some suggestions, which I am unsure whether they are correct or not. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
"You are innocent! Speak!"
"Your Majesty!
I think that, apart from splitting up the people from each caravan to lead their own teams, we should also...
Try to buy less noticeable whole grains, and buy a variety of them.
Furthermore, I believe that students should also be allowed to accompany the merchant caravan to procure food.
"Students? Why?"
"It is said that when Qi Bu Si was taking the imperial examinations, he paid attention to the lives of ordinary people in the city."
Later, during years of famine, His Majesty wisely appointed relevant departments to investigate the people's conditions.
However, such a prodigy.
According to popular legend, when taking the imperial examinations, people would pay close attention to the lives of ordinary citizens.
Later, during years of famine, His Majesty wisely appointed relevant departments to investigate the people's conditions.
But even such a prodigy encountered this situation.
For a time, you might be at a loss. Why?
Why was it Cao Ming, an ordinary commoner, who came up with a solution?
In terms of intelligence, a hundred or a thousand commoners cannot compare to those in the main hall.
The students all believe that:
Of all professions, only studying is noble.
Reading books is indeed a good thing.
During my time as the physician of the Duke's mansion, the Duke's mansion also bestowed upon me kindness, allowing me to read quite a few books.
Therefore, ordinary people can only think of ways to help when they hear of a disaster.
But some people study so highly that they can no longer see the common people!
"Then, whose pillars will these future leaders of the Great Hao Kingdom be?"