Chapter 64

After leaving the restaurant, Gao Yang saw several carriages heading toward the Imperial Palace.

The red-maned warhorses pulling them were tall and imposing, clearly of extraordinary breed.

Gao Yang frowned, "What has happened in Da Qian?"

However, as a mere Sixth Rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, this had little to do with him; he didn't even have the qualifications to attend court.

Having seen enough, Gao Yang strolled leisurely toward the Duke of Ding Prefecture.

But before he reached the gates, he saw Shangguan Wan'er rushing toward him, her face full of anxiety.

"Gao Yang, where have you been?"

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you, or how many people I've sent to find you?"

Shangguan Wan'er was nearly frantic; she had waited for ages without a sign of him.

Gao Yang instinctively sensed something was wrong and frowned, "What has happened in Da Qian?"

Shangguan Wan'er grabbed Gao Yang and hauled him toward the carriage, "There is a threat of locust plague in Guanzhong. His Majesty has issued a summons for all officials of the Third Rank and above, along with you, to gather at the palace to discuss countermeasures. Hurry and enter the palace with me!"

Before Gao Yang could react, he was pulled into the carriage and they raced toward the Imperial Palace.

But he was shocked to his core.

A threat of locust plague in Guanzhong?

Guanzhong was a vast plain with abundant fertile land; if it were truly ravaged by a locust plague, it would be a living hell!

People might even resort to trading children to eat!

"..."

At the same time.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

"Have you esteemed ministers pondered for so long and still have no method of resolution?"

Wu Zhao sat on the dragon throne, looking at the officials before her, and issued her challenge.

At this moment, the Imperial Study was gathered with the very foundation of Da Qian's power; their every word and action determined the direction of the entire empire.

But following Wu Zhao's words, the group looked at one another, all falling into silence.

Even Gao Feng wore a solemn expression.

When it came to a locust plague and the millions of lives in Guanzhong, who dared to speak lightly?

Wu Zhao's heart sank as she continued, "The backbone of Da Qian is gathered here; is there truly no method of resolution?"

Prime Minister Xu Xuanji stepped forward, "Your Majesty, locust plagues have been impossible to guard against since ancient times; this is a punishment from Heaven, truly unavoidable."

"In this old subject's view, the Imperial Court can only gather grain and transport it to the Guanzhong region in advance to prepare for the worst."

Bang!

Wu Zhao slammed a palm onto the dragon desk before her, her phoenix eyes icy, "Punishment from Heaven? Prime Minister, by saying this, are you implying that because I have ascended the throne, Heaven does not tolerate a female Emperor, and has thus sent this punishment as retribution against me?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuanji immediately knelt, cold sweat drenching his forehead.

"This old subject would not dare!"

Wu Zhao took a deep breath and turned her icy gaze toward the others, "There are millions of people in the Guanzhong region. Once the locusts ravage the land, the people will be unable to survive. If you have any sound strategies, speak them now, and I shall reward you handsomely!"

Seeing this, Wang Zhong spoke with murderous intent, "Locust plagues have always been accompanied by rebellion since ancient times. Therefore, this old subject believes that besides mobilizing grain, Your Majesty should also mobilize the armies stationed nearby to make early deployments and prevent the disaster victims from rioting, so they can be suppressed in time."

As these words fell, Gao Feng firmly opposed, "Your Majesty, the locusts have not yet broken out on a large scale. If you send the army directly into Guanzhong, it may prove counterproductive!"

"Furthermore, once the army moves, the grain and fodder costs will be no small sum. Rather than this, it would be better to focus all efforts on disaster relief!"

Wu Zhao nodded, "Minister Gao is correct. Matters have not yet reached the point of sending the army to suppress them."

Wang Zhong looked at Gao Feng and said coldly, "Since my method will not do, may I ask what high opinion Minister Gao has?"

Hearing this, Gao Feng was also speechless, and could only say coldly, "This official has no method for the time being."

"But mere suppression is absolutely a foolish move."

Wang Zhong's eyes were filled with anger.

For a time, the entire Imperial Study was in an uproar, sounding just like a vegetable market.

Wu Zhao frowned and shouted, "Enough!"

"I summoned you to find a solution, not to argue."

The Imperial Study fell into silence.

Among them, Cui Xinghe, as a Secretariat Drafter with the power to draft edicts, was also in the Imperial Study, though in a very inconspicuous position.

"Cui Xinghe, do you have any sound strategies?"

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes turned toward Cui Xinghe, and she suddenly spoke.

For a moment, numerous gazes converged on Cui Xinghe.

Feeling these gazes, Cui Xinghe was also stirred with excitement.

But when it came to a locust plague, he had no good methods either.

"Your Majesty, locust plagues have never been contained since ancient times. Furthermore, according to what County Magistrate Liu reported, locusts have already appeared, and the fertile fields are full of insect eggs. These eggs are deep in the soil and are difficult to eradicate."

"For now, the Imperial Court can only prepare for disaster relief."

Song Li stepped forward, "What the Scholar Cui says is correct. This is a natural disaster; relying on human power alone, it is absolutely impossible to contain!"

"We must provide disaster relief in a timely manner!"

For a time, the crowd of officials all nodded.

Wu Zhao looked unwilling.

"In previous years, locust plagues have been a living hell. Once the flying locusts pass, the people have no harvest, and can only starve to death, or even trade children to eat!"

"With so many disaster victims, how can they survive by relying solely on the Imperial Court's relief?"

Wu Zhao's voice echoed through the Imperial Study.

Just then, outside the Imperial Study.

Gao Yang quietly slipped in from outside the hall, doing his best to minimize his presence.

Hearing the voices, it seemed the meeting was already halfway through.

Being late in the modern era was no small matter, let alone in ancient times.

Wang Zhong glanced casually and happened to see Gao Yang sneaking in.

His eyes widened, and he couldn't help but shout loudly, "Gao Yang, you brat, why have you come?"

A shout full of vigor instantly attracted the gazes of everyone present.

Wang Zhong continued, "For a court meeting of this level, does a mere Sixth Rank official have the qualifications?"

Gao Yang felt like cursing in his heart.

Fine, fine, he would remember this Wang Zhong.

Wu Zhao also looked up abruptly.

She had been wondering what was wrong; it turned out someone was missing.

At the thought of Gao Yang, a hint of expectation surfaced in her eyes.

Wu Zhao first swept her gaze over Wang Zhong, "Gao Yang is here by my special decree!" Then, Wu Zhao looked at Gao Yang and said expectantly, "Gao Yang, there is a severe drought in Guanzhong, and locust eggs are proliferating; there is a threat of a locust plague. Do you have a method of resolution?"

Before Gao Yang could speak, Wang Zhong spoke first with disdain, "Your Majesty, this yellow-mouthed brat has likely never even seen a locust plague; how could he possibly have a method to resolve it?"

"If he has a method of resolution, I will lick clean every latrine in Changan!"

Wang Zhong wore a look of contempt, his voice echoing through the Jin Luan Hall.

Wu Zhao's heart sank as well; Wang Zhong's words were not without reason. Gao Yang was likely so young he had never even seen a locust; how could he have a method to resolve the plague?

But Gao Yang's eyes suddenly brightened, and he said to Wang Zhong, "General Wang, a man's word is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold. Then it is a deal!"

Damn it!

Wang Zhong felt inexplicably panicked.

Could this Gao Yang, who had never even seen a locust, actually have a way to handle a locust plague?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Wang Zhong frantically comforted himself in his heart.

But immediately after, he saw Gao Yang step forward, bow to Wu Zhao, and his clear, resonant voice echoed through the Imperial Study.

"Your subject has a plan, which may cause the locusts in Guanzhong to be completely wiped out!"