Daming: You are really my eldest son

Chapter 57 That's it?

Locust plague.

When Zhu Biaoshang, who was in a hurry, stepped into the Jinshen Hall out of breath, he learned the real reason why Zhu Yuanzhang had no time to beat the child today.

There were dozens of inscription books spread out on the spacious carved imperial case, and Zhu Yuanzhang was still holding a volume in his hand. He didn't even pay attention to Zhu Biao's entry, he just kept frowning.

Not far from the imperial case, Hu Weiyong was standing respectfully and bent over. If Zhu Biao hadn't asked in a low voice, this prime minister who felt that the matter was difficult would have been waiting quietly like this.

"His Royal Highness, Qingzhou, Hejian, Mozhou, Dongchang and other more than [-] prefectures have sent reports one after another, saying that locusts have been discovered under the rule. Although they tried their best to extinguish it, it was ineffective. Now it has become a catastrophe, and large areas of crops have been gnawed. This year's harvest is hopeless, and the people are in panic..."

Following the place names reported by Hu Weiyong, Zhu Biao roughly circled a disaster-stricken area spanning three provinces in his mind.

For a moment, like his own father, the young prince frowned.

Although there are only about [-] copies of the report, things like locust plagues are very easy to spread. If the handling is not effective, the current number will be doubled.

At that time, millions of disaster victims will be starved for food, and Shuofang Town, which relies on the taxation of these provinces for logistical supplies, will also be severely impacted.

If the border town is in turmoil, the foundation of Daming will be damaged.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao felt a little dry.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang and Song Lian always taught him not to be surprised and not to be chaotic, but after all, he is just a young man who has not yet reached the crown, how can he just frown like Zhu Yuanzhang.

Jinshen Hall fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

It is not that Zhu Yuanzhang has no way to deal with the locust plague.

Since the founding of the country, various disasters have emerged one after another.Now that six years have passed, there are already detailed regulations for disaster relief.

What he worries about is the cost of dealing with this massive locust plague and quelling its impact.

Dozens of state capitals and hundreds of thousands of households were affected by the disaster. Even if the locust infestation is eliminated in a short period of time, the harvest will not be harvested until August at the earliest after replanting.

The lack of harvest for more than three months means that the consumption of millions of stones of grain has to be borne by the imperial court.

Not to mention, losing the taxes of so many states and counties, they have to send supplies to border towns farther afield.

The money and food in the government treasury can completely deal with this disaster, but Daming has too many places to spend money. To make up for this vacancy, many original plans will have to be postponed.

But now is obviously not the time to care about this.

"Hu Weiyong, order the affected prefectures and counties to eradicate the locusts, and at the same time open warehouses to release grain. Don't let our people go hungry. As for the others, we will talk to you in detail tomorrow morning."

Eliminate locusts and release food.

Zhu Yuanzhang stated the two most fundamental solutions to this locust plague.

Even though his brows were still frowning, when he said these words, he was sonorous and forceful.

When Hu Weiyong bowed out of Jinshen Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang turned his attention to Zhu Biao:
"Biao'er, I heard that you went out of the palace to find your elder brother in the afternoon. Why, that bastard Zhu Yan knows to ask for help? You go back and tell him, let him wait with pouting, when we finish handling the government affairs, go back Let's see how we deal with him."

It's okay if the country's affairs are bad, and the brats in the family are also messing around.

Zhu Yuanzhang regretted taking him out of the palace for a while, which actually allowed them to find a new backer.He really thought that that bastard could stop him, so he beat the big and the small together when he was in a hurry.

Being told by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao grinned awkwardly.

However, in order to save the younger brother who was about to be severely punished, Zhu Biao still changed the subject cheekily:

"Not really, I just missed my elder brother, so I went to have a look. However, the elder brother really had a clever plan. When he heard that the father ignored the fault of the fourth younger brother, he urged the child to come back quickly to obey the father's orders, and said that something big happened in the court... ..."

Zhu Biao knew that as long as the topic was turned to Zhu Ji, Zhu Yuanzhang would definitely let go of Zhu Fang's nonsense.

Especially Zhu Ji's accurate prediction, Zhu Biao has been secretly amazed since Hu Weiyong told him the situation.

Sure enough, after hearing what Zhu Biao said, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately showed a satisfied smile on his face.

"That bastard is not a clever plan, he is sure that we will strictly restrain you brothers. If there is no important matter, how can that bastard Zhu Yan still have a chance to ask him for help."

That's what he said, but his eldest son knows a little bit about it, and he understands his own thoughts about being a father. How can this not satisfy him.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of another thing.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhu Yuanzhang got up and stretched all the inscriptions spread out on the case together, and solemnly visited the center of the imperial case:

"You mentioned him, it made us want to find that bastard too. If you have nothing to do, you can walk with me again."

Different from past low-key trips where he hid his identity, today's Zhu Yuanzhang drove the car of the Minister of Ceremonies for the first time. With the guards of Yi Luan and the minister of ceremonies clearing the way, this trip became well known.

When Zhu Ji was notified, he couldn't help but be shocked by Master Guorui's performance.

The sun is almost setting, and I have to wait at the door to take a shower and change clothes.

Facing the respectful Master of Ceremonies, Tong Shiren, Zhu Ji raised his hand and wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with his cuffs:

"You go to the official office in the front yard and inform the two gentlemen that you will meet me later, and I will change my clothes first."

If it wasn't in front of outsiders, Zhu Ji really wanted to say that the old man's spectrum is really great.

He felt that it was necessary to remind Master Guorui this time, not to be so ostentatious when he came here in the future.Or, even if you show off outside, don't make such trouble when you come to yourself.

I also take a shower and change clothes. Don’t you know that boiling water is not only expensive but also time-consuming?
It takes at most two minutes to get here from the palace, and the bath water is still not warm in this time.

So, three quarters later, he took Zhu Ji and Zhu Biao into the court hall of the Second Academy, and Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Ji with some distaste:

"It's about to reach the crown, why is it so unkempt. You smell the sweat, can't you wash it and come out when you see us?"

"Then you wait, the bath water is still boiling, I'll come back after washing?"

Zhu Ji pretended to be about to go to the bedroom, Zhu Yuanzhang stopped quickly: "There is no reason for me to wait for my son. You bastard, we have something to discuss with you, so we will leave after we finish talking."

Knowing what difficulties Zhu Yuanzhang had encountered again, and also knowing that his time as emperor must be very precious, Zhu Ji gave up the idea of ​​being angry, returned to his position obediently, and waited quietly for Lord Guorui to open his mouth.

Half a moment later, Zhu Ji's voice suddenly sounded in the hall:
"That's it?"

(End of this chapter)