The Sickly Emperor Is Only Immune to Me

Chapter 31: Chapter 031 Locust Plague

He Ying encouraged, "No need to be modest. Speak boldly."

Sang Yan then spoke up, "Every creature has its natural enemy, one thing to overcome another. These locusts too have natural enemies, such as chickens, ducks, and geese. I have heard that tens of thousands of domesticated birds are bred in Shanglin Garden, perhaps we could give it a try."

"Indeed, it's worth a try."

Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Tao Qin was the first to voice his concern: "But the journey is long, and by the time the poultry arrives in Wuzhou, I fear the crops will have all been ravaged."

Hearing this, Sang Yan quickly added, "Then we could requisition poultry from the areas surrounding Wuzhou. Replace taxes with poultry."

"Nonsense!"

Qu Zhi vehemently opposed, "There has never been such a precedent before! Emperor, you must not let a woman bewitch the masses with such witchcraft!"

And he shifted the topic, "Emperor, Sang Kun hid the locust disaster and failed to report it, causing the farmlands of eight cities in Wuzhou to be completely destroyed, a sin unforgivable. His daughter's proposed solution is even more absurd—labor-intensive and costly, her intentions must be condemned!"

His close subordinate Cai Yuan echoed, "Mr. Qu speaks with reason."

Cai Yuan was the Director of Finance, involved in the administration and planning of national expenditures.

"Tens of thousands of poultry may not be able to solve the locust plague. With each city in Wuzhou already facing a food shortage, where can we collect so many poultry? The Sang Family's daughter merely lips the problem away expecting to solve the locust disaster, how ludicrous!"

"Enough!"

He Ying could not stand anyone speaking ill of Sang Yan and defended her, "Her solution is ludicrous—what about yours? You've been kneeling here for two hours without a clear thought? All of you get out!"

The Ministers remained kneeling.

He Ying didn't indulge them and harshly ordered, "Guards! Drag them all out! If you wish to kneel, do it far from here!"

"Emperor, please reconsider."

"Emperor, do not be bewitched by the demoness!"

"Emperor—"

The guards rushed in, about to drag them all out—

Sang Yan spoke up, "Emperor, I have not yet finished speaking."

Without waiting for his response, she continued, "Respected Ministers, my humble suggestions surely have many flaws, but the locust plague cannot be neglected. Not only do they devastate this year's crops, but they also have extremely strong breeding capabilities, and the eggs laid will blight next year's crops as well. Using poultry to extinguish locusts not only eliminates the locusts themselves but also their eggs. Though it may be a case of closing the barn door after the sheep has escaped, it can prevent the calamity of locusts next year. Esteemed officials, we must not only look at the present but consider the long-term."

Her words stunned them.

No one spoke again.

He Ying waved his hand, signaling the guards to retreat, and commanded, "Summons Sang Kun here."

By the time Sang Kun arrived, it seemed the Ministers had set aside their previous grievances and began to earnestly address the issue of using poultry to eradicate locusts.

Sang Yan proposed a few more solutions, such as partnering with merchants to purchase poultry, transporting poultry by both land and sea routes, and issues of poultry health and safety.

They debated for another three hours.

From time to time, Ministers' stomachs growled.

Sang Yan's stomach was growling too.

Fortunately, with all the rumbling sounds, it was not so noticeable.

But she was bashful, and her face still flushed with embarrassment.

He Ying noticed and temporarily called a halt, ordering meals to be served.

The Ministers, starved by then, ran to the side hall next to the Imperial Study to eat, fearing that if they were late, there'd be no food left.

Sang Yan also wanted to run, but she was stopped.

"Stay, and eat with me."

His words startled a few officials who were a step behind.

Including Sang Kun.

"Mr. Sang has raised a fine daughter!"

Exiting the Imperial Study, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Tao Qin sighed with a mixture of envy and jealousy.

Sang Kun felt doubly pleased, smiling broadly, yet spoke modestly, "Ah, such is the fortune of children and grandchildren."

He had just been released from prison, yet he looked energetic and well-dressed, clearly having been comfortable during his time in confinement.

And to be so comfortable after being imprisoned for a crime, it couldn't have been possible without the Emperor's consent.

"Selling his daughter for glory!"

Qu Zhi looked at his smug and arrogant demeanor, his jealousy and hatred making his teeth itch, "Sang Kun, don't celebrate too soon! Pray your daughter doesn't doom the Emperor, otherwise, prepare for your entire family to be executed!"

Hearing these words, Sang Kun felt somewhat uneasy internally, but maintained a calm demeanor with a faint smile, "Mr. Qu, choose your words wisely."

"What? You dare to do it but fear others talking about it? For the sake of climbing up the ladder, you sent a widow with a husband-killing fate into the palace—"

"Mr. Qu—"

Cai Yuan tugged at Qu Zhi's sleeve and advised in a low voice, "The Sang Family's daughter is not yet a concubine, and the Emperor hasn't granted her a title. There's no rush. The harem is still under the Empress Dowager's watch."

Qu Zhi thought about it and found the reasoning sound, finally showing a smile on his face, "Hmph, a woman of dubious reputation wants to enter the Imperial Palace? I'd like to see just how long you can keep smiling!"

These words struck at Sang Kun's heart.

The smile on his face gradually froze, and concern slowly crept into his eyes.

"Mr. Sang, let's move on."

An official ahead turned back to call for him.

"...Right."

He forced a smile and turned back for a glance at the closed door of the Imperial Study.

Inside the Imperial Study

He Ying ate his meal and, seeing the furrowed brows of the person opposite him, asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Sang Yan shook her head, "I'm not thinking anything."

"Not thinking anything, why do you frown?"

After asking, he indulged her with a smile, teasing, "If you wish to challenge me, I'll let you do so. Aren't you happy?"

He referred to the nearly wager-like question. @@novelbin@@

Sang Yan mentioned this and curled her lips, mocking, "Happy about what? In the end, I still had to enter the palace to beg you."

He Ying chuckled lightly, sounding very innocent, "That was not my intention. You can't blame me for this."

Sang Yan: "..."

Alright.

Indeed, he was not to be blamed.

It was the fault of her original father!

Her original father dared to make such a mistake even before she had any relationship with the Emperor; she dared not imagine what he might do recklessly if she really got involved with the Emperor!

History shows that the families of favored concubines always inflate with pride because of the favor!

To prevent even greater calamities, she put down her chopsticks, knelt down, and said earnestly, "My father is at fault. The Emperor should punish him to set an example. Otherwise, it would be hard to convince the people."

He Ying did not expect her to ask him to punish her own father; after his surprise, he smiled, "You are quite fair. But it's just a minor matter, not important. Besides, you've already made amends for your father's transgressions."

Sang Yan disagreed, adamant, "A great dike breaches due to an ant hole. Emperor, do not neglect a wrongdoing no matter how small."

"Enough. I have my own judgment."

In truth, he hoped Sang Kun would make some mistakes, giving him an excuse to extend his favor by association.

See, isn't he getting to know her better now?

The more he understood her, the more he liked her.

He admired her impartiality and clear-headedness, yet he wished she could be a bit more selfish.

"Rise."

He looked at her, murmuring softly, "If your father heard these words, I wonder how much it would hurt his heart."

Sang Yan: "..."

She inexplicably felt like the perfect son-in-law. What was this?

The darn Emperor was flirting with her again!

Hmph!

She countered, "Emperor, that's emotional blackmail. Besides, what I did was not to harm him but to love him, to ensure he makes fewer mistakes."

She didn't want to be seen as a protective umbrella, repeatedly diminishing the Emperor's favor.

Wait a second—

Perhaps she could try playing the smart and crafty game?