Chapter 153: The Demon-Slaying Imperial Roll, The Locust Plague of the Southern Border

"Please set your mind at ease, Your Majesty. Your sacred health is of the utmost importance."

"How I wish I could do just that. However, our defeat in the trial of the Seven Nations—though we achieved a resounding victory in the Northwest—is merely treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. If we fail to appoint a brilliant and capable crown prince early on to sweep away internal troubles, the Seven Nations will surely seize the opportunity to strike, and the nation will be in grave peril."

"Your Majesty's words are profoundly wise. I wonder if Your Majesty has already someone in mind for the position?"

"That is precisely the most difficult choice. To speak the truth, I have pondered this repeatedly, yet among all the imperial princes, not a single one is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility."

"Your Majesty, the princes are all men of exceptional talent. As long as they are willing to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly and govern with benevolence and love for the people, maintaining the realm should not be too difficult!"

"Originally, I thought the same. The Fifth Prince is benevolent by nature, well-read and reasonable; he could have served as a ruler capable of preserving the realm. Yet during this Monster-Slanting Hunt, he made every possible excuse to shirk his duty, appearing almost fearful of demons and ghosts. If he were to inherit the supreme throne, the slightest adversity would cause him to lose his wits, and rather than preserving the realm, he would likely invite a pack of wolves to circle us.

The First Prince possesses peerless valor, but he is far too self-willed and militaristic. While he can overawe petty villains, a nation fond of warfare is bound to perish. Coupled with his maternal uncle's long-standing, unbridled ambition, if he ascends the throne, the Great Feng dynasty will undoubtedly fall within a decade.

This strategy of the Monster-Slaying Hunt devised by the three Grand Secretaries and the courtiers is, after all, a fine opportunity for a trial."

"Your Majesty is truly perceptive; this strategy is magnificent. I have recently forged a magical artifact that can assist Your Majesty in selecting the one truly endowed with martial prowess, virtue, and talent."

"Oh? What kind of magical treasure is this? Pray, tell me."

"Please look, Your Majesty. This is the newly forged Monster-Slaying Roll. It originated when Director Sima of the Bureau of Military Affairs, inspired by the imperial golden registers and troubled by the inability of the commanders and captains of the Monster-Slaying Bureau to substantiate their exploits after slaying demons and ghosts, entrusted me to forge it at the end of last year.

One merely needs to carry a Monster-Slaying Spirit Talisman, and the rank and quantity of the monsters slain by the bearer will be calculated and instantly displayed on the roll."

The old man produced a five-foot-long yellow scroll, which was completely blank yet emanated a faint golden radiance.

"Oh? Master Inspector Mo is actually capable of crafting such a wondrous treasure? In that way, not only can the achievements of the princes and generals in this hunt be seen at a glance, but it can also be widely promoted within the Monster-Slaying Bureau, ensuring that men of talent are not buried in obscurity. The benefits of this treasure are immeasurable!"

"Hehe, my forging of this treasure was a matter of serendipity. To be able to render some assistance to the imperial court brings me deep gratification. Since that is the case, I shall take my leave."

The old man presented the Monster-Slaying Roll along with a dozen spirit talismans. With the Emperor's assent, he walked back into the precious mirror enshrined within the alcove.

...

The grand army marched for several days.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, a large mass of displaced refugees has been spotted ahead," an Imperial Guard Commander reported from outside the imperial chariot.

The aged emperor lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside, only to see countless corpses of the starved littering the roadsides on both ahead and flanks, an innumerable multitude fleeing from south to north.

Han Chong had already noticed this scene long ago. He broke away from the main column alone and sought out an old man to inquire about the reasons behind the exodus. Although the southern border region had more mountains than arable land, it was sparsely populated; by relying on the mountains, the people should never have faced such destitution as to produce so many refugees.

Upon inquiry, he learned that just before the autumn harvest, a terrifying plague of locusts had suddenly erupted across several prefectures in the southern frontier. Not only had they devoured the crops waiting to be harvested in the fields down to the last grain, but they had even stripped the mountain trees and vegetation bare, leaving everything completely barren. Yet the government taxes had not been reduced by a single coin, resulting in countless deaths by starvation.

Han Chong riding out alone to make inquiries stood out conspicuously. Although he now held a third-rank official post, this still provoked the dissatisfaction of the various princes and high officials, who secretly thought him overly fond of courting fame and meddling in matters that did not concern him.

He intended to bring the old man back to report to the Emperor, but was intercepted by the First Prince.

"General Han, they are merely some refugees. Do you intend to disturb the Emperor's ear? His Majesty's health is presently indisposed; you must not bother him on any account. Furthermore, since you belong to the Monster-Slaying Bureau, offering counsel and memorials is the duty of the imperial censors and officials. Your action here is a usurpation of another's role."

"Your Highness, there are millions of refugees, and those starved to death already number no less than several hundred thousand. How can you call this 'merely some refugees'? Though my post belongs to the Monster-Slaying Bureau, I have received imperial grace and possess the right to remonstrate. As for whether His Majesty chooses to accept the counsel, Your Highness need not trouble yourself."

"You! A mere second-rank general, how dare you talk back to this Prince like this?"

The First Prince was consumed by rage. He had never imagined that despite his painstaking admonition, this Han Chong would dare to contradict him so bluntly in front of so many people, leaving him utterly humiliated.

Among the various princes, aside from the Fifth Prince who wore an expression of unbearable pity and the Eighth Prince who looked hesitant and pensive, all the others sneered and stood with their arms crossed, watching the two lock horns. Han Chong, bringing the old man along, did not halt for a moment and continued walking toward the imperial chariot.

The First Prince found himself in a dilemma. If it were any other third-rank general, even a commander of the Thousand Bulls or a Palace Guard Commander, he would have dared to have him whipped.

Yet this was the very same Han Chong who had slain the twelfth prince of Bilu right before his eyes; how could he dare to act in such a manner? Facing Han Chong's stubborn and icy gaze, his hands and feet trembled slightly, leaving him no choice but to watch helplessly as the former brushed past him.

The aged emperor inside the chariot had witnessed the entire scene, and for a moment, he was somewhat dazed. It took him quite a while to collect his thoughts. When he looked steadily ahead, Han Chong had already arrived before the chariot with the old man.

"Halt the carriage."

The entire imperial procession came to a complete stop. The Emperor stepped out of the chariot and looked down calmly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I, your subject Han Chong, submit this report: the southern prefectures have suffered through a locust plague, leaving millions of refugees who are reduced to starving corpses. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to order the prefectures and counties to reduce or remit taxes, open the granaries for disaster relief, and eradicate the locust swarms."

"Oh?
Summon Grand Secretary Jin."

"This aged subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Minister Jin, why has the locust plague spread across the southern prefectures without a single memorial reaching My ears?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this aged subject likewise received no notification from the Secretariat. Perhaps the locust plague broke out so suddenly that the prefects of the various regions have not yet had time to report to the imperial court."

"I see. My imperial sons, esteemed ministers, what are your views on this matter?"

"Reporting to Royal Father, locust plagues have since ancient times belonged to natural disasters. Since Royal Father is the Son of Heaven, you may bathe and fast, erect an altar and perform rites, and pray to the heavens to withdraw them."

Han Chong felt a surge of astonishment and looked at the Fifth Prince who had uttered such absurd nonsense, while the rest of the princes also wore expressions of deep agreement.

"His Highness the Fifth Prince is loyal and pure in thought, and what he says is exceptionally sound. Supplemented by tax exemptions and disaster relief, the locust plague can be readily resolved." Grand Secretary Jin also nodded in praise.

"Very well. Draw up an imperial decree immediately to exempt the prefectures and counties affected by the locust plague from taxation for three years, open the prefectures' granaries for relief, and let there be no delay.
Construct an incense altar. Tomorrow at the hour of the midday, I shall personally slaughter sacrificial animals to worship Heaven."

"Your Majesty, locusts are pests of the mortal world. What relation do they have with the heavens? They ought to be exterminated instead; otherwise, the locust plague will continue to spread and bring even greater calamity upon the common people."

Han Chong had not expected that the aged emperor would actually insist on setting up an altar to worship Heaven, and hurriedly remonstrated.

Hearing this, not only the princes and high ministers were dumbfounded, but even the aged emperor displayed a trace of anger. He had just issued a decree to worship Heaven, and yet this fellow dared to speak such wild nonsense!

"Audacious Han Chong! Not only did you collide with this Prince in public, but you even dare to show contempt for the Will of Heaven. Your crime deserves death!"

The First Prince was overjoyed and immediately rebuked him angrily.

"General Han, considering that your duties are specialized and you are unversed in worldly affairs, step back for now. Such matters of great state ritual as worshipping Heaven must not be spoken of wildly, lest they affect the nation's fortune."

The aged emperor waved his hand and commanded.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to take charge of the grand plan to exterminate the locusts. If I fail to eradicate them, I am willing to accept punishment!"

"Absurd! Han Chong, you actually dare to repeatedly defy the imperial will and boast wildly about eradicating a locust plague. Have you perhaps lost your mind?"

This time, it was not only the First Prince who angrily rebuked him; all the others were filled with righteous indignation and pointedly condemned him.