'Are you kidding me? Only by fumigating the soil of 100-200 million square meters in the boiler could we eliminate the risk of contamination by demonized plants? Who could do that? I'm afraid that even the entire Taixia Country could barely do that. Even for baking bricks, I've never heard of a brick kiln which could hold 100-200 million square meters of land.'
After hearing the words of the prefectural governor of Ninghe Prefecture, all the officials at present felt pained inside. However, nobody dared laugh out; neither did they refute him. Because the prefectural governor of Ninghe Prefecture was undoubtedly an agricultural expert. Nobody else knew agriculture better than Liu Yuntao. Liu Yuntao might be a bit scholarly; however, even though Commander Cheng was a shadow knight, he still couldn't doubt Liu Yuntao's authority on this aspect.
However, after hearing Liu Yuntao's words, Commander Cheng frowned harder.
"You mean, as the granary of Yanzhou Province, Ninghe Prefecture would suffer a crop failure this year? Even the normal seeds that were planted on this land might be influenced …"
"The genetic pollution and drift caused by demonic plants would not only lead to internal genetic changes of closely related species, but also lead to structural changes of the entire ecological environment. Take these farmlands in Ninghe Prefecture as an example, demonic grains would lead to crop failure. Additionally, as these demonic grains are rooted in the soil, they could directly influence and change the microorganism system in the soil, which would change the characteristics of the soil …"
Commander Cheng waved his hand impatiently to interrupt the prefectural magistrate's words as he put it straightforwardly, "Just tell me whether the 1,000 miles' fertile land in Ninghe Prefecture could produce grains in the future?"
The prefectural magistrate of Ninghe Prefecture gritted his teeth once again as he nodded forcefully, "Yes, but the yield of these farmlands would be influenced. These high-yield farmlands might turn into low-yield farmlands. It might take them many years to recover …"
"As Ninghe Prefecture suffers a crop failure this summer, what's your countermeasure as the prefectural magistrate of Ninghe Prefecture?"
"Set fire!"
"Set fire?"
"Yes, as these wheat fields have already suffered a crop failure, they're worthless to be reaped. In case of greater pollution, we'd better burn them. After that, we could put the ashes into the farmlands as fertilizers. As long as there's no problem with the next batch of grains, we would have a harvest!"
"Fine, let's set fire …"
"However, it's a fact that Ninghe Prefecture suffers a crop failure this year. All the people in Ninghe Prefecture are flurried. If we want to recover the farmlands of Ninghe Prefecture, we have to invest more. If we want, this humble man would beg Commander Cheng to exempt Ninghe Prefecture's tax this year so as to stabilize people's mind. Additionally, we could provide farmers with loans so as to relieve the famine. Additionally, we could open the top 6 warehouses in Class A cities in Yanzhou Province and distribute the grains which have not been demonic grains. In this way, the commoners in Ninghe Prefecture could devote to farmlands once again …"
The prefectural magistrate of Ninghe.
"Fine, I will exempt the tax of Ninghe Prefecture for 3 years. After 3 years, the tax of Ninghe Prefecture will be reduced by half. The General's Mansion will also allocate 20 million gold coins to Ninghe Prefecture …" Commander Cheng said as he slightly slowed down his tone. If not those on Commander Cheng's side, they might not discover Commander Cheng's slight hesitation at all, "As for the rest, we will follow your proposal!"
"Thank you, Commander Cheng!" The prefectural magistrate of Ninghe Prefecture bowed deeply towards Commander Cheng as he said generously, "If so, this humble official would like to offer my head to you 3 years later if the farmlands in Ninghe Prefecture are still like this!"
"I don't need your head. As long as you work diligently!" Commander Cheng said as he threw a glance at that official who had just fainted on the ridge of farmlands. Closely after that, he waved his hand and said, "Carry him down for treatment. As he's too old, he's not suitable to serve as an official in Ninghe Prefecture anymore. After he wakes up, let him retire and go back home!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Let's go …" Commander Cheng said as he flew towards the Commander Cheng's airboat in the sky, followed by some other officials in the Commander Cheng's Mansion. All the people on Commander Cheng's side were knight-level officials in the Commander Cheng's Mansion.
"Farewell, Commander Cheng …" All the officials of Yanzhou Province and Ninghe Prefecture said in unison. Watching Commander Cheng leaving like this, many people at present let out a sigh of relief for the time being instead of punishing the officials of Yanzhou Province and Ninghe Prefecture to frighten the others by punishing them. However, it was just a temporary relief. Watching the 600 square miles of fertile land in Ninghe Prefecture suffering no harvest, everybody felt as heavy as a lead.
"Commander Cheng has already given the order. Let's take action …" Zhu Tong opened his mouth …
…
Zhu Tong the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province didn't open his mouth just now because he also had a heavy mood.
Zhu Tong had already guessed why Commander Cheng didn't lose his temper here today. Because it was not only Ninghe Prefecture that was in a bad situation in Taixia Country. It was said that all the top 100 grain-producing areas across Taixia Country faced the same situation as Ninghe Prefecture. The situation of this summer's harvest couldn't be worse. The other regions across Yanzhou Province were also in a bad situation. Most of them had suffered from a bad harvest.
At this moment, even slow-witted people knew that there was a big problem in the agricultural production which was related to the stability and lifeline of Taixia Country. Given the price of grains in the recent 2 months, the price of grains across Taixia Country had already doubled in April and April. All the major clans across Taixia Country had already started to hoard grains. All the major clans across Taixia Country had started to restrict their purchase of grains. Therefore, the price of grains recovered a bit.
There was a big problem in the agricultural production of Taixia Country. Of course, this problem was closely related to Han Zhengfang the finance minister, Heavens Reaching Church and demons. Anyone who was a bit smart could figure out the cause and effect.
However, the storage of grains was limited. If the land couldn't produce grains anymore, given the scale of population of Taixia Country, the grains stored by the officials across Taixia Country could not last too long.
However, as one of the top 9 chancellors of Taixia Country, Han Zhengfang had surrendered to demons. How many fatal tricks had Han Zhengfang arranged in Taixia Country over these years? Even Zhu Tong the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province felt cold inside when he thought about this problem.
…
— — Hopefully, there won't be any more problems in the future.
Liu Yuntao the prefectural governor of Ninghe Prefecture was also a bit restless at this moment. After summer harvest, according to farming seasons and practices, soybeans should be sown in a large area of farmlands in Ninghe Prefecture in late June. If the soybeans failed again …
Liu Yuntao dared not think about it anymore. If the farmers in Ninghe Prefecture failed to reap a single grain after working hard for one year, Taixia Country might be in chaos before demons arrived …
Liu Yuntao only hoped that there would be no problem with the soybeans in the 6 warehouses of Class A cities.
…
The officials started to leave the ridge of farmlands. After receiving the order, the soldiers started to burn the wheat in the farmlands …
…
Only after a few minutes, before Commander Cheng's airboat left Ninghe Prefecture, dense smoke had risen into the sky while thousands of miles' wheat fields in Ninghe Prefecture started to catch fire …
The highest flame in the wheat fields was only a bit higher than 10 m. However, the smoke caused by so many wheat fields was very heavy. Watching the land under his foot, Zhang Tie found that the dense smoke gradually covered the land, forming a haze.
Standing on the airboat, Commander Cheng was watching the rising haze on the ground with a tight frown. Just now, when the prefectural governor of Ninghe Prefecture mentioned the storage of grains in the top 6 warehouses, Commander Cheng became a bit hesitant. Because even Commander Cheng was not sure that there was no problem in the storage of the top 6 warehouses of the Class A cities in Northeast Military Region.
The grains in the 6 warehouses of Class A cities couldn't be stored for many years. Those grains had a corresponding storage period. When they expired, they had to bid farewell to the old ones and welcome the new ones; otherwise, those grains would go moldy. If Han Zhengfang and demons decided to do something to the grains in Taixia Country, now that all the grains across Taixia Country had been demonized, although the process of entering the 6 warehouses was very strict, no matter how carefully they were selected, there might be problems.
Before the Catastrophe, demons and Three-eye Association used tricks on demonized grains. As long as people ate them for a long time, they would be sterilized, weak, sickly and suffer from various terminal diseases. As long as they collected and calculated the epidemiological data of hospitals, they would be able to discover the clues and take preventive measures. Taixia Country had also taken preventive measures against demons' tricks. Each time, demons used the same trick to prevent Taixia Country from harvesting grains at a specific time without leaving any time for Taixia Country to make any response or warning. Not only did Taixia Country run out of grains, but they also destroyed the fertile land of grains in Taixia Country. That was a means of sterilization.
'What a vicious plan …'
Commander Cheng let out a deep sigh inside.
At this moment, before demons attacked Taixia Country, Taixia Country had been unstable. Emperor Xuanyuan was missing; the crown prince was in charge of the country; the turmoil caused by bloody figures across Taixia Country had not been completely pacified; the remnants of Heavens Reaching Church had not been cleaned up; the agricultural lifeline of Taixia Country faced another big problem. In the recent half a year, the price of grains started to soar; the housing prices in cities started to soar; major clans across Taixia Country started to build high cities and accumulate grains; they even started to expand their private corps justifiably by clearing bloody figures.
When he thought about this, Commander Cheng became very worried …
…
"Commander-in-chief, we've visited Gaozhou Province, Mozhou Province, Tongzhou Province, Qiongzhou Province, Yanzhou Province, Huizhou Province and Chaozhou Province. Where do you want to go for an inspection tour?" Gao Tianqi's voice sounded behind Commander Cheng, causing him to come back to his senses.
"Only Youzhou Province. Is there any news from Youzhou Province these days?" Commander Cheng asked calmly without turning around.
"Youzhou Province has already started its summer harvest. Youzhou Province is not affected too much. It's said that only two prefectures in Youzhou Province suffered from crop failure. As for Yanghe Prefecture, the output of grains in this summer is much greater than that last year. As for the news from Youzhou Province, as Commander Cheng was busy making an inspection tour across Taixia Country these days, this humble man might not have heard about it. However, this humble man heard a sensational news about Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory from a friend a couple of days ago!"
"Is it fiery oil or Zhang Tie's love affairs in subcontinents?"
Speaking of Zhang Tie, Commander Cheng's tone became a bit strange. Gao Tianqi still remembered that when Zhang Tie returned to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory with a lot of wives and kids from the Sacred Iceland Kingdom in Waii Subcontinent a few days ago, Commander Cheng snorted in the study room — — nonsense. It seemed that Commander Cheng was a bit dissatisfied with Zhang Tie who only cared about his wives and kids at this critical moment. However, Commander Cheng could do nothing about it. Because Zhang Tie was not an official of Taixia Country anymore, Commander Cheng couldn't control Zhang Tie anymore.
"Ahem ahem, it's not fiery oil or Qianji Hermit's love affairs in subcontinents!"
Gao Tianqi coughed twice. Commander Cheng could call Zhang Tie's name directly; however, as a black iron knight, he couldn't call a legendary earth knight whose fame had spread over the Eastern Continent and the Western Continent like Commander Cheng. Otherwise, Commander Cheng would not like it. If Zhang Tie was still the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, Gao Tianqi might call Zhang Tie's name directly; however, he couldn't do that now. Only after a few years, watching that man whom he had met for a few times and whose position was almost the same as his, Gao Tianqi didn't know how he felt. When mentioning Zhang Tie, Gao Tianqi would unconsciously recall the scene when he saw Zhang Tie squatting by the riverside and washing bowls and chopsticks outside Youzhou City for the first time. A knight like Zhang Tie was traveling by motor home with his family members and shouldered the chores of washing bowls and chopsticks. Nobody would believe it. What a fantasy! Gao Tianqi had not done washing bowls and chopsticks even once since he was born, whether he was at home or in his master's sect or serving Commander Cheng after he became an official.
"It's said that Qianji Hermit the head of Iron-Dragon Sect took out a top treasure that he gained in the Earth-elements Realm a couple of days ago. That top treasure is called bloody sacrifice furnace, which could be used to improve one's cultivation base and cure incurable diseases. Only after a few days, the effect of bloody sacrifice furnace has aroused a sensation. Because of the bloody sacrifice furnace, the prices of those bloody figures who scourge Youzhou Province and Tongzhou Province soared. Many major clans in Youzhou Province and Tongzhou Province have increased manpower to catch bloody figures alive. Some of them even bought bloody figures at a high price. Facing the high profit, bounty criminal hunters across Youzhou Province and Tongzhou Province also started to chase after bloody figures …"
Commander Cheng turned around at once as he suddenly asked Gao Tianqi, "What do you think about Zhang Tie …"
After taking in a deep breath, Gao Tianqi said calmly, "Commander Cheng, you might not know that this humble one had already seen Qianji Hermit outside the city before I met him in Youzhou Province. When this humble one saw Qianji Hermit for the first time, he was squatting beside a riverside beside the military horse field outside Youzhou City and washing bowls and chopsticks!"
"What? Squatting beside a riverside and washing bowls and chopsticks?" Commander Cheng looked amazed as he felt that Gao Tianqi was joking. 'A knight washing bowls and chopsticks? Neither Gao Tianqi nor Commander Cheng had done such a thing in his entire life. '"Yes, he was washing bowls and chopsticks.
At that time, Qianji Hermit was traveling in Youzhou Province with his parents, wife and kids in a newly bought motor home. They traveled all the way to Youzhou City. At that time, Feng Cangwu and I were testing horses in the military horse field. When we came to the riverside and watered the horses, I saw Qianji Hermit. At that time, I didn't find that the juvenile washing bowls and chopsticks in front of us was a powerful black iron knight. Over these years, the scene when I met Qianji Hermit for the first time always occurred in my mind. I always reminded myself to treat people in a normal way. After a few years' experience, I feel that my mental state has made great progress. If Commander Cheng asks me about my opinion about Qianji Hermit, I feel that Qianji Hermit is hiding an unfathomable secret under his usual look. He could change the sky and the earth. Qianji Hermit definitely deserves his reputation across Taixia Country. That's admirable … "Gao Tianqi said solemnly.
Commander Cheng's eyes flickered as he said, "Go to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory …"
…
PS: I recommend a cheerful, relaxed and good-looking book — — Notes on Raising a Milky Way Overlord, written by Moonface.
I've updated over 7500 words today. I'm trying to make up for the lack of updates after asking for leave two days ago. Thanks for your support. (To be continued.)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
