Chapter 305: Urgent Business

The sky was still dim. Night had not fully faded.

On the streets of Brambleford, a man was walking in a hurry.

It was Baldwin, holding a memorial report as he rushed to Prince Simon’s castle.

The contents of this report were extremely serious; they could threaten the agricultural stability of all six cities.

"Sir Baldwin, you’re up early today. His Highness took Sir Carl around Brambleford yesterday. He might be tired and still asleep." Said Joan, stopping him at the bedroom door.

Baldwin looked anxious.

"This is urgent. Please call His Highness."

Joan frowned. She thought Prince Simon deserved a bit more rest after how hard he had been working. Baldwin could be a little too serious.

"What’s going on?" Simon’s voice came from inside.

Baldwin immediately called out,

"My Lord! I received a letter from a friend in Preston. He says they haven’t had rain for months, and signs of a locust plague are appearing!"

"A locust plague?!"

Simon had been dressing slowly but now rushed out half-dressed, alarmed.

"Yes, My Lord. As the saying goes, where drought strikes, locusts follow. Preston barely had any rain last year. The resulting drought cut harvests. Most people have no grain left. Spring planting is about to begin, but the ground is cracked and dry; it’s impossible to farm. Even Brambleford only had a light rain this spring and nothing since."

Baldwin looked grave.

Simon’s expression darkened.

"Go on."

"Historical records show that when locust plagues hit, they usually affect Preston, Wondla, and Brambleford together. After receiving the letter, I ordered all six city governors to investigate, and they confirmed that this year’s locust numbers are far higher than usual. My Lord, we must act early and purchase grain in bulk as a precaution."

Baldwin’s voice was filled with concern.

"Could this really be the Little Ice Age?"

Simon muttered bitterly.

Baldwin had just mentioned Preston, Wondla, and Brambleford.

Even in modern times, this region was prone to droughts and locust outbreaks.

In Simon’s memory, the Eldorian Empire had suffered massive locust disasters before, with famine and even rebellions.

He glanced at Baldwin with deep respect.

This was the kind of advisor he needed, someone who could anticipate trouble and prepare ahead of time.

"How are our grain reserves?" He asked.

"My Lord, we only have enough for one year. We don’t know how severe the locusts will be, so we must prepare for the worst."

"Understood. Notify Percival immediately. Use barter to trade for as much grain as possible. Stop trading for anything non-essential."

Then, while finishing dressing, he continued:

"Also, draft a memorial to the court. Let the Emperor know early so they can prepare as well."

Baldwin took note of every instruction.

"Also, my friend said that despite the drought, Prince Augustus didn’t lower taxes. In fact, he raised them, claiming it was to rebuild Preston’s defenses against the reavers. I fear this may worsen things and eventually affect us."

Simon frowned.

The rule among princes was usually ’don’t interfere in each other’s business.’ It wasn’t his place to question Prince Augustus’s actions, but Baldwin’s concern made sense.

The powerful noble families had been grabbing up land, and trust between citizens and government was fragile.

If Prince Augustus pushed too far, chaos might erupt.

"I understand. But this is not our jurisdiction. Reporting to the court is already stepping over the line. What happens next is up to my father."

Now dressed, Simon said. "Let’s focus on how to prevent the locust plague in our six cities."

Baldwin furrowed his brows.

"But my Lord, this is a divine punishment. All the sins of the nobles over the years... The heavens are angry. How can mortals stop it?"

"Nonsense!"

Simon snapped.

"I just praised you for being observant and cautious, and now you talk about luck superstition? I don’t believe in fate; I believe in people defeating fate!

Baldwin was stunned silent.

Joan, who had never seen Baldwin get scolded like that, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Baldwin’s face turned red, but he admitted honestly,

"Then, please instruct me, My Lord!"

"Eat."

"Eat?"

"Yes. Humans, chickens, ducks, toads, anything that eats locusts. Get them all into the fields. Tell Percival to buy up poultry. I’ll also publish notices in the newspaper encouraging people to raise birds."

In Simon’s system, there were many methods of pest control, but the most practical one in the Eldorian Empire was biological control.

According to the data, 2,000 ducks could wipe out locusts aon bout 660 acres.

Baldwin had never heard such things before, but Simon spoke confidently;y, it clearly had a scientific basis. Baldwin saluted and left the castle to act.

"My Lord... Can ducks really stop something as terrifying as a locust plague?"

Joan asked, a bit unsure.

Simon sighed.

"The locusts haven’t become a full-blown disaster yet. Early intervention may still work. I’m not worried about Brambleford; I’m worried about Preston. Prince Augustus is brave but reckless. If he doesn’t act fast, there’ll be famine there."

"Right... Even when the weather’s good, many of Prince Augustus’s people have already fled to Brambleford. If disaster hits, won’t even more refugees come?"

"Isn’t labor exactly what Your Highness needs?"

A voice chimed in; it was Ysabeau, carrying a cup of mouthwash.

"That’s not fair. His Highness would never take advantage of others’ suffering!"

Joan pouted.

Ysabeau grinned.

"How is it taking advantage? Taking in refugees is a public service, for the empire and the people."

Simon shot her a look.

"Let’s not bad-mouth Prince Augustus. We haven’t even dealt with our own locust problem yet. Focus on our duties first."

Ysabeau stuck out her tongue.

"Yes, My Lord."

---

Billy was leading the village men in paving the concrete road in Brambleford’s western market.

Suddenly, a young man appeared beside him.

Billy looked up from where he was leveling the cement and broke into a smile.

"Reporter Gibbs, what brings you here?"

The man was none other than the newspaper reporter who often visited Billy’s village to read the news with the villagers.

"Still smiling?!" Gibbs said.

"Today’s newspaper warns of signs of drought and a possible locust plague across the six cities. His Highness himself published methods to prevent it. You should be thinking about which of those you can actually do!"

"What?! A locust plague?" Billy was stunned.

"What’s going on?