Chapter 34
A month quickly passed by.
With Lin Beifans strong support, the people of the nation were bustling with activity: miners mined, pioneers cleared new lands, workers dug canals, and soldiers trained. Everything was on the right track, presenting a thriving and prosperous scene.
However, the situation in the neighboring Mo Kingdom was not looking good.
It was uncertain whether it was because Lin Beifan had moved all the fertile soil away, but the newly planted rice seedlings gradually withered and turned yellow.
Even the grass around the rice seedlings stopped growing.
The farmers of the Mo Kingdom were all worried sick, their hair turning white with concern.
Whats going on here? Theres no drought, so why are the rice seedlings wilting?
Yeah, Im puzzled too! Look at this field, the water isnt low, and there arent more insects than usual. In previous years, we could harvest a lot of grain! But now theyre all withering away!
I went to check the rice fields in the neighboring village, and its the same situation there. Were definitely going to have a poor harvest this year!
What in the world is happening? Can someone think of a solution? If we cant bring in the crops, were surely going to be in for a beating!
Never mind the beating, itll be a miracle if we dont starve to death!
Everyones faces were filled with deep distress.
After toiling hard for half a year, they had pinned their hopes on the income from this harvest.
If the crops failed, not only would they have nothing to eat, but they would also be subjected to beatings, and their lives might even be at stake.
At this critical moment, a clever farmer suggested an idea.
I heard that the neighboring Xia Kingdom has mobilized millions of people to engage in a massive production drive, mining, reclaiming wasteland, and digging canals, all bustling with activity! As long as you work hard, not only will there be food, but there will also be money to earn. Why dont we just escape to the Xia Kingdom?
This Many people were tempted.
If it were before, they would never have considered fleeing to the Xia Kingdom.
After all, at that time, the Mo Kingdom was much more powerful than the Xia Kingdom, with more fertile soil, a more developed economy, and stronger national power.
Their ruler, although not exactly a wise monarch, could still be considered an accomplished sovereign who maintained the status quo.
At least, he was much better than the foolish emperor of the Xia Kingdom.
But now, they couldnt even get enough food to eat; they were on the brink of starvation. Where was the room for such considerations?
Of course, they would run wherever there was food.
Will the Xia Kingdom accept us since we are from the Mo Kingdom? someone raised a sharp question.
This is not a big problem!
The clever person glanced around and whispered, Ive heard that hundreds of thousands of people from the neighboring kingdom have already fled to Xia Kingdom to make a living. That foolish emperor is quite generous, turning no one away! As long as you work hard, theres food to eat and money to be earned! Since we have no other options now, why not give it a try?
Youre right! At least try to take a chance, otherwise we can only wait for death!
Lets just blend in for two or three months and see how it goes!
Im going to pack my things right now and leave tomorrow!
Many people from Mo Kingdom packed up their belongings overnight and then fled to the neighboring Xia Kingdom.
Xia Kingdom was indeed welcoming to all comers. As long as you could work, were not afraid of hardship or fatigue, and were willing to follow arrangements, there was work to be done, food to eat, and money to be earned.
So, they finally set their worried hearts at ease and got down to work seriously.
Meanwhile, in the Mo Kingdoms Capital City, the great gates were finally flung open to allow passage.
The reason they had endured a month before opening the gates was because the Emperor of Mo Kingdom had been frightened by Lin Beifan, fearing a surprise counterattack. Thats why they had held out for so long.
Only when they were sure the other party wouldnt return did they open the gates.
The first order of business upon opening the gates was to conscript soldiers.
With only 200,000 troops at his disposal, the Emperors forces were too few to defend such a vast territory.
The second matter was the collection of grain.
They had never anticipated that Lin Beifan would strike at their Capital City, so the food reserves in the Capital City were insufficient and had been nearly depleted. It was time to replenish them.
However, the Emperor of the Mo Kingdom kept receiving bad news.
What? We cant muster enough soldiers? Most of the men have already fled to the Xia Kingdom? The Emperor of the Mo Kingdom was shocked and dismayed.
Yes, Your Majesty! Due to the rice seedlings withering and turning yellow for unknown reasons, the grain harvest has fallen short. Fearing hunger and punishment, they have fled to the Xia Kingdom to clear new land and dig canals, the old minister reported with a wry smile.
The Emperor of the Mo Kingdoms face darkened.
Xia Kingdom again!
Upon hearing those two words, he became angry and a bit fearful.
Hmph! Dont bother with them! If they want to flee, let them flee and drain Xia Kingdoms resources. That will be their revenge for me!
The Emperor of Mo Kingdom said with displeasure on his face. What about the grain? The most important thing is the grain!
The grain Your Majesty, we have no way to collect the grain! the minister said with his head lowered.
The Emperor of Mo Kingdom was shocked again: What? The grain cant be collected? Why not?
Your Majesty, when the Xia Kingdoms army retreated, they took all the grain along the way! Now, with the people of our nation fleeing to Xia Kingdom, they have also taken some of the grain with them. So, we really have no grain left!
The Emperor of Mo Kingdoms complexion turned even darker, a dark shade of purple.
Again, the Xia Kingdom!
Why does it always linger like a persistent ghost?
His lifetime of glory was all ruined by these two words!
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