Chapter 226 Return to Chang'an

Xia Hongsheng rested in Qizhou for a few days, although the chest injury was dangerous, but it did not hurt the internal organs, so after a few days of recuperation, he led the team with Duan Zan on the road back to Chang'an.

Prior to this, Duan Zan led the special combat team to exterminate the house, but except for a subordinate, nothing was found. These chaotic parties needed to be taken to Chang'an and handed over to Dali Temple, so they also took them with them.

I didn't dare to stop any longer on the road, the masked man was no longer in the house, and he didn't know where to go. You Ji didn't catch it, it means that none of the leaders were caught, and Xia Hongsheng suffered so many sins in vain.

The soldier who was found that day pleaded guilty to Xia Hongsheng, because of his carelessness, he was exposed, and Xia Hongsheng was also in danger. Xia Hongsheng also knew that the horseman's martial arts were strong, and the surrounding fields were open fields at that time, so he didn't punish him much.

Because Youji was not caught, and the leaders of this group of Li Jianchengyu's party were still there, Xia Hongsheng was worried that they would set up an ambush again halfway through. Therefore, he continued to rush non-stop, starry and night, so as not to dream too much at night, and it only took a few days to return to Chang'an.

Duan Zan had already sent a letter to inform Chang'an that Li Shimin had already sent someone to guard the city gate, and as soon as Xia Hongsheng arrived in Chang'an, he was immediately brought into the palace and in front of Li Shimin.

"Xia Qing suffered, it was my carelessness!" Li Shimin got down from the throne, came to Xia Hongsheng's face, and held Xia Hongsheng's hand.

Xia Hongsheng was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and hurriedly bowed down: "It's caused by Weichen's own negligence." was exploited by those chaotic gangsters. If it weren't for His Majesty's dispatch of spies and special combat teams to search for and rescue them with all their might. Now Weichen is still in the hands of those chaotic parties, thank you Your Majesty Longen! ”

"I heard you're hurt?" Li Shimin said to Xia Hongsheng: "After Xia Qing returned home, I sent the imperial doctor to investigate. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xia Hongsheng gave a salute, knowing why Li Shimin was in such a hurry to see him, so he didn't wait for Li Shimin to ask, so he said first: "The chaotic party that kidnapped the minister this time is headed by a masked man, and the minister has not had much contact with him, listen to him. seems to be extremely familiar with what happened in Chang'an City, and even knows a lot about what happened in the court, Weichen guessed that if he didn't hide in the court, it was someone who colluded with the court. There are many assassins under their command, and they are highly skilled in martial arts, and they also have their eyes, ears and manpower in the palace, but unfortunately they are extremely cautious and careful, and Weichen does not know the identity of the people hidden in the palace, please be more careful! ”

Li Shimin nodded: "Those gang of rebellious ministers, thieves, wolves, and ambitions. I have already prepared in the palace, Xia Qing can rest assured. ”

"And the plague of locusts. There have been locust plagues in many places in Kannai Province, so your majesty must be having a headache about it, right? Xia Hongsheng said to Li Shimin.

"Yes, the locust plague this time has exceeded my expectations, and I did not expect that this locust plague would be so serious. Don't hide that more than a dozen prefectures and counties in Guannai have been affected by the locust plague this time, and it is useless for me to urgently allocate grain and grass from Longyou after all, and this day has also been sacrificed, and the earth has also worshipped, can't the gods in the sky see my intentions? I'd rather that the gods and Buddhas of the heavens would send disasters to me, that is, I am at fault, and what does it have to do with Li Min?! Li Shimin looked excited as he spoke, took a few deep breaths, and said to Xia Hongsheng: "Xia Qing has a strange strategy, but there is a way to solve it?" ”

"Disasters have happened, and this is a natural disaster, and it has nothing to do with anyone. This is a natural disaster, not a man-made disaster, and His Majesty himself needs to remember this most clearly and cannot be shaken. Xia Hongsheng said to Li Shimin, seeing that Li Shimin's expression softened a little, and said: "The natural disaster has happened, and what we can do now is to minimize the impact of the locust plague and minimize the resulting disasters." At the same time, the affected counties should also be ordered to send additional manpower to burn those who died as a result of the disaster to ashes to prevent the outbreak of epidemics. The so-called great plague must be followed by a great plague, because a great plague causes many deaths, and a large number of corpses are a breeding ground for epidemics, and these corpses are not properly disposed of, thus leading to the emergence and spread of epidemics. In fact, compared to droughts and floods, locust plagues are actually better. The imperial court should not only provide disaster relief to the places where disasters occur, but also mobilize the people to save themselves. As for how to let the people save themselves, the minister has already let His Majesty see it. ”

"Oh?" Li Shimin's eyes froze: "Could it be that the self-immolation of locusts and the devouring of locusts are true?" Isn't it some kind of trick you use? ”

"Your Majesty, it's not a trick, it's the knowledge of things." Xia Hongsheng smiled and explained to Li Laoer: "Your Majesty, have you ever heard the story of a moth fighting a fire?" In fact, it is the same reason, some bugs will instinctively fly towards the light source at night. For example, there are always large groups of insects around the lights at night in summer, which is called phototaxis. Locusts also have the same characteristics, so when they are alarmed at night, they will instinctively fly towards places where there is light. So Wechen had people light a fire in the field, and then ran and screamed to startle the locusts, and the locusts would fly towards the bright light of the fire by themselves, and be burned to death, as if the locusts themselves flew into the fire and set themselves on fire. ”

"What about the locust-devouring locusts?" Li Shimin was very surprised and asked again.

"This is even more special, Your Majesty, locusts can be eaten, what locust gods devour hearts is nonsense, among some barbarians in Lingnan, locusts are a delicious delicacy, but the people of the Central Plains don't know it." Xia Hongsheng laughed, and remembered the locust swallowing incident of Tang Taizong in history, so he said: "Your Majesty, let the people save themselves, you can carry out this locust extermination method of igniting fire to attract locusts to burn to death, in addition, poultry such as chickens and ducks are also natural enemies of locusts, raising chickens and ducks can eat a large number of locusts, and chickens and ducks raised with locusts will be fatter." At the same time, let the people know that locusts are not locust gods, but can be eaten, and the meat is as tender as a young chicken. When the people have no food, they can go and catch locusts to feed themselves. If you catch locusts and dry them and grind them, if you take them regularly, they will also make the people healthy. Why did the Turks grow strong? Because its diet is different from that of the Central Plains, it often eats meat, so it is healthy. The people of the Central Plains often ate grain instead of meat, so their bodies were not as strong as those of the Turks. Locusts are also meat, Your Majesty, and regular food can strengthen the body and make people strong. ”

"This ...... It's incredible. Li Lao Er shook his head and asked, "It's true as you say, I believe you, but how can I make the people believe it?" Even if I let it be implemented everywhere, will the people believe it? ”

"If you want to convince the people, there is one of the most effective ways. If this method is really used, not only will everyone in the world believe that locusts can be eaten, but it will also be able to make Your Majesty win the hearts of the people in the world, so that a certain rumor that Your Majesty has a headache will be self-defeating, and it will be difficult for those who have a heart to attack Your Majesty on this basis. At the same time, the rebellious parties who hijacked the ministers were using this method to win the hearts of the people in Kannai Province, but in the end it was still limited to the vicinity of Qizhou, and if this method was used, the people in other places could not be confused by this method again. Xia Hongsheng smiled and said to Li Shimin: "It's just that if you use this method, you will have to be wronged by Your Majesty." ”

"Oh?" Li Shimin frowned, and suddenly his eyes froze: "You mean, let me take the lead in devouring locusts, and if I have proof again, everyone in the world will believe it!" ”

"Your Majesty is wise!" Xia Hongsheng saluted Li Lao Er, and then said: "This method kills four birds with one stone, but it is just that Your Majesty has to be wronged." How to do it, please let Your Majesty decide. ”

After listening to Xia Hongsheng's words, Li Lao Er turned around and sat back on the throne and pondered. After a long time, he raised his head and asked Xia Hongsheng, "Xia Qing, are you really sure that the locusts can be swallowed and eaten?" ”

"The minister is sure. The minister can try it for His Majesty first, and then accompany His Majesty to eat. Xia Hongsheng laughed and bowed.

Li Lao Er also laughed: "Okay! I want to see that the calamity from heaven has become food for me and the people, and those who shout for my immorality will be very different when the time comes! ”

Xia Hongsheng could probably guess who Li Lao Er was talking about, and who else could there be besides those clans in Shandong.

"Let's go back and recuperate, I'll be ready. When Qing recovers from his injuries, I will give Qing a satisfactory reward. Li Shimin said to Xia Hongsheng with a smile, and then said to Wang De next to him: "Wang De, find a carriage to send Xia Qing back to the house, and send another imperial doctor to diagnose and treat it, so that Xia Qing recovers as soon as possible!" ”

Xia Hongsheng thanked Li Lao Er, and seeing Li Lao Er's obvious relief, he said in his heart that Li Lao Er was estimated to be under a lot of pressure during this time. After all, disaster relief is enough of a headache, not to mention that the ancients always associated natural disasters with the morality of kings. And Li Laoer's means of ascending to the throne are not glorious, which is also a heart disease in Li Laoer's heart. This locust plague was unprecedentedly serious, spread all over more than a dozen prefectures in Guannai, starvation everywhere, coupled with the attacks of the Shandong Shi clan and some other well-intentioned people, it inevitably made Li Laoer's heart weak. 's own method can be said to have given Li Lao Er a reassurance. It can't be said to be his own way, after all, in history, Li Lao Er devoured locusts and made a show, saying that "people take grain as their life, and you eat it, which is harmful to the people." The people have had, in one person, they have a spirit, but when they erode my heart, they will not harm the people", and "I hope to move the disaster and bow down, and avoid any disease", in one fell swoop, it will win the hearts of the people of the world.

Xia Hongsheng came out of the palace in a carriage, this came and went, in Shuofang for two months, and was kidnapped for two months, when he left, it was still bitterly cold, and now he has returned, but it is already full of spring in Chang'an. (To be continued......)