Looking over, the mark drawn on the riverbank showed that the water level was more than a meter below the mark. How long had it been since the water level had dropped so much!
"Husband, we should send a few people to watch the water level, record the number of meters it drops each day, and keep a record!"
Fan Zehao didn't say anything, just nodded!
When the two returned to the prince's mansion, they saw the Huangfu brothers were both there, seemingly waiting for them!
"I don't know when my prince's mansion became the back door of your brothers' house, coming and going as you please?" Fan Zehao lifted his brocade robe and sat in the grand armchair, teasing the two brothers!
Huangfu Xu gave a wry smile, "Brother, why are you being so formal? I consider the prince's mansion my own home, that's why I'm here like this!"
Fan Zehao was impatient with their words, they always said the same thing!
"Speak plainly!"
Huangfu Xu and Huangfu Xian stopped their playful demeanor and began to report the problems they had recently discovered.
"Brother, something is not right on my frontier. Wei has withdrawn some troops. According to normal circumstances, this shouldn't happen!" Huangfu Xu said with a furrowed brow!
"Brother, Xue Country on my side is also withdrawing troops. Where the withdrawn soldiers have gone is still unclear, but at least fifty thousand soldiers have been withdrawn!" Huangfu Xian followed suit!
Hearing the words of these two gentlemen, Fan Zehao was confused. They withdrew their soldiers, and they lived their own lives. Why were these two so worried?
He retorted, "So, you two would feel that it's normal if these two countries sent another batch of soldiers to the border?"
The two said in unison, "That would be even more abnormal!"
Zhao Jiaqi watched them like startled birds, with any slight disturbance on the border, they would overthink it.
"Don't overthink it. If these two countries want to bully us because we are independent, they don't have the guts yet. We already have soldiers, and Zongsheng Country is also our ally. If a war were to break out, it's not certain who would win!"
They understood the logic of what Zhao Jiaqi said. The actions of Wei and Xue were almost simultaneous, and they didn't believe the two countries were not in contact!
"Just observe the changes for now. Keep training the soldiers as usual, and pay more attention in private. I guess their actions are not directed at us!"
What his wife said made sense, and Fan Zehao strongly agreed. If it were directed at them, they wouldn't have withdrawn some of their forces!
"Everyone, stop guessing. Keep a close eye on things. This year is not a peaceful year, so be careful!" It is said that caution prevents mistakes!
Since Fan Zehao had spoken, the two of them stopped talking. Regarding this matter, no one knew what would happen next, they just found it very strange!
In the evening, Fan Zehao called Fan Xudong over. The four princes had dinner together and chatted about family matters and future development!
As a result, the three princes all followed the development of the inner city and imitated it, thus avoiding those troublesome matters!
The principle was simple: following Fan Zehao was always right, even if it was wrong, it was right, and they wouldn't suffer any losses. Unintentionally, Fan Zehao had gained two more followers!
After the Qingming Festival, the weather gradually became hotter. It wasn't even July, and the heat was suffocating!
They had ice at home, but they didn't dare to use it!
Following this, reports came from various places that the well water was decreasing, and it was becoming difficult to draw water. However, it hadn't reached the point of widespread panic, as every household had already stored water and ice in advance!
Perhaps due to the scorching weather, the wheat ripened before mid-June, and a new round of harvesting began!
According to the obituary issued by the prince's mansion, the grain planted this year was not allowed to be sold. So, after the rush harvest, they stored it all away. Even if the prince's mansion hadn't issued an obituary, they wouldn't have sold the grain given the weather!
The fields were now empty. Theoretically, corn should be planted now. However, due to the lack of rain and the dwindling well water, and the significant drop in river levels, they dared not use river water. Sea water was still an option, but unfortunately, they were too far from the coast. As the saying goes, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst!
On the ancient streets, there were no people strolling around. The shops were empty, and all the restaurants had closed. Few shops were open now, mostly those selling daily necessities!
Inside the prince's mansion!
The couple were listless, unable to sleep well, and restless. The heat was like endocrine imbalance, making them very irritable!
Then, they encountered locusts!
"Your Highness, Your Highness, locusts have broken out in Zongsheng Country, and I estimate they will fly towards us in a day or two!"
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng's arrival was not to their liking, bringing them such a big surprise and fright!
Zhao Jiaqi, as if in menopause, exploded, her temper completely unleashed!
"Damn it! The drought hasn't passed, and now the locusts are joining the fun. Do they want me to exterminate them before they know how ruthless I am!"
Everyone in the room trembled: "......"
The Princess had an outburst, revealing her terrifying appearance!
Fan Zehao secretly soothed his bristling hair, which was almost standing on end, and said timidly, "Didn't we have a locust infestation a few years ago? We can deal with them just like we did then, why get so angry? Be careful of your health!"
"Care about my health? Every little thing wants to bully me, no way!" Zhao Jiaqi was stubborn, and even twenty oxen couldn't pull her back!
"Someone, mobilize all the soldiers and civilians to fight the locusts. Secondly, the prince's mansion will provide oil. The captured locusts will be fried for free by the prince's mansion. This will save grain, and we will eat meat. The key is that this stuff is very nutritious!"
Everyone in the room fell silent!
Eating bugs is nutritious?
However, locusts were indeed delicious, crispy when fried, and very fragrant!
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng exchanged glances, feeling that the best course of action now was to slip away. With the Princess's volatile mood, she might even want to eat the cicadas chirping happily on the tree branches outside!
Wouldn't that mean they couldn't hear the noise, it would be nutritious, they could eat meat, and it would save grain?
"Your Highness, Your Highness, we withdraw. We will organize the soldiers to fight the locusts now!" Zhang Heng said with cupped hands, immediately thinking of that scene!
Zhao Jiaqi's face turned ashen, but it was better to act sooner rather than later. She nodded immediately, "Go. Lastly, light more straw fires on the border to create smoke, which will help repel the locusts to some extent! But be careful not to start a fire, or I'll twist your heads off and kick them like balls!"
"We will go and arrange it now!"
Zhao Jiaqi, who rarely got so angry, had indeed frightened the two of them, as well as everyone in the room!
The adults were relatively fine, but the younger children opened their fearful eyes and looked at her helplessly!