Confiscating property? A stunningly beautiful substitute bride empties the national treasury and is

"You, the one who started this, are trying to shift the blame? It's all your fault. You disturbed my peaceful sleep. Get out!"

Song Qingqian pouted and angrily tried to push him away. It was all her fault for lacking self-control and being blinded by his good looks, which led her to act so ridiculously...

"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. Next time... next time when the opportunity arises, I will definitely satisfy my wife."

Lu Jingchuan smiled, raised his hand to pinch her chin, gave her a light kiss, and spoke with utmost seriousness:

"Qianqian, your husband loves you very much. You are the only one in his heart and eyes. Do you understand?"

"Qianqian, I, Lu Jingchuan, swear that I will never betray you in my entire life..."

Song Qingqian quickly covered his muttering mouth and whispered, "Go to sleep!"

With a beauty in his arms, Lu Jingchuan was restless and unable to fall asleep. However, to cooperate with Song Qingqian, he closed his eyes.

Before dawn, Yan Sang was already guarding the door. When Lu Jingchuan came out, he was stunned for a moment when he saw him.

Knowing that Song Qingqian could cure his granddaughter's leg, Yan Zishan deliberately delayed his departure by an hour.

The closer they got to the city, the more desolate it became. In an hour and a half, Song Qingqian caught two large bags of locusts.

The people inside the carriage frowned deeply as they looked at the overflowing contents.

Xuan Yuanxue leaned closer and whispered, "Sister Qian, what are you doing grabbing this thing? It looks kind of creepy."

"For medicinal herbs! It used to be quite difficult to get these things, but now that they're readily available, we should definitely stock up on more."

Xuan Yuanxue suddenly realized.

After noon, led by Yan Zishan, the exiles entered the city in a grand procession and then split into two groups.

Hu Dou led the exiled group to find a post station to stay in, while Sun Wuyin accompanied Lu Jingchuan and Song Qingqian, heading straight to the government office under Yan Zishan's guidance.

After explaining the situation, Magistrate Du led several people directly to the residence where the official Yang Lang was temporarily staying.

Yang Lang hadn't taken it seriously at first, but when he saw that the person who came was Lu Jingchuan, he immediately perked up, his eyes flashing with shrewdness.

"Oh, it's Lu Sanlang! What a coincidence!"

"Please sit here! It is truly an honor for me to meet Lu Sanlang here."

"With Lu Sanlang here, this locust plague will definitely not be a problem..."

Song Qingqian looked at the sycophantic Yang Lang with utter contempt. Last night, Lu Jingchuan had already introduced Yang Lang to her as a colleague of the Prime Minister. Perhaps he had been dragging this out for so long just to wait for Lu Jingchuan. Could it be that every step they took was calculated?

"This must be Lu Sanlang's wife. She is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say."

"You two will stay at the manor for the next few days. Once this locust plague is completely resolved, I will definitely return to report to the Emperor. Perhaps then you won't have to suffer in exile..."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Yang, but our status is not suitable, so it would be more appropriate for us to stay at the post station."

Song Qingqian nodded and smiled faintly, declining the offer.

“The post station is too far away and it is really a waste of time. Since this place is not suitable, let Lord Du find a courtyard outside the government office for you to stay temporarily.”

"That!"

Song Qingqian didn't insist. Sun Wuyin had been winking at her many times, so he probably couldn't wait to stay here and get along with this scoundrel.

After lunch, Yan Zishan left. Song Qingqian noticed that the steward had slipped him a stack of silver notes, which she estimated to be at least two hundred taels. The two of them whispered to each other for a long time.

After Yang Lang had eaten and drunk his fill, he summoned dancers to perform their talents, which he then leisurely enjoyed.

Song Qingqian was stunned, finding it hard to believe that such a decadent lifestyle could exist in a place teeming with locusts.

After a long pause, Yang Lang slowly asked:

“Lu Sanlang, do you two have any methods to deal with these locusts? Tell us and we’ll discuss it together. If it’s feasible, we might as well give it a try.”

Song Qingqian spoke frankly and seriously: "Lord Yang, this locust plague has dragged on for so long. We should act decisively and decisively. We can do it today!"

"Firstly, the conventional methods of hunting and burying animals are too cumbersome and labor-intensive. We need to use lighter alternatives to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Secondly, regarding the spraying of medicine, I am skilled in medicine, and without harming the people or fertile fields, I personally prepare the medicine for the officers and soldiers to spray.

Thirdly, purchasing large quantities of chickens and ducks…

Before Song Qingqian could finish her suggestion, Yang Lang spoke up: "Since Madam Lu has such a good idea, I will entrust this task to you two."

"As for manpower, just contact Lord Du. He will be fully cooperative. I just ate a bit too much and I'm tired. I need to take a short rest!"

Lord Du quickly smiled obsequiously and nodded respectfully: "Yes, yes, yes, I will cooperate fully!"

Song Qingqian's face instantly turned cold, feeling as if she had punched a cotton ball; it seemed that whatever she said was completely unimportant...

This corrupt official came here to enjoy himself. The whole locust plague control thing was just a pretext. Who could be as carefree as him? Luxurious mansions, extravagant feasts, and a harem of beautiful women…

Seeing Song Qingqian gritting her teeth, Lu Jingchuan quickly reached out and grasped her hand, smiling reassuringly before speaking to Yang Lang:

"Then we won't disturb you any longer, sir. My wife and I will do our utmost to combat this locust plague!"

"Haha, you're too kind, Lu Sanlang. There's no rush to leave. You two can chat at your leisure. I won't keep you company any longer!"

As Yang Lang spoke, he got up to leave, and Sun Wuyin hurriedly went up to him like a dog to help him up, and the two of them left.

"Hey!"

Lord Du sighed repeatedly, "Please forgive my poor appearance!"

"Is he like this every day?"

Song Qingqian pressed for an answer.

Lord Du nodded: "It's like this every day. Before, I saw that the people were displaced and I distributed porridge to them in the city every day. But now that the imperial envoy has arrived, the government office is almost empty."

"I am but a humble official with little influence, and I am truly helpless."

"General, God of War, we beg you and your wife to save the people of this city. This humble official entrusts them to you..."

Lu Jingchuan quickly helped him up, and said with a stern face, "Lord Du, please get up. My wife and I are just passing by, and we certainly won't stand idly by. We will help with this locust plague."

"Thank you!"

Lord Du said gratefully, "There is a vacant courtyard behind the government office. If the general and his wife don't mind, please bring your family to stay here for the next few days. There are soldiers guarding the entrance and exit, so it's absolutely safe!"

"Row!"

Back in the courtyard, Song Qingqian said to Lord Du, "Sir, there's no time to lose. I need to go to the street later to buy some materials. Lord Du, just arrange a carriage for me; I don't need anyone to come with me."

"Alright, Madam, please take this and use it first!"

After speaking, Lord Du took out one hundred taels of silver from his robe and handed it to Song Qingqian, explaining:

“I am ashamed to say this, Madam. This is the most silver I can offer. Please take it and see what you need to buy.”

Song Qingqian nodded as she looked at the loose silver coins. With her current status, accepting them would indeed make things much more convenient.

"Husband, you go and fetch your mother and the others back to the courtyard. I'll leave later."

"Then please be careful!"

Lu Jingchuan actually wanted to go with her, but he had other important matters to attend to, so he had no choice but to leave first.