Chapter 238.1 - I Became the Legendary Emperor Throughout the Ages After I Started Giving Away My Territory

After enduring the once-in-a-century Ice Disaster, the invasion of Great Xia, and the chaos of the nine Khan’s tombs, the national power of Great Luo had already been greatly diminished.

He had hoped to recover his losses with this year’s autumn harvest.

But unexpectedly, they were hit by a locust plague and drought, destroying all the crops.

Without grain, what would Great Luo do?

How would the people of Great Luo survive?

He couldn’t help but gaze into the sky, feeling really lost.

Since ascending the throne, he had always prioritized the nation and its people, working diligently without a moment’s negligence.

He had never done anything to incur the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people.

Yet why was fate treating him so harshly?

What mistake had he made?

Just then, an official rushed in.

“Report to Your Majesty, a large number of Great Luo’s people are taking their families and fleeing to Great Xia!”

“Let them go, no need to bother!”

Great Luo Emperor waved his hand listlessly.

In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for people from Great Luo to go to Great Xia to make a living.

However, those who left were mostly vagrants or beggars. Common people with homes and fields didn’t leave, so he didn’t care much.

The departure of these homeless people could even be seen as a good thing for Great Luo, reducing management costs.

“Your Majesty, we can’t ignore it this time!”

The official continued urgently, “At least ten million people are leaving this time!”

“What? Ten million people?!” Great Luo Emperor was shocked.

You see, the total population of Great Luo was only 18 million, barely meeting the Dynasty standard.

With over 10 million leaving, that was half the population gone!

With half the nation gone, not only was the national power greatly damaged, but the country was practically paralyzed!

“Really? Ten million have left?” Great Luo Emperor asked again.

“Your Majesty, it’s absolutely true, your humble servant would not dare to deceive you!”

“Why do they want to leave?” Great Luo Emperor asked further.

The minister’s face was grave, “Your Majesty, it’s because of the locust plague and drought. Great Luo has run out of grain!”

Great Luo Emperor nodded blankly, “Yes, with no grain, of course, they leave!”

He understood perfectly well. How could they stay and starve?

Without life, there’s nothing left!

However, he could not let the common people leave.

Because if they really left, Great Luo would truly be finished!

“Immediately stop them for me. Not one is allowed to leave!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Thus, the gateway to Great Xia was sealed off by heavy troops, and no one was permitted to cross the border.

The common people were extremely agitated.

“Why? Why can’t we go?”

“We can’t survive here. What’s wrong with going to Great Xia to make a living?”

“You can’t restrict our freedom!”

Physical confrontations even broke out between the two sides.

Just then, the Great Luo Emperor hurried over and quickly raised his voice to calm everyone upon seeing the situation.

“My people, please do not be hasty. Listen to me first!”

Under his soothing words, the common people gradually quieted down.

“My Great Luo common people, let me ask you, how have I treated you over the years? Have I ever let you down?” the Great Luo Emperor loudly proclaimed.

The common people looked at each other.

At that moment, an elderly man who appeared to be cultured stepped forward, bowed to the Great Luo Emperor, and said, “Your Majesty, we have seen all that you have done over the years!”

“Ever since Your Majesty ascended to the throne, you have vanquished strong enemies abroad, punished corrupt officials at home, allowed the people to recuperate, and encouraged production! Under your wise leadership, our lives have been getting better and better, you are a rare and good sovereign!”

Everyone began to echo in agreement.

“Yes, Your Majesty is a good Emperor!”

“Indeed, our lives have really improved under your wise leadership!”

“Your wisdom and valor make you a truly enlightened monarch!”

“If that is the case… why do you still want to leave?”

The Great Luo Emperor said with heartfelt pain, “I have treated you with such sincerity, why would you abandon me?”

The common people looked at each other again, some in silence.

It was the same elder who, with a pained expression, cried out, “Your Majesty, we have no choice but to leave. There will be no way out for us if we don’t! You know as well that we have experienced a drought and locust plague that comes once every fifty years, and we can’t grow any crops in the fields! And the few crops we do manage to grow are destroyed by the locusts! Without grain… how are we to live?”

His words once again resonated with the common people.

“Yes, if we don’t leave, we really can’t survive!”

“Without grain, what are we supposed to eat and drink?”

“We can’t just wait around to die, can we? Trees die when moved, but people must move to find a way to survive!”

“All we want is to find food to eat, is that so wrong?”

“I am aware of your difficulties! To tell you the truth, my heart aches just like yours!”

The Great Luo Emperor spoke with deep emotion, “To solve the locust plague, I have tried all sorts of methods, but as you all have seen, they have been in vain! Watching the locusts devour the crops, my heart aches terribly. I wish I could take their place and let them feed on my own flesh and blood instead, sparing those grains!”

After hearing this, the common people were all moved to tears.

In fact, during this locust plague, their Emperor had indeed performed admirably.

He sought poison from the Taoist Sect to kill the locusts.

When the poison proved ineffective, he then led the soldiers to exterminate the locusts themselves.

Day and night, tirelessly battling the locusts for over half a month.

Although in the end, they were on the verge of success but met with failure, the determination and effort shown have already moved the people to tears.

Who in the world, which Emperor has ever gone to such lengths?

“My fellow people, my family!”

The Great Luo Emperor spoke with heartfelt emotion: “Although we have lost to the locust plague this time, our fighting spirit has not been defeated! We have already faced so many hardships, and we will surely overcome this one as well!”

“So, everyone, please stay. Let us join hands and get through these tough times together!”

“If you are loyal to me, I will surely be loyal to you!”

After hearing this, many of the common people were truly moved and decided to stay.

***