218: Chapter 131, the Struggle of the Prefectural Governor_1 218: Chapter 131, the Struggle of the Prefectural Governor_1 In the heart of the capital, the captured Insect King was not immediately put to work causing havoc; it was instead secretly bred in captivity.

The timing was not right, with summer soon coming to an end.

It was clearly not a good time to cause a locust plague.

Keeping it for a year to become strong and healthy would surely result in a much better outcome when it was finally released.

However, it was slightly cruel for the Insect King.

As a captive, the upcoming year would be spent in the wizards’ laboratory.

Many methods exist to artificially mature magical beasts, most of which have side effects.

For Contracted Magic Beasts, such drastic measures couldn’t be used at all.

Using them on the Insect King, however, was a different matter.

The journey from being an Insect King to becoming an Insect Emperor was long, and the success rate was pitifully low.

Most Insect Kings were dead before they could become mighty.

With humans, the Insect Kings’ greatest enemies, achieving promotions is impossible without obstacles.

Under Caesar III’s specific instructions to trouble the enemy as much as possible, the unfortunate Insect Kings enjoyed special treatment.

All sorts of methods to mature magical beasts were continuously tried on them.

The mages were extremely imaginative in their endeavors to breed stronger Insect Kings.

Although the methods were somewhat ruthless, Alpha Kingdom had no better choices.

If the enemy isn’t severely damaged and only they alone bear the losses, the gap between the two sides would only widen over time.

The enemy started the fire.

If someone dares to target Alpha Kingdom so brazenly, Caesar III certainly wouldn’t mind retaliating in kind.

A plan remains a plan, and reality was still the first thing to be faced.

Looking at the loss report in his hand, Caesar III felt a headache coming on.

Under the influence of the locust plague, several major southern grain-producing provinces either experienced a dramatic decline in production or complete crop failure.

The losses resulting from this were astronomical.

Without a second thought, it was obvious that this year’s taxation from these provinces is unthinkable.

At this critical juncture, the boss couldn’t add fuel to the fire of his underlings.

Even if finances were tight, overfishing was not an option.

Not only was the tax revenue gone, but the grain meant to support the northern front would also significantly decrease.

The only consolation was that aside from a few thick-skinned individuals, most of the Noble Lords didn’t reach out to the kingdom for help.

It proved that these underlings were capable of managing their households frugally.

Even facing such a celestial disaster, they could make ends meet.

Under these circumstances, the plea for aid from the Northern aristocracy of the Wharton and Layton provinces was exceedingly conspicuous.

Reality once again proved that it was unwise to offend a direct superior.

Normally, such nutrition-less pleas for help would be intercepted by the Governor’s Mansion and then reported after being artistically processed.

This time the situation was unusual.

Earl Piers, who wanted to make life difficult for them, didn’t organize, refine, and artistically process the pleas for help at all.

He directly forwarded them to the capital.

Falling into Caesar III’s sight, disdain naturally surged.

When they were stationed on the northern border and faced the threat of the Orcs, their constant pleas could be reluctantly tolerated.

But the current circumstance was different.

They were enjoying privileges in the South, yet still causing trouble.

Compared to the performance of other affected nobles, their behavior was downright disgraceful.

It could only be said that Caesar III found them unsightly, and whatever they did would be seen as annoying.

The best choice was to not appear at all.

As long as they showed up, it’s a nuisance.

“Let the provinces handle the disaster as they see fit!”

Caesar III spoke with a stoic expression.

As a king, decisions couldn’t be made just based on personal preferences.

Nevertheless, the disgusting spectacle replayed in his mind, further enhancing Caesar III’s dislike for the Northern Nobles.

This contradiction was inevitable.

Regardless of their ancestor’s feud, anyone would struggle to like a ban of individuals constantly requesting money, grain, and supplies without seeing any return.

An insignificant episode, to a king dealing with myriad affairs every day, held no importance at all.

A group of minor nobles pleading for help was also not a big deal to the noblemen and ministers.

Even if the families of these individuals interceded on their behalf, it was still not enough to overturn the king’s decision.

The most critical point was that the phrase “handle as they see fit” could be understood in various ways, making it impossible to find any flaws.

If the situation was not handled well, it would surely be the fault of the governor for not interpreting the king’s intentions correctly.

It was definitely not because the great king didn’t arrange things properly.

“Your Majesty, how should those who captured Insect King be rewarded?”

Duke Newfoundland asked.

It was evident that appeasing these heroes was more critical to the chancellor than dealing with a group of minor nobles pleading for help.

After all, those who could capture the Insect King are the top experts in the kingdom, representing the highest combat power of the southern provinces.

“They are pillars of the kingdom, mundane wealth will hardly move them.

Open up some precious resources and let them exchange.

If they have other requests, as long as it’s not too excessive, we can negotiate.

Let the governors in each area do a good job of communicating and appeasing, don’t make a joke.”

Caesar III mused.

In dealing with powerful individuals, all countries on the continent are always striving to unite.

No kingdom ever complains about having too many experts.

One or two experts might not be significant to a kingdom.

But when the number increased to dozens or even hundreds, they could influence the rise and fall of a kingdom.