Chapter 21: Li Shimin's Hope

The prince’s compassion for the common people truly moves me. How could I possibly refuse? I still have several hundred pounds of rice seeds left. If Your Highness trusts me and does not fear my words to be empty, I could bring them back to Chang’an as well, find a place with abundant water to sow them. Once the harvest comes in a few months, we can spread it across the country. I believe, within a few years, there will be no hunger in the Tang Empire.” Du Chengfeng spoke with righteous fervor.

He cared little about the rice seeds themselves; what mattered was that, once rice was cultivated nationwide, everyone would be grateful to Du Chengfeng, the man who contributed the seeds. This would surely bring him a surge of reputation—this was the maximization of benefit.

Calculating in his heart, Du Chengfeng had no idea that beside him, Li Xiaogong was already moved to tears of joy. His impulsive visit to Du Family Village had unexpectedly yielded several hundred pounds of rice seeds to bring back—a blessing that came so suddenly, it was almost unbelievable.

Li Xiaogong, finally satisfied, departed with the high-yield rice seeds. To ensure nothing went awry, he specially dispatched several hundred elite soldiers to escort the seeds back to Chang’an, a level of importance that Du Chengfeng found ridiculous.

It’s just a few hundred pounds of ordinary rice seeds—must they act as if going to war? But thinking further, he understood; once Emperor Taizong learned of this, he would likely be even more frantic.

Taizong had ascended the throne after killing his brother—a fact that had caused much criticism among the people, who believed he used improper means. This had become his lingering anxiety.

Now, with something that benefitted all the people, it would be crucial in calming public sentiment and stabilizing the realm. The Tang Dynasty was newly founded, the lands barren, the people impoverished—the greatest need was food. With abundant grain, the people would be content.

To ensure the people were well-fed and clothed was Taizong’s foremost task upon ascending the throne. Once the people’s needs were met, their hearts would settle, and so would his rule. Thus, the importance of this rice was obvious.

In Ganlu Hall, Taizong paced restlessly, hands clasped behind his back, excited and anxious. Li Xiaogong had sent an urgent secret missive, reporting the discovery of a high-yielding rice that could produce over ten shi per acre, and that several hundred pounds of seeds were being escorted to Chang’an.

Upon hearing this, Taizong nearly leapt from his dragon throne, hurriedly ending the morning court and ordering the Imperial Cavalry to constantly check on the escort’s whereabouts.

“Wang Yu, how much longer until the escort arrives in the capital?” Taizong anxiously grabbed the shoulder of the Imperial Cavalry commander.

“Your Majesty, it will arrive within half an hour,” Wang Yu replied patiently. The emperor had already asked seven or eight times within this hour; no one knew what Li Xiaogong was escorting that made His Majesty so eager.

“Your Majesty, you’ve asked nearly ten times now,” Empress Zhangsun soothed from the side.

“Guanyin, I am anxious!” Taizong grew even more restless.

“All right, all right, it’s just half an hour. For the sake of the people, what’s a little more patience?” Empress Zhangsun gently encouraged him.

“You’re right, Guanyin. I am the Son of Heaven—I must remain composed.” With her reassurance, Taizong finally calmed himself.

Indeed, before half an hour had passed, the voice of the Imperial Guards was heard outside the hall.

“Report, Your Majesty! Li Xiaogong, Prince of Hejian, requests audience outside the hall.”

No sooner had the announcement finished than Taizong rushed out, excited. Outside Ganlu Hall, Li Xiaogong waited for the emperor’s summons, looking up just as the emperor hurried out, grasped his hand tightly, and said, “Elder brother, at last you’ve returned! Quick, take me to see those seeds!”

Li Xiaogong was speechless, thinking: the emperor’s urgency was even more undignified than when he himself first saw Du Chengfeng.

“Your Majesty, the seeds are here, just outside the hall,” Li Xiaogong saluted, then signaled to the soldiers behind him.

At his gesture, the soldiers swiftly carried the rice seeds from Du Chengfeng and laid them before Taizong.

Impatiently, Taizong untied the sacks, scooped up a handful of seeds, and examined them closely. “Elder brother, look—these rice grains are full and long, quite different from those in the south!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. If it truly yields over ten shi per acre, it is indeed Heaven’s blessing upon Tang!” Li Xiaogong exclaimed again.

“Indeed. By the way, did the young man who contributed the seeds ask for anything?” Taizong inquired.

“Your Majesty, that is precisely what I wish to report.” Hearing Taizong mention Du Chengfeng, Li Xiaogong grew animated, meeting the emperor’s gaze and said, “Your Majesty, this Du Chengfeng is just eighteen, an orphan, but in my view, a dragon among men—a rare genius. Not only is his calligraphy excellent and his literary talent outstanding, but his character is remarkable. When he met me, he neither knelt nor bowed, unyielding yet unassuming, calm and detached, proud but not arrogant. He offered the seeds without seeking credit—a rare quality, one that ordinary men could not achieve.”

“Moreover, the famed Immortal Wine in Chang’an also comes from his hand. The rice cultivation techniques were personally instructed by this youth, and compared to the methods used in the south, his are far superior.” Li Xiaogong added.

Li Xiaogong’s account left Taizong astonished—a youth so extraordinary existed in this world? Taizong felt a strong urge to meet this remarkable young man.

Nonetheless, merit must be rewarded. Du Chengfeng had offered high-yield rice seeds; Taizong intended to grant him the title of County Baron—not for any other reason, but simply for this contribution.

Yet, thinking of the old conservatives in court, Taizong felt a headache. The yield of over ten shi per acre seemed almost fantastical—how could he convince them?

Forget it; once the rice matures, facts will speak for themselves, and those stubborn elders will have no grounds for objection.

Taizong put down the seeds, turned, and returned to Ganlu Hall, with Li Xiaogong following closely behind.

Seated in the hall, Taizong regained his majestic demeanor, swept his robe and commanded, “Someone, issue an edict!”

The awaiting eunuch hurried forward, bowing.

Considering the importance of the rice, Taizong spoke solemnly: “Immediately open up a plot for rice cultivation in the royal estate, arrange for rice planting at once. Within one hundred paces of the rice field, station the Imperial Guards day and night. Any attempt to sabotage shall be punished by death!”

He then looked at Li Xiaogong, still standing below. “Elder brother, I entrust this task to your complete authority.”

Li Xiaogong, overjoyed, knelt and replied, “As you command, Your Majesty. Rest assured, I will spare no effort.”

“Withdraw for now. When the rice matures, I will reward all those who contributed. Furthermore, all personnel aware of this matter are to be strictly ordered to maintain absolute secrecy. Understood?”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”