Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

After Li Shimin and his entourage left the courtyard, the carriage rumbled along the official road of Chang'an.

Li Shimin leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes in deep thought.

Empress Zhangsun sat beside him, holding a bowl of warm ginseng soup in her hands, but she did not drink it, and just quietly looked at her husband.

"Guanyinbi," Li Shimin suddenly opened his eyes, "tell me...have I mistreated Shen Chang'an?"

Empress Zhangsun was slightly taken aback: "Why do you say that, Second Prince?"

"He treated your illness, mine, and our children's illness, but I did not reward him."

Li Shimin counted on his fingers, "He offered me prescriptions for hemostatic powder and wound medicine, but I didn't reward him. Now he's brought out crops like corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes that benefit the country and its people, but I still haven't rewarded him."

He sighed, "I feel uneasy taking his things for nothing."

Empress Zhangsun put down the ginseng soup and said softly, "Your Majesty, didn't Mr. Shen say that he doesn't seek any reward?"

"He may not ask for it, but I cannot refuse to give it to him."

Li Shimin shook his head. "He gave this for the people. If I were to accept it without a clear conscience, what would I become?"

Empress Zhangsun was silent for a moment, then said, "What Erlang said makes sense. However... as Mr. Shen also said before, those crops have not yet been verified."

"If Erlang wants to reward him, we must wait until the planting and harvest are complete, and confirm that the yield per acre is indeed as he claims, before we can reward him. Otherwise, the officials will say that His Majesty's rewards and punishments are unclear."

Li Shimin nodded: "That's what I think too. In three or four months, when the autumn harvest comes, everything will be clear."

"What does Your Majesty intend to reward him with?" Empress Zhangsun asked.

Li Shimin pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Confer a title."

Empress Zhangsun was slightly taken aback: "A title?"

"right."

Li Shimin's gaze was firm. "Such merit deserves a noble title. Saving lives, providing effective medicine, and donating superior seeds—aren't all of these beneficial to the country and its people?"

"If the yield per mu is truly as he claims, saving the lives of all people, then bestowing upon him a noble title is too lenient in my opinion."

"Then... what title should be bestowed?"

"I haven't decided yet," Li Shimin said, leaning against the carriage wall. "We'll discuss it after the officials have discussed it. There are still three or four months; there's no rush."

Empress Zhangsun looked at him and said softly, "Second Prince, Mr. Shen said that he does not want to be an official."

"I know," Li Shimin nodded. "A title is not an official position. Having a title does not mean one will become an official; it merely gives them a title so that the world knows that I have not mistreated those who have rendered meritorious service."

"He can still provide free medical services outside the city, and no one will bother him."

Empress Zhangsun said no more.

Li Shimin lifted the carriage curtain and looked out at the receding fields, already having made up his mind.

……

The following morning, Li Shimin summoned the Minister of Ceremonies and the Vice Minister of Agriculture to the Ganlu Hall.

"I received several new crops yesterday, named corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes."

Li Shimin handed over the planting instructions written by Shen Chang'an, saying, "This is the method of planting. Find a good piece of land in the imperial estate, plant according to this method, take good care of it, and inspect it in the autumn."

The Minister of Ceremonies took the paper, examined it carefully, and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, this yield per mu..."

"I know," Li Shimin raised his hand to interrupt him. "Whether it's true or not, we'll know once it's planted. This matter is of great importance; you must personally oversee it and there must be no mistakes."

"I obey your decree."

The Vice Minister of Agriculture then asked, "Your Majesty, where did these seeds... come from?"

"A reclusive master." Li Shimin didn't explain further. "Just focus on planting; you don't need to ask any other questions."

"Yes."

The two officials accepted the order and left.

Li Shimin wrote another imperial edict and handed it to the eunuch: "Send it to Jishiju and ask Mr. Shen to go to the imperial estate in three days to provide guidance on planting."

"Yes."

……

Three days later, Shen Chang'an arrived at the Imperial Estate as promised.

The imperial estate was located in the eastern suburbs of Chang'an City, covering an area of ​​several hundred acres. It was surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers at the entrance.

This is the royal family's private property, and it is responsible for supplying the palace with grain, vegetables, and livestock on a daily basis.

When Shen Chang'an arrived, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture was already waiting at the door.

"Mr. Shen, I am Zheng Yuanshou, the Junior Minister of Agriculture. I am here by order of His Majesty to request your guidance on planting." Zheng Yuanshou was in his forties, with a thin face and a respectful attitude.

"You're too kind, Lord Zheng," Shen Chang'an returned the greeting.

Zheng Yuanshou led him into the imperial estate, past several rows of granaries and vegetable fields, to a newly turned plot of land.

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The land is about two acres in size, with soft soil, facing southeast and receiving plenty of sunlight.

Ditches have been dug along the edge of the field to bring in fresh water.

"Mr. Shen, His Majesty has instructed that this acre and a half be planted according to your method."

Zheng Yuanshou pointed to the land, "One mu for sweet potatoes, two fen for corn, and three fen for potatoes. Sir, do you think this division is appropriate?"

Shen Chang'an looked at the terrain and nodded: "Okay."

He took out the planting instructions from his pocket and handed them to Zheng Yuanshou: "Lord Zheng, I will dictate them to you. Have someone write them down and follow the steps."

"Please speak, sir."

Shen Chang'an squatted down, picked up a handful of soil, examined it carefully, and then smelled it.

"The soil is good, but a little dry. Water it thoroughly before planting, and wait for the water to seep in before planting."

Zheng Yuanshou quickly called several old farmers forward to start turning the soil and watering it, as instructed by Shen Chang'an.

Shen Chang'an then picked up a sweet potato vine and demonstrated the cutting method to everyone.

"Sweet potatoes are planted using vines. Cut the vines into small sections, leaving three or four nodes on each section, and bury them in the soil, leaving the top leaves exposed. The spacing should be 1.5 feet between rows and 1 foot between plants. After burying, water once, and then water once every three days until roots develop."

As he spoke, he demonstrated it himself.

Several elderly farmers stood around, watching closely and nodding from time to time.

Potatoes are easier to grow.

Shen Chang'an cut the potatoes into small pieces, leaving two or three buds on each piece, buried them in shallow pits, and covered them with three inches of soil.

Corn is sown by digging shallow holes every foot, placing two or three seeds in each hole, covering it with soil and watering it.

"Sir, how long will it take for these corn seedlings to sprout after they've been planted?" an old farmer asked.

"Seven or eight days," Shen Chang'an said. "After the seedlings emerge, pay attention to thinning them out. Leave one strong seedling in each hole and pull out the rest."

The old farmer then asked, "What about the potatoes? How long until they can be harvested?"

"It will take three to four months. Once the stems and leaves above ground turn yellow, you can dig them up."

Shen Chang'an spent most of the day at the imperial estate, explaining every step clearly, from tilling the land to sowing seeds, from watering to fertilizing.

Zheng Yuanshou had people record everything, which filled several pages.

"Lord Zheng," Shen Chang'an instructed before leaving, "these crops are being grown in the Tang Dynasty for the first time, so we have little experience with them. If you encounter any problems, please send someone to ask me."

"Thank you, Mr. Shen," Zheng Yuanshou said, cupping his hands in thanks. "This humble official will certainly do his utmost."

As Shen Chang'an left the imperial estate, he glanced back at the newly turned land.

The sweet potato vines have been buried, the potato tubers have been planted, and the corn seeds lie quietly in the shallow pit.

He silently memorized the location and terrain of the imperial estate.

"Once the seedlings sprout, I'll find an opportunity to cast a spell on them once or twice," Shen Chang'an thought to himself. "Not too much, just a small-scale spell each time, so the guards won't notice."

He shouldered his medicine kit and walked towards the courtyard.

……

In the days that followed, Shen Chang'an resumed his usual routine—free clinics in the morning, consultations in the afternoon, and cultivation at night.

Every few days, Zheng Yuanshou would send someone to ask about planting problems, and Shen Chang'an would answer them one by one.

On the seventh day, the corn sprouted.

Zheng Yuanshou came in person to deliver the good news, saying that the corn seedlings had sprouted up in neat rows, a lush green expanse, and were growing very well.

On the tenth day, the sweet potato vines took root and began to sprout new leaves.

On the twelfth day, the potato sprouts also emerged from the ground.

Everything was proceeding according to Shen Chang'an's plan.

That night, Shen Chang'an changed into black clothes and sneaked out of the royal estate under the cover of darkness.

The imperial estate was surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers at the entrance, but there was a secluded corner in the northeast corner of the wall where the guards' view was blocked by a row of granaries.

Shen Chang'an scanned the area with his divine sense, confirmed that no one was around, and then silently scaled the wall and entered.

He squatted by the sweet potato field, his hands forming a hand seal as he cast the [Spirit Rain Technique].

A light, spiritual rain fell, covering only that small area. The rainwater seeped into the soil, and the spiritual energy nourished each seedling.

He then went to the edge of the cornfield and potato field and did the same thing.

The entire process took less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and the rain stopped. (Land) The water droplets on the leaves sparkled in the moonlight.

Shen Chang'an withdrew his magic, climbed over the wall, and disappeared into the night.

As he spoke, he demonstrated it himself.

Several elderly farmers stood around, watching closely and nodding from time to time.

Potatoes are easier to grow.

Shen Chang'an cut the potatoes into small pieces, leaving two or three buds on each piece, buried them in shallow pits, and covered them with three inches of soil.

Corn is sown by digging shallow holes every foot, placing two or three seeds in each hole, covering it with soil and watering it.

"Sir, how long will it take for these corn seedlings to sprout after they've been planted?" an old farmer asked.

"Seven or eight days," Shen Chang'an said. "After the seedlings emerge, pay attention to thinning them out. Leave one strong seedling in each hole and pull out the rest."

The old farmer then asked, "What about the potatoes? How long until they can be harvested?"

"It will take three to four months. Once the stems and leaves above ground turn yellow, you can dig them up."

Shen Chang'an spent most of the day at the imperial estate, explaining every step clearly, from tilling the land to sowing seeds, from watering to fertilizing.

Zheng Yuanshou had people record everything, which filled several pages.

"Lord Zheng," Shen Chang'an instructed before leaving, "these crops are being grown in the Tang Dynasty for the first time, so we have little experience with them. If you encounter any problems, please send someone to ask me."

"Thank you, Mr. Shen," Zheng Yuanshou said, cupping his hands in thanks. "This humble official will certainly do his utmost."

As Shen Chang'an left the imperial estate, he glanced back at the newly turned land.

The sweet potato vines have been buried, the potato tubers have been planted, and the corn seeds lie quietly in the shallow pit.

He silently memorized the location and terrain of the imperial estate.

"Once the seedlings sprout, I'll find an opportunity to cast a spell on them once or twice," Shen Chang'an thought to himself. "Not too much, just a small-scale spell each time, so the guards won't notice."

He shouldered his medicine kit and walked towards the courtyard.

……

In the days that followed, Shen Chang'an resumed his usual routine—free clinics in the morning, consultations in the afternoon, and cultivation at night.

Every few days, Zheng Yuanshou would send someone to ask about planting problems, and Shen Chang'an would answer them one by one.

On the seventh day, the corn sprouted.

Zheng Yuanshou came in person to deliver the good news, saying that the corn seedlings had sprouted up in neat rows, a lush green expanse, and were growing very well.

On the tenth day, the sweet potato vines took root and began to sprout new leaves.

On the twelfth day, the potato sprouts also emerged from the ground.

Everything was proceeding according to Shen Chang'an's plan.

That night, Shen Chang'an changed into black clothes and sneaked out of the royal estate under the cover of darkness.

The imperial estate was surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers at the entrance, but there was a secluded corner in the northeast corner of the wall where the guards' view was blocked by a row of granaries.

Shen Chang'an scanned the area with his divine sense, confirmed that no one was around, and then silently scaled the wall and entered.

He squatted by the sweet potato field, his hands forming a hand seal as he cast the [Spirit Rain Technique].

A light, spiritual rain fell, covering only that small area. The rainwater seeped into the soil, and the spiritual energy nourished each seedling.

He then went to the edge of the cornfield and potato field and did the same thing.

The entire process took less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and the rain stopped. (Land) The water droplets on the leaves sparkled in the moonlight.

Shen Chang'an withdrew his magic, climbed over the wall, and disappeared into the night.