The dark soil was turned over, and a shovel unearthed clusters of round, yellow objects.
Gu Yuanbai’s eyes slowly widened in disbelief as he looked at the potatoes.
Xue Yuan, beside him, exclaimed in amazement, “Your Majesty, although the potatoes didn’t survive, these sweet potatoes look quite good.”
Gu Yuanbai: “…Mmm.”
The seedlings of potatoes and sweet potatoes look different when they grow above ground. Gu Yuanbai had seen both crops before. However, he had been in Great Heng for fourteen years, and his modern memories were so distant that he could no longer distinguish the differences between the seedlings of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
He clearly remembered planting potatoes on the south side and sweet potatoes on the north side. Why were they different now? Did he mix up the seeds of these two high-yield crops?
Or did the farmers mix them up?
Gu Yuanbai looked into the cornfield, where plump ears of corn were wrapped in green leaves, exuding a delicious fragrance. The corn was still correct, which gave Gu Yuanbai some comfort. The awkward thing was that for the past four months, he had thought the potato seeds were dead, and those around him had believed the same. A few days ago, Gu Yuanbai had been contemplating how to quickly promote the planting methods of sweet potatoes and corn nationwide. He had even planned to enjoy roasted sweet potatoes, dried sweet potatoes, sweet potato cakes, sticky rice balls, and sesame balls… He also wanted to have sweet potatoes made into sweet potato starch. But now, it turned out that what had grown were the potatoes he had given up hope on.
Sweet potatoes yield slightly better than potatoes, but when it comes to making a variety of delicious dishes, potatoes still have the upper hand.
Unprepared and caught off guard, Gu Yuanbai could only stare blankly at the field full of potatoes.
Xue Yuan kept talking, “Your Majesty, look at the size of these sweet potatoes; they’re really big.”
“…” Gu Yuanbai paused for a moment and said softly, “Yes.”
The farmers had never seen potatoes or sweet potatoes. To prevent these crops from looking different in the future and to maintain secrecy, Gu Yuanbai hadn’t described their mature appearance to the farmers, nor had he told them what they were.
Now, probably everyone except Gu Yuanbai thought these potatoes were sweet potatoes.
The chancellor standing behind him stared at the field without blinking, stammering, “Your Majesty, just this one patch of sweet potatoes yields about two or three shi… If the yield per mu is like this, wouldn’t it reach several dozen shi per mu?”
Everyone around gasped.
The noise started, and a few ministers who had come to see the new crops with Gu Yuanbai began discussing in small groups, their eyes fixed on the potatoes, repeatedly referring to them as “sweet potatoes,” wondering how they tasted and whether they were filling. Some even wondered if they could be eaten raw like fruit after washing off the dirt.
Gu Yuanbai rubbed his temples and instructed people to pick up dozens of potatoes. He forced a smile and asked the ministers behind him, “Do you all want to know how to eat these… sweet potatoes?”
The ministers bowed respectfully, unable to contain their curiosity. “Your Majesty, we apologize for our rudeness.”
“Tian Fusheng, send some sweet potatoes to the imperial kitchen,” Gu Yuanbai took a deep breath and said gently, “Tell the kitchen staff to be careful. If the sweet potatoes turn green or sprout, be sure to remove those parts before eating. The skin of the sweet potatoes needs to be peeled. They can be used for cooking, making soup, or as a substitute for wheat to make cakes. I’ll give you a few recipes, and you can have the kitchen prepare them accordingly…”
After he finished speaking, he felt melancholic. The name “potato” was now gone, and from now on, spicy shredded potatoes would become spicy shredded sweet potatoes.
Tian Fusheng carefully noted every word, “I’ll prepare it right away.”
Xue Yuan listened intently, “Your Majesty, are sweet potatoes tasty?”
Gu Yuanbai turned to look at him and nodded affirmatively, “They’re very delicious, whether used in vegetarian dishes or with meat. They’re excellent for the table.” He thought for a moment and then added with a calm face, “They’re no worse than potatoes.”
“Then I’m fortunate,” Xue Yuan laughed, “and so are the people of the world.”
The field was full of potatoes, close to each other, easily evoking a sense of harvest joy. Gu Yuanbai led the group past the potato field and to the cornfield.
The corn had already been picked and piled high on the ground. Gu Yuanbai reached out and took one from the top, personally peeling off the husk. As the golden corn was exposed, everyone was stunned, staring at the beautiful fruit that looked like it was made of jade.
“This, I call it corn,” Gu Yuanbai gently pulled off the corn silk from the top, revealing the golden and slightly white-tipped corn kernels, “It’s soft, glutinous, and sweet. Whether roasted, fried, steamed, or boiled, it’s all delicious. The kernels can be used in dishes or as a substitute for millet. It has many uses. Someone, take some to the imperial kitchen for steaming, so the ministers can taste it.”
The ministers thanked him, and Gu Yuanbai smiled, “Compared to the taste of these two things, what I care more about is their yield per mu. These seeds from foreign lands are too few, not even enough for one mu of land. But as you have all seen, even with less than a hundred seeds, the yield is considerable.”
The ministers looked back and saw small hills of corn and “sweet potatoes” piled on either side.
If the yield per mu were like this, it would be much higher than millet! Even if the taste of “sweet potatoes” and corn wasn’t great, as long as they weren’t poisonous, they were good. The only question was whether they were filling and whether they were easy to cultivate.
The ministers had many thoughts, but their joy and excitement outweighed their concerns. With the emperor’s permission, they cautiously touched the corn and “sweet potatoes,” acting as if they were handling their newborn grandchildren, full of both love and fear of breaking them.
After a while, Tian Fusheng came to invite the emperor to dine. Gu Yuanbai inquired and found that the corn had already been steamed. He decided to have the steamed corn served first.
The steamed corn was even more plump and beautiful after absorbing water. Steam swirled through the gaps in the kernels. Steamed corn was sweeter and more fragrant than boiled corn. As soon as it was placed in front of them, the sweet and familiar aroma wafted to their noses, making Gu Yuanbai’s brow relax.
After the emperor took a bite, the others cautiously tasted the corn. As soon as the sweet flavor touched their tongues, their eyes widened in surprise.
The kernels burst under their teeth, releasing a juice that was sweet but not cloying, making for an exceptionally delicious taste. It was unexpected that such a high-yield crop could taste so good.
Everyone’s anticipation for the taste of the upcoming “sweet potatoes” grew even stronger.
When the meal was served, they tasted it and their eyes lit up.
Some of the older ministers, with poor teeth, couldn’t enjoy the corn. Gu Yuanbai specially instructed that their potatoes be stewed until soft and tender, locking the juices inside, making it even more delicious than plain stewed meat.
The meal was enjoyed by all, and as the ministers were about to leave, some of the older ministers secretly asked the emperor if they could have some “sweet potatoes.”
Gu Yuanbai smiled and shook his head, “These are all for next year’s seeds. You will be able to eat these next year.”
After that day, the senior ministers remembered the names corn and sweet potato. Even before these two crops were officially distributed, the news about them spread, and people eagerly awaited the spring planting season.
***
After winter, spring slowly arrived.
In February of that year, the court’s sweet potato and corn seeds were transported to various regions by land and water. The seeds were scarce this year, and local officials were desperate to obtain more. About 80% of the memorials sent to the capital were complaints about the insufficient quantity of seeds. But there was no choice; the total amount was limited.
In September of the same year, the per mu yield of sweet potatoes and corn shocked the people of Great Heng.
More and more people regarded them as foods bestowed upon the emperor by the gods, believing that the emperor’s love for the country and the people, his diligence and benevolence, had brought prosperity and order to Great Heng.
People erected longevity plaques, and the temples were frequented by the populace. They offered sincere prayers for the emperor’s long life.
As more people were able to eat their fill, the common people were filled with gratitude. They wanted to thank the emperor for ensuring they had enough to eat, but they didn’t know how. So, they prayed to the Buddha and the gods for the emperor’s health and long life, believing that as long as the emperor lived, the prosperity would continue.
***
On the Lantern Festival, Gu Yuanbai and Xue Yuan quietly left the palace.
Amidst the crowd, they walked together. Time seemed to have left no mark on Gu Yuanbai’s face. Xue Yuan, looking at him, occasionally showed a complex expression.
Gu Yuanbai’s smiles and frowns still sparkled like starlight. The lanterns paled in comparison, and the greenery seemed to exist merely as a backdrop.
He grew more serene and graceful with time, but Xue Yuan, two years his senior, had begun to feel the harshness of time.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Gu Yuanbai looked up at him with a smile, teasing, “Fool.”
Xue Yuan couldn’t help but lift a hand to brush a lock of hair from Gu Yuanbai’s temple. The silky strands slipped through his fingers, and Xue Yuan’s expression flickered before he finally said, “I left something in Rilian’s territory in the northern border.”
Gu Yuanbai was curious, “What is it?”
Xue Yuan shook his head and took his hand, “You’ll know when you find it.”
Gu Yuanbai smiled and walked with him in the shadows of the lanterns.
Xue Yuan, dressed in a black robe, had an increasingly imposing presence over the years. When he was by Gu Yuanbai’s side, it felt like a stern elder accompanying his beloved treasure.
Gu Yuanbai thought of this and smiled even more. He looked at Xue Yuan. The world undoubtedly favored Xue Yuan; even with deep lines of severity on his brow, he remained handsome and upright. Time had brought him not only age but a depth of character.
The scent of strong tea and the gleam of a treasured sword, the essence of his character was enduring and needed no embellishment.
Gu Yuanbai checked the time and calculated the hours.
As they reached the bridge, hundreds of sky lanterns suddenly rose from all over the capital. The warm yellow lights turned into a scattered Milky Way in an instant.
Cheers and exclamations of surprise erupted from below the bridge as everyone looked up at the bright sky lanterns, the myriad stars forming a scene deeply imprinted in their memories.
Xue Yuan also looked up at the lanterns in surprise. Gu Yuanbai suddenly coughed. Xue Yuan immediately lowered his head, anxiously looking at him.
Gu Yuanbai’s lips curved into a joyful smile, and he turned back with a smile, saying, “What a night, to meet such a fine person.”
Xue Yuan froze, his eyes only on Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai raised his hand and gently touched Xue Yuan’s forehead, “The north wind is cold, the snow is heavy. You care for me so much, let’s walk together hand in hand.”
The north wind was cold, the snow fell heavily. Thank you for placing so much affection on me; I am willing to walk with you hand in hand.
Gu Yuanbai knew Xue Yuan had been waiting for this sentence for a long time.
And they had been together for fifteen years.
Time moved slowly, but looking back, it seemed incredibly fast. The past fifteen years had been filled mostly with joyful memories.
If not for Xue Yuan’s ever-growing love each year, Gu Yuanbai’s suspicious nature would not have believed that such intense and pure love, such unwavering commitment, could exist.
He smiled and urged, “Say something.”
Xue Yuan felt stiff, the rare feeling of being at a loss overwhelming him once again. He opened his mouth, but his tongue seemed to tie itself in knots.
The emperor’s eyes were brighter than the sky lanterns behind him.
Xue Yuan finally managed to untangle his tongue and stammered, “I’ve always held your hand.”
Gu Yuanbai looked down at their hands. Xue Yuan instinctively tightened his grip, and Gu Yuanbai laughed, “Then hold on tight.”
