Chapter 227: Radiant Smile on the Dragon’s Face

Opening the seas, banning maritime trade, voyages to the Western Oceans, cutting off the Western sea routes.

In later eras, to many, it seemed that since Emperor Wen, the Great Ming’s sea policies had simply continued the strategy of Emperor Taizu.

But in truth, the debates within the court over whether to open or ban maritime trade, and whether to continue the voyages to the Western Oceans,

From the reign of Emperor Xuanzong all the way to the Hongzhi Reign, had never ceased.

Every few decades, these dusty arguments were remembered, and so, revolving around the Sea Ban and policies on the Western Oceans, the two sides would clash fiercely with arguments and counter-arguments.

The last major dispute over the Sea Ban was during the Chenghua Reign.

Representing the faction for opening the seas and voyages was the Minister of War, Xiang Zhong.

Xiang Zhong had lived through the Tumu Fortress Crisis, was captured, and the Oirats made him tend horses.

But this fellow was clever; he simply rode one of the horses he cared for and escaped.

Later, the horse grew tired, so he walked on foot for seven days and nights back to Beijing City. He was a legendary figure, a symbol of the Chinese people’s spirit of escape.

After that, he served as Governor of military affairs in Huguang, also as Deputy Envoy in Guangdong, and as Provincial Surveillance Commissioner in Shanxi. Due to his outstanding governance, he was transferred to the Capital.

He was also a native of Zhejiang, living by the coast. He understood well the dangers posed by rampant pirates invading the borders, but also heard stories from his elders about the glorious era of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Oceans.

Back then, countless exotic treasures were loaded and unloaded, countless massive ships were built, countless people became sailors and seafaring officials, setting sail with Zheng He to achieve merit and build their careers.

Thinking of this, Xiang Zhong advocated for resuming the voyages to the Western Oceans.

And promptly faced opposition.

Both sides argued fiercely, faces flushed.

But as heated as the debate was, Xiang Zhong likely realized it would drag on for a very long time… so he didn’t care.

What truly chilled his heart wasn’t the dispute. It happened when he stormed with supporters to Liu Daxia, the official in charge of the Ministry of War’s storerooms, demanding he hand over the nautical charts and records of Zheng He’s voyages. Liu Daxia informed him that all such materials had been burned.

In an instant, all debate ceased.

No one ever brought up opening the seas or voyages to the Western Oceans again.

You see, people held the ocean in deep awe. The Great Ming hadn’t built large ships in decades, hadn’t sailed the seas for years. Without past experience, even training sailors for distant voyages or cultivating helmsmen and sail masters was like starting from scratch. Everything depended on the Ancients’ know-how.

Without the accumulated wisdom of the ancestors, trying to build ships and train crews for distant voyages entirely from scratch… that was simply laughable.

Unless of course, the imperial court displayed the same bold resolve as Emperor Wen back then, sparing no cost.

By the Chenghua to Hongzhi period, the Emperor was the ultimate authority, capable of decisive pronouncements like Emperor Wen. He could command the mobilization of hundreds of thousands and concentrate the full might of the imperial court to build an unprecedented fleet.

But now, with so many factions opposing it within the court, such grand endeavors were impossible.

Thus, disputes over opening or banning the seas ceased, talk of voyages to the Western Oceans vanished, because it had all become meaningless. The Great Ming had completely isolated itself from the oceans.

Outraged, Xiang Zhong requested retirement. He was still in his prime, had risen to Minister of War. If he had stayed, he had a strong chance of joining the Grand Secretariat. After all, even after retirement, he lived happily for another twenty-six years.

Liu Daxia, however, gained immense fame and a brilliant reputation throughout court and country for this act.

Many praised him for upholding principle over authority, showing no fear of the powerful. They believed he acted for the nation and its people, unwilling to waste public treasury funds on vanity projects for the court.

Today, Fang Jifan presented the sweet potato. As a noble person dedicated to country and people, Liu Daxia naturally jumped up eagerly to seize the spotlight. His tearful display moved hearts profoundly.

Emperor Hongzhi was deeply stirred. How could he not wish to weep openly himself? With this sweet potato, the pressing issue of food scarcity that had caused him endless headaches could finally be resolved.

But he was the Emperor; he had to maintain his dignity. He certainly couldn’t weep openly before his ministers.

Emperor Hongzhi gave Liu Daxia an extra look; his impression of this Director of the Bureau of Operations within the Ministry of War seemed greatly improved.

Rumors said Director Liu was loyal, honest, generous, and cherished the people as his own children. It was indeed true.

After expressing his feelings, Emperor Hongzhi turned his deep gaze onto Fang Jifan. His bright, sharp eyes held confusion as he asked seriously.

“Minister Fang, where does this… sweet potato come from?”

Fang Jifan answered truthfully.

“This subject deserves death for this. It came from a Hu merchant.”

A… Hu merchant?

Emperor Hongzhi was instantly bewildered. His countenance shifted slightly, his lips twitched involuntarily.

“Hu merchant…”

An awkward expression now spread across the officials assembled in the hall. They looked at Fang Jifan, torn between laughter and tears. Truly, you are still Fang Jifan!

The Great Ming only allowed tribute trade; private trade was strictly banned.

Fang Jifan hadn’t mentioned any tribute envoy from a specific country, only a “Hu merchant.” Anyone could see he… was dealing with smugglers. This fellow was trouble.

However, in the face of such a monumental achievement, talk of Hu merchants mattered not one bit.

Emperor Hongzhi collected himself, raised an eyebrow, chose not to probe further into the Hu merchant issue, and sighed deeply instead.

“Truly unbelievable that such a life-saving thing as the sweet potato exists in this world.”

Seeing the timing was about right, Fang Jifan shot a glance out of the corner of his eye toward Liu Daxia. Liu Daxia was still weeping quietly, visibly overcome with emotion, seeming unable to calm his inner joy.

Fang Jifan chuckled inwardly, then spoke up.

“Your Majesty, from that Hu merchant, this subject learned that the sweet potato isn’t considered rare at all in their homeland. Over there, besides the sweet potato, there are many other crops that could be called miraculous. I heard of one where one can harvest three times a year. One mu of land can yield over a hundred shi. Its taste is delightful, even better than the sweet potato. They usually call it corn. Oh, yes! This corn doesn’t even require careful cultivation – just let it grow. People over there barely need to mind farming, yet they never face famine.”

The hall erupted in murmurs.

Hundred shi per mu?

And it tastes even better than sweet potato? And… doesn’t need the constant care like rice or wheat…

A hundred shi!

That would increase grain yields by tens of times! Currently, a family might work twenty mu of land, toiling arduously just to get several dozen shi of rations.

This… had to be a bluff.

Had Fang Jifan said this yesterday, he would have invited universal ridicule.

But today? No one laughed. Hadn’t the sweet potato proven miraculous enough? Didn’t that validate Fang Jifan’s words? So what if he mentioned another wonder crop like corn?

Emperor Hongzhi was visibly moved, his eyes alight with fervor, and he asked excitedly.

“Where is this… corn?”

“West beyond the West,” Fang Jifan replied. “This subject also heard this from that Hu merchant. But he seemed an honest man to me, I doubt he dared deceive me. He also said, besides that, there’s another crop there…”

“There’s MORE…”

Everyone felt like they were going insane.

This was utterly mind-bending, opening a whole new door for the assembled Emperor and ministers.

Liu Daxia, the people-loving minister, stopped crying now, eagerly pressing, “What else?”

Fang Jifan smiled towards the assembly as he spoke.

“There is another thing. They call it Pearl Rice. Plant a single grain, and one kernel grows as large as a pearl. Eating just a dozen or so fills a person up. Its yield per mu… can reach two hundred shi…”

The court, Emperor and officials alike, collectively held their breath, eyes wide with utter shock.

This rice was even associated with jade and pearls! Though just from Fang Jifan’s description, it already sounded incredibly precious.

It seemed that compared to that distant land west of the West, the sweet potato was considered such wretched food even dogs might disdain it.

Fang Jifan spun his tale without blushing, without pause, his expression utterly sincere.

Anyway, the sweet potato was here now. Believe him or not was up to them. If someday people ever reached that famed land west of the West only to find corn nowhere near so miraculous, let alone mythical Pearl Rice… well, what could be done? Fang Jifan had simply been tricked! Duped by that cursed Hu merchant! Come on, come on, he’d haul that Hu merchant back, chop him into mincemeat, and grill him as a snack for everyone to go with their drinks.

“…”

The assembled officials were rendered speechless.

But their hearts burned with fervent longing, each mind filled with visions of the foods Fang Jifan described.

If they truly existed, achieving a golden age would be guaranteed!

Emperor Hongzhi wore a grave expression. He looked around at his ministers, seeing their shared look of intense yearning. He knew very well they all thought the same as him.

After scanning the room, the Emperor’s gaze finally settled on Fang Jifan and he asked.

“Where is this Hu merchant?”

“Already left. Set sail into the distance,” Fang Jifan sighed.

“He also said that useless things like sweet potatoes, his homeland didn’t care much about exporting. But even that most distant country knows well the Great Ming’s might. They absolutely refuse to let their precious grain crops fall into our hands and thus strengthen us. Hence, they strictly ban merchants from taking corn or Pearl Rice seed grain out of the country. Anyone caught faces immediate execution.”

“…” Emperor Hongzhi felt like he was sinking into gloom.

Corn and Pearl Rice, to the court assembled before him, were like the legend of the Elixir of Life to Qin Shi Huang.

Not knowing about them was one thing. But knowing such miraculous things existed? How could he eat in peace or sleep soundly now?

Just imagine! Working tirelessly day and night pondering land reclamation, promoting agriculture. Hearing of any natural disaster and paling with fright? Terrified of the common people starving and rebelling? Worse – suppressing such rebellions itself required vast expenditures of money and grain!

Emperor Hongzhi had poured all his heart and soul into the empire, and it remained largely… middling. The sweet potato had offered some comfort. Yet now, Fang Jifan told him of something akin to heavenly cheat codes – promising instant godlike power and ultimate riches…

Emperor Hongzhi flushed crimson. He looked to Liu Jian.

Liu Jian, too, was moved. “This subject wishes to see the sweet potato.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded.

Liu Jian stepped forward. Someone handed him a sweet potato. Liu Jian asked, “Fang Jifan, this Pearl Rice… is it as large as this sweet potato?”

“Yes,” Fang Jifan confirmed. “Plant one grain, get three harvests a year. Resistant to pests. A single plant yields dozens of kernels each the size of a sweet potato.”

Was this… even rice anymore?

Given Fang Jifan’s sudden display of candor, Liu Jian’s heart was truly stirred. “Your Majesty,” he suggested, “that country’s ban on seed export is completely understandable.”

True. The Great Ming would do the same.

“The urgent task now,” Liu Jian concluded with conviction, “is to discover this country’s whereabouts. Should we obtain these seeds, a golden age akin to Yao and Shun’s would be within reach.”

Pearl Rice and Corn now held a fatal fascination for Liu Jian.