Chapter One: The First Encounter Between Zhu and Xu

Over the past few days, Zhu Xiaoqi had grown familiar with his own circumstances. After his mother passed away, his imperial grandfather entrusted him to the care of his father’s concubine, Lady Li. His father had two concubines named Li; for reasons unknown, one was called East Li and the other West Li. Zhu Xiaoqi was raised by West Li. She treated him well, granting his every request, but her attention remained focused mainly on his father, the Crown Prince. Thus, his real guardian was his wet nurse, Madam Ke.

He had spent these past days within the Eastern Palace, which was not especially large and was named the Palace of Benevolent Celebration. He was now thoroughly acquainted with its layout, and his current ambition was to venture beyond its gates and see the outside world. One day, he told Madam Ke of his wish to go out for a walk. Reluctant to let him go alone, she summoned Eunuch Li Jinzhong from West Li’s quarters, instructing him to bring along two young eunuchs and a palace maid named Spring Peach to accompany the young prince.

Li Jinzhong was in his forties, tall and broad-shouldered, lacking the usual effeminate features associated with eunuchs. Upon seeing Zhu Xiaoqi, he immediately bowed and wept, saying, “Your Highness, your filial piety moves Heaven and Earth, surely bringing comfort to your mother’s spirit in the afterlife. She will surely receive great blessings. I, Jinzhong, owe everything to your late mother and shall devote myself entirely to Your Highness from this day on.” Zhu Youxiao had wept for three days and fainted after his mother’s death, and had been plagued by nightmares ever since. Everyone believed his sorrow was due to losing his mother. Originally named Wei Si, Li Jinzhong entered the palace as an adult, serving in the apartments of Zhu Xiaoqi’s mother, Lady Wang. He was an excellent cook and managed affairs with great competence, earning Lady Wang’s trust. When Lady Wang learned he had changed his surname to enter the palace, she promised he could reclaim his original name one day. Yet, he remained known as Li Jinzhong, ever her loyal confidant. After Lady Wang’s death, he became West Li’s trusted eunuch, following Zhu Youxiao accordingly. Only recently, after handling Lady Wang’s funeral matters, did he finally see Zhu Xiaoqi, and tears streamed down his face.

Zhu Xiaoqi was quite moved by this and said, “Companion Li, your loyalty is appreciated.” In his heart he thought: having just arrived in this world, he would need someone he could trust. This Li Jinzhong had been his mother’s confidant and seemed deeply loyal to both her and himself—a reliable ally in this unfamiliar place.

With four attendants in tow, Zhu Xiaoqi headed toward the palace gate. Just then, a court official in his fifties passed by. Upon seeing Zhu Xiaoqi, the man stepped aside and saluted respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness.” Zhu Xiaoqi glanced at Li Jinzhong for an introduction. “This is Master Xu Guangqi, Vice Director of the Eastern Palace,” Li explained. Zhu Xiaoqi returned the greeting. “Good day, Master Xu.” He studied the man carefully: Xu carried himself with quiet dignity, and his beard was so magnificent it could rival that of Guan Yu. Yet beneath his brows lurked a trace of melancholy.

He asked, “May I ask what brings you to the Eastern Palace today, Master Xu?” Suddenly, a jolt of recognition struck him—the name was so familiar. Though he had not known much about the Ming Dynasty in his past life, Xu Guangqi was a name he’d encountered in his schooldays: a renowned scientist who had written a book, as he recalled, related to agriculture. Zhu Xiaoqi quickly continued, “Is there anything I might assist you with, Master Xu?” If this man had found his way into the school textbooks, he must be remarkable, and it would be wise to win his favor. He failed to consider that, as a boy of barely ten, his father, the Crown Prince, wielded neither power nor imperial favor; what help could Xu Guangqi possibly seek from him?

Indeed, Xu Guangqi bowed again, replying, “I dare not trouble Your Highness. I have been drilling troops in Tongzhou, and today I return to the capital to report to the Crown Prince and then to attend to military affairs at the Ministry of War. Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern.” Zhu Xiaoqi realized his mistake and promptly shifted his approach. “Master Xu, you are learned in agriculture. May I ask if you are familiar with maize, sweet potatoes, and potatoes?”

Xu Guangqi’s eyes brightened. “Maize—do you mean yushushu?” Zhu Xiaoqi wasn’t sure, so he described the appearance of maize, to which Xu nodded. “From your description, it must indeed be yushushu. I am familiar with sweet potatoes, but what, may I ask, is a potato?”

Zhu Xiaoqi explained, “Above ground, it resembles a sweet potato, but the root is smaller and round, hence the name ‘potato.’”

Xu Guangqi’s expression cleared. “What you describe is the earth yam. I have seen such a plant. But may I ask why Your Highness raises these three crops?”

“I would ask a favor of you, Master Xu,” Zhu Xiaoqi replied. “Confined within these palace walls, I enjoy every comfort but know nothing of the hardships of farming. This weighs heavily on my conscience. I have heard these three crops can thrive in cold and arid lands and yield more per acre than rice or wheat. I have also been told that the climate nowadays is harsher and drier than before, and the ordinary grains often fail or yield little. If these three crops could replace rice and wheat, would not the common people be spared from hunger? If you could procure seeds for these three crops, I would have them cultivated in the imperial estates, determine the best methods, and study their adaptation, so that in time they might be promoted throughout the realm.”

Xu Guangqi was unmoved by maize and the earth yam, for at this time maize yields were not especially high, and the earth yam was regarded as a mere curiosity. But sweet potatoes—also known as batatas—were another matter: easy to grow, highly productive, suitable as both vegetable and staple. He had even written a treatise on sweet potatoes detailing their benefits and methods of cultivation, arguing that no crop should be limited to one environment, for with human effort and altered conditions, plants could adapt to new lands. Zhu Xiaoqi’s words touched him to the core, and in an instant his opinion of the young prince shifted—from an ignorant child to a brilliant heir, mindful of the people’s welfare and deeply aware of the world’s affairs.

His manner grew even more respectful. “I dare not accept such praise from Your Highness. Sweet potatoes, or batatas, I have at hand, along with my humble essay on their cultivation, which I would be honored to present. As for the other two, maize is indeed common, and I will send for potatoes and have them delivered as soon as possible.”

Zhu Xiaoqi was overjoyed. The crops themselves were secondary; he could find them elsewhere if necessary, but since this man was a textbook scientist, his skills would surely range far beyond agriculture. In all matters of science and technology, Xu Guangqi would be an invaluable ally. “Your willingness to help, Master Xu, is truly wonderful. I have always enjoyed seeking the principles behind the natural world, but in my youth and ignorance I am often confused. Your reputation for vast learning precedes you; I hope that one day, if you have the leisure, I may call upon you to seek your counsel.” Xu Guangqi modestly demurred.

With another bow, Zhu Xiaoqi led the way toward the palace gates. Li Jinzhong also saluted Xu Guangqi and hurried to catch up.