Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Cowpox is a mild form of smallpox that affects cattle.

To implement the cowpox method, one must find a cow infected with smallpox. Fortunately, this is not difficult to find.

In addition, the old emperor has summoned the most renowned physicians in the land to discuss smallpox prevention. The impact of this matter… how should one put it? One physician, already in his eighties, had family members who worried about his frail state and tried to decline the imperial summons on his behalf. In response, he declared that even if he had to be carried, he must be brought to the capital!

All the doctors across the empire: “Get out of my way! This is our moment to bring honor to our ancestors!”

The former Princess of Jin, Mao Jiuzhou, also entered the palace to study an ancient medical text alongside other physicians. They deliberated on the feasibility of variolation (human smallpox inoculation) versus cowpox vaccination.

The final consensus was: “Cowpox is indeed superior to variolation. However, it must not be administered recklessly. Factors such as region, climate, timing, and even the physical condition of the person providing the cowpox matter can all affect its efficacy.”

They used Guangdong as an example. Guangdong’s humid climate and high incidence of mental illness posed a risk—if the cowpox matter was sourced from someone with such conditions, it could have serious adverse effects when introduced into another person.

In response, Mao Jiuzhou advised: “Do not rush into mass vaccination. This ancient text still requires refinement.”

Sitting beside her, Xu Yanmiao couldn’t stop marveling throughout the discussion.

[There are so many nuances… Good thing I didn’t try to do this myself, or I might have caused harm instead!]

[Oh! We also have to consider the storage and transportation of the vaccine! Thank goodness, this really is a job for professionals!]

Now that the matter was progressing, Xu Yanmiao felt relieved.

But before him lay another significant event—

The old emperor had summoned all his ministers to witness the grand return of the expedition fleet, which had brought back potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn from the Americas!

Qin Guan glanced at Xie Luoshui. “Nervous?”

Xie Luoshui pursed her lips and nodded.

After all, this concerned whether she would receive her noble title.

Qin Guan decided to distract her. “How is Xiao Dong’s tooth situation? What did Divine Physician Mao say?”

Xie Luoshui’s expression darkened. “Completely rotten. There’s no saving it.”

Two years at sea had been anything but easy. Nearly everyone aboard had fallen ill to some extent.

Xiao Dong was no exception.

Now, he could no longer chew tough foods. His diet was limited to soft white rice, vegetables, and tofu—cooked until they were mushy. Eating large cuts of meat was no longer possible.

Even Xie Luoshui herself had suffered several severe illnesses during the voyage, though she had recovered quickly.

Qin Guan clenched his fist against his palm. “I’ve served under His Majesty for years. He is fair in rewards and punishments. He will not let us down, nor will he neglect the sacrifices made by the crew.”

Xie Luoshui believed these words.

Together, they looked towards the emperor, who was about to unveil the physical specimens they had brought back.

—As for the seeds, they were stored separately and would not be casually exposed.

The emperor, whose hands had always been steady as he drew a bowstring, now trembled slightly.

As he lifted the lid of the container and peeled away layer after layer of cloth, the first thing he saw was corn.

It was as thick as a child’s forearm, tightly wrapped in green husks. The emperor pulled back the husks one by one, revealing the bright, glistening kernels—like a woman’s radiant smile, shimmering with light.

When the corn was held up for all to see, the gathered officials—who governed the heart of the empire—fell into stunned silence.

Not only was the corn visually striking, but Xie Luoshui declared: “This crop yields 180 jin per mu!” (A mu is about 1/6 of an acre.)

When they had arrived in the Americas, it was just in time for harvest, allowing them to accurately measure yields.

For comparison, the average yield of staple crops in Da Xia was:

• Millet: 112 jin per mu
• Wheat: 112 jin per mu
• Rice: 353 jin per mu

While rice had the highest yield, it was incredibly selective about its growing conditions. But corn, according to Xie Luoshui, could be grown in mountainous regions! Meaning, it did not require highly fertile land or abundant water sources.

—Of course, Xu Yanmiao had said this before, but the officials needed an official source for their knowledge. They couldn’t exactly admit that they knew more about it than the person who had personally traveled to the Americas.

The emperor peeled back more corn husks and reached inside for potatoes, which were about the size of apples.

Xie Luoshui declared: “This crop yields 572 jin per mu!”

Next, the emperor lifted out sweet potatoes.

Xie Luoshui nearly shouted herself hoarse: “This crop yields—”

“A THOUSAND JIN!!!”

A thousand jin!

Ten times the yield of millet! Three times the yield of rice!

The corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes were passed around among the officials. They wiped the dirt off the corn, peeled back its husks, and carefully stroked the smooth kernels. They cradled the potatoes, inhaling their familiar, earthy scent. The sweet potatoes, stored for over six months, had sprouted and shriveled, resembling the gnarled fingers of an old man. Yet no one found them repulsive.

Holding these crops in their hands, the officials cried.

They cried for past famines.

They cried for years of drought and hardship.

They cried for all those who had starved to death.

Never again! From now on, no one in Da Xia would have to starve! Even in poverty, no one would die of hunger!

Through their tears, they began to laugh. Uncontrollable, tear-streaked laughter.

They wanted to laugh!

The emperor raised the sweet potato high above his head and declared: “From this day forward, famine shall never again plague Da Xia!”

How could they not laugh?

That day, cheers, shouts of joy, and triumphant laughter shook the heavens.

Only one person felt out of place—the indigenous American, Ilala.

He watched the people of Da Xia, utterly baffled.

Why were they hugging the crops they dug up from the earth, crying and laughing at the same time?

He could understand their reverence for corn, as it was the sacred gift of the Sun God. But why were they reacting so strongly to the other two?

Ilala had been invited to Da Xia after Qin Guan and Xie Luoshui deliberated over the idea. They needed someone from the Americas to teach them how to cultivate corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes properly.@@novelbin@@

Beyond just planting, they needed to learn storage techniques, seed selection, and disease prevention. Left to their own trial-and-error, it could take decades before these crops became widespread.

For instance, the Paraguayans had long mastered a technique for freeze-drying potatoes—washing, freezing, thawing, pressing out moisture, and sun-drying. This method allowed potatoes to be stored for years.

—A technique refined over two centuries.

Additionally, the Paraguayans understood the dangers of monoculture. They recalled an entire tribe that had once planted only one variety of potato—and had starved when it failed.

The Americas had hundreds of potato varieties. Thanks to their guidance, Xie Luoshui and her team had selected a dozen large-sized varieties to bring back.

The emperor, holding a sweet potato in one hand, called out:

“Xie Luoshui, step forward!”

Her heart pounded violently. She stood frozen for ten whole breaths before she could react.

The old emperor was very patient. He continued to smile at Xie Luoshui until she snapped back to attention and ran up to him.

The old emperor teased, “If you weren’t standing before me, I bet you’d be so excited you’d do a somersault while running, wouldn’t you?”

Xie Luoshui responded openly with a smile, “Your Majesty, Luoshui is indeed extremely excited.”

The old emperor also laughed. “You should be.”

“A marquis title and rewards. I do not break my word.”

Xie Luoshui clenched her fists, her voice slightly hoarse as she spoke, “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace!”

“Hahaha! Don’t be in such a hurry to thank me. You don’t even know what title you’re receiving yet!”

The Emperor laughed heartily, but his expression suddenly turned serious. “Xie Luoshui, step forward and receive your title!”

Xie Luoshui’s expression instantly turned calm.

As if she had practiced this a thousand times before, she stepped forward steadily and knelt.

The emperor looked down at her. “A great merit deserves a great reward. Xie Luoshui of the Xie clan ventured across the seas, enduring two years of hardship, and has returned with divine seeds. A great achievement! You are hereby granted the title of County Marquis of Luo County, with an estate of 500 households.”

It felt as if a powerful sound was striking her eardrums and heart, each heartbeat pounding so hard it might leap from her throat.

For a moment, both her expression and her thoughts went blank.

She seemed unable to hear anything else, clinging only to the phrase, “County Marquis of Luo County.”

At that moment, she felt like a leaf in the wind, weightless, swaying, and unsteady—so lightheaded she might faint at any second.

Luo County was where she had lived since childhood. The emperor granting her a title there was meant to allow her to return home in glory.

But that was not all.

She then heard the emperor’s voice again.

“A new position shall be established—the Admiral of Overseas Voyages, ranked at the seventh court rank. I hereby appoint you, Xie Luoshui, as Admiral of Overseas Voyages.”

Xie Luoshui did not say a word. She simply lowered her head and bowed heavily, knocking her forehead against the floor in deep gratitude.