Hearing this, Gu Fang raised an eyebrow and looked up at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Since ancient times, raising an army to change the ruling house requires the right timing, favorable terrain, and popular support. Xiaoyi thinks changing dynasties is easy, perhaps because you've only heard stories of the victors, but you don't see how many uprisings were crushed into dust before they could even stir."
So that's how it was. Lin Yi felt a bit embarrassed; she had thought that for Gu Fang, raising a call to arms wouldn't be a big deal. "But husband, can you really tolerate this?"
"I can't." Gu Fang smiled faintly, but his eyes were clear, without a trace of confusion. "So I didn't tolerate it."
That's right—wasn't the dog emperor now languishing on his sickbed a result of Gu Fang's intolerance? Lin Yi suddenly understood. In that light, Gu Fang wasn't a blindly loyal man, but someone who had soberly chosen the most precise path that would involve the fewest innocent people. If he had truly raised a rebellion, the flames of war would have brought suffering to the common people first.
Lin Yi let out a soft sigh. "Husband, you've thought this through thoroughly. If it were me, after defeating the Northern Frontier, I probably would have been carried away by the victory and thought I might as well sit on that throne. Hearing you now, I realize that if I had done that, it would still be the common people who suffered." She paused, then asked in confusion, "But I always thought before that you had volunteered to step forward and save the nation from crisis."
—That was what the body's memory told her: when she fled south in panic with the Minister of Rites' family, they hadn't gone far before hearing the Northern Frontier had withdrawn, so they had to turn back to the Imperial City in bewilderment.
Gu Fang's gaze drifted toward the river in the distance, his voice calm as if recounting everyday matters. "The Gu family was originally of common birth. Our ancestor was raised by the kindness of many families as a child. After rising to prominence, he swore never to abandon the people. This family precept has been passed down through generations." The corner of his mouth twitched into a faint, sardonic smile. "As for why the world says I volunteered... it's because sending orphans into battle is too horrifying. It needed to be whitewashed to be recorded in history and avoid eternal infamy."
Lin Yi was momentarily stunned, murmuring, "So that's how it was. Then why did you go along with them?"
"Just a bit of empty fame." Gu Fang's expression was calm. "I don't care about such things. Since they value posthumous reputation, it doesn't hurt to oblige them." He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Besides, not everyone in the palace is an enemy. The ones who drove the orphans to the battlefield and later schemed to cripple my legs were only a handful of people. I've already repaid each of them."
As he spoke, the perennial frost between his brows seemed to lighten, and his tone grew gentler. "As for the rest, back then the Imperial City was on the verge of falling. The emperor and some civil officials fled south, causing panic among the wealthy merchants and common people. It was the remaining civil officials and all the military officers who swore to defend the city to the death, organizing their household servants and laborers into soldiers. United as one, we barely managed to hold the gates."
Lin Yi suddenly understood. "No wonder everyone at court and in the streets respects you so much. It's the bond forged through fighting side by side to the death." Recalling her observations over the past days, she sighed. "I was wondering earlier why, after you've been away from court for so long, not a single person has impeached you. Instead, people often send medicinal herbs and supplements to the mansion. When I asked A Fu, he gave me a different name each time. I thought you were just very popular, but I never knew there was such a history behind it."
Lin Yi pushed Gu Fang to the riverbank. Looking back, she realized they were quite far from where the carriage was parked. She stopped and suggested, "Husband, how about we head back?"
Gu Fang nodded slightly and said gently, "Sure. If we turn back now, we should make it back to the mansion just in time for dinner."
Lin Yi turned the wheelchair around and pushed it back along the same path. Only then did she notice how much resistance the wheelchair met on the dirt road. She had to exert extra effort to push it. She silently thanked the dry weather; if it had rained, the mud would have made it even harder, and they might have gotten stuck.
When they returned to the General's Mansion, just as Gu Fang had predicted, it was dinnertime. To Lin Yi's delight, A Zhi had already made yuba, and even came up with three dishes on his own: yuba three-delight hotpot, braised pork with yuba, and scallion oil yuba.
A Zhi set the dishes on the table and said with a smile, "I heard Madam has been busy lately. I didn't want to bother you with such trivial matters, so I experimented with a few recipes. I hope they suit your taste."
The unique fragrance of yuba filled Lin Yi's nostrils. She eagerly picked up a slice and put it in her mouth—smooth, tender, and rich with soybean flavor. She squinted happily and exclaimed, "Amazing! This is exactly the taste!"
Gu Fang also picked up his chopsticks and tasted it, nodding in approval. "Excellent flavor." He put down his chopsticks, looked at A Zhi, and said calmly, "Xiaoyi and I have discussed it. When the time is right, we'll have you teach the common people various methods of making soybean food. What do you think?"
A Zhi's eyes lit up at this. He bowed excitedly and said, "Thank you, General and Madam, for the recognition! I will do my utmost not to let you down!"
Lin Yi took the opportunity to ask, "A Zhi, have you made the koji soybeans?"
"Back to Madam, the soybeans have grown white fuzz. Perhaps they need a few more days," A Zhi answered carefully.
Lin Yi nodded and continued, "Once the beans are fermented, take them out and rub them apart. Also, boil ten catties of water with two catties of salt until fully dissolved, then let it cool. Put the koji and any flavoring ingredients into a clean, oil-free clay jar, pour in the cooled salt water until it submerges the beans, seal with a clean cloth and lid, and place it in direct sunlight for at least thirty days. During that time, stir once daily with a clean wooden chopstick to ensure even fermentation. After thirty days, open the jar, and you'll have a fragrant sauce. If you continue to sun-dry it, the longer it goes, the darker the color and the richer the flavor."
A Zhi concentrated and memorized her instructions, then solemnly replied, "Don't worry, Madam. I've committed it all to memory."
Having no further orders, Lin Yi let A Zhi take his leave. Watching his light-footed retreating figure, she turned to Gu Fang with a puzzled look. "Why was A Zhi so excited? What benefit does promoting soybean food methods bring him?"
"First, it's an opportunity to gain fame. Although the soybean food methods originated from Xiaoyi, as the one implementing it, A Zhi can accumulate reputation among the people." Gu Fang rested his chin on his hand, recalling, "Second… A Zhi's family all died in a famine. First his mother and younger sister, then his father couldn't hold on either. Don't be fooled by his current focus on cooking in the kitchen; he also manages the fields on the estate. Because of that past pain, he is dedicated to increasing grain yields and ridding the world of famine. That's why he pays such close attention to farming."
Lin Yi's eyes lit up. She reached out and took Gu Fang's hand, her voice full of anticipation. "So, A Zhi is actually a skilled farmer?"
Though puzzled by her sudden excitement, Gu Fang answered gently, "Yes. After he retired due to injury, he had nowhere to go, so he came to work here. He asked me for a piece of land, and since then, besides managing the kitchen, most of his focus has been on the fields." He paused and smiled, "Why, Xiaoyi, you're so happy to hear he's good at farming?"
How could she not be happy! This was a godsend—exactly what she needed for her hybrid rice plan. Lin Yi's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, her speech quickening. "Husband, do you still remember the two favors I asked of you? One was promoting soybean food, and the other was building the kang?"
Speaking of which, she had already drawn the kang blueprints, and A Fu had found craftsmen to test different designs to see which ones conserved charcoal and were warmest. But with so many things happening lately, she had almost shelved the rest of her plans.
Gu Fang nodded to show he remembered. Lin Yi continued, "A Fu is already overseeing the kang matter. As for the other..." She blinked, deliberately keeping him in suspense. "Husband, care to take a guess?"
Gu Fang lowered his gaze in thought for a moment. When he looked up, a gleam of understanding passed through his eyes. "Is it about increasing grain yields?"
"Husband is so clever!" Lin Yi couldn't help but praise. "I only mentioned farming and soybeans, and you already figured it out."
Gu Fang chuckled softly, his tone knowing. "Linking farming with soybeans—anyone would think of a bountiful harvest."
"I don't care what anyone thinks. I just want to praise you." Lin Yi tilted her chin with a playful, unyielding expression. "And I want you to praise me too, and maybe give me a reward."
Having spent time together, Gu Fang was already familiar with her routine of asking for rewards. He lowered his eyelids, slowly leaned in, and very lightly brushed his lips against Lin Yi's cheek. Then he moved back, his ears already tinged with red, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. "Xiaoyi... you did great. This is the reward."
"Hey, a mere peck like that is way too perfunctory!" Lin Yi complained, tapping her chopsticks against the bowl. "I'm not satisfied with this reward. Tonight, husband, you'll have to do your homework again."
Seeing the topic shift, Gu Fang turned his face away slightly, answering with a low, almost inaudible hum. "...Mm."
The way he pretended to be calm but couldn't hide his bashfulness made Lin Yi laugh. She found Gu Fang quite amusing—he wasn't particularly shy behind the bed curtains, but once off the bed, any intimate gesture made him awkward and flustered, like a young man in his first romance. And this very demeanor was what Lin Yi loved to see.
【【【Highlight: Gu Fang is still weak; Lin Yi isn't that perverse. Just little flirtations. They didn't do anything.】】】
Lin Yi grinned at him, staring until his ears turned even redder. He had to clear his throat and bring the topic back to business. "So, Xiaoyi, this increase in grain yield—how exactly is it done?"
Bringing up serious matters, Lin Yi stopped joking. She said earnestly, "It might be a bit complicated. It's a method called hybrid rice. If it works, it could increase rice yields by half."
"Rice?" Gu Fang was slightly taken aback. "You mean paddy?"
"Yes, paddy. I'm used to calling it rice." Lin Yi caught herself and explained.
"So how does it increase yield?" Gu Fang pressed on.
"Well... in simple terms." Lin Yi thought briefly, trying to speak plainly. "Rice is hermaphroditic—it usually self-pollinates. But sometimes there are individuals with failing virility. If we can find one such rice plant and pollinate it with pollen from strong, healthy plants, it will produce new seeds."
Gu Fang listened, visibly stunned. His voice tightened slightly. "But how would this new rice... increase yield by half?"
"First, I should clarify—it doesn't guarantee a fifty percent increase. That's just the ideal scenario." Lin Yi's expression was serious. "It's a slow process; you have to test over generations. As for why it increases yield, it's because ordinary rice, being hermaphroditic, remains similar generation after generation, with little change. Only by introducing a new male parent can the offspring develop different advantages, like larger heads or plumper grains."
With this explanation, Gu Fang understood about seventy to eighty percent. But the notions of "failing virility" and "pollinating to create new" completely upended the agricultural knowledge he had held for years. He was silent for a while before finally suppressing his astonishment and said gently, "I don't know much about this. Tomorrow after checking the cement, if there's nothing else, you can discuss it in detail with A Zhi yourself."
The dinner ended with Lin Yi's delight and Gu Fang's awe. As usual, Lin Yi pushed Gu Fang for a stroll on the porch, chatting idly until moonlight filled the courtyard, then returned to the room to rest.
The candles were extinguished, leaving only the chirping of summer insects outside the window. Gu Fang lay still in the darkness, his mind echoing with words like "hermaphroditic" and "cross-pollination to increase yield." He turned onto his side and looked at Lin Yi, whose breathing was gradually evening out. He couldn't help but let out a very soft sigh.
Fortunately, he himself was not a man with failing virility.
【【【Highlight: Only Gu Fang knows that Lin Yi hasn't tried him yet. He's just making a private reflection.】】】