Chapter 551: Promise

...... His Majesty!

Li Chunfeng stepped off the boat, starting with a slow walk, then a light jog, and finally kneeling before Li Shimin.

Just as he was about to speak, Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him, "Grand Historian, no need for more words."

The thousand words in his throat were brushed away by that gentle voice; Li Chunfeng opened his mouth but said nothing.

At that moment, Niu Jinda and Yuan Tiangang hurried over carrying a sizable cloth sack, "His Majesty, please look, this is Champa Rice."

With those words, everyone turned their gaze, craning their necks to see what the Champa Rice so highly praised by Chen Yan actually looked like.

Li Shimin reached into the sack and grabbed a large handful of Champa Rice.

The grains were dry and plump, their husks a bit prickly.

Nevertheless, Li Shimin squeezed the rice ever tighter, his heart stirring.

"Good! Very good!"

"His Majesty!" Yuan Tiangang hurriedly added, "I have already investigated thoroughly; this Champa Rice differs greatly from the staple crops of the Tang Dynasty. Our Tang grain is dry‑land cultivated, while Champa Rice is a paddy variety. It is drought‑tolerant, early‑maturing, and requires relatively low soil and water conditions, so it can be grown even on irrigated dry lands or slopes in the north, or in the south where water works are underdeveloped."

"More importantly... as Mr. Chen said, its growth cycle takes just over three months, and the yield can reach two to three shi per mu."

"In favorable climates, it can be harvested three times a year; even in less suitable climates, at least twice a year!"

"Excellent!"

Even Li Shimin, who had endured many shocks, could not help but feel excited upon hearing this.

What is the Tang Dynasty's most pressing problem at present?

First, the past few years saw numerous natural disasters; until the fourth year of the Zhenguan era when Chen Yan appeared and the Eastern Göktürks were pacified, the disasters were resolved and the Tang Dynasty entered a period of recuperation.

Nevertheless, the saying remains: the people regard food as heaven; even after two years of recovery, grain is forever the greatest issue in governing the realm.

Moreover, the Tang borders are being harassed, surrounded by hostile forces.

The former Li Shimin understood this well, so he dared not mobilize troops now, because the Tang had not yet built up enough.

Only when Chen Yan repeatedly gave him surprises did he entertain the thought of dispatching forces in the sixth year of Zhenguan.

But money, weapons, and troops are not enough; you need grain!

Now his treasury is full, and with Champa Rice and Potato ready to be planted as soon as next year's climate arrives, everything will be in place; how could he not succeed?

Li Shimin hurriedly asked, "How many grain seeds were actually brought back?"

Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, and Niu Jinda exchanged glances and laughed, "His Majesty, rest assured, we nearly penetrated the heart of Lin Yiguo, almost looting all the grain seeds they prepared for next year—over fifteen thousand shi. If our ships were not insufficient, we could have brought back even more!"

"Over fifteen thousand shi?" Li Shimin had actually been mentally prepared for that.

After all, when Wujingqi first entered Tang waters, he had already received reports; the fleet's size gave him a rough estimate, yet hearing the exact figure still left him unsettled.

Fifteen thousand shi of grain seeds, conservatively, could plant over a hundred thousand mu, nearly two hundred thousand mu.

And this is Champa Rice that yields three harvests a year.

Next year, in just one year, Li Shimin is confident that without relying on others, the Champa Rice and Potato alone will supply the army's provisions, and he can also promote Champa Rice on a large scale.

"Attendants! Bring me wine!"

Li Shimin, in high spirits, shouted immediately.

In response, Chen Yan had already prepared; he gave Cheng Chumo a glance, and the latter promptly ordered people to bring over one jar after another of wine, as well as one large bowl after another, distributing them to Li Chunfeng and the many soldiers.

"Zi An, it's your turn now."

Li Shimin lifted his wine bowl and said sideways.

Chen Yan remained silent for a long while, stepped forward, surveyed everyone, and said, "In the past, I requested His Majesty to form Wujingqi; it was a venture that would bring immense profit to the Tang Dynasty but was extremely unfair to you!"

"I, Chen Yan, apologize to you all!"

After speaking, he drained an entire bowl of wine in one gulp.

"Duke, this matter is voluntary on our part; you need not do so!" a soldier said.

Chen Yan recognized him; his name was Fang Bu Yu.

At first he was a very thin youth; after joining Wujingqi, his physique grew robust and his gaze became resolute.

Now, even though his face is weathered and tired, one can see he has endured battlefield slaughter, his whole being exuding a grim killing aura.

However, after hearing his words, Chen Yan merely smiled and continued, "Right and wrong, I have no intention to judge. In the past I personally ordered your recruitment, thrusting you into darkness. You may not blame me, yet I feel remorse in my heart."

He paused, then continued, "As for the rest, I cannot guarantee. But today I promise here that the name plaques of your eight hundred brothers are kept in my home; should any brother not return, I, Chen Yan, will personally carve a inscription and erect a monument to record his deeds, and place it in my tomb!"

"In life, I could not march side by side with you for ten thousand li; after death, I wish to honor your merits in this way, so that together we appear in the annals of history!"

"I believe that one day, your brilliance will illuminate future generations, letting them understand that in those years there were people who sought neither fame nor profit, nor titles or high office, nor luxurious clothes and fine food, willingly hiding their names solely for the foundation of eternity!"

"I will raise another cup for you all!"

When his words ended, the strong wine entered his throat again.

Many people, seeing this, had their eyes redden; now with Chen Yan's promise, even if they die unnoticed from now on, it is still worth it.

"This third cup..."

Cheng Chumo refilled Chen Yan's cup again; Chen Yan paused silently for two breaths, then burst into laughter, "What more is there to say about this third cup?"

"Everyone, now return in triumph!"

"I once promised to greet your return with the largest bowl and the strongest wine; have I fulfilled it?!"

"Hahaha, thank you, Duke!"

The previously complex atmosphere on the scene dissipated entirely, and everyone laughed.

"Then what else is there to say? Drink up!"

Chen Yan lifted his wine bowl, gulped it down, then tossed the bowl aside; 'Bang'—it shattered on the riverbank.

The strong wine entered his throat, turning into a scorching current that merged completely with the surging turbulence in his chest.

Then, the clatter of broken wine bowls rang along the Wei He banks.

"Let's go, follow me home!"

"......"