Chapter Twenty-Two: Curiosity Killed the Cat

The two people in the hall fell silent for a while. Yang Yaozhong took a sip of tea and, noticing Yin Ruxin still lost in hopeful contemplation, said, "Promoting new crops is a long process; it won't yield quick results. It's best to start by planting and promoting them in some secluded villages, using land that is usually left fallow. For the rice and other crops the authorities require you to plant, you can continue as before. Of course, from the trial planting stage to later widespread adoption, there will be many problems, but I believe that as long as we can successfully harvest the first batch of sweet potatoes and let your people see their benefits, they'll gradually accept and embrace the cultivation. Growing sweet potatoes requires extra effort, but it doesn't interfere with the normal requirements of the authorities. So, at worst, it just won't spread widely. As long as it doesn't harm your people, that's all that matters."

Yin Ruxin wholeheartedly agreed with Yang Yaozhong's plan and strategy. She gazed at him, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.

"When the world is prosperous and at peace, the people live and work in contentment. But if the nation's strength falters, if there is war outside and turmoil within, if disasters strike year after year and peace is but a memory, how can the people possibly enjoy their lives? In truth, the people of Great Zhou are the most honest and kind-hearted; they ask only for enough to eat and a simple life. Even if they suffer some injustices, they endure, working hard for the country and creating great value. As I understand, a few years ago there was a terrible famine—no grain to be had, and though the court opened the granaries, corpses still lay everywhere, victims of starvation. Yet every person has the right to survive. For the sake of survival, people abandon morality, sell themselves, their wives, their children, their daughters. When there's nothing left to sell, they eat tree bark, grass, the carcasses of dead animals, or even human corpses. If there's truly nothing, they eat earth. People become twisted, neither human nor ghost.

"But was all this truly caused by natural disasters? Since ancient times, whenever disaster strikes, some will always seize the chance to exploit the people and profit from the nation's suffering. Heaven is merciless, but people are not. If those in power can respond swiftly and reasonably, taking positive measures to rescue the afflicted, if everyone works together, the spread of disaster and its harm to the people can be contained. But if, after disaster, the effects are not checked but allowed to spread and worsen, then the root cause must lie with people. It's not that there is no good fortune, but that there are no good people.

"After several years of recuperation, the people manage to survive, though not in comfort. There have been no major uprisings or rebellions. Though Great Zhou faces incursions from the northern tribes and internal unease, the common folk, who see no smoke of war or court intrigue, still believe their country is the strongest, even if their lives are far from rich. This shows that those in power are, at least, somewhat competent, not entirely idle, and know how to use the right people. And if the nation remains united, the outcome of conflict with the northern tribes may still be favorable. Who knows how long the war will last? But if anyone takes advantage of external threats to stir up internal strife, that person is truly a traitor deserving death."

At this point, Yang Yaozhong grew agitated, but Yin Ruxin did not interrupt; she wanted to hear him out, to know his true thoughts about the current state of Great Zhou. Yet as he spoke, her own feelings grew complicated.

Yang Yaozhong took another sip of tea and continued, "My wife is renowned throughout Great Zhou as a woman of talent. She is willing to guard the border for her country, so I trust she still believes in the present court. 'Riding a thousand miles to battle, crossing mountain passes as if flying. The northern wind rattles the watchman's rattle, cold light gleams on iron armor. Generals die in a hundred battles, heroes return after ten years.' These lines from the Ballad of Mulan come to mind. Though I have never met Nangong Qingyi, and feel no particular attachment, I would like to meet such a heroine one day. Who knows when that will be? Nangong Qingyi puts her faith in the court. Even if Great Zhou disappoints many, she still chooses to defend it, even at the cost of her life. So I choose to trust her judgment. Great Zhou is not beyond saving.

"I may be a son-in-law by marriage, but that doesn't mean I care for nothing. I wish for a peaceful, carefree life, but if the nation falls, where could I enjoy such peace? So, when I saw these exotic plants grown by Bruno, and learned of their uses, I understood their significance. I wanted to spread their cultivation. I can't claim to help everyone, but at least I can help some, and make a small contribution to the nation's stability. Whether the contribution is large or small, what matters is doing it. But with my current status, it's difficult to achieve much in this area. I know it's hard to promote new crops in Great Zhou. You can't just plant whatever you want, even if you have land. It requires official permission, and tenants willing to work the fields. For new crops, even if you pay several times the usual wage, tenants are often unwilling; they're afraid of poor yields, of disappointing their employer, of ruining their own reputation. So they only grow what they know. Even though we've met only a few times, I sense from our conversations that you have the ability to promote these crops in your homeland, at least helping your own people. Now that Nangong Qingyi is busy defending the border, I'll discuss this with her once the frontier is stable. With her intelligence and ability, I'm sure she can promote it widely. But this must start sooner rather than later; it takes years for a new crop to go from seed to large-scale cultivation. So I hope you'll agree to do this first. I believe that if sweet potatoes and potatoes are widely grown, the lives of the people of Great Zhou will improve greatly.

"Mm... I may have startled you with all I've said today. In truth, if you hadn't told me about your people's plight, I might never have thought of promoting sweet potatoes and potatoes. Perhaps I would have just grown them for my own table. After all, I have never personally felt my people discriminated against or persecuted. So today I've spoken frankly, from the heart. You once said, 'As long as I dare to speak, you'll dare to believe.' I haven't forgotten."

Yin Ruxin studied Yang Yaozhong intently, her brows knitted in complex thought: According to what he said today, my current involvement in helping the Prince Loyal amounts to rebellion, to aiding the wicked. But Yang Yaozhong is not me—he cannot truly feel what I feel. Even if my people are no longer hungry, they still face discrimination and oppression. I can't know whether, if the Prince Loyal succeeds in becoming emperor, he will keep his promises. Yet I still hold onto a shred of hope. And as for the Valley Master's death, though shrouded in mystery, for now, I will still follow his last instructions. So, at this moment, I stand on the opposite side from him. We're not enemies yet, but what about the future? He is Nangong Qingyi's husband, he trusts her, so one day, inevitably, he will be my enemy.

"You... why did you marry into the Nangong family?" Yin Ruxin finally voiced the question that had long troubled her. She bit her lip hard, looking at Yang Yaozhong with a determined gaze, needing an answer. She knew perhaps she shouldn't ask, but she wanted to know why this man, who had entered her heart, this talented, strategic, and perhaps even deeper-minded man—who today seemed so unfamiliar, so intimidating—chose to become a son-in-law. Was it truly just for Nangong Qingyi? If she knew how outstanding he was, why would she accept him as a son-in-law? Did he really wish to live in obscurity? But if so, why must he marry in? Why worry about the nation at all? And if not, then with his abilities, why become a son-in-law? The questions made her head ache, and she could find no answer. She wanted him to provide one.

Yang Yaozhong saw the complex turmoil in Yin Ruxin's eyes. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and he smiled wryly, "So my words have finally frightened you."

He thought to himself, If I told her that from the clocks and telescopes I've deduced Bruno's country has far surpassed Great Zhou in technological development; if I told her that, should Great Zhou continue its isolation and refuse to develop or engage with the world, one day it will be invaded and carved up by advanced foreign nations, the land stained with countless tragedies—would she think me farsighted, or see me as some ancient monster?

"In truth, I don't know why I married in. Maybe, on that day, I simply decided to do so—and so I did. Since the fact is, I am a son-in-law, why dwell on why I made that choice in the past?" he answered evasively.

Yin Ruxin frowned at his response, but his words struck her. "Yes, why obsess over the fact that he is already a son-in-law? Even if I knew his reasons, what difference would it make? What could I do? Even if he were not a son-in-law, we would still be on opposite sides—what could I do then?" Her heart ached with bitterness.

Seeing her still deeply troubled, Yang Yaozhong shook his head and teased, "Mm... don't be too curious about me. Do you know how a cat dies?"

Yin Ruxin, still frowning, lost in earlier thoughts, only murmured, "Hmm?"

Yang Yaozhong looked at her with a mysterious smile. "Legend has it that a cat has nine lives, that nothing can kill it. Yet, because of one thing, all nine are lost. Can you guess what that is?"

Yin Ruxin bit her lip, watching him act so mysterious. She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, pulling herself away from previous worries to ponder his question. Her eyes were full of doubt. "What did it die of?" Truthfully, what she most wanted to know was why he asked this.

Yang Yaozhong gazed at her, lowering his voice mischievously, "The cat died of curiosity. All nine lives lost to curiosity. Curiosity killed the cat! You're like a cat—don't be too curious about me. It might not kill you, but I worry I might hurt you. One is curious about a person for only two reasons: love or hate. Would you ever be curious about someone you don't care for? So, why are you curious about me?"

His words struck home, and a flush rose instantly to Yin Ruxin's face. Her heart grew chaotic.

Yang Yaozhong, seeing her embarrassment, laughed heartily. "I was only joking with you. You seemed so glum just now, I wanted to cheer you up. Don't take it to heart."

Yin Ruxin bit her lip so hard she almost drew blood. Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. She forced a smile, then turned away, for she didn't find his joke funny. In truth, she wanted to cry. With her back to Yang Yaozhong, her body shook, the result of forcibly suppressing her emotions.

Seeing her like this, Yang Yaozhong frowned deeply. He had seen all her moods—her smiles and anger, her lightness and her storms, her joyful radiance and her bitter rage. To him, she truly resembled a cat: when calm and languid, everyone wanted to draw near and caress her; but when provoked, she would bare her claws and fiercely retaliate. He felt his heart stirred by her, a complex emotion welling up. This woman, like himself, appeared open to all, but in truth kept her defenses tightly wrapped. He sensed she harbored many secrets. The feeling arose in him suddenly.

He stood and approached her, wanting to comfort her, but his hand, raised in midair, could not find its way down.