HCT – Chapter 14 Mashed Potatoes with Meat Sauce

Zhu Xiang was lonely.

His pain and joy were sometimes things that only he could savor quietly, slowly reliving them in solitude.

But having lived in this era for so many years, after enduring so many hardships, Zhu Xiang had a tenacious mindset and quickly calmed himself down.

He wiped away his tears and summoned another potato to examine it carefully.

The system always rewarded him with 1,000 units of each superior variety. Once taken out, they couldn’t be returned, and they would only appear directly in his hand. Fortunately, potatoes didn’t need to be planted whole, so Zhu Xiang had found a minor loophole in the system.

“Zhongshu No. 2?” Zhu Xiang made a preliminary judgment.

He searched through the system but found that while it provided superior seeds, there was no instruction manual detailing their characteristics or cultivation requirements.

Once again, Zhu Xiang was struck by how unreliable this system was.

Superior seeds were merely better seeds—not some magical crop that would thrive just by being planted. Soil, water, temperature… every environmental factor could affect the yield of these seeds.

Moreover, different varieties had varying resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to droughts or cold. Whether or not the seeds could be preserved for future planting, and how many generations they would remain viable, were all potential issues.

So many problems!

If one knew nothing about a superior seed, it might yield two or three crops at most before degrading into an inferior strain. Without practical value, they were just for show.

“System, even if you don’t provide a manual, at least tell me if my guess is correct!” Zhu Xiang pleaded. “Otherwise, your so-called superior seed system is just a scam!”

The system didn’t respond. It truly had no intelligent assistance features.

Zhu Xiang had no choice but to fumble through the system interface, clicking on every text and icon with his mind. To his surprise, a new feature appeared—once he successfully cultivated a seed, he would receive a detailed information entry about it during harvest.

Zhu Xiang tossed the potato into the air and caught it. This system really was like his university’s online learning platform—if you didn’t take initiative, you got nothing.

“I’ll have to go up the mountain more often from now on,” Zhu Xiang thought.

He needed plausible excuses for where his seeds came from.

To find and cultivate superior seeds, he often scattered various seeds in the mountains to let them grow wildly. He also searched for new edible plants to experiment with. He had even asked traveling merchants to bring back any strange or exotic seeds they found.

Though the results were meager, people around him had grown used to his “eccentric behavior.”

Now that he had “found” a new seed variety in the mountains after years of searching, it was entirely reasonable.

Zhu Xiang tucked the potato into his clothes and headed to the kitchen to make mashed potatoes for the First Emperor cub.

The three “hearts” given by Zheng’er’s father had earned him cumin, fennel, and potatoes—all things Zhu Xiang had greatly desired. He couldn’t thank Zheng’er’s father directly, so he’d thank his precious nephew Zheng’er instead.

Moreover, Zhu Xiang suspected that if not for Zheng’er accepting him after a nightmare, the system might never have activated in the first place.

Although the system’s favorability feature didn’t include “Qin Shi Huang,” Zhu Xiang suspected that the entire system was powered by Zheng’er’s favor toward him. So naturally, any newly acquired food should first be offered to the great First Emperor cub.

Even though it was said to be an offering to the First Emperor cub, Zhu Xiang made five bowls of mashed potatoes with meat sauce in one go. Everyone in the household, including Cai Ze—who had recently moved into Xun Kuang’s courtyard and voluntarily taken on the task of serving him—received a portion.

He peeled and steamed the potatoes, mashed them with goat milk, then heated up the meat sauce in a clay pot and poured it on top. A simple yet delicious dish of mashed potatoes with meat sauce was complete.

Zhu Xiang covered the small bowls of mashed potatoes and had an old servant deliver two of them to Xun Kuang’s courtyard. He then carried the remaining three on a wooden tray to find little Ying Zheng and Xue.

Ying Zheng was sleeping like a little pig. After Xue’s legs had gone numb, she laid him on a pillow, and he didn’t even twitch—not even his little legs.

Zhu Xiang opened the lid of the mashed potatoes and fanned the aroma toward Ying Zheng’s nose. The boy’s little nose twitched, and his hands flailed in his sleep like a sleepwalker.

“Zheng’er, if you don’t wake up soon, your uncle is going to eat all the yummy mashed potatoes with meat sauce!” Zhu Xiang teased as he fanned.

Ying Zheng’s eyes flew open, wide and round, all sleepiness gone.

Zhu Xiang nearly dropped the bowl laughing, but Xue swiftly snatched it from his hands.

“Oh my dear Zheng’er, are you really this greedy? The moment you hear there’s food, you’re fully awake?” Zhu Xiang pulled the boy out from under the blanket and gave his head a vigorous rub.

Dizzy from the head rubbing, Ying Zheng mumbled, “What happened?”

Xue sighed, “Alright, stop teasing him… What is this?”

“Mashed potatoes. Xue, you might remember when we were kids, we dug up edible roots in the mountains. This is similar.” Zhu Xiang explained, “I’ve been buying all sorts of strange plants from traveling merchants, and I finally cultivated a high-yield crop suitable for famine relief. I was going to plant more before telling you. But today Zheng’er cried so hard, it broke my heart…”

He ruffled Ying Zheng’s hair again. “So Uncle made a little mashed potato just for you.”

Xue hesitated, “A new grain? I can eat it, but can Zheng’er? He’s still a child…”

“Of course he can.” Zhu Xiang sat on the bed, placed Ying Zheng on his lap, picked up another small bowl, and took a bite of mashed potatoes himself.

Ying Zheng’s lips moved, his cheeks puffed.

He grabbed Zhu Xiang’s chest and looked up at him with wide, eager eyes. It smelled so good!

Smiling, Zhu Xiang stirred the mashed potatoes and meat sauce together and fed a small spoonful to Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng obediently opened his mouth and slurped it clean.

The rich flavor of the meat sauce and the smooth texture of the mashed potatoes melded into something far more delicious than meat sauce alone. Ying Zheng licked his lips and looked up again, expectantly.

“Feed yourself.” Zhu Xiang handed him the bowl and spoon.

Ying Zheng took the bowl and happily ate.

Xue set aside her needlework and tasted the new dish as well. “Dear, what is this potato thing? It’s very tasty.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “I have around ten more. Let’s plant them together. If this batch grows well, we can start introducing it to farmers next year.”

Through taste and observation, Zhu Xiang believed the system’s seed was “Zhongshu No. 2.”

“Zhongshu No. 2” was an early-maturing variety, ready for harvest in just two months. If he succeeded in this trial, the system would grant detailed info, allowing spring promotion next year.

It wouldn’t be hard to convince farmers to plant a small plot in front or behind their houses. These plots didn’t require tax and were often used for miscellaneous wild vegetables.

“So few?” Xue was shocked. “And you still let us eat it…”

Zhu Xiang chuckled, “If you don’t taste it, how can you support my planting efforts? Zheng’er, starting tomorrow, Uncle will teach you how to plant potatoes. When your birthday comes, you’ll get to eat them as your gift.”

I plant it myself? And eat it on my birthday as a gift to myself? Ying Zheng immediately nodded. “Okay! Zheng’er wants to grow potatoes!”

Xue hesitated, “Dear, Zheng’er is still small. Can he go to the fields?”

Zhu Xiang laughed, “I’ll be with him. How could he get tired?”

Xue added, “If he won’t get tired, then I’m going too.”

Xue had poor health. Zhu Xiang always insisted she stay away from field work, citing the traditional roles of men plowing and women weaving.

Xue understood it was just an excuse because he cared for her. But now she finally had a reason to help, and she was proud.

“Alright, but just this once,” Zhu Xiang agreed.

Xue was surprised. “You’re really letting me?”

Zhu Xiang smiled, “Of course. It’s just ten potatoes. Consider it family fun, right Zheng’er?”

Ying Zheng didn’t really understand, but nodded. “Right! Uncle, I’m still hungry…”

“No more. The rest are for planting. If you want more, you have to grow it yourself,” Zhu Xiang teased.

Ying Zheng licked his lips and pitifully said, “Okay, I’ll plant it myself. Uncle, teach me.”

Zhu Xiang pinched his cheeks. “Tomorrow.”

Ying Zheng was so greedy he begged, “No, I want to plant them today!”

Xue stifled her laugh. “Since Zheng’er wants to plant so badly, let’s go. It’s still early.”

Zhu Xiang sighed. “Fine. I’ll go get the potatoes. You two burn all the weeds Lin Li planted in the courtyard.”

Xue couldn’t hold back anymore. “Pfft… Dear, Mister Lin will be sad.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Give him a few potatoes. He won’t be sad anymore.”

Xue laughed even harder. “If he hears that, he’ll be even sadder.”

Ying Zheng tilted his head in confusion. Why was Auntie laughing so hard? Did Uncle tell a joke? Should I laugh too?

He hesitantly smiled.

Zhu Xiang and Xue: “…”

Ying Zheng: “Hmm?”

Xue took a deep breath. “Dear, our Zheng’er is even cuter than you were as a child!”

Zhu Xiang: “…Mm.” Well, my status in this household just dropped one level.

But losing to the future First Emperor? He could live with that.

And speak of the devil, Lin Zhi arrived.

The idle fellow had once again been sent by Lin Xiangru to study under Xun Kuang.

“Huh? Why did you burn my flowers?!” Lin Zhi complained.

“To plant potatoes. Here, we saved you a roasted one. Try it,” Zhu Xiang said, tossing him a paper-wrapped bundle.

Lin Zhi opened it and looked at the strange… fruit (?). Worried, he asked, “Is this edible?”

He took a bite, chewed, swallowed. “Not bad. Where’d you get it?”

Zhu Xiang replied, “I asked merchants from Shu and Chu if they knew of a food called ‘yu’.”

Lin Zhi said, “I know it. It’s a plant that grows near water. Its root is edible, yields well, and doesn’t use prime farmland. You want to introduce it to Zhao to prevent famine. Is this ‘yu’?”

Zhu Xiang shook his head. “No. The merchants were mistaken, but this root is also edible. I’ve cultivated about a dozen. I want to test if it’ll grow without careful tending. If it works, villagers can grow it around their homes to bridge food gaps.”

Lin Zhi immediately forgot his beloved flowers. “Really? I want to plant some too. Give me seeds!”

“Need to sprout them first. Today’s just for preparing the soil,” Zhu Xiang said.

Lin Zhi rolled up his sleeves. “Then I’ll prep the land!”

He got busy enthusiastically, wielding the hoe like an expert.

Seeing this earnest effort for a famine-rescuing crop, Zhu Xiang couldn’t help but feel a little sorrowful that Lin Zhi wasn’t on the system’s favorability list.

“Hey, you just going to stand there? Don’t you feel ashamed?” Lin Zhi stopped hoeing and shouted at Zhu Xiang.

Zhu Xiang rolled up his sleeves. “Coming!”

“Zhu Xiang! That potato you gave me… what are you doing?!” Xun Kuang ran over, with Cai Ze trailing close behind.

“Prepping soil to plant potatoes,” Zhu Xiang said.

“They really grow?” Xun Kuang asked.

Zhu Xiang grinned. “I already grew a batch. Didn’t you eat one?”

Xun Kuang recalled the taste and laughed. “I wondered why you brought me an unfamiliar food. Trying to get me to convince someone? The king?”

Zhu Xiang fell silent.

Xun Kuang frowned. “What, you don’t want to tell the king?”

“I’m afraid he’ll declare potatoes a royal tribute crop—exclusive to the royal family,” Zhu Xiang said.

Xun Kuang paused, then frowned deeply.

Zhu Xiang wasn’t trying to slander the king—history had too many such examples. And this king had indeed once monopolized the sugar refining method.

To nobles, a rare and delicious food must first serve their enjoyment.

“Worse, if the king learns potatoes are filling and high-yield, he might tax them. He might order nationwide cultivation,” Zhu Xiang continued. “They need a long breeding period and degrade with repeated planting… He won’t listen to detailed explanations or assign me as crop advisor.”

Lin Zhi smashed the hoe down hard, voice low and hoarse. “Don’t tell the king. We’ll plant them ourselves.”

Xun Kuang sighed. “You’re right. We’ll do it ourselves.”

Cai Ze silently rolled up his sleeves and fetched water.

Ying Zheng looked at the suddenly somber adults and formed a vague idea.

He said to Zhu Xiang, “Uncle, don’t be sad. If the king won’t listen to you, I will! You tell me how to farm, I’ll give the orders!”

Zhu Xiang crouched down and hugged him. “Alright!”

He turned to the others, proudly. “Hear that? Zheng’er is so filial!”

“Yes, very filial,” Xun Kuang chuckled.

“Hmph,” Lin Zhi grumbled. Did even future generations of the Zhao royal family lose to Qin?

“Not just now—always. Our Zheng’er is the best!” Zhu Xiang stood up. “Alright, enough chatter. Let’s get back to work!”

Ying Zheng’s cheeks turned rosy from the praise. “Okay.”

Planting potatoes isn’t as simple as just tossing them into the soil whenever you feel like it. You need to let them sprout first, then cut them into pieces.

If it’s the second harvest being used for seed potatoes, you also have to detoxify them.

But the potatoes taken from the system—well, the system wouldn’t be that stingy—they’re definitely first-generation quality seeds, so no need for detoxification.

After going through the long process of cultivation, they finally understood why Zhu Xiang had been so worried about King Zhao recklessly promoting the crop.

Growing a new kind of plant really requires attention to so many details.

Without a laboratory, Zhu Xiang used the most primitive breeding method—digging a pit in the ground, placing a layer of cow, horse, and pig manure in the pit, covering it with a layer of soil, then putting the potatoes on top. She covered the potatoes with more manure and soil, laid a straw mat over it, and finally buried it all under another layer of earth.

After about ten days, Zhu Xiang dug out the potatoes, and sprouts had begun to grow. The remaining manure-soil mix was used as fertilizer.

Once the potatoes had sprouted, Zhu Xiang prepared one pot of boiling water on the stove and another pot of cooled boiled water. Holding a small knife, she cut the sprouted potatoes into pieces. After each cut, she would sterilize the knife in the boiling water, then cool it in the cold water.

Once the potato pieces were planted, Zhu Xiang led her potato-planting squad on daily patrols through the fields. Whenever they found a diseased potato seedling, they immediately uprooted it and tossed it into the fire.

“There’s currently no way to treat diseased potato plants, so the moment you see one, it must be removed immediately to prevent infection from spreading to healthy ones,” Zhu Xiang instructed.

Ying Zheng was so tired he plopped down onto the ground. “So… so tired.”

Zhu Xiang yanked him right back up. “Farming is exhausting. It’s not easy for farmers to grow food, and yet it’s still hard for them not to go hungry.”

Ying Zheng murmured, “Maybe… maybe lower the taxes a little?”

Zhu Xiang smiled. “You’re right. But rather than pinning hopes on a benevolent ruler to care for the people, it might be more practical to increase food yields so farmers are more likely to feed themselves. If the output per mu goes from one dan to two, even with a fifty-percent tax rate, farmers can eat their fill, and the national treasury still earns more.”

Ying Zheng was nodding in agreement when Xun Kuang finally couldn’t hold back: “Increasing production is important, but rulers must also lighten corvée labor and taxation!”

Zhu Xiang shook her head. “Of course lightening taxes is good, but who can control how a king thinks? Even a wise ruler—when faced with a broken river that needs repairing, a foreign invasion that requires war, or the need to improve communication between cities by building roads—those are all massive expenses, yet necessary.”

Xun Kuang’s tone grew sarcastic. “So with you around, the king can be ambitious and extravagant without harming the people?”

Zhu Xiang gave a bitter smile. “How could that be? At most, it just means a few fewer people starve to death.”

Seeing her bitter smile, Xun Kuang couldn’t bring himself to scold him anymore.

Now he just wanted to scold King Zhao.

Could it be that this foolish King Zhao was the one who made Zhu Xiang lose faith in all the rulers under heaven?