HS-3 Early Seeding

Wei—

Why do you still shut your self away like this? It took us so much effort to get you out of that hill. Shu's not here. Wanna go for a walk with me?

There's nothing new here, but the produce is on another level compared the agricultural plates in the other cities. Say, have you seen how they make booze out of grain yet?

Ugh.

Did the Tianshi Bureaus come looking for trouble?

I'm not afraid of the Tianshi Bureaus!

I'm just... I...

With skills like that, you should be dealing with that big guy outside who refuses to move.

All the Tianshis are out there for the relief effort. What can I do on my own? It's not like I could do it with my own two hands...

I'm so bored! C'mon, lemme see what you're drawing...

No!

Oh, don't be like that. I could give you ideas, if you've got art block or whatever.

Get, out—

Why so nervous? Looks like you're hiding something.

No I'm not. Something's just bothering me.

The folks at the Tianshi Bureaus might be annoying, but they can't actually do anything about you. The imperial court has already given us a guarantee. The worst they could do is complain.

So you're bothered about... him.

...

I can feel his presence. He never hides. Are you sure you don't want to go and see him? We're family, after all.

No.

Wow, you really are cold... I heard how he always brought you the best paintings of the era whenever he passed by your hill. Don't pretend you didn't like them.

Things are different now.

When was the last time you saw him?

I can't say I remember.

His business got so big that he started getting warnings from the Sui Regulator. He pulled things back a little afterwards. He's been enjoying himself the last few years, sightseeing all over Yan.

But the Sui Regulator keeps a much tighter eye on him than it does us.

How do you know all that?

I had a peek in the Regulator's notebooks in the course of my dealings with them. The parts that weren't super-double classified, anyway.

...

'His business became so big'? I always remember him as that simple-minded boy following Shu around, with no eye for anything other than silkworms and mulberry.

The last time I saw him was when he 'passed by', and I caught a glimpse through the painting.

His eyes were clouded, repulsive, like—

—like the stinky weiqi failure, I know.

He was in Baizao the year our weiqi failure broke out. Who do you think Yan had its eyes on for the past few years while ignoring you and I?

You think they're in cahoots?

No idea. I thought Ling and Dage were the only ones he got along with.

But he wouldn't have been able to call on people like he does now if the Sui Regulator made a decision like that, would he?

You know how comfortable he is in human skin. Every transaction in the books he submits every year to the Sui Regulator is perfectly above board. You couldn't find a flaw if you put them under a microscope.

He's always the first to donate whenever a city is hit by Catastrophe. The Sui Regulator has to give him some respect on that point alone.

You really think he did it out of the kindness of his heart?

He's our brother. I won't badmouth him behind his back.

Yeah, riiiight.

Anyway, relationships like ours don't exist amongst humans. Brothers? Sisters? I...

You what?

Get out of here. Now, and no peeking!

Fine, fine. No need to get all violent and excitable.

Sibling ties in the worldly sense mean nothing to us, after all...

Maybe Yanese historians will invent a word to describe our relationship in a few hundred years or so... maybe.

But we would've thrown a few more family reunions if you could change that stubborn streak of yours.

I'm not stubborn.

So, when are you going to show me the twelve scrolls in your study?

Go away!

Yes, I know it's twelve. You kept the one for Sanjie, our third sister, even after she disappeared.

—Have you figured out who the people depicted in the scrolls are? Or did you give up on that?

Unless... you haven't even started on your self-portrait?

Why are you so stubborn?

...

...

...

All these crops have to be destroyed?

Yes.

It was my first ever test field. Maize. All soaked in Originium-polluted water. No other choice.

Restoring Originium-polluted soil is extremely difficult. The land is vast, but precious little of it is fit for farming.

Even the cob of the corn was sweet. I tried it when I first came to Dahuang. It was the best thing ever.

I wanted to grow it in the earth, so that everyone could taste the sweetness, feel the joy that I did when I tried it for the first time.

...

Found you, Xiaohe!

The farmers are arguing with the Tianshis after the engineers bulldozed a field. You need to come! Hurry!

Folks, the disaster has left us with little supplies and even less time. We can't afford any delays.

The decision has already been made to abandon these farms. Please, let us pass through with our tools.

Abandon? You liar! The Tianshis who planted here told me two days ago that the crop research was at a crossroads.

Who gave you the authority to trample our fields with your trucks?

'Originium particle concentration in Plate D-4 soil samples exceed acceptable limits.' That means this field is polluted and no longer usable—

We've dealt with stuff like this every year! Who do you think you are, an outsider deciding that this field should be abandoned?

These fields can't be moved. It's been polluted by natural disaster, and the higher-ups have made the decision to not save it...

This is already a bad year for the harvest! There's going to be a famine if we don't save the fields!

You've never seen thousands die of starvation, have you? All you people care about is your construction projects! You're not helping to save the fields, you're trampling them!

Dahuang belongs to us!

You speak without wisdom.

No wisdom, huh?

I'll show you wisdom!

...

You dare strike me?

Screw you, son of a...

I'll show you a son of a...

Hey, everybody, calm down!

Uncle Wang!

These fields...

Just look! It's bad enough that the fields were ruined by Originium, now these people are running over it with their trucks!

All they talk about is ministers and reports. Minister who? We've never seen them!

We've not received any notice of these fields being abandoned.

I thought the decision had been made to prioritize saving the soil...?

You didn't hear? The construction supplies have arrived. The rebuilding of Dahuang resumed last night.

The cost of soil repairs has been re-assessed based on the latest damage reports.

The decision was made to prioritize construction on the core and abandon the outer agricultural plates... and make preparations to move the core city.

What?!

Has research on the source of the pollutant been completed? Why the hasty decision?

This comes from Tianshi Bureaus... way up. You can ask up the chain yourself, if you don't believe it.

...

If the Tianshi Bureaus' instructions are to abandon the fields, we will comply.

But these fields aren't just places of work; they're people's homes as well.

If there hasn't been a formal notice of evacuation, please, move this equipment elsewhere, at least for now.

Fine. But it'll happen in the next few days.

Duoxie.

I understand the hard work you folks put into farming this land, but things have changed.

People were stuck to the earth before the nomadic cities. Today, though, most agriculture takes place in hydroponic facilities on mobile plates.

To be frank, there's nothing special about this land.

You said you're studying Originium-resistant crops, but nothing's come of the research after all these years, has it?

...

I'm just not sure... if this is the only result, then there is no way to expand the application of the Wanqing 'the Ten Thousand Qing of Fertile Fields' project.

All these years, and nothing to show for it... not even a bud of hope.

They're gone. What did you say to them, Xiaohe?

Nothing special...

...I think we should get to cleaning up, Uncle Wang.

...

Big Buffalo? Big Buffalo! What are you doing, just standing there?

What are we gonna do? Listen to the Tianshis and move Dahuang away? Leave all these fields behind?

We should go ask the Xiangzhang.

...

...Say something!

She would be the first to know if anything was happening to Dahuang. If she isn't saying anything, that means it's out of her hands...

And mine...

Why are you holding your head like that?

Maybe Shennong really was a celestial Xian...

Otherwise, how could she have carved out farmland in an environment like this?

Sure, Shennong was amazing, but it's amazing how people have taken care of the land.

Shennong would be so mad if you give up this easily!

Whoa!

Aww, that was a good dream...

I dreamed of a bumper harvest, before a Catastrophe woke me up.

Why are you sleeping in the fields? Someone might step on you.

You already stepped on me.

That's because you're sleeping in the fields!

Apologies, sir. Are you okay?

I'm not injured, but I've got a big muddy footprint on this fine fabric...

It's your fault for not watching where you're sleeping!

You should watch where you're walking.

Grain Buds...

Well, what do you want me to do? Wash it for you? Buy a new set?

Ach, forget it. All my clothes are made of the finest stuff from all over the land. You wouldn't know how to wash it.

Are you the one who delivered the relief supplies?

Hey, you're awfully clever.

I'm a trader who managed to make a few coins. I came back when I heard about the disaster that hit Dahuang. Got to do my part for my homeland, after all.

You're from Dahuang? Why were you sleeping in the fields, then? Don't you have a home here?

It's been so long that I could hardly recognize the place. Lost my way... say, do you know where the shadow play theater is?

Shadow play? What's that?

A kind of play that uses shadows cast by cloth-shrouded lamps and straw figures.

Do you not watch shadow plays here any more?

I've never seen it...

Hm... where do you celebrate the harvest now?

The great stage?

Just follow this path and turn left at the third tree. It's behind the Shennong Shrine.

Oh, the Shennong Shrine is still here. That's good to hear.

Thanks. You're the first one to point the way for me. Well, fate has determined that we would meet. Here, I have a wish for sale. Anything you like.

What's this?

A wish. For anything you desire.

A wish?

I don't believe you. You're a trader, not some Xian. How could you make my wish come true?

I may be a humble trader, but I'm a big enough deal that I buy and sell anything.

But the opportunity to trade with me doesn't come to everyone.

...For real?

(Hushed) I wish...

(Hushed) I wish Dahuang could always be safe and peaceful, and the harvests always good.

Sure, I can sell you that wish. What will you pay me for it?

Grain Buds... this guy is kinda weird. We should go.

There's no use trying to scam me. I don't have any valuables.

It doesn't have to be valuable in terms of monetary value. I accept anything that you value and treasure.

Xiaohe! Can I play that song?

Song? What song?

...

You stupid buffalo!

A fine payment.

The stone is yours. Your wish will come true.

...Hmph.

She looked angry. Why?

She arranged it for me when I took my entrance exam three years ago.

I remembered. She just put me on the spot...

Ah. Such precious sentiment.

What about you? Is there anything you would like to buy from me?

...Me?

Thank you, but there's nothing I want in particular right now.

Or should I say, what I want can't be bought. I have to earn it on my own.

I could hear you out, if you'd like. There isn't much I can brag about, but I've been to more places than most, and so I sell more things than most.

...

You said you sell anything. Do you sell a future where nobody will starve?

...

Yes.

Wh-What?

The more valuable the good, the higher the price. What price will you pay for your tremendous dream?

Well...

I've cleaned up the polluted crops, He Sheng. Anything else you need me to—

You—

I'm not sure why you're staring at me, young man. Have we met before?

...

Excuse me, sir, we need to talk.

...

Mr. Ji.

Ah... you must be young Lord Zuo.

Alas, where are my manners? I didn't even prepare a gift for our first meeting.

You know me?

(Eerie wail)

No need to be nervous, Lord Zuo. These are but harmless toys.

'Weave cause to effect, cut unreal into real'... are these your creations?

Just doing my part.

(Eerie cry)

The ways of the Feranmut proxies are mystifying.

Petty parlor tricks. Not much use to them.

Pestilence and blight tend to follow a flood. Dealing with disaster you can't see or touch is hard; weave it into an object, and it becomes easier to deal with.

My elder sister would chastise me for violating the laws of nature, if she saw me do this.

You shouldn't be here.

This is my childhood home, after all. I got a little homesick.

I didn't know your kind had childhoods.

We were all ignorant once, no matter how long our lifespans. New things left a deeper impression on us.

And we think more about those who around us, at the time.

Any meeting of you and your siblings is an important matter that should have been reported to the Sui Regulator in advance.

The imperial court's convoy was delayed by Catastrophe. I got word from the old Tianshi and immediately sent relief supplies out of my own pocket.

I only saw my older sister briefly and haven't even caught a glimpse of the younger ones. Isn't the Sui Regulator being a little, you know, inhumane?

The Sui Regulator has instructions to keep a close eye on you.

Even though I've never broken a single rule in all these years?

It is not up to you.

And yet, you're not wearing the garb of a Candleholder.

I have heard much about you, Lord Zuo. That we should meet here is certainly the will of Heaven, and I would very much like to make your acquaintance.

There's no need to flatter me.

I've seen many a scion of blue-blood families in Baizao, plenty of them intelligent and learned.

But it would be a challenge to find more than a handful who could get down to business and do honest work like you.

...

In the eleventh month of last year, you entered the den of the Langyi Shanhaizhong by yourself and rescued dozens of innocent prisoners.

In the second month of this year, you braved numerous dangers in pursuit of that special goblet.

The uninformed believed you to have risen to your position at such a young age because of your father. What do they know of the dangers of a Candleholder's duty?

Why should one mistake wipe out all the hard work you've done in the past?

You're not supposed to know of these things.

Ah, a businessman hears many things. After all, the things one hears can be a commodity, too, if another is willing to pay a price for them.

And it's my business to know what kind of customer would pay what kind of price for information.

For example, I know what's on the other side of the river to the north of Dahuang. I know what Nian is building here.

I know you suspect that ulterior motives were involved in the Catastrophe that struck Yumen, but all your leads came up empty. Am I right?

...

Your meticulousness is impressive.

But I would not underestimate the Sui Regulator, if I were you. We will get to the bottom of any suspicions we have.

I would caution you to toe the line.

Is this a word of advice from a friend?

A word of warning from a Candleholder of the Sui Regulator.

I'm sure you worry too much. The best Tianshis in all of Yan are all gathered in the Chamber of Heaven's Designs north of Dahuang. What can one little man do?

Should you not be more concerned about the... things across the river?

...What?

Do you know how many Tianshis the Chamber of Heaven's Designs has lost in the past three months?

—!

Don't you dare spread lies and rumors...

Trust is a merchant's greatest asset. I never lie, Lord Zuo. You can look into it yourself, if you don't believe it.

Then, think about what you want to do, and whether it might involve a deal with me.

Stupid Mianmian. How many times have I told him not to run away?

Stupid Xiaohe. He doesn't even remember my song! I'm not playing with him anymore!

Mianmian! It's time to go home!

Mianmian! Why did you run away? Get back to your pen, or I'm gonna get scolded along with you.

I'm going away.

...Huh?

I don't want to eat grass anymore.

What?

Has Xiaohe been putting weird stuff in your fodder again?

I'll talk to him, and make sure you guys are eating properly!

It's scary here.

Death is coming.

Will you come with us?

You mean the flood a few days ago?

No need to be scared. The flood is gone. I'll build tougher houses for you, so you won't have to be afraid when Catastrophe comes! I'll protect you!

No.

It comes from across the river.

Look beneath your feet.

Beneath... what...?

...

Uncle Wang? What are you doing?

Moving trees.

The peace tree? It was in perfectly good shape. Why are you moving it? What about those Tumu Tianshis?

Give me a hand and move that dirt over there... they've gone back to the factories. They'll be transporting materials through here in a bit.

Everyone knows that there's no saving this land.

...

Xiaohe, you're a student at the Tianshi Bureau, but you're also from around here. Tell us, what's happened to the land?

I... I don't know...

...Hmph.

Yeah, I know, every inch of land is business to the mandarins. How much money it takes to turn them into moving plates, and how much money they stand to make.

But this is our home! My family has lived here for generations!

How could they tell us to abandon our home just like that!

This is my home too.

I promise I'll get to the bottom of what's happening here. I'll find a way to save the land...

What use are your promises? They promised to take these fields along when they started building the nomadic city.

Fine, I'll pretend I lost the land to a Catastrophe, but I'm taking this tree with me.

My grandpa's grandma planted it. The people in the cities think home is something you can take with you. Well, this tree is my home, and I'm taking it with me.

...I'll help.

...

...

Are you looking for something?

You can talk?

What are you doing here?

My stockbeast ran away. I came to bring him back.

What stockbeast?

Right here—

...I could have sworn he was here.

...

Follow me.

I'll help you find your stockbeast.

Have a seat, Lord Zuo.

...Assistant Minister Ning.

What a coincidence.

From Shangshu to Yumen, and now to Dahuang. You must be an outstanding Candleholder to be handed such responsibility.

What are your instructions?

Please, no need for such formality.

I would not be meeting you here, if this was official business. There is a matter that requires your assistance in a... less than official manner.

About the Sui proxies?

The Twelve Pagodas and Five Cities project is of crucial importance to Great Yan. Having four proxies here in the same place, at a time like this, is a headache to say the least.

There may be devastating consequences if someone with ulterior motives decides to cause trouble.

Do you mean to say that you already know someone intends to cause trouble?

Are you aware that the development of Dahuang has resumed?

The trader's supplies... he should not interfere with such matters.

All I know is that he had a meeting with Assistant Minister Wan from the Ministry of Works. Do you know him?

I'm familiar with him... he has been working on Dahuang's mobile plate development in recent years, but he also participated in Yumen's repairs a few months ago.

What is Ji planning?

Ji was known to be close to Shu, and the two of them used to farm Dahuang a thousand years ago. Ji later left Dahuang to start a business.

He returns to Dahuang once every few decades. The last visit was sixty years ago.

You recall these details well...

Do you suspect that he intends to sabotage Dahuang?

Right now, we need to figure out why he came back to Dahuang. This is what I would like you to uncover.

The Ministry of Rites and the Sui Regulator have long been at odds over the Sui issue. Yet now you're asking me to do this.

Where do you stand yourself?

As a Candleholder, my duty is to my orders, of course...

You want to be a good sword.

That way, it's not the sword's fault, even if it kills the wrong person.

I'm not trying to shirk responsibility—

Have you ever thought about why the Sui Regulator wants to eliminate the Sui by force?

If there comes a day when Yumen goes to the capital, ending the existence of both cities and the Feranmut to the sound of cannonfire...

Do we really say 'We had no choice' about all the people who lose their homes and the soldiers who lose their lives?

Was there really no other way?

...

What prompts you to ask me to do this?

The welfare of the people. Not the cloaks and daggers of the court.

Honesty and integrity. I'm sure the answer is right there in your heart.

The stockbeast is inside.

In the river?

You want to find him, go down.

Hm...

Alright.

I'll find him down there and bring him back to his pen.

Come back! You'll die!

Let me go, Zushi! I'll bring her back!

I know how to handle it. She's not that far gone. Let me go, and I can bring her back!

Zushi, no! She can still be saved!

Zushiiiiiiii—!

There is only death there. She's beyond all help. You can't save her.

Go back. Put up a grave monument.

Where do you think you're going, you idiot?

...

Huh?

The stockbeast is down there. The old lumberjack told me so. I'm bringing him back.

You're the stockbeast, you dumb rice-brain!

...

......

Are you talking about me?!

Of course I'm talking about you! You think there's a stockbeast down there? Are you blind or stupid?

Oh, shut up—

Whoa!

Pfft, bleh, argh!

What's going on?

Why are there two pieces of...?

Rice?

Uncle?

Where's the mute uncle?

What uncle? All I see is you trying to jump into the water, you crazy idiot!

Now throw that away!

You wouldn't tell it to my face?

You say you trust me, but will we ever have a chance to sit down and talk to each other again?