KAIFENG PEOPLE

"Kaifeng residences," Zhu Su began his speech. "Our beloved city has been hit by flood disaster twice. I understand how much you all suffered because of that terrible disaster - we all understand. We aren't such selfish people who only shut ourselves up in the palace and live in pleasure without being aware of the people's suffering. We all know, and understand, and are working hard to elevate your standard of living. This is exactly why we are here."

The people stared at him carefully.

"In what way will we help you? By donating monetary funds? No, that's a bad solution. Donation in form of monetary funds will only encourage corruption like before, you know it very well, right?"

Several people who happened to witness the execution of the corruptors nodded.

"Here I will also give the donation in form of monetary, but it is conditional. Yet this is more effective and useful than by just giving you money unconditionally. I will announce our recent project; Researching edible plants that can be eaten during this difficult time. Flood has damaged loose land, soils are inundated with water and nothing can be planted. People have to survive by eating grass roots or tree bark, and those who can't recognize plants eat carelessly poisonous plants, then get sick and even die. I am not Deity, to be honest, I can't change the destiny, or promise you that there will never be a flood again - I can't do that. But I can help in other ways. That is, to make your basic needs be fulfilled, to help you live comfortably and prosperously and free from hunger and sickness. I can promise that!... But, to achieve that result, I need your help."

Zhu Su paused for a moment. His audiences were still paying attention to him.

"If you can bring us food that you usually eat, or plants or animals or whatever you think they can be consumed, then bring them to us. You can also tell us about your experiences or the experiences of others while consuming that food. And also give us help in the process of research and work on it. We won't pay nothing for your labor. We will give you compensation. This is what I mean by the conditional monetary fund. What do you think? Not bad, right? You will not only get a salary, you will also make a big contribution to your beloved city - even help all human beings who also become the disaster's victims. Because this project will be useful anytime and anywhere the disaster occurs. You will get a great reward!"

This time everyone started whispering excitedly. Their faces flushed in enthusiasm.

"Once more. I will also get into the process in person. So I won't be idle and sluggish in my palace while waiting for the result. So will the Wang Fei," Zhu Su pointed at Hu Nayin who was standing next to him. Hu Nayin curved a little smile. "We, all members of the royal family, will attend in persons, in order to help the people to be free from suffering."

Everyone widened their eyes. Zhu Su smiled.

"So, may you understand; that we the government are not as sluggish as the separatists always smear. We really mean this, from the deepest of our hearts; we will do our best to free all Kaifeng - and even the entire Ming - from hardship!"

"Long live His Highness Zhou Wang!"

Stunned, Zhu Su looked at the person who had just hailed. A man in his thirties.

His shouting was followed by the rest of the crowd. "Long live His Highness Zhou Wang! Long live the Great Ming!"

And now, the crowd was cheering, their hail was so loud as if it reached even the farthest border of heaven.

"Your Highness is excessively wise! We are ready to support you! Long live His Highness Zhou Wang! Long live the Great Ming!"

Zhu Su gazed at those Kaifeng people, truly touched. It had been a long time for him to hear that hail again. What he used to hear nowadays was always negative protests and anger against the government. Somehow he got apathetic whether he would be able to hear this hail again or not. But apparently, the wheel of life had turned. If the bad was rampant in the past, now everything began to change, the good was starting to be appreciated and get its place.

Zhu Su looked up, gazing at the sun shining brightly above the clear blue sky.

Heaven, I ask for Your help, I hope everything will be well. I believe, the goodness will surely get your favor.

***

Since Kaifeng people had been enthusiastic to support Zhu Su's project from the beginning, then they were even more excited when they found that Zhu Su realized his promise. He did not just brag, he was the man of his word. He and Hu Nayin got involved personally in the project. Despite their high status as royalty, they were not arrogant or bossy; they behaved fairly in front of the people and treated them well, as the result the people liked all of them even more and were determined to give their best to carry out the project.

"At that time I was so starving it made me almost died. Then I saw a fruit that looked appetizing. It turned out that it was a persimmon. I know that persimmon is delicious, so I ate it. I was very hungry at that time, so I kept eating and eating, I don't know how many persimmons that I've eaten. Suddenly my stomach hurt so badly. I vomited many times, at the same time getting diarrhea, I ran home immediately. After that, I was so lethargic, my head was dizzy and I could only lie down for a long time, but thanks Heaven I am still alive. Since then I am wary of eating persimmons again." A skinny, mid-twenties man named Xing was telling his experience.

Zhu Su was thinking hard as he wrote down what Xing told him in his notes. From what he knew, persimmon fruit is very beneficial for the health, its sweet taste even makes it a delicious meal, then why did it instead of making people fall sick, to the extent that the victim suffered from severe disease? "Can you show us the persimmon?" He asked.

Xing nodded. "I'm not carrying it with me right now... but if you don't mind, I can show you the plant, as well as the place where it grows."

"Yes, it's much better. Show us that place."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

Xing bowed in a respectful manner, thus he went out. Zhu Su and Hu Nayin followed him.

It turned out that they must walk so far. They left the bustle of the city, the paths they walked through were less and less passed by the people and the plants they found were more and more, until finally, they arrived at a hill full of trees. It was autumn, the trees were bearing many fruits. Xing approached a persimmon tree that was bearing lots of fruit. He flailed to pluck a persimmon, but shortly after his movements stopped. He looked confused, "How come the persimmon is different?..."

Xing's mumble aroused Zhu Su's curiosity. "Isn't persimmon like this? Or is there another kind of persimmon?"

Xing thought for a while. "When I ate it last time, the color was different..."

"You are lack of knowledge about plants?"

"I was actually a waiter in a small shop, then flood destroyed the shop, so now I become a wandering person..."

"Then why are you so sure that the fruit you've eaten was really persimmon?"

"A man in the refugee village told me."

"Is he an expert of plant?"

"He is a farmer, but whether he is an expert, I'm not so sure of it..."

Zhu Su got perplexed. So far, he was just an expert in medicine. He only did medical research such as the theory of medical science, examination skills and diagnostic methods, types of diseases, herbs and prescriptions, acupuncture methods, Qigong therapy, and so on. But to study the plants such as their physiology, structure, etc... it was totally new for him.

He had stepped into another field.