Some Basic Studies in Botany
As much as would love to make it a hobby to stalk the lovely Sima Yi, I need to talk to him if I've any plan to catch him. The ideal situation would have me saying something clever, cultured and witty. After this Sima Yi would tear his clothes off, leap into my arms and let me take him in the bushes. Armed with this fabulous mental image and a new bout of confidence, I saunter down the garden path to meet him.
Unfortunately, the moment I'm three feet in front of him and under his stare my repertoire of clever dialogue goes blank. I manage what I can: "Good morning, Sima Yi, was it?" His face registers mild surprise and disbelief before he responds. "…Yes, Sima Yi, and good morning to you too, General…Zhang He?" I nod, hopefully not too enthusiastically, and my heart beats wild with delight to see that I made enough of an impression for him to remember my name (I do hope it has nothing to do with my staring at him, though). I close the gap between us in order to stand before the unoccupied part of his bench. "My dear Sima, would you mind? If I took a seat by you that is." He nods for me to go ahead and we fall into silence. I've decided to go ahead and use this break to enjoy the natural surroundings. The soft morning light and breeze do a lot for Sima's appearance. So does the plant life now in the background. I really should say something right now, find out about his interests you know?
"Are you actually reading all of those scrolls for work? You do know that Lord Cao Cao won't actually execute you for taking a break to enjoy the scenery and some human company." The glare he's now giving me probably means I've said something wrong. "You realize that as part of Wei's strategy department, if I slack off either the main camp is over run and I die or Lord Cao Cao executes me and I die… but, did you consider that perhaps I have a motivation other than simply not dying." The voice he's spoken in seems unnaturally soft and demure for the words he's said. It's actually pretty creepy. Though I should admit that he doesn't look creepy at all. He looks so much younger than I had remembered. He's not wearing any of that eyeliner he usually has on, and he seems much smaller without his boots or shoulder pads. He looks cute really, though telling him that might not diffuse the current situation. "I hadn't meant to offend you, Sima Yi. It's just that worrying about your safety and your no doubt good abilities must surely get troubling. I simply want you to let yourself relax and enjoy what Wei has to offer." His gaze softens, but remains distant. He allows me to continue. "As for Lord Cao Cao, you may care to know that I was also recruited under duress. My prior Lord had come under attack and I had little choice but to change sides. Doing such is simply making the choice to go where the future lies. Cao Cao obviously recognizes your abilities. Why else would he have gone through such trouble to recruit you?"
He keeps a neutral gaze set on me while I wonder what he'll fire back with. "So you were a general before? I'm just not used to all of these military affairs. How is Cao Cao compared to your prior lords?" There's a tired languor to the way he says things, a distant and clinical nature. I wonder what I should let him know of me. "They had their good, and their bad, but, as I said the future lies in Wei."
There is something more I have to know of him. "Sima Yi, you said you had other reasons for devoting yourself so much to your duties, would you speak?" He looks me in the eye, with a level of gravity that seems almost urgent. His expression is steeled as his mouth begins to move. "General Zhang He, these scrolls contain some basic studies in botany and husbandry. Seeing your background with Yuan Shao, you should be well aware that Lord Cao Cao recently acquired full control of the northern lands, as well as some other peripheral regions. Many of these regions, the farmland and farmers, are in ruins; highly unproductive. The villages and soldiers stationed there need constant shipments of basic supplies and rations. This is the situation I've been assigned to. Tell me, General, what is your take on this?"
This is very much not the conversation I'd wanted with Sima Yi (and he seemed so pretty). I take a good look at him to be sure he's serious, and then respond as best I can. "The way the situation is currently being handled is the way things have always been done, the only way really. But your current studies seem to have a connection to this…?" I invite him to speak further, he seems to enjoy it so.
Now there's a grin threatening to burst on his face and a fire in his eye. I see why Lord Cao Cao wants this man as one of his officers when Sima begins to speak with a certain understated arrogance and excitement. "Yes, General. I never said the lands were empty, simply that they cannot produce. If we can provide a means for production, then we increase the efficiency that Wei can hold land with. We gain a decisive advantage. From what studies I've read, chickens and other small live stock could be one way to gain this advantage. Seeing as I'll need to procure these chickens to send north, I have been studying how to identify sickly and "defective" chickens for when I go to the markets tomorrow."
It is now my turn to stare at him dumbfounded. "Wait, Sima Yi, you're reading these scrolls so that tomorrow you don't get swindled when buying chickens? I've experience with purchasing supplies, I could accompany you to help, Sima."
Sima sighs, "Chickens are not the reason I did such; they're simply…a step closer to it. But," he relaxes "I would appreciate your help tomorrow, Zhang He." He gives (what I choose to believe is) a warm glance before getting up and lightly stretching that lithe body of his. Too work out the tension from having sat for hours straight, of course. He starts gathering his scrolls, I help him. We walk off to put the scrolls away and discuss plans for our chicken buying rendezvous.
