Terminology:

Terrace (for agriculture): Using slops by carving tiered platforms to cultivate crops. The design allows maximum usage of sunlight, decrease soil erosion and harnessing natural water run-off.  They look amazing from a plane too!

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The two men rushed out of the palace, galloping away into the fields. Feng Ming’s spirit was completely uplifted. There was no trace of the shadowy darkness, as he suppressed the unpleasant thoughts into the back of his mind.  

King Rong’s horsemans.h.i.+p was worthy of envy, as he held his lover with one hand, he maintained the reins with the other, speeding into and challenging the hurtling wind.

As cold gusts of wind lashed continuously, the pair remained carefree as the thrill was exhilarating experience.

Feng Ming head peeped out from under the cloak that the King had tightly wrapped around him like a bundle. A large goofy grin was painted across his face as he released shouts and cheers.

Rong Tian reined in White Cloud to a halt; he swiftly dismounted and carefully carried the Prince back down to earth.

“If Spring was here, this field would be filled with endless stretches of gra.s.s that appear to reach of the skies. Studded with countless flowers, a sight that is truly enchanting.”  He glimmered, pointing to the vast and barren landscape in front of them.

“Now it’s bare!” Feng Ming didn’t spare the dried up empty land a second glance

Rong Tian rarely had the luxury of venturing outside of the palace on non-official business, and here he was trying to create a romantic atmosphere aiming to move Feng Ming heart.

“Yes, that’s true. However, it is the lonely cruel winter that makes us lament for warmth of spring’s prosperity. All living beings on earth live in a cycle don’t they?”

“That’s right, that’s the amazing strength of life,” Feng Ming secretly thought whether it was an appropriate time to flaunt his ‘talent with words’.

‘Wildfires may strip the land of life, but once the spring wind blows the battlefields will flourish.’ Those words weren’t his and Feng Ming wasn’t comfortable stealing someone else’s words, so he had better forget about his display.

 White Cloud had been nibbling at by a patch of dried gra.s.s he flicked his long tail and trotted slowly to his master seeking attention. The prized pet was feeling displaced, jealous that Feng Ming had gained more importance than him.

Oblivious to the animal’s displeasure, Feng Ming felt a crazy attraction to the horse, the gravity of the force was stronger than any feelings he had for the King. This was one dangerous love triangle.

Wanting to feel the sleeky length of White Cloud’s tail, the prince couldn’t resist trying to catch it in his hand.

White Cloud was the property of the Regent King who did nothing but spoil him. He was a proud animal and he shunned contact other than his master. His rejection to Feng Ming was evident as he responded by whipping his tail into the boy’s face then turned back to offer a disgruntled neigh.

“Be careful,” The Regent King long antic.i.p.ated that Feng Ming would do something to provoke his pet, as expected the repercussions of Feng Ming’s action only served to give him a laugh.

When White Cloud whipped his tail at the Prince’s face for round two, Rong Tian stepped between and separated the boy and the animal. 

The fact that Feng Ming failed to grab hold of White Cloud’s tail frustrated him, he glared at the beast angrily snapping “He is looking down on me!”

“Why did you go and provoke him? Horse’s have a temper, besides White Cloud is the best horse in Xi Rei.”

“I’m being stared down at by a horse, it makes me angry!” Feng Ming gritted his teeth, and reminded the King “I want to ride White Cloud and you promised me that I could take a long ride today.”

Rong w.a.n.g raised an eyebrow, “You’ve injured yourself there last night are you still able to ride?”

Recalling his humiliating injury, Feng Ming grew even more enraged. He s.n.a.t.c.hed Rong Tian’s collar and threatened, “I want to ride and I will not give up until I do!”

The King was caught up in the boy’s demand, he had no other option than to raise his hands up and surrender, “Alright, I will ride a lap with you. Just around this mountain how does that sound?”

Feng Ming immediately jumped at the offer, and the King mounted and lifted the Prince so this time he sat mounted front of him.

In fear of working up Feng Ming’s injuries in this position, Rong Tian refused to let the horse bolt carelessly. Instead he had limited White Cloud to stroll. Along the way as the pair pa.s.sed landmarks the Regent King’s guide and mentor role kicked in. The lovely scenery became the cla.s.sroom as the King taught his pupil geography and local conditions.   

“Over there lies Xi Rei River, the largest river in our country. The land which the river crosses is highly fertile and gives rise to the majority of our agricultural success.”

Feng Ming gazed into the distance, sure enough caught sight of a large body of water rus.h.i.+ng and snaking through the landscape from the east. On either side were countless plots of cultivated land. Although it was winter hardworking peasants were still labouring away.

He didn’t understand farming so after a few more glances he was disinterested. Instead he turned his attention to the high mountain ranges that were beyond the farmlands which appeared to span far into the distance.

“Look over there, there are so many peaks, those are more spectacular. When Spring arrives you have to take me to the mountains to play.”

“All day long you only think about having fun. Next Spring will be your eighteenth birthday do you know what that means?”

Spoiling the mood the Regent King was talking about politics again…Feng Ming immediately frowned and gave the King a look.

“What are you trying to imply?”

“The Crowned Prince is eighteen therefore you can ascend the throne.”

“I know, at that time you want me to return your t.i.tle, right?”

Feng Ming’s pitiful expression was entertaining, Rong Tian let out a chuckle before stroking Feng Ming’s back tenderly.

“Feng Ming, next year Xi Rei’s power fight for the throne will finally conclude. Such a complicated matter will be settled, however, it won’t be without enormous difficulties ahead. For us to be able to survive till next March is a hard task.”

“Please don’t speak of such depressing matters! Aren’t we out here to enjoy ourselves today? Even if you work hard you can’t neglect the joys of living and having fun. How about we set aside business and work on leisure?” The Prince protested.

Rong w.a.n.g lovingly stroked Feng Ming’s head in apology.

If given opportunity to meet both men at the same time, one may be surprised to hear that they were in fact roughly the same age. In comparison whenever you looked at Rong w.a.n.g, he always appeared to be old and wise as if he had matured years ahead of Feng Ming.

Fengming looked deeply into Rong w.a.n.g’s face and then suddenly thought of all that the Regent King had to endure to reach the stage he was at.

Growing up surrounded by feuds and conspiracies was an unhealthy environment. No wonder why the man was so stern and tense. How many secrets of his past were still hidden deep inside? Was he scarred from such a complicated childhood?  The more Feng Ming put his mind to it, the more he felt sorry. Rong Tian was like a modern day child that grew up from a dysfunctional family. The Prince decided to let this one slip.

With sympathy he purposely changed the subject, “Where was I up to?”

“You just said that in spring you wanted to climb the mountains.”

“That’s right. There are so many hillsides to be explored, I bet in spring it will be stunningly beautiful.”

Feng Ming giggled.

Rong w.a.n.g let out a sigh, “Those Mountains are a pleasing to the eyes from where we stand but in reality the terrain is not welcoming. Numerous mountain ranges make up the majority of Xi Rei’s land and unfortunately there isn’t much arable land left.  Our yearly harvest is barely able to get us over a long winter. If there is a bad harvest, that year our people will face a famine and we will need to seek a.s.sistance from other countries paying a fortune for provisions.”

Feng Ming raised his head to look out into the distance sure enough there were only a limited area of flat plains on either side of the river. The mountains girted these plains and they were all covered with withering dead growth.  

“Sure it is mountainous, there’s still soil shouldn’t it be fertile, why haven’t you taken advantage of the hills?”

“The slopes are too steep. The plants aren’t able to receive enough regulated water, sunlight and nutrition how can this land be used? Cultivating the hillside is inconvenient, what’s more is addressing the problem of irrigation.   The water needed to sustain the crops would be much higher than what we use with the crops near the banks of the river.”

Casually Feng Ming replied, “You can transform the mountain. Oh! If you construct terraces then your problem would be solved!”  

“Oh?” The strange suggestion had the Regent King by the ear, “What is a ‘terrace’?”

Feng Ming snapped and shouted out in frustration about how ‘behind’ these ancient folks were.

On the spot he gave a quick verbal lesson to the concept of utilizing terraces for cultivation of crops. It wasn’t helping as he couldn’t physically show Rong Tian on White Clouds back. Subsequently, Feng Ming convinced the King to dismount.

Squatting on the gra.s.s like a child in a school’s playground, Feng Ming quickly hunted down a few rocks to use in his diagram he had drawn out with a stick.   

After demonstrating the various terrace designs he had remembered from his era, he quickly rushed the King to take him back up on the horse so they could resume their ride.

 “Let’s stop here.” The Prince asked when they reached the foothill of a small slope where they both dismounted again so the lesson on how to construct the foundations of the terraces could be taught.  

Rong Tian listened earnestly, occasionally nodding his head. Finally a large smile stretched across his face, as the man was satisfied with the new knowledge gained. It also served as praise for the boy’s logic.

Even White Cloud could sense that the boy was gloating in the way he presented himself, this time he allowed Feng Ming to bath in Rong Tian’s attention. Instead of reclaiming his rightful position with his master, the white steed turned his attention on grazing to the side.

“I understand the idea of installing levelled terraces, now what I don’t understand is how to resolve the irrigation problems…”

“Irrigation is a major agricultural aspect. I was stupid I should have contributed earlier with what I know!” It was evident by now that Feng Ming had been strongly influenced by Rong Tian, now when it came down to business, he was equally serious and invested.

“To my knowledge, there are several gold standards of agricultural irrigation from my era. There are tankers that carry loads of water and disperse them evenly to the crops; we could also install irrigation channels. Given that our challenge is uphill we can’t so apply the second option. There’s another possibility, if we were to build a large reservoir on the hill side, and then allow it to acc.u.mulate rain water, then we can go forth with ‘ca.n.a.ls’. Secondly, in the meantime we can deal with the water shortage by carrying by horse drawn tankers.”  

The King clasped his hands together in thought, “Although I don’t know what you mean by tankers and irrigation channels, I like the sound of harnessing rainwater and turning the mountains into useful land, if this plan is successful, Xi Rei’s agriculture will flourish.”

Having finished on that sentence, Rong Tian reached out and clutched onto Feng Ming’s hand. His eyes gazed out into the landscape with a glint of renewed hope for the land.

He could barely able to hide his excitement, “Feng Ming your knowledge is going to revolutionise Xi Rei. According to your suggestions, if our plans carry through, we shall be able to transform this harsh environment to be one that will provide an endless supply of food to our people. This is more vital than any policies or country relations.”

The Kings words were impa.s.sioned.   

Feng Ming couldn’t help but to feel proud of this moment, “Of course, only I’m capable of turning you into a man of legend, the King of Kings.”

Rong w.a.n.g noticed the complete change in the Prince’s behaviour that went from a serious to the gloating child in front of him. It made his heart flutter inside and he immediately drew Feng Ming into his arms and told the boy, “This will be a turning point in the history of Xi Rei. Shall we do something special to commemorate the occasion?”

  “What are we going to do?”

“Naturally, I’m implying something romantic…” Rong w.a.n.g chuckled as he had leaned over the Prince.

Feng Ming was pinned onto the gra.s.s under the King’s body, finally alert to what the King had been hinting at, he struggled and blushed.

Where they were lying was a decent patch of long brittle gra.s.s, just enough to conceal them if they were lying down.

“It’s broad daylight, aren’t you even a bit ashamed of yourself!”

Midway through his protest, the King’s tongue entangled his own. The couple engaged their tongues exploring the moist warmth inside each other’s mouths.

A playful smile formed on Rong w.a.n.g’s lips, taking the lead as his hands probed beyond the folds of Feng Ming’s clothing leaving the belt in place, His warm hands slipped in so he could caress the soft buds on the Prince’s chest, which hardened under the gentle attention.

“Ahh…” Feng Ming’s nipples were being tormented by the devil’s touch and he could not hold back a sob as the contact became unbearable. He started to whimper, he twisted his neck and the hue of pink flushed up from the nape to his cheeks.  

The sight was certainly a temptation of flesh.

Rong w.a.n.g felt his abdomen burn, his organ tingling with the surge of heat that raged havoc in his mind, especially when he was edged on by the stimulating sounds and sights beneath him.  He knew he had to be patient with Feng Ming, for now he worked on satisfying his lover. His hands kneaded the erection that peaked up from the lower half of Feng Ming’s clothing, ma.s.saging in a circlet motion until the boy arched his back to gasps out. At that moment the King locked his mouth over the opened lips, doubling the force and pa.s.sion in his kiss. Attacking those soft lips until Feng Ming was left senseless.

Whenever he was touched by the King, it was like he was in the hands of a professional that knew all the spots of his body to tease.  The state of his mind left him powerless to effectively decline the heavy petting, and it seems like he too had forgotten that he was ‘injured yesterday’.

Rong Tian had undone his outer cloak and laid it flat out on top of the earth beneath them. Just as he had s.h.i.+fted Feng Ming’s flippant body to rest on the warm material to continue their session, both men heard a sudden burst of hooves galloping nearby.

The noise was drawing closer by each second, until it went completely past them.

The Regent King could not help but to frown as the interruption had clearly spoilt the mood.

He had taken Feng Ming out of the palace under the guise of a ride as a ‘couple’. However, unknown to the Prince the King had ordered two squadrons of hors.e.m.e.n to stand guard a good distance away. Since who ever had managed to bypa.s.s the guards, indicated their interruption was due to an emergency within the palace that urgently required attention.

Although Rong Tian sat at the highest rank, he didn’t even have the privilege of half a day off from his duties.

Rong w.a.n.g looked lovingly at Feng Ming, and released a disappointed sigh, to be interrupted at such a romantic time where both of them were just about to peak. Seeing there was no time to play anymore, it was only best to bundle up his lover, and help him fasten his clothes and cloak before whoever had rode past returned.

Feng Ming who had also heard the thundering hooves rushed past where they laid knew it had meant their time together had fell through, his face turned gloomy.

The two mounted White Cloud and set off.

At a rapid pace they headed back to the palace, where they were intercepted by a minor official who was acting as the messenger.

The man drew his reigns, dismounted and greeted the pair, “My respects to the Crown Prince and King Rong.”

Rong Tian replied bitterly, “If you have something to say, go ahead.”

“Yes your highness! I’m here to report from the Palace that the King’s younger brother, An Xun of Fan Jia is on a tour to Xi Rei. He has almost reached the capital.”

Feng Ming looked a bit shocked.

Boy, I only heard about this man in the morning and he is here by the afternoon!

Considering An Xun is the son in law of Fan Jia’s King, Feng Ming wondered if he had brought along the Princess.

“I understand. So An Xun has travelled to Xi Rei to represent Fan Jia. We will both quickly return to the palace and welcome our guests.”

The pair’s plans for the day were aborted, as Rong Tian rushed back to the Palace with Feng Ming.