Chapitre 115: Hiroshi - に
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the fields, I found myself standing beside a weathered farmer named Li Wei. His hands were rough and calloused from years of working the land, and his face, though lined with age, held a gentle wisdom that came from a life spent close to the earth.
Li Wei wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and turned to me, his eyes scanning the fields that stretched out before us.
"This year's yield has been good, Hiroshi," he said, his voice gravelly but steady. "Not as bountiful as the last, but the rice has grown strong and healthy. The rains came just in time, and the soil is still rich. We'll have enough to see the village through the winter."
I nodded, taking in the sight of the swaying rice stalks, their heads heavy with grain. "I'm glad to hear it, Li Wei. The village will need that strength in the coming months."
He grunted in agreement, then shifted his gaze to me, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "You've been a great help to us, Hiroshi, with your healing and the herbs you've provided. But I know you didn't ask to speak with me just to hear about the crops."
I smiled, appreciating his directness. "You're right. I wanted to discuss—an arrangement, if you will. I've exhausted the herbs I brought with me and I need a stable place to cultivate. A proper place, with care and attention."
Li Wei crossed his arms, his interest clearly piqued. "And you're thinking of my land for that?"
"Yes," I replied. "You have the best soil in the region, and the environment here is perfect for the herbs I need. In exchange, I'd be willing to help with the rest alongside you. I'd take only a small portion for my herbs, just enough to support my healing work. The rest of my efforts would go toward helping with the rice and vegetables."
Li Wei scratched his chin, mulling over my proposal. "It's an interesting offer. I could use the extra hands. But growing herbs... that's delicate, not like tending rice. You'd be taking on a lot."
"I'm aware," I said, meeting his gaze. "But it's worth it. These herbs can save lives, Li Wei. I know I can cultivate them successfully."
He fell silent for a moment, looking out over his fields. The wind rustled the rice stalks, carrying with it the earthy scent of the land.
He nodded. "Alright, Hiroshi. You can have a small plot on the edge by the stream. But remember if the crops need you, they come first."
"Of course," I agreed, bowing deeply to him. "I won't let you down, Li Wei. I'll start tomorrow."
Li Wei waved a hand dismissively, though I could see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "No need for formalities, Hiroshi. We're in this together now. I'll help you till the soil, and we'll see what these herbs of yours can do."
As we parted ways, I felt a sense of purpose settle over me. The plot of land Li Wei had offered was humble, but it was more than just a piece of earth—it was the beginning of something new, a place where I could grow not only the herbs that would heal others but also the roots that would anchor me in this land.
The next morning, I rose before dawn and made my way to the plot Li Wei had mentioned. The air was cool and crisp, the sky just beginning to lighten with the first rays of the sun. I knelt down and ran my fingers through the soil, feeling its richness, its potential. This land would become a garden of healing, a place where the lessons of my mother and my sensei would take root and flourish.
Li Wei joined me shortly after, carrying a hoe over his shoulder.
"Ready to get started?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.
As the days passed, the herbs began to sprout, their small green shoots pushing up through the soil. I tended to them with care, watering them, ensuring they received the right amount of sunlight, and watching over them as they grew stronger.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months as the plants continued to grow under the watchful eyes of Li Wei and me. The rice fields swayed gently in the breeze, their golden stalks heavy with grain. My small patch of herbs thrived as well, their vibrant green leaves a testament to the care I had given them. The land had responded to my efforts, and now the time had come to see the fruits of our labor.
One crisp morning, with the first hint of autumn in the air, Li Wei and I stood at the edge of the fields, ready to begin the harvest. The village had gathered, tools in hand, ready to work together as they had for generations. But this year, there was a sense of anticipation in the air, a quiet excitement that hadn't been there in years past.
Li Wei bent down and ran his fingers through the stalks, examining the rice grains. He let out a low whistle of surprise.
"Look at this," he said, turning to me with wide eyes. "These grains... they're larger and fuller than anything I've seen in years."
I knelt beside him, gently cradling a stalk in my hands. The grains were indeed plump and heavy, more so than the rest of the field. I felt sense of satisfaction welling up inside me.
Together, we moved toward the section of the field closest to my herb patch. As we approached, Li Wei's eyes widened even further. The rice plants there were taller, their stalks thicker, and their grains even more abundant. The difference was unmistakable.
"This... this is incredible," Li Wei muttered, almost to himself. "These plants are thriving more than the rest. How can this be?"
I smiled softly, touching the leaves of the nearby herbs. "The herbs I've been growing, they have powerful properties. They must be nourishing the soil."
Li Wei straightened up, his gaze sweeping across the section of the field. "You're telling me that your herbs did this? That they made the rice grow stronger?"
I nodded. "I think so."
For a moment, Li Wei was silent, taking in the abundance before him. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. "I never thought I'd see something like this in my lifetime. We've done something remarkable here."
The rest of the villagers soon noticed the difference in the crops as well. Whispers of amazement spread through the fields as they moved from one area to the next, their eyes widening as they reached the section near the herb patch. The excitement grew, and soon there was no denying that this year's harvest was unlike any other.
As we began the work of gathering the rice, Li Wei paused to look at me, his expression one of deep respect. "You've brought something new to this village, Hiroshi. Something that we can all learn from."
The day passed in a blur of activity, with the villagers working tirelessly to gather the bounty. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of voices raised in cheer as the baskets filled to the brim with golden rice. The joy was contagious, and by the end of the day, the sense of accomplishment was palpable.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the fields, Li Wei and I stood together once more, surveying the work we had done. The rice was piled high, ready to be stored for the winter, and my herbs were carefully harvested, their leaves and roots bundled and set aside for future use.
"I never imagined we'd see a harvest like this," Li Wei said, his voice filled with awe. "The land feels rejuvenated now."
As the winter months passed and the snow melted away, the fields began to awaken with the first signs of spring. The village was buzzing with renewed energy, the memories of the previous bountiful harvest still fresh in everyone's minds. The success of our collaboration had sparked something new—a desire to innovate, to take what we had learned and push it even further.
One morning, as the sun climbed steadily into the sky, Li Wei and I met at the edge of the field. The soil was still damp from the thaw, rich and ready to be worked. Li Wei stood with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed in thought as he gazed out over the land that had given us so much.
"Hiroshi," he began, his voice thoughtful, "I've been thinking about the harvest. About how your herbs not only thrived but also made the rice around them grow stronger. It's clear to me now that there's something special about the way those plants interact with each other. I want to try something different this season."
I turned to him, intrigued. "What do you have in mind, Li Wei?"
He gestured to the fields, his eyes lighting up with the spark of an idea. "What if we planted your herbs intermittently among the rice? Not just in one small patch, but throughout the entire field. We could create sections where the herbs and rice grow side by side, allowing the benefits to spread across a larger area. If it works, we could yield even more from a smaller portion of the land."
I considered his proposal, the possibilities spinning in my mind. "It's an ambitious plan, Li Wei. But it makes sense. It could create a plot where both crops thrive together."
Li Wei nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. We'll need to carefully plan where each herb goes, making sure it complements the rice without overwhelming it. It'll take more work initially, but if it pays off, it won't matter my greedy sons left an old man all alone."
"I'm with you," I said, returning his smile.
We spent the next few days drawing up plans, walking the fields and mapping out where each herb would be planted. We chose a variety of plants, each with unique properties—some that would enrich the soil, others that would deter pests, and still others that would enhance the growth of the rice. It was a delicate balance, one that required careful consideration and collaboration.
As we worked, the villagers watched with curiosity, eager to see how this new approach would unfold. They had seen the results of our previous efforts and were hopeful that this season would bring even greater rewards.
Once the planting began, the fields were transformed into a patchwork of green. The rice and herbs grew together, their roots intertwining beneath the soil, their leaves reaching toward the sun. The work was hard, but there was a sense of excitement in the air, a feeling that we were on the brink of something truly extraordinary.
Weeks passed, and the plants began to flourish. Li Wei and I walked the fields each day, inspecting the crops and making adjustments where needed. The herbs were thriving, their presence subtle yet powerful, and the rice plants around them were already showing signs of being stronger and more vibrant than the rest.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone