Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 363 He doesn't eat beef

"Coming to our door?"

Wen He suddenly sat up from the rattan chair in the courtyard, and the copy of "Compendium of Materia Medica" covering her face fell "thud" onto the stone table.

In recent days, besides discussing "bacteria" and "human structure" with Sun Simiao at home, he also copied down Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica".

He hadn't even left the gates of the Gaoyang County government building much, nor had he provoked anyone, so why would someone come to "attack" him?

After what happened last time, is there anyone in Chang'an who still has the guts to do this?
Do you think you have too many mines at home?

Could it be that my suggestion to Sun Simiao a few days ago to find cadavers to study human organs has been discovered?

Wen He's heart skipped a beat.

But when I thought about it again, I felt something was wrong.

He had only told Sun Simiao and Qi San about this, so it shouldn't have been leaked.

"Go and have a look."

Suppressing her doubts, Wen He stood up, patted her clothes, and strode towards the main hall in the front courtyard.

Adong quickly followed behind him.

As soon as I arrived at the Moon Gate, I heard a familiar loud voice coming from the main hall, which was somewhat domineering and had a hint of being unreasonable.

"Lord Su, this is really not possible! This alcohol is for disinfecting wounds and soaking medicinal herbs, not for drinking. I really can't give it to you!"

Li Tai's voice was full of sorrow, sounding as if he had been worn down and lost all his temper.

Wen He peeked inside through the curtain and immediately burst into laughter.

Inside the main hall, Cheng Zhijie, dressed in casual clothes with his collar open, was banging on the table and begging Li Tai for wine.

Li Tai sat opposite him, clutching a porcelain bottle filled with a clear liquid tightly in his hand, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

Li Ke, standing to the side, looked up at the carvings on the roof beams, appearing indifferent and clearly unwilling to get involved in the mess.

The youngest, Li You, was even more extreme, huddled in the corner of the chair, his head bowed low, not daring to even breathe.

Indeed, everyone in Chang'an knew that Cheng Zhijie was notoriously reckless and troublesome, even more so than Li Daozong of the imperial clan. How could these three princes dare to confront him head-on?

"What disinfectant soaking solution? I tried a sip last time, and it was stronger than strong liquor, even more potent than the imperial wine in the palace!"

Cheng Zhijie stared wide-eyed and reached out to snatch the porcelain bottle from Li Tai's hand.

"Don't be stingy, kid. Pour me a bowl, just one bowl!"

"Duke Su, if you really want to drink, just ask the teacher. I dare not ask them to bring it out."

Li Tai curled his lip.

“If you could have had her, you would have had her long ago. Your husband is a stingy man too,” Cheng Zhijie snapped.

Just as the two were struggling, Qin Qiong, who was sitting at the head of the table, suddenly coughed a few times. Although his voice was soft, it carried an undeniable authority.

Cheng Zhijie, who was having a good time, seemed to be paused instantly. His arrogant expression immediately turned into a fawning smile as he rubbed his hands and said, "Second brother, I was just joking with Prince Wei! How could I really let him steal Wenxianzi's treasure? Haha."

As he spoke, he added, his tone tinged with grievance: "But second brother, that alcohol is indeed quite good. I really can't get used to the yellow wine in the manor. It's too mild and lacks potency."

He just couldn't figure it out.

Why can't we drink such good stuff?

Those Turks also liked to drink strong liquor, especially mixing deer blood with it.

The taste was so intense it felt like you were on fire.

Even so, it still can't compare to alcohol.

Wen He then noticed that Qin Qiong was sitting on a soft couch by the window, his face even paler than the last time she saw him. He was covered with a thin blanket, clearly his old injuries had flared up again, and he was very weak.

Even so, Cheng Zhijie dared not act as he would in front of others.

"Yi-jeong, stop fooling around."

Qin Qiong coughed twice more and waved his hand.

"Young Master Wen's things have their uses, so don't cause trouble here."

Cheng Zhijie chuckled twice, not daring to mention the alcohol again, but turned to look at Wen He who had just entered, his eyes lighting up: "Hey? Young Master Wen is here! Perfect timing, I have something to discuss with you!"

Wen He stepped forward and bowed to Qin Qiong, saying, "Greetings, Duke Yi."

Qin Qiong wanted to get up to return the greeting, but Wen He stopped him: "I am a junior, how can I ask the Duke to get up to return the greeting?"

"It doesn't matter."

Qin Qiong stood up, his face resolute.

How could someone like him allow others to treat him like a useless person?

Even if Wen He didn't mean it that way, he would still feel unhappy.

Seeing this, Wen He said nothing, turned to Cheng Zhijie, bowed, and asked in a low voice.

"What business does the Duke of Su have with me? I just heard from the servants that someone is going to 'come to our door,' but I don't think it could be you, Duke of Su."

"Hey, that's just something the servants are spreading!"

Cheng Zhijie scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I was just in a hurry to find you, so I asked the gatekeeper to inform you quickly, but I didn't expect them to misreport it."

As he spoke, his tone suddenly shifted, becoming urgent.

"Young Master Wen, I heard that you invited the Daoist Master Sun Simiao to Chang'an and appointed him as the headmaster of the Jishi Academy?"

Wen He nodded: "That's right. Master Sun has superb medical skills and cares about the people. It would be most appropriate for him to preside over the Jishi Academy. When the academy opens in the future, it will teach poor children to learn medicine, so as to help the world and save people."

(PS: The comments section said the previous name wasn't good, so I changed it.)
As soon as Cheng Zhijie said those words, Wen He understood what was going on.

It must have been during the grand court assembly today that His Majesty publicly mentioned Sun Simiao's appointment as the headmaster of Jishi Academy, and that's how the news reached Cheng Zhijie's ears.

Just thinking about the name "Jishi Academy" made Wen He feel a little uneasy.

While the name aligns with the original intention of saving the people and helping the world, it always feels like it lacks a certain grandeur.

If we go by his previous idea, wouldn't it be more imposing to call it the Royal Medical College?
If we could extend this further in the future, we could establish a Royal Academy of Sciences, incorporating arithmetic, physics, metallurgy, and so on. Perhaps this could propel the technology of the Tang Dynasty forward by leaps and bounds.

But then he thought again, Li Shimin would definitely not agree.

Wen He clicked her tongue, ultimately suppressing the thought.

So be it. If it's about helping the world, then it's about helping the world. Being able to genuinely train doctors to save people is more effective than any grand or imposing title.

As for Cheng Zhijie's purpose in coming today, Wen He had already guessed it pretty much the moment she saw Qin Qiong on the soft couch.

A few days ago, he went to Huazhou to invite Sun Simiao. Besides preparing for the school, he also had another thought in mind.

They were hoping that this legendary doctor could examine Qin Qiong's old injuries.

It would be a real pity if Qin Qiong, a fierce general who fought for the Tang Dynasty for half his life, could only live a secluded life at home and suffer from illness in his later years, as is written in history books.

"There's no rush to discuss the details of the Jishi Academy."

Cheng Zhijie grinned twice, then turned to look at Qin Qiong, his tone carrying an undeniable warmth.

"Second brother, don't be so formal. We came to Gaoyang Prefecture today to ask Master Sun to treat your illness. Please sit down comfortably, or we'll have to worry about your health when the Master arrives."

Qin Qiong sighed helplessly at his words.

He wasn't a shy person to begin with, but he felt it was already impolite to come and bother Wen He so abruptly, so how could he possibly bring up the matter of seeking medical treatment?

Since Cheng Zhijie had been so blunt, he could only back down and bow to Wen He, saying, "I apologize for my intrusion in visiting today. I hope the magistrate will not be offended. Is Master Sun available at the moment? Would you please ask him to come out for a meeting?"

Qin Qiong performed the bow with great solemnity. Upon seeing this, Wen He quickly stepped aside and said repeatedly, "General Qin, you are too kind to me. You are a meritorious official of the Tang Dynasty. How could I dare to accept such a grand gesture from you? Master Sun should be organizing medical books in the courtyard right now. I will go and invite him over. Please sit here with Duke Su."

After saying that, he was about to turn around and walk out when Li Tai suddenly rushed over, his face showing a bit of anxious panic: "Sir! I, I suddenly remembered that there are still a few 'Jiali' in the backyard that I haven't fed. I have to go back and take care of them first, so I won't bother you any longer!"

Before Wen He could respond, he rushed out the door as if something was chasing him, forgetting even his most treasured porcelain vase.

Immediately afterwards, Li Ke also led Li You over, bowed respectfully to Wen He, and said in a calm tone but with a hint of haste: "Sir, it's getting late. I'm taking Wu Lang back to study, so I'll take my leave now."

"Well, let's go."

Wen He watched the two figures hurrying away, secretly amused.
"Hey, Jieli?"

Cheng Zhijie and Qin Qiong looked at each other in bewilderment.

But they didn't think much of it, assuming they had misheard.

Isn't Jieli still on the grassland?

……

Wen He walked towards the backyard.

Upon arriving at the side courtyard, one sees Sun Simiao sitting on a rattan couch, holding a thread-bound book in his hands. A plain-colored Taoist robe is draped over the couch, and sunlight filters through the gaps in the paulownia leaves, falling onto the pages of the book, even making the silver hair at his temples glow with a soft light.

Only upon closer inspection did one realize that what Sun Simiao was holding was a selection from the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that he had copied a few days earlier.

Hearing footsteps, Sun Simiao looked up, his eyes filled with joy, and quickly handed the book to Wen He: "Young master, you've come at the right time! The 'Classification of Herbs' recorded in your medical book can subdivide herbs according to their properties and effects, which is more detailed than the 'Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica' from the previous dynasty. I saw the annotation on 'Angelica for nourishing blood' yesterday and was quite impressed. I was just about to discuss it with you."

The Shennong Materia Medica was compiled during the Eastern Han Dynasty by medical scholars from the Qin and Han periods. It is attributed to Shennong and is the earliest extant monograph on Chinese materia medica, ranking among the four classic works of traditional Chinese medicine.

The book is divided into three volumes, containing 365 kinds of medicines.

The Compendium of Materia Medica records 1,892 kinds of medicines, with more than 1,100 illustrations and more than 1,100 prescriptions. It adopts natural attribute classification and covers the morphology, origin, processing and interdisciplinary knowledge of medicines.

The Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, based on the metaphysical concept of "qi," laid the foundation for the holistic view and diagnostic principles of traditional Chinese medicine. It is listed as one of the four classic texts of traditional Chinese medicine, and its compatibility principles remain the basis for clinical medication to this day.

Moreover, he specializes in the construction of the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine.

Zhang Zhongjing's "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" and later Sun Simiao's "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces" were both based on his work.

While the Compendium of Materia Medica made outstanding contributions in fields such as biology, mineralogy, and agronomy, its direct impact on clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine was relatively weak, serving at most as a catalog.

Unfortunately, during the Qing Dynasty, a portion of these two medical texts was destroyed because of a certain "perfect old man".

Later, when the Japanese invaded, some of them were stolen and destroyed.

Wen He sat down on the stone bench next to the rattan couch, took the cool tea handed to her by Sun Simiao, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Master Sun, you flatter me. This is just some scattered records that I have compiled. It is an honor to have your approval. As for what you said about Angelica sinensis nourishing blood, I think it can be paired with white peony root, which can enhance the yin-nourishing effect and also alleviate the warming and drying properties of Angelica sinensis."

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao's eyes flashed with approval: "This method is excellent! Angelica sinensis paired with white peony root, one warm and one cool, one tonifying and one astringent, can indeed take into account both nourishing the blood and protecting the yin. Young man, you are so young, yet you have such insights into the combination of medicinal herbs. It is truly rare. May I ask where you learned these medical principles?"

Wen He paused in his teacup, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, before saying softly, "I learned all of this from a deceased teacher. That teacher was very knowledgeable and left behind many medical manuscripts. I only organized and copied them, occasionally pondering some prescription methods. Unfortunately, my teacher has long since passed away, and I have not been able to fully inherit his true teachings."

He felt somewhat helpless; he couldn't very well accuse him of plagiarizing later generations.

However, he had indeed studied some medicine. He used to be poor and couldn't afford medical treatment, so the hospital director would invite experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctors from the neighborhood.

He also picked up some things from what he saw and heard.

When Sun Simiao heard Wen He say that his teacher had passed away, a look of regret appeared on his face, and he sighed softly: "It is such a pity that such a knowledgeable doctor is no longer in this world. If I could discuss medical principles with him in person, I would definitely benefit greatly."

As he spoke, he carefully put away the "Compendium of Materia Medica," his gaze falling on Wen He, his tone softening slightly, "But young master, you came to the backyard today, surely not to discuss medical books with me? Is there something going on in the front yard?"

When Wen He saw that he had asked, she followed up with the conversation: "Master Sun guessed correctly. There are indeed two guests in the front yard. I would like to trouble you to go and see them. They are Duke Yi and Duke Su. Duke Yi has been suffering from an old injury for many years, which has recently become more serious. He came to the mansion today to ask you to take his pulse."

Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in Sun Simiao's eyes. He then put down his teacup, stood up, straightened his Taoist robe, and reached for his medicine box, saying, "A patient is a patient, regardless of status. Whether they are princes and nobles or commoners, they are all the same to me."

As he spoke, he opened the medicine box to check the pulse pads and commonly used medicinal materials inside, his fingertips brushing over the neatly arranged silver needles in the box, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Let's go to the front yard now, so as not to keep the two dukes waiting."

Wen He got up and the two walked side by side to the front yard.

On the way, Wen He recalled Qin Qiong's usual condition and couldn't help but add, "Master Sun, I heard from others that the Duke of Yi often coughs and has a pale complexion. Also, his old injuries ache terribly on rainy days, and he often can't sleep well at night. Although the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital have prescribed many remedies, they can only provide temporary relief. When you examine him today, you don't need to worry and can speak frankly about anything."

"Young master, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Sun Simiao nodded in agreement, his steps steady, the hem of his robe swaying gently with each step.

"When I take your pulse later, I will carefully inquire about the symptoms of the Duke of Yi, and then combine the pulse to determine the cause of the illness. I will not draw conclusions easily. A doctor should avoid subjective assumptions and must use the four diagnostic methods of observation, listening, questioning and palpation. None of these can be omitted."

Sun Simiao smiled.

Upon hearing this, Wen He paused for a moment, then chuckled and bowed to Sun Simiao, saying, "I have learned a lot."

He looked at Sun Simiao and couldn't help but admire him.

"This is what a good doctor is like."

As they spoke, the two walked together to the entrance of the main hall in the front yard.

Before even entering, I could hear voices coming from inside.

Wen He peeked inside through the curtain, coughed lightly, and then lifted the curtain to go inside with Sun Simiao.

"You two dukes have been waiting for a long time. This is Daoist Sun Simiao."

Upon hearing the voice, Cheng Zhijie immediately stood up to greet him, saying repeatedly.

"Master Sun, you've finally arrived! Please take a look at Brother Qin. His old injury has flared up again today. He's in pain even when he's sitting down, and the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital are really at a loss."

Without waiting for Sun Simiao to bow, he pulled him toward Qin Qiong.

"Slow down, slow down." Sun Simiao was, after all, over seventy years old.

With Cheng Zhijie's strength, he would have torn him to pieces.

Qin Qiong also tried to sit up from the soft couch.

"Yizhen, you must not be rude."

He approached Sun Simiao and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Sun."

Sun Simiao quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Duke Yi, you flatter me. You are not feeling well, so you can have your pulse taken while lying down."

As he spoke, he gestured for Wen He to bring a pulse-taking mat and place it on the table next to the soft couch. He then carefully placed Qin Qiong's wrist on the mat, lightly placed his fingertips on the pulse, closed his eyes, and his expression instantly became focused.

The main hall fell silent, with only the birdsong outside the window and Sun Simiao's occasional questions: "Does Your Excellency often feel dizzy, especially in the morning, needing a while to get up? Do you feel anxious and restless at night, with a tightness in your chest?"

"What the Taoist priest said is absolutely correct."

Qin Qiong nodded, his voice sounding somewhat weak.

"Especially on rainy days, when the old injury flares up, my head also hurts, like a needle is pricking me. I often stay awake all night until dawn, and sometimes when I finally fall asleep, I will be woken up by the pain."

Sun Simiao examined Qin Qiong for a while longer, gently pressing his fingers on the inside of Qin Qiong's wrist to feel the changes in his pulse. He frowned slightly and said, "Your pulse is rapid and deep, and the rhythm is unstable. This is a typical case of liver yang hyperactivity. Looking at your tongue, it is red and dry, which is a sign of qi and blood deficiency. Simply put, your years of fighting and repeated old injuries have depleted too much qi and blood. The yang qi in your body is excessive but there is no yin blood to balance it, which is why you have symptoms of dizziness and palpitations."

Hearing this, Wen He immediately understood.

Sun Simiao's "liver yang rising" is what later generations often referred to as hypertension. Qin Qiong's years of fighting not only left him with many old wounds, but also kept his mind in a state of constant tension. In addition, as he got older, his qi and blood became insufficient, which led to this disease. The combination of these two factors made his body weaker and weaker.

Upon hearing the words "liver yang rising," Qin Qiong unconsciously tightened his grip on the blanket and hurriedly asked, "Daoist Master, is there any possibility of curing this ailment? I am not afraid of fighting on the battlefield, but I am afraid of being plagued by this illness, which would make even daily life difficult and turn me into a burden."

"Second brother, what are you saying? Who would dare to consider you a burden!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhijie immediately shouted.

Seeing how concerned he was, Qin Qiong chuckled and shook his head.

Sun Simiao withdrew his hand, remained silent for a moment, and slowly shook his head: "The Duke's liver yang hyperactivity is the result of years of accumulation, and the deficiency of qi and blood is not something that happened overnight. The liver belongs to wood, which likes moisture and dislikes dryness. Your body has had excessive yang for a long time, so it is difficult to cure it completely."

"what?!"

Cheng Zhijie slammed his hand on the table, his voice rising instantly, shaking the teacups on the table. His eyes were filled with rage.

"What's wrong with you, old Taoist? I heard that you have superb medical skills and can cure all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases, so I came here specifically to ask you to treat Brother Qin. But you say you can't cure him? Could it be that you have no ability at all and are just making excuses to refuse?"

"Or were you lying all along!"

Cheng Zhijie was about to make a move.

Seeing this, Wen He quickly stepped forward to block Sun Simiao and advised, "Duke Su, please calm down. Master Sun is just telling the truth and is not trying to shirk responsibility. This condition of liver yang hyperactivity is inherently stubborn and requires slow treatment. Since you can see the cause of the illness, you must have a way to alleviate it. Please calm down."

But before he could finish speaking, Su Guogong, still angry and preoccupied with the thought that Qin Qiong's illness was incurable, shoved Wen He aside.

Caught off guard, Wen He staggered back two steps, her back almost hitting the pillar behind her.

Damn, what did Cheng Zhijie eat to grow up like this? He has such great strength.

"Yi-zhen! How dare you!"

Upon seeing this, Qin Qiong was furious. He tried to sit up, but the movement was too hasty, and he coughed twice. His face grew even paler, but his eyes remained sharp as he rebuked him sternly.

"Master Sun is a physician. What's wrong with speaking frankly about the illness? Your rudeness is outrageous. You not only offended the Master but also attacked the magistrate of Gaoyang County. Haven't you disgraced the meritorious officials of the Tang Dynasty?"

Cheng Zhijie was taken aback by Qin Qiong's shout. Looking at Qin Qiong's pale yet dignified face, he suddenly realized that he had been too impulsive.

He was so worried about Qin Erxiong's illness that he forgot his bounds and not only disrespected Sun Simiao, but also pushed Wen He.

He knew why Qin Qiong had scolded him so harshly.

His Majesty values ​​Gaoyang County's son so highly, yet he is so rude to others.

If His Majesty were to press him further, he would likely be punished.

He opened his mouth, wanting to apologize but not knowing what to say. His face was full of regret, and his hands unconsciously fell to his sides.

Qin Qiong ignored him and turned to Sun Simiao and Wen He, saying slowly, "Daoist Master, Young Master Wen, it is my fault for failing to discipline him properly, which caused the Duke of Su to lose his sense of propriety. I hope you two will not take offense."

Having said that, he struggled to get up and apologize. Sun Simiao quickly stepped forward and pressed him down, saying gently, "Duke Yi, there's no need for this. Duke Su was only so anxious because he cares about Duke Yi. He didn't mean it. I don't blame him. You are weak, so don't get angry, lest you worsen your condition."

As he spoke, he helped Qin Qiong lie down again, and then gave Wen He a look, signaling him not to take it to heart.

Wen He understood and waved her hand with a smile: "Duke Yi, you don't need to worry about it. Duke Su is just worried about your health. I'm fine."

Seeing that the two of them breathed a sigh of relief, Sun Simiao changed the subject, his eyes showing more certainty: "However, Duke, although I cannot completely cure your liver yang hyperactivity, I can greatly alleviate your symptoms through conditioning."

"As long as you take the medicine according to my prescription and adjust your schedule, you will experience less dizziness and palpitations in the future, and you will be able to sleep soundly without being woken up by pain."

He paused, then added, "As for your old injuries, there is a possibility of healing. Although your old injuries are deep, they have not damaged your bones and muscles."

"It's just that the prescriptions from the Imperial Hospital focused mainly on pain relief and didn't address the root cause, which is why the pain kept recurring. I have a set of prescriptions for both external application and internal use, which, combined with acupuncture to unblock the meridians, will gradually heal the old injury over a year or two. The pain will no longer be severe on rainy days, and you can move around normally like a normal person."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong's eyes lit up instantly, and his originally pale face regained some color. Even his voice trembled slightly: "Daoist Master... is what you said true? My old injury can really be healed?"

He had already given up hope for his old injury and had even prepared to retire.

But for some reason, His Majesty forbade it and comforted him, telling him not to overthink it.

Qin Qiong knew, however, that his body would likely make it difficult for him to go to the battlefield in the future.

If he cannot lead the army and fight for His Majesty, what face does he have to remain in the court?

So he originally planned to retire after a while.

Hearing these words now felt like seeing new hope; I was so excited that my fingers were trembling slightly.

"I have practiced medicine for many years, how could I deceive the Duke of Yi?"

Sun Simiao smiled and nodded, then took out paper and pen from his medicine box and began grinding and mixing the pigments.

"I will now write a prescription for you. The internal prescription uses Angelica sinensis and Paeonia lactiflora to nourish yin and blood, and Gastrodia elata and Uncaria rhynchophylla to calm the liver and subdue yang. One dose per day, decocted and taken in the morning and evening, and drunk warm after meals. The external ointment uses frankincense and myrrh to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, combined with Artemisia argyi and ginger to dispel cold. Apply it to the old wound every day, and then apply a warm towel for 15 minutes to promote absorption."

As he wrote, he explained in detail: "In addition, I will perform acupuncture on you once every seven days, mainly targeting acupoints such as Taichong, Fengchi, and Zusanli to regulate Qi and blood. In less than three months, you will feel the pain from your old injury lessen, and your symptoms of dizziness and palpitations will also be relieved."

Cheng Zhijie also came over, his face full of guilt and expectation, and his voice was much lower: "Daoist, is it really true that Brother Qin's liver yang hyperactivity can only be treated with conditioning? Is there no other way to make him completely better?"

"Don't worry, Duke Su."

After writing the prescription and drying the ink, Sun Simiao looked up and spoke.

"Although liver yang hyperactivity cannot be cured, it can be well controlled through conditioning."

"As long as Duke Yi avoids getting angry and overworking in the future, takes a half-hour walk every morning to breathe fresh air, eats more yin-nourishing foods and avoids spicy and greasy foods, and continues to take the medicine, he will be no different from an ordinary person and it will not affect his daily life."

Wen He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Duke Yi, please rest assured. I have personally witnessed Master Sun's medical skills. He cured the local plague in Huazhou with just a few prescriptions. When the Jishi Academy opens in the future, you can come to Master Sun for a follow-up consultation at any time if you feel unwell. It will be very convenient."

This is the King of Medicine!

He said it couldn't be cured completely, so I'm afraid there really isn't any way to cure it.

After all, even in Wen He's time, there was no way to cure hypertension.

Qin Qiong's illness requires treatment.

But once he recovers, he will still be able to ride into battle in the future.

Even when he gets old, Wen He has a way to make him continue to shine.

Such a fierce general is a treasure of the Tang Dynasty; how can we let him waste his time at home?

Qin Qiong took the prescription from Sun Simiao, carefully folded it, and put it into his personal brocade pouch as if it were a rare treasure.

He bowed to Sun Simiao and Wen He again to express his gratitude, his tone sincere: "Thank you, Daoist Master, thank you, Young Master Wen. If it is truly as you say, I will be eternally grateful. If the school needs anything in the future, I am willing to do my part."

Sun Simiao quickly waved his hand, his tone humble yet firm: "Duke Yi, there's no need for that. Treating the sick and saving lives is my duty. The Jishi Academy is dedicated to saving people and helping the world. Your recovery is a blessing for the academy. It's just a small matter, don't worry about it."

"Yes, yes, Duke Yi, there's no need to be so polite."

Wen He smiled as well, but a hint of calculation flashed in her eyes.

This good karma has been formed.

In the future, if he ever encounters any trouble, Qin Qiong and those connected to him will surely lend a helping hand.

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong did not give up. Instead, he lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, his fingers gently stroking the edge of the soft couch, as if he was carefully considering his words.

A moment later, he looked up at Wen He with a solemn expression: "I will remember your great kindness today. Although His Majesty has ordered funds to be allocated from the imperial treasury for the school, I would still like to do my part to express my gratitude."

“I know that the school has not yet chosen a location. Fortunately, I have a vacant house near Qujiang Pool. The courtyard is spacious and has some scenic views, making it perfect for a school. If you and Master Sun are willing, I will have someone deliver the land deed tomorrow and transfer it to the school’s name.”

Wen He was stunned when she heard this.

The residences near Qujiang Pool were no ordinary locations; the scenery was beautiful and the transportation was convenient. Ordinary officials would find it difficult to acquire property there. Qin Qiong's willingness to donate them directly to the school was truly commendable.

Before Wen He could refuse, Sun Simiao shook his head first: "Duke Yi, there is no need for this. I have only done my duty. How can I accept such a valuable gift from you? His Majesty has entrusted the Ministry of Rites with the matter of selecting a site for the school. I am sure there will be a result soon. I appreciate your kindness, but I absolutely cannot accept this residence."

Throughout his life as a doctor, he never coveted material possessions, let alone such a valuable mansion, and he was unwilling to incur any favors because of it.

"Master Sun, please don't refuse!"

Upon seeing this, Cheng Zhijie immediately stepped forward, patted his chest, and shouted loudly.

"Brother Qin, your kindness is appreciated. If you don't accept it, you'll be disrespecting me. Besides, the school is for the good of the people, and it's only right that we, as subjects, contribute! I won't send you a house; I'll go back and have someone fetch five hundred taels of gold to help those poor students. This will ensure they have more supplies of medicine and writing materials for their medical studies!"

Five hundred gold coins?
Wen He was startled when she heard the number.

Five hundred gold coins is no small sum; it's enough for an ordinary person to live a wealthy life for two lifetimes.

He glanced at Cheng Zhijie discreetly, muttering to himself.

Are the Cheng family really that rich?

He immediately spent five hundred gold coins.

Qin Qiong also chimed in, "Master Sun, young master Wen, this house and money are not valuable things. We are both very happy to contribute to the Jishi Academy. The sooner the academy is established, the sooner doctors can be trained to treat the people. This is the most important thing. I hope you two will not refuse any longer."

Sun Simiao quickly waved his hand, his tone humble but unable to hide a hint of embarrassment: "Duke Yi, there's no need for such a gesture. Treating the sick and saving lives is my duty. The Jishi Academy is dedicated to saving people and helping the world. Your recovery is also a blessing for the academy. It's just a small matter, there's really no need for such a generous gift."

It wasn't that he was unwilling to accept the gift, but the residence was located in Qujiang Pond and was quite valuable. Moreover, the headmaster of the academy was His Majesty. If he accepted a gift from a meritorious official without His Majesty's permission, His Majesty would inevitably have something to think about in the future.

However, Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie were so sincere that a direct refusal might offend them, leaving them in a dilemma.

“Yes, yes, Duke Yi, there’s no need to be so polite.” Wen He quickly chimed in, but a glint of clarity flashed in her eyes.

He instantly understood Sun Simiao's concerns and secretly praised the old Taoist priest for his thoughtfulness.

This school for saving the world is ostensibly led by His Majesty. However, if they secretly accept Qin Qiong's residence and Cheng Zhijie's money, even if the two are genuinely trying to help, it will inevitably give rise to gossip, who will say that they are exchanging gifts in secret. If Li Shimin becomes suspicious, it will be a case of losing more than they gain.

He stepped forward, smiling as he smoothed things over: "We appreciate the kindness of the two dukes, but the amount of the mansion and money is quite large. The headmaster of the academy is His Majesty. If we accept it privately, it would be disrespectful to His Majesty. Why don't we offer it to His Majesty and ask him to donate it to the academy in the name of the court? This would be in accordance with the rules and would also let the world know the importance His Majesty attaches to the academy. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in Qin Qiong's eyes, and he nodded with a smile: "Young Master Wen has considered everything very thoroughly. I have been negligent in this matter. In that case, we will do as you say. Tomorrow, I will present the land deed and five hundred taels of gold to His Majesty together with the Duke of Su, and then request His Majesty to donate them to the school."

Sun Simiao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "That's very good. It neither violates the rules nor disappoints the two dukes. Thank you for your understanding."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Qin Qiong got up to take his leave: "It's getting late, so the Duke of Su and I won't bother you any longer. We'll discuss it in detail with you both after we meet the Emperor tomorrow."

Cheng Zhijie suddenly scratched his head and chuckled, "Brother Qin, please wait a moment. I'm going to the outhouse and will be right back."

After saying that, he hurriedly headed towards the backyard, his steps even faster than when he came.

Wen He, Qin Qiong, and Sun Simiao waited in the main hall. After a while, Cheng Zhijie slowly returned, a secret smile on his lips.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Cheng Zhijie stepped forward and patted Sun Simiao on the shoulder warmly.

"Master Sun, my family has recently acquired some fine things. If you and Magistrate Wen have some free time, you must come to our residence for a visit. We have some beef that we just bought from the grasslands a while ago. It's stewed until tender and flavorful, and I guarantee you'll want to eat it again and again!"

He had barely finished speaking when he suddenly realized something, slapped his forehead, and quickly corrected himself: "Oh! No, no! I have mutton, fresh lamb legs, roasted with pine branches, it tastes really good! If you have time, you must come to my house!"

Wen He suppressed a laugh.

How could he not know that Cheng Zhijie had suddenly remembered that Sun Simiao was a Taoist?

I don't eat beef.

That's why Cheng Zhijie hurriedly changed his tune.

Qin Qiong chuckled and shook his head, bowing apologetically to Sun Simiao: "Please don't be offended, Daoist. This simpleton is clumsy and speaks without thinking. He's been rude."

Sun Simiao smiled and waved his hand, his expression indifferent: "It's alright. Duke Su is a man of true character. His frankness makes him seem more approachable. I didn't take it to heart."

Wen He watched this scene with secret admiration.

"As expected of a Taoist master, just like me, he has a broad mind and never fusses over trivial matters."

After seeing Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie off, Wen He and Sun Simiao had just turned back to the main hall when they saw A Dong rushing over, looking flustered: "Young Master, something bad has happened! When Duke Su left just now, he said that you asked him to take two jars of alcohol, saying that he needed to go back and 'disinfect his wounds.' Steward Zhou couldn't stop him, so he came to ask you whether these two jars of alcohol should be recorded in the accounts?"

"Holy crap, that bastard stole my alcohol!"

Wen He's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with astonishment.

"When did I ask him to take the alcohol away!"

He suddenly remembered Cheng Zhijie's unusual behavior of going to the toilet earlier.

No wonder it took so long. It turns out that this scoundrel used the excuse of going to the toilet to play a trick on him!

"Damn it, Cheng Yaojin, you just wait!"

Wen He gritted his teeth
"Drink alcohol, that stuff burns your throat. It won't kill you, but it'll make you suffer! See if you dare take my things again next time!"

Sun Simiao couldn't help but laugh when he saw Wen He's sullen expression: "This Duke Su is quite the character. But that alcohol is strong; if he drinks too much, it might upset his stomach. Young master, should we send someone to remind him?"

"Remind him?"

Wen He snorted, then waved her hand helplessly.

"Forget it, it's good to teach him a lesson so he won't dare to act recklessly again next time. Besides, given his personality, even if I send someone to talk to him, he might not listen and might even say I'm petty."

Despite this, Wen He still quietly instructed A Dong: "Go tell Steward Zhou that next time, no one can take anything from the storeroom without my permission, especially the Duke of Su. Keep a close eye on him."

Adong quickly agreed and turned to leave.

Wen He looked out the window, secretly plotting: 'Next time I see Cheng Yaojin, I'll make him return double the amount of alcohol he took, and maybe even extort something from him too, otherwise I just can't swallow this insult!'

To hell with his magnanimity!
I'm furious right now!
……

After resting at his residence for a day, Qin Qiong went to the palace and reported the matter to Li Shimin.

"Has Master Sun cured Uncle Bao?"

Seeing his reaction, Li Shimin guessed what was going on.

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong shook his head with a wry smile: "It cannot be cured, but Master Sun said that it can be treated and alleviated, so that I can serve Your Majesty as a foot soldier for a few more years."

After he finished speaking, he bowed to Li Shimin with his hands clasped.

Li Shimin was so moved that his eyes reddened. He quickly walked down the steps and came to Qin Qiong's side to hold his hand.

"Good, good. With Uncle Bao here, I can sleep peacefully."

Seeing Li Shimin on the verge of tears, Qin Qiong felt extremely grateful.

So Your Majesty still values ​​me so much.

At noon, Li Shimin specially invited Qin Qiong to have lunch in the palace.

This news quickly spread throughout Chang'an.

Many people turned their attention to the Duke of Yi's mansion.

Sure enough, just a few days later.

A decree from the Secretariat surprised many people.

(End of this chapter)