Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

"Dr. Shen, what are your aspirations?"

"Treating the sick and saving lives, that's all."

Shen Chang'an's tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable firmness: "The affairs of officialdom, with their intrigue and deceit, are neither my forte nor my interest. It's better to provide free medical services outside the city, in peace and quiet, and with complete freedom."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Dr. Shen, you're quite an interesting person." He shook his head. "So many people in this world are desperate to get into officialdom, but you avoid it like the plague."

Everyone has their own ambitions.

Shen Chang'an removed the silver needles one by one. "Young master, the acupuncture is finished. Please move around a bit and see how you feel."

Li Chengqian stood up, stretched his waist and legs, and his eyes lit up: "My waist and abdomen feel warm and comfortable, even more so than last time."

"This is a sign that the meridians are gradually becoming unblocked."

Shen Chang'an put the silver needles into the needle case, and then took out several packets of medicinal herbs from the medicine box. "This is the medicine for the next seven days. I have adjusted the dosage. Please continue to take it, and come back for a follow-up visit in seven days."

"Okay." Li Chengqian took the medicine packet and handed it to Guo Hu to keep safe.

He glanced at Shen Chang'an, hesitated, but finally spoke: "Dr. Shen, I will relay your words to my father verbatim."

Shen Chang'an nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, young master."

Li Chengqian boarded the carriage and waved goodbye.

The carriage rumbled away, and Shen Chang'an watched it leave before turning back to continue his free clinic.

He knew that Li Shimin's decision to bring him into the Imperial Medical Bureau was not necessarily out of appreciation for his talent, but more likely to keep him under his watchful eye and make him easier to control.

The art of rulership is nothing more than this.

"Unfortunately, I have no interest in your empire; cultivating immortality is my only ambition."

Shen Chang'an shook his head inwardly and continued examining the patients.

……

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, at the Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin sat behind his desk, reviewing the mountain of memorials.

The vermilion pen danced at his fingertips as he reviewed and approved memorials, which were then piled up to the side.

He's in a good mood today.

It wasn't because the political situation was going smoothly, but because of changes in his body.

Since taking the medicine prescribed by Shen Chang'an, he has felt his health improving day by day.

Although the headache is still there, the frequency of the attacks has decreased significantly, and the severity has also decreased considerably.

Previously, I would feel dizzy after reviewing memorials for half an hour, but now I can review them continuously for an hour and still feel refreshed.

What surprised him even more was something else.

Last night, his sexual relations with Empress Zhangsun went much more smoothly than usual.

This is something that's hard to talk about.

Li Shimin was in his prime, but after years of hard work in state affairs, coupled with liver yang hyperactivity and kidney yin deficiency, he often felt that he had the will but not the strength in sexual matters.

Empress Zhangsun was understanding and never complained, but he knew the truth in his heart.

But last night, that feeling disappeared.

He was full of energy from beginning to end, as if he had returned to his teenage or twentieth year.

Empress Zhangsun was also quite exhausted by him. Afterwards, she leaned against the couch, her face flushed with a long-lost blush, and softly said, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you today...?"

He didn't answer, but he had more faith in Shen Chang'an's prescription.

But along with it came vigilance and misunderstanding.

Isn't the prescription Shen Chang'an gave you incredibly effective?

"Someone come here."

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward.

"It is said that the Imperial Medical Academy's Director Zhang is here."

Before long, Physician Zhang rushed over and knelt down.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Get up. Take my pulse."

Physician Zhang stepped forward cautiously, placed three fingers on the cun-kou (radial artery) point, and examined it intently for a moment before revealing a look of surprise on his face.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty's pulse is much better than before. The radial pulse is no longer so wiry and rapid, and the ulnar pulse is also more full. This indicates that Your Majesty's liver yang hyperactivity is subsiding, and your kidney water is being replenished."

"You mean, that prescription works?"

"It's effective, and the effect is remarkable." Physician Zhang nodded repeatedly. "May I ask, Your Majesty, which renowned physician prescribed this formula? The combination of ingredients is exquisite, and the use of medicine is reliable. I admire it greatly."

Li Shimin did not answer, but waved his hand and said, "Alright, you may leave."

Physician Zhang dared not ask any further questions and took his leave.

Li Shimin leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant.

The medicine is effective, which is a good thing.

But he still had a lingering doubt—the medicine was working too fast.

Even if you take the prescriptions from the Imperial Medical Academy for ten days or half a month, you might not feel any effect.

Shen Chang'an's prescription has produced such obvious effects after only a few days of use.

Could it be... that I'm overdrawing my body's potential?

He recalled a legend he had heard as a child—some sorcerers would use evil magic to stimulate people's potential, making them energetic in the short term, but in reality, they were overdrawing their lifespan.

Shen Chang'an... could he be that kind of person?

Li Shimin shook his head, unwilling to draw a conclusion easily.

But the doubts in my heart lingered.

"Someone come here."

"His Majesty?"

"Go and summon the Grand Astrologer Li Chunfeng and the Volcano Commander Yuan Tiangang, and tell them to come to see me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch quickly left.

……

Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang were the two most renowned sorcerers in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chunfeng, a native of Yong County, Qizhou, was about thirty years old. He had a thin face, bright eyes, and wore a green robe and a turban, giving him an air of otherworldly elegance.

He was proficient in astronomy, calendar, and mathematics, and was especially skilled in divination and prediction. He held the official position of Grand Astrologer and made predictions for Li Shimin on many occasions, all of which came true.

Yuan Tiangang was from Chengdu, Yizhou. He was about forty years old, with a tall and strong build, a square face, large ears, and a beard like a halberd, making him look more like a military general.

He was an expert in physiognomy, also known as face reading. It is said that he could predict a person's fate and future by looking at their face and bone structure, and he never made a mistake.

He held the official position of Huoshan Ling, a sinecure, but he was deeply trusted by Li Shimin.

Although the two had different talents, they were very close friends and were often summoned to the palace together to discuss important military and national affairs or to divine good and bad fortune.

At this moment, the two were standing outside the Ganlu Hall, waiting to be summoned.

"The Grand Astrologer has been suddenly summoned. What is the reason?" Yuan Tiangang asked in a low voice.

Li Chunfeng shook his head and glanced at the area above the palace gate: "Lord Huoshan, don't be anxious. I observe that there seems to be something unusual about the atmosphere in the palace."

The two said no more.

"Summon—Grand Astrologer Li Chunfeng and Volcano Magistrate Yuan Tiangang to the palace!"

After the eunuch's voice rang out, the two men straightened their clothes and stepped inside.

"Your subject Li Chunfeng (Yuan Tiangang) pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise."

Li Shimin sat behind his desk, his gaze sweeping over the two men. "I have summoned you two ministers here today because I have something to ask you."

"Your Majesty, please speak," Li Chunfeng said, bowing.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then briefly recounted how Shen Chang'an had examined his pulse, prescribed medicine, and described the changes in his body after taking the medication. Finally, he said:

"After taking the medicine, my health has indeed improved significantly. However, I have a concern—the medicine's effects came on too quickly. I worry… has someone tampered with it? Did they use some unorthodox methods to shorten my lifespan?"

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "My two ministers are well-versed in divination and metaphysics. I would like to ask you to perform a divination for me to see if there is truly a problem with my health."

Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.

"Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng stepped forward, "we two are willing to give it a try. However, Your Majesty bears the fate of the nation, and divination regarding your health will likely result in a backlash from the heavens, I'm afraid..."

"I know."

Li Shimin waved his hand, "You two just need to perform the magic. After it's done, I will reward you handsomely."

"I obey your decree."