Chapter 134: Healing with Qigong

"Liu Yitiao, a commoner, pays his respects to the Emperor and the Empress!" Upon entering the grand hall, Liu Yitiao bowed low, offering a formal salute to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

"Mm, Master Liu, there is no need for such formalities," Li Shimin said, casting a glance at Liu Yitiao. He could not help but sigh inwardly. How could someone so gifted and prestigious choose to become a merchant, chasing after trivial schemes and profit?

Li Shimin was not opposed to commerce; without trade, there were no markets, and without markets, there was no circulation of goods—the very things that reflected a nation's prosperity. Over the years, he had not only eased the restrictions on merchants but had also implemented policies to encourage trade. However, seeing a man of letters—especially a master of calligraphy and a miraculous physician like Liu Yitiao—drown himself in the stench of copper and greed always pained him.

He had originally intended, once the Empress’s condition stabilized, to appoint Liu Yitiao as a director in the Imperial Medical Bureau, replacing Wang Zikui. Now, it seemed, that hope was gone.

"Daoist Sun, this is the Master Liu who has been treating the Empress," Li Shimin said to the old Daoist beside him. "Master Liu’s medical skills are profound. That the Empress is in her current state is largely due to his meticulous care."

"Your Majesty is too kind; this is merely what a commoner ought to do," Liu Yitiao bowed, quietly lifting his eyes to observe the old Daoist.

Is this truly Sun Simiao? He appeared to be in his seventies, with a thin face and a white beard. Despite his age, there were few wrinkles on his face, and his eyes were clear and bright. He stood tall and healthy, dressed in a grey-brown Daoist robe with his hair tied in a bun. Seeing him look back, Liu Yitiao politely bowed his head and offered a faint, respectful smile.

"Greetings, young man," Sun Simiao stepped forward, bowing in the traditional Daoist fashion. "I am deeply impressed by your idea of using diet to neutralize toxins and nourish the body. Upon examining the Empress just now, I found that although her five energies are turbulent and her lung qi is constrained, her body is not weak. I believe this is entirely to your credit. May I ask who your master was, and if you might be willing to share?"

"Greetings, Daoist Sun," Liu Yitiao returned the gesture. "The method of dietary therapy was developed by my late master, and I have merely refined it. While this approach helps with the pathology, it is only an auxiliary measure and cannot be the primary treatment. As for the Empress’s root condition, we must rely on your expertise, Daoist Sun. As for my master, he has passed away, and I am not at liberty to speak his name. I hope you will forgive me."

"I see. That is truly a pity," Sun Simiao sighed. "I had hoped to pay my respects, but it seems I am not fated to meet him."

"Daoist Sun, now that Master Liu has arrived, could you share the results of your diagnosis? What is the true state of the Empress's illness?" Li Shimin asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Your Majesty, do not be anxious," Sun Simiao waved his hand gently. "I would like to hear Master Liu’s view on the Empress’s condition first. How did you diagnose it initially?"

"The Empress’s illness can only be prevented, not cured," Liu Yitiao bowed as he stepped forward. "My medical knowledge is shallow; I have no way to eradicate the root of her condition. That is why I thought of you, Daoist Sun. Your medical skills are extraordinary, and I trust you have a better way."

"On this, my view aligns with Master Liu's," Sun Simiao stroked his beard and cast an appreciative look at Liu Yitiao. "Asthmatic conditions are always triggered by external factors but manifest internally. One must understand that of the body’s five energies, lung qi is hot, heart qi is secondary, liver qi is cool, spleen qi is warm, and kidney qi is cold. If these five energies are disturbed, the spirit becomes weak and the heart restless, making one susceptible to external pathogens. This illness is difficult to treat and recurs frequently. If I were to treat her, I would do as Master Liu does and focus on nourishing the body. When the body is strong, the vital energy is robust; external influences cannot easily invade, and the frequency of attacks will naturally diminish."

"So, you mean the Empress's illness can never be cured?" Li Shimin asked, having grasped the gist of the conversation.

"Not necessarily," Sun Simiao replied. "There is no illness in this world that cannot be treated, only illnesses for which the right prescription has not been found. I possess a technique for cultivating qi that can balance the five energies and strengthen the six viscera. I am willing to teach it to the Empress. If she practices these breathing exercises for half an hour every morning and combines them with Master Liu’s dietary therapy, in a year or so, her asthmatic condition should heal without the need for further medicine. You need not worry!"

Qigong therapy? Liu Yitiao couldn't help but glance at Sun Simiao. Was this old Daoist actually a martial arts master?

"Cultivating qi?" Li Shimin turned to Liu Yitiao, seeking the opinion of his 'Divine Physician.'

"Your Majesty, cultivating qi not only strengthens the body but also prevents illness. I have heard of qigong therapy before, but I lacked the fortune to ever encounter such a method. Since Daoist Sun is proficient in it, there could be nothing better. You may rest assured," Liu Yitiao bowed to Li Shimin.

"Mm." Seeing that Liu Yitiao agreed, Li Shimin nodded, feeling more confident. He bowed slightly to Sun Simiao and said, "Then I must trouble you, Daoist Sun, to teach her."

"Your Majesty is too polite. Since you agree, I shall begin the treatment for the Empress now." Sun Simiao bowed. It seemed he had no desire to linger in the imperial palace.

"Please, Daoist Sun," Li Shimin gestured.

Sun Simiao walked to the Empress's bedside and bowed. "Your Majesty, I must ask for your indulgence. Please sit upright and turn your back to me."

"I am in your debt, Daoist Sun," Empress Zhangsun nodded gently, sat up, and turned her back to him.

"Your Majesty, please listen carefully. I will now impart the incantation for cultivating qi and guide you through it once. Please commit it to memory." Sun Simiao paused, then recited in a soft voice: "Forget words to nourish qi, do not act to calm the heart. In movement and stillness know the source, who else is there to seek? Truth must respond to things, and in responding, do not be confused. Without confusion, the nature remains; when the nature remains, qi returns. When qi returns, the elixir forms; in the vessel, the fire and water mingle. Yin and yang cycle back and forth, a clap of thunder echoes throughout. White clouds gather at the summit, sweet dew sprinkles upon Mount Sumeru. Drink the wine of longevity; who knows the joy of being carefree? Sit and listen to the stringless song, enlightened to the mechanism of creation. These twenty lines are, in truth, the ladder to heaven."

"The incantation may sound difficult to understand at first, but once I guide you through it, you will see. Your Majesty, please forgive the intrusion." Sun Simiao placed his hands gently against the Empress's shoulder blades and began to breathe rhythmically.

Liu Yitiao stood by, savoring the incantation Sun Simiao had recited. It felt somewhat elusive, as if the old Daoist were pulling the wool over their eyes.

"Inhale, and think of gathering the world's energy; exhale, and let the world sink into your lower abdomen..." Sun Simiao explained as he channeled his energy, seemingly unbothered by the surroundings.

After nearly half an hour, Sun Simiao lowered his hands and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, how do you feel? Do you feel light, energized, and clear of all heaviness?"

"Just as you said, Daoist, I feel much better. Thank you for your trouble," Empress Zhangsun turned around and smiled at him. "Your method of cultivating qi is truly miraculous. I am most grateful."

Sun Simiao bowed. "Your Majesty is too kind. This was your first time practicing, and with my guidance, the effect was significant. Do not be concerned if the effects are less pronounced in future sessions. As long as you persevere, your illness will eventually be cured."

Sun Simiao pondered for a moment and then turned to the long-browed young disciple beside him. "Long-brow, bring me the bottle of 'Vitality-Replenishing Elixir'."

"Yes, Master!" The disciple set down the medicine chest, retrieved a white porcelain bottle, and handed it to Sun Simiao with a bow.

"Your Majesty, this bottle of 'Vitality-Replenishing Elixir' is something I refined over ten years in the mountains. It has the effect of replenishing qi and restoring the spirit." Handing the bottle to an attendant, he added, "There are fifty pills inside. If you take one daily, it will be of great benefit to your health."

"Thank you, Daoist. I shall keep that in mind," the Empress nodded, and with the help of her maids, she lay back down.

Seeing the matter concluded, Sun Simiao rose to take his leave of Li Shimin. "Your Majesty, this is all I can do for the Empress's condition. I will be staying in Chang'an for a few days. If you or the Empress have any questions, you may summon me. I shall take my leave now."

"Mm, I have troubled you, Daoist Sun," Li Shimin nodded and ordered the eunuch Xiao Dezi to escort the pair out of the palace.

"Your Majesty, I have some questions regarding the Empress's condition that I would like to discuss with Daoist Sun. I shall take my leave as well." Seeing Li Shimin nod, Liu Yitiao bowed and exited, quickly catching up to Sun Simiao.

"Daoist Sun, please wait!" Liu Yitiao called out. Upon reaching him, he bowed. "Daoist Sun, I have some questions I would like to ask you. Would you be so kind as to visit my humble residence for a while?"

"Oh, young Master Liu," Sun Simiao stopped and looked at him with interest, smiling. "I was just thinking of looking for you, and here you are. Haha, where do you reside? I fear I shall be an imposition today."