Volume Four: The Great Landowner, the Little Life Chapter 148: Sun Simiao Says, “You’re Sick!”

“Mountain Waves Sheep” was not exactly famous throughout Chang’an, but at least it made one person—someone who had designs on Liu Yitiao—aware of Liu’s ambitions.

“My heart lies in the countryside; disturb me not when I have no affairs.”

“See?” Emperor Taizong, holding the calligraphy piece already mounted and framed, said to Empress Zhangsun and Li Chengqian, “I told you, this young man is a sly one. His ‘Mountain Waves Sheep’—was it really just to entertain guests at the banquet? I suspect he wanted to show it to me for other reasons.”

Glancing again at the calligraphy, Taizong said with a hint of annoyance, “He’s telling me that he’s tired of staying in Chang’an and wants to go home. He’s trying every trick to get me to let him leave.”

“Ha ha, Your Majesty,” Empress Zhangsun smiled gently and advised, “Isn’t this just in line with your original plan? Mr. Liu is a merchant by nature; he cannot serve as an official nor be granted a title. It would be best to take this opportunity to send him back to till his fields, fulfilling his wish and repaying a kindness.”

Having seen Liu Yitiao’s “Mountain Waves Sheep,” Empress Zhangsun understood his mind. For this benefactor who had saved her and her son, she naturally did not want to make things difficult.

“Yes, Father,” Li Chengqian, supporting himself with a cane recently brought from outside the palace, stood up in defense of Liu Yitiao. “Mr. Liu’s aspirations are lofty and pure. Since he wishes to retreat to the countryside, I ask Father to grant his request.” He bowed lightly and added, “Besides, Mr. Liu is returning to Sanyuan, not far from Chang’an. Should the need arise again, he can be summoned.”

Lofty aspirations? Taizong curled his lips slightly, recalling the day Liu Yitiao had come to him, complaining of poverty. How could such a person be a man of lofty ideals?

Still, Liu Yitiao truly wanted to return home.

Taizong paced back and forth for a moment. “Let us wait a couple more days, until the Empress and my son have fully recovered, then we shall decide.”

With that, he addressed Empress Zhangsun and her son briefly before returning to his study to copy the calligraphy.

“Grandpa, that is Mr. Liu’s original work! Xier barely managed to get it from General Gongsun. How can you give it away so easily?” Su Chenxi clung to Su Bingren’s arm, pouting and complaining.

“Heh, my little girl,” Su Bingren patted her head affectionately, “Mr. Liu’s genuine calligraphy is indeed precious, but if it can buy back his freedom and fulfill his wish, that is well worth it.”

“Moreover, Grandpa knows how much you adore Mr. Liu’s calligraphy and would never disappoint my precious granddaughter. Here,” he pulled out a thin scroll from his breast pocket and handed it to Su Chenxi, “this is something I specially asked General Gongsun to obtain for you today. It is definitely written by Mr. Liu himself, and it is the ‘Mountain Waves Sheep.’”

“Really?!” Su Chenxi released Su Bingren’s arm eagerly and took the scroll. The familiar poems and characters danced before her eyes once more.

“Thank you, Grandpa!” The little girl bowed to him before running off to the study.

“Hey! That girl!” Old Su chuckled softly at his granddaughter’s excitement. The allure of calligraphy was truly endless, and he followed after her.

In the study, Su Chenxi was grinding ink at the desk. Su Bingren approached quietly and said, “Girl, last night at the banquet, I saw you chatting happily with Mr. Liu. You must have learned something of his character. Tell me, what do you think of him?”

“Grandpa, can’t you see from the poem?” Su Chenxi lifted her pen, eyes dreamy as she softly recited, “One ox for plowing, half a field; harvest depends on heaven, fallow depends on heaven. Three meals, morning fragrant and sweet, evening fragrant and sweet—peaceful, calm, content, and self-satisfied. He truly embodies the spirit of the Five Willows of the Jin dynasty. Mr. Liu is a genuine recluse; bustling Chang’an is no place for him. He will leave sooner or later.”

“Indeed,” Su Bingren stroked his beard and sighed, “Such a talented man burdened by merchant ties, unrewarded by the court—it’s a pity. I truly cannot bear to let him go so easily.”

“Then why did you present that calligraphy to the Emperor? Wouldn’t that hasten Mr. Liu’s departure?” Su Chenxi looked at him in confusion.

“I was repaying a debt owed for decades and acting on someone’s behalf. Besides, I know that forced stays are bitter; since Mr. Liu’s heart is not here, there is no point in keeping him. So I gave him a gentle push. Soon, he will be able to return home as he wishes,” Su Bingren explained.

“Oh,” Su Chenxi nodded, though she did not quite grasp it fully and wisely did not probe further.

She gently set down her brush and picked up the piece she had just written. Su Bingren took it and said, “Grandpa, how did Xier do?”

“Hmm,” he glanced over it, nodding, “About seventy percent form and thirty percent spirit. Ha, Xier truly is a talented girl of the Su family. In just a few days, your Liu-style calligraphy has improved remarkably. Well done!”

“Form without spirit—Xier is still far behind Mr. Liu,” she said, picking up her brush again and continuing to copy Liu Yitiao’s calligraphy.

At the Gongsun residence, Liu Yitiao and Gongsun Helan sat in the pavilion at the back garden.

Liu Yitiao handed Gongsun Helan the “Evergreen Song Formula” that Master Sun Simiao had given him some days before, asking him to study it. Although Gongsun Helan’s martial skills were not as refined as Liu’s, he had been trained in the family’s internal energy techniques and knew more about energy cultivation.

“Brother,” Gongsun Helan examined the scroll carefully, “this is indeed a technique for harnessing Qi and earth energy. Though somewhat simple, it is no small matter in its effects. It should regulate Qi, calm the spirit, and solidify the body’s true essence. Regular practice can strengthen the body and prolong life. However, progress will be slow, especially for someone like you who has never practiced internal energy. It won’t help your martial skills much right now.”

“Oh,” Liu Yitiao nodded lightly. It seemed the old Master Sun had not deceived him. Regular practice strengthens the body and prolongs life? So this is Master Sun’s method for health preservation.

Thinking of the legendary longevity of Sun Simiao, Liu’s eyes gleamed. Could this “Evergreen Song Formula” be the secret behind the old master’s life of over 160 years?

“Brother, honestly, with your fighting skill, whether you practice internal energy or not makes little difference. Internal energy sounds mysterious, but it’s really just a special breathing technique,” Gongsun Helan said. “Take me for example: I have practiced family internal energy methods since childhood and made some progress after many years. But when I spar with you, all that internal energy cannot block your powerful fists. Sometimes, it seems better not to practice at all.”

“Hmm.” Liu Yitiao agreed deeply. He had never understood before; internal skill was merely a method to regulate the body, making it stronger, but not the miraculous all-powerful art described in legends.

Still, he wished to give it a try.

The sight of the eighty-something-year-old Sun Simiao still in good health was a great temptation.

“Young Master Liu, two Taoist priests are here to see you. Will you receive them?” Gongsun Li entered the garden and bowed to Liu Yitiao.

“Master Sun and Master Changmei are here?” Liu raised his eyebrows. It was truly like summoning Cao Cao and having him arrive immediately. Standing, he bowed to Gongsun Helan, “Honored guest comes. Helan, please wait here; I will go greet them.”

Liu followed Gongsun Li to the front gate and saw Sun Simiao and Changmei standing quietly before the general’s residence.

“Master Sun, Master Changmei, I greet you,” Liu quickened his steps, clasped his hands in salute, and warmly invited them into the back garden.

“Come, Master Sun, let me introduce you,” Liu said, pointing to Gongsun Helan still seated in the pavilion. “This is my brother, Gongsun Helan. Helan, this is Master Sun I just mentioned.”

“Master Sun, greetings,” Gongsun Helan bowed.

“Greetings, Brother Gongsun,” Sun Simiao returned the salute. Then studying Gongsun Helan’s face closely, he suddenly said, “Brother Gongsun, you are ill!”

“Eh? Ill?” Gongsun Helan pointed to his nose in surprise. He hadn’t expected the old master’s first words to be this blunt.

“Please sit, Master Sun,” Liu said politely, knowing Sun’s reputation as the ‘Medicine King’ was no empty title. He invited Master Sun into the pavilion and softly asked, “Master Sun, what ailment does my brother suffer?”

“Not exactly an illness, more precisely a wound,” Sun Simiao said, sitting down and looking at Gongsun Helan. “May I ask, Brother Gongsun, have you suffered a severe internal injury recently?”

Hearing this, Liu’s heart tightened. Could it be that Gongsun Helan’s last internal injury had left some hidden trouble?