Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 88 Sun Simiao's Sparring Session!

People came one after another to Xiao Ran's house with dried persimmon cakes.

Zhang Erya and Zhang Jinhe gave the others a small bowl and taught them how to scrape the persimmon frost.

It needs to be scraped clean, but you can't ruin the persimmon cake.

Li Wu was in charge of overseeing the process, mainly paying people on the spot after the persimmon frost was scraped and collected.

Zhang Jinhe was also watching from the side, because the persimmon cakes were sold to her.

The money is paid on the spot, just like before.

Now Sun Simiao understood what Li Lizhi had done with the persimmon frost.

Sun Simiao was naturally aware of Empress Zhangsun's illness.

These persimmon frosts are very useful in treating qi-related ailments.

It was almost noon by the time the persimmon frost was scraped off.

The patient didn't come back, probably because it was mealtime and they deliberately avoided it.

Sun Simiao leaned closer to examine the persimmon frost.

I've already heard about the previous price.

The price Li Lizhi offered was really not cheap.

"Fifth Sister, how is Madam's condition now?" Sun Simiao asked proactively.

Sun Simiao greatly respected Emperor Li Shimin, and he also knew that Empress Zhangsun was a virtuous and kind woman who served as the mother of the nation.

"Sir, you're feeling better now. I discovered persimmon frost by chance and took it for a while, which helped a little. The last time you had an attack, the young master helped give you some medicine, and it stopped the attack quickly."

"Young master, do you have medicine to treat qi ailments?" Sun Simiao asked Xiao Ran.

"I also have this condition. I brought back some medicine from the Western Regions, and it turned out to be quite effective." Suddenly bringing this up, Xiao Ran wanted to have Sun Simiao study it, hoping that he might be able to come up with something different.

Li Lizhi remembered what Xiao Ran had said about hereditary diseases, so she went back and had the imperial physician examine the two little princesses, and there was no problem.

But seeing Sun Simiao, I still wanted to ask him to take a look again.

"Sir, could you please examine Sizi Fanyin?"

Sun Simiao glanced at the two little princesses not far away; he hadn't seen them before.

However, judging from her clothing and appearance, she is a princess of noble status.

“good good”

Li Lizhi called out, "Sizi, San Niang Fanyin, come here!"

Three little girls came running over with Little Black on their little chubby feet.

Li Lizhi noticed that the little princess had an extra sachet on her. The sachet was rather crudely made, but it smelled nice.

"Big sister~ what are you doing~" the little princess asked.

Li Lizhi picked up the sachet, "Where did this come from?"

"It's from Third Sister~ Hehe~" The little princess laughed happily.

Sun Simiao smiled and took out two more, giving them to Princess Chengyang and Third Sister.

"These are good for repelling mosquitoes, calming the nerves, and refreshing the mind," Sun Simiao said, giving Li Lizhi a few more.

"Thank you, sir!" Li Lizhi did not refuse.

What Sun Simiao gave must have been of high quality; it might not have been expensive, but it would definitely have been useful.

The little princess obediently stretched out her little hand, allowing Sun Simiao to take her pulse.

Xiao Ran didn't watch and went back to the kitchen to cook.

After examining them, Sun Simiao smiled and said, "The pulses of both young ladies are steady and strong; they are in perfect condition."

"Alright, Sizi, go play!"

"Hmmmm~"

After the examination, Li Lizhi asked, "Sir, are you familiar with hereditary diseases?"

"A hereditary disease?" Sun Simiao was hearing this for the first time. "What does Fifth Sister mean by this?"

“I also heard it from the young master. He said that Qi disease is also a hereditary disease,” Li Lizhi told Sun Simiao what Xiao Ran had said.

Actually, I just wanted to see if Sun Simiao knew about these things and if he had any way to treat it.

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao frowned slightly, unconsciously stroking his beard with his fingertips. After pondering for a while, he suddenly looked up at Li Lizhi, his tone carrying a hint of enlightenment and deep thought: "Now that you mention it, Fifth Sister, this old man is reminded of some past events."

"In my early years as a doctor, I saw many families where the ancestors suffered from night blindness, and their children and grandchildren also had the same disease. There were also some families where asthma and cough were present for generations, which would flare up when exposed to cold, unlike ordinary colds."

"The old man previously thought it was because they had similar 'innate endowments' and were from the same family, so they were prone to contracting the same diseases, which he attributed to 'congenital deficiency, making them susceptible to evil influences'."

At this point, he paused, his gaze fixed on the medicinal herbs drying in the distance, as if reviewing past cases: "Take night blindness, for example. I have found that eating more animal liver can help improve it, but I still don't understand why it is so prevalent among a particular group."

"Now, hearing the words 'hereditary disease' is like seeing through a thin veil—could it be that this 'endowment' is not accidental, but can actually be passed down from generation to generation?"

Sun Simiao turned to Li Lizhi, his eyes filled with inquiry: "Young master said that qi ailments are like this too. No wonder some qi ailment patients have fathers and grandfathers who also had this disease."

"I used to think it was just because we have similar constitutions, but now I think there is probably a reason for inheritance hidden in this similarity."

"If this is truly the case, then treating illness cannot only focus on the present, but must also trace back to the root cause."

Sun Simiao clapped his hands and sighed softly, his tone revealing the keenness of a physician. "For example, with night blindness, if we know that it is common in a clan, we can have the clan members eat more liver to prevent it. If the same principle applies to qi ailments, we can remind the younger generation to avoid the triggers—this line of thinking could probably save many people."

Sun Simiao looked towards the kitchen, his eyes showing a hint of approval: "Young master's words, though unheard of before, have given some insight into many of my previous unresolved questions. The term 'hereditary disease' is worth pondering carefully."

Clearly, even Sun Simiao didn't know this before.

However, Li Lizhi could tell that Sun Simiao had encountered similar situations and had considered them.

They just hadn't figured out the pattern yet, but now Xiao Ran has finally revealed it.

This made Li Lizhi even more curious, as even someone as knowledgeable as Sun Simiao was not as familiar with these matters as Xiao Ran.

"Sir, adding persimmon frost does indeed improve the effect on qi ailments. I would like to trouble you to provide a prescription later." The imperial physicians in the palace are certainly good, but Li Lizhi felt that Sun Simiao was even better.

"Fifth Sister, the old man doesn't know the lady's condition right now, so it's not appropriate to prescribe medicine rashly. It would be more suitable to examine the lady in a couple of days and prescribe medicine based on her current situation."

Sun Simiao's inability to prescribe medicine has nothing to do with Empress Zhangsun's noble status.

Even if others said so, Sun Simiao wouldn't make a rash decision.

Prescribing medication without understanding the patient's condition could be fatal.

“What the old gentleman says is very true; I had not considered it carefully,” Li Lizhi said with a smile.

Sun Simiao is treating other patients here and will not be leaving for the time being.

Li Lizhi knew that Sun Simiao would not treat Empress Zhangsun differently because of power or status, so she wanted to get Empress Zhangsun examined as soon as possible, and could only bring Empress Zhangsun to Kaolao Village.

Li Lizhi and Sun Simiao asked each other many questions.

It continued until lunchtime.

When Zhang Mingde got up, Sun Simiao was already busy, so he didn't disturb him.

A group of people gathered together for a meal, and it was very lively.

After lunch, people came to the village one after another, some to see a doctor, and others to bring persimmon cakes.

This resulted in a large number of people in Xiao Ran's family.

It wasn't until evening that things calmed down.

Li Lizhi and the others were preparing to leave Kaolao Village with Shishuang. Zhang Erya reminded them, "Fifth Sister, there are still two horses!"

“That’s for the young master; he should find it useful,” Li Lizhi said.

"No, Fifth Sister, I really don't need it. I don't usually use it; this is too precious!"

"Young master has helped so much, this is nothing." Li Lizhi waved her hand. "Grandpa, young master, second aunt will see you later!"

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya were also numb; the gifts from Li Lizhi's family were not cheap.

Xiao Ran didn't ask for money for the persimmon frost before, because Li Lizhi's family gave too much.

Every time they went to Kaolao Village, the two little princesses had a great time and would share their experiences with Empress Zhangsun, Li Shimin, when they returned.

"Why does it smell like medicine!" The little princess leaned closer, and Li Shimin could smell it.

"Hehe~ It's this duck~" The little princess took out a sachet, "Third Aunt gave it to me~"

Li Shimin took it and looked at it, "It tastes good."

“Father, I have one too.” Princess Chengyang also held one.

"Father, these are from the late Mr. Sun Simiao. He gave us a few extra." Li Lizhi sat down and handed two to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

"You met the old miracle doctor in Kaolao Village?" Li Shimin asked in surprise.

"The old gentleman arrived at Kaolao Village and happened to stay at the young man's house, treating the villagers nearby. He's been busy all day," Princess Yuzhang said.

"What a coincidence!" Li Shimin sniffed the sachet. "No wonder this sachet smells so special."

"Mother, why don't you go to Kaolao Village tomorrow and ask the old doctor to prescribe some medicine?" Li Lizhi said to Empress Zhangsun.

"Your Majesty, go and see him. Imperial Physician Zhang's medical skills are quite good, but the old master physician should be slightly better," Li Shimin said.

Sun Simiao usually traveled all over the world, and you had no idea where he was.

I can't find it even if I try.

If you know of Sun Simiao, you can't go wrong by going to see him.

It's absolutely true that it's something you can only hope to encounter once in a lifetime.

Even Li Shimin offered high-ranking official positions and generous salaries to those who could not be retained.

The little princess jumped into Empress Zhangsun's arms, "Can I still play with Third Sister?"

"Yes, that's fine." Empress Zhangsun held the little princess.

"Does he really enjoy going to play with Third Sister?" Li Shimin asked the little princess.

"Mmm, mmm~ And Little Black is being very good too~"

"Little Nangjun cooks so well, ducks~" The little princess is a little foodie.

Li Shimin laughed too, "You little rascal!"

A speechless night!
Xiao Ran got up even earlier to do morning exercises with Sun Simiao.

Sun Simiao, holding a book on Tai Chi, was already waiting by the pool.

This time, even Third Sister didn't get up early.

Good morning, sir!

Sun Simiao closed the book, smiled and nodded, "Good morning, young master!"

In the past two days, Sun Simiao has learned more about Xiao Ran's actions in Kaolao Village and his impression of Xiao Ran has become increasingly positive.

Sun Simiao led Xiao Ran in performing guiding exercises, his movements as graceful as flowing clouds, his breath even and long.

After finishing his routine, he turned to look at Xiao Ran, his gaze falling on the ripples on the pool, his tone as gentle as morning dew: "When it comes to health preservation, medicine is secondary, the mind and spirit are fundamental."

"Joy, anger, worry, thought, and fear are all normal emotions, but if you stubbornly resist them like a rock, your energy will stagnate and your blood will become stagnant—many illnesses are not caused by physical collapse, but by mental disorder."

"The old man has been practicing medicine for many years and has seen many strong men cough up blood due to a sudden outburst of anger, as well as many women who have become increasingly weak due to excessive worry."

"Medicine can cure coughing up blood and regulate the spleen and stomach, but if the pent-up emotions cannot be dispelled, even the best medicine will only scratch the surface."

"Just like when you do this guiding exercise, your hands should be relaxed, your shoulders should be heavy, and your mind should be empty. If you have things on your mind, your qi will not be able to sink to the dantian. No matter how standard your movements are, you are only practicing the form, not the spirit."

Xiao Ran nodded, seemingly puzzled but impressed. "I'll remember that, sir!"

After a while, Third Sister finally came over to find Xiao Ran and Xiao Hei.

I played with Little Blackie nearby.

Xiao Ran didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he felt very comfortable practicing.

My mood has improved a lot.

Seeing Sun Simiao's physique, Xiao Ran couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, you've been practicing for years, are you very skilled?"

Sun Simiao stroked his beard. "Strengthening the body is also part of health preservation. If you're always traveling, you can't afford to be weak. If you encounter unreasonable people, this old man knows a little bit of martial arts!"

Seeing Sun Simiao say this, Xiao Ran felt that he shouldn't be causing trouble for medical staff, and that the doctor-patient relationship should be very harmonious.

"Grandpa, I've practiced before, can we have a spar?" Xiao Ran truly found confidence in Cheng Chumo.

"Haha, of course there's no problem."

Xiao Ran assumed a fighting stance, while Sun Simiao remained calm and composed.

Xiao Ran let out a low shout, feinted with his left fist, and then thrust his right fist straight at Sun Simiao's chest. The force of his punch was hard and carried an unstoppable momentum.

Sun Simiao shifted his feet slightly, turning his body gently like a reed swaying in the wind, just avoiding the punch. At the same time, his right hand seemed to casually rest on Xiao Ran's forearm, his fingertips sinking and twirling slightly.

Xiao Ran felt a clever force winding up his arm, causing his punch to veer off course. His feet slipped as if he were stepping on moss, and he cried out as he fell forward. Sun Simiao reached out and caught him before he fell hard.

Xiao Ran's first impression of him was that he was experienced!

Xiao Ran took two steps back, this time adopting a stance similar to that in Sanda (Chinese kickboxing), and pressed closer with rolling footwork. Suddenly, he delivered a low sweep kick to Sun Simiao's lower body, the force of the kick even faster than his fist.

Sun Simiao neither dodged nor flinched, but simply lifted his left foot slightly, placing it precisely on Xiao Ran's knee, while simultaneously pressing his left hand gently on Xiao Ran's shoulder.

Xiao Ran felt a numbness in his knees, and a soft pressure pressed down on his shoulders. His strength was like a kite with a broken string, and he sat down on the grass with a "thud".

No match at all!

Older gingers are more spicy!
The confidence I had found with Cheng Chumo was completely lost.

"Grandpa, you're too strong!" Xiao Ran then lay down on the ground.

Sun Simiao stroked his beard with a smile: "Young master's punches and kicks are quite rare. They're as hard as iron and very powerful, but they're a bit too straightforward."

"You're too stubborn. If you encounter something tough, you might hurt yourself. Next time, try to go with the flow and bend a little. Maybe that will save you more effort."

"Okay, I remember it!"

Zhang Erya came out and said, "Old sir, young master, dinner is ready!"

"Okay!" Xiao Ran took San Niang's hand and walked home.

Empress Li Lizhi and Empress Zhangsun also left early, this time accompanied by her personal maid, Hongxiu.

Li Wu still followed, and Cheng Tiehuan was a little surprised to see Empress Zhangsun.

Fortunately, Empress Zhangsun was not pretentious and was relatively easy to get along with.

When we got to the pond, we saw that there were still quite a few people from the village there.

Some people were busy before, but now that they are free, they come.

(End of this chapter)