Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the courtyard. The emperor stood tall and straight, his face calm, a faint smile on his lips. Yet, within him, he harbored doubts about Hua Tuo's words. He considered himself young and energetic, handling the affairs of state and navigating the various powers with ease, never once feeling any strain on his body. Given his intelligence and self-control, how could he have been unaware of any real discomfort? Hua Tuo must have been exaggerating. "Mr. Hua, I understand. I will pay more attention in the future," he said gently, yet with a touch of perfunctory air.

Hua Tuo observed the emperor's expression and knew he didn't take his words to heart. However, as a physician, he couldn't bear to see the emperor ignore his illness. He frowned slightly and offered another sincere exhortation: "Your Majesty, I have a saying: hiding your illness and avoiding medical treatment will only harm yourself. One should not overwork, as overusing the brain will lead to heart failure. Your Majesty cares about the country and is busy with countless affairs, but you must also pay attention to your own health. Deep love will not bring longevity, and excessive wisdom will only bring harm. I hope Your Majesty will listen to my advice."

Hua Tuo's repeated exhortations filled the emperor with displeasure. He considered himself the ruler of the world, possessing extraordinary wisdom and strategy. He was the only one who could understand people's hearts and control situations. How could he tolerate Hua Tuo's repetitive nagging? His face darkened slightly, but years of imperial restraint prevented him from getting angry. He simply said coldly, "Since Mr. Hua is going on a long journey, I will not detain you."

Seeing the emperor's attitude, Hua Tuo felt helpless and regretful. He knew the emperor's pride, but he could only bow and say, "Your Majesty, I will take my leave. May your majesty recover soon." With that, Hua Tuo slowly turned, carrying his medicine box on his back, and walked away with steady yet slightly heavy steps. His figure cast a long shadow in the sunlight, revealing a sense of loneliness.

The emperor watched Hua Tuo's retreating figure, his eyes narrowed slightly, a deep and complex expression. He pondered inwardly, "While Hua Tuo may be a skilled doctor, he's also overdoing it." He knew his own body best; it was merely a slight fatigue, and a little rest would restore it.

Everyone slowly returned to Lu Zhi's room. The emperor's expression was as calm as water, his eyes as deep as the abyss. He stood quietly at the doorway, his feet as if rooted, and did not follow the others into the room. He leaned slightly to the side, and the air around him seemed to stagnate slightly at his movement.

To Shi A who was standing beside him, the emperor ordered in a very low but unquestionable voice: "This Hua Tuo is exaggerating and misleading the people. Get rid of him for me." The emperor was certain that even if he was really unwell, he would never let such remarks spread easily. Moreover, he firmly believed that he was fine and that Hua Tuo was just talking nonsense for fame.

Upon hearing this, Shi Ah's heart trembled, like a huge rock dropped into a tranquil lake. He looked up at the emperor, bewildered. In his mind, Hua Tuo's medical skills were renowned, and he had always treated people with compassion. How could he be a man spreading lies and misleading the public? But the emperor's orders were like heaven, unbending. He could only bow and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then he hurried away, his sleeves stirring in the breeze.

Recently, Shi A and his master Wang Yue have been preoccupied with how to deal with Dian Wei. They've noticed Dian Wei's prodigious appetite and his inability to resist fine wine, so they've exploited this as a leverage point to gain closer acquaintance with him. Dian Wei, known for his honest and straightforward character, has shown no suspicion of their overtures. Through their efforts, Wang Yue's relations with Shi A and Dian Wei have gradually eased, and the previous hostility is gradually dissipating. Today at Lu Zhi's residence, Shi A and Wang Yue had agreed to treat Dian Wei to a feast upon their return to the palace. They calculated that once Dian Wei was intoxicated, the emperor would be able to enter the imperial concubine's palace without further hindrance. If his wish were fulfilled, the emperor would undoubtedly regard them with a new regard.

So when Shi A received the emperor's order to eliminate Hua Tuo, he was preoccupied with his plans with Wang Yue and considered Hua Tuo merely an ordinary physician with no remarkable abilities. He was anxious to return to the palace to prepare a banquet for Dian Wei, so he didn't give the matter much thought. He rushed to Chang'an City, briefly informed the city's guarding lieutenant, Li Tong, of the emperor's order to eliminate Hua Tuo, and then hurriedly left without further explanation.

Lieutenant Li Tong stood guard at the Chang'an city gate as usual. The sun shone brightly, yet it couldn't penetrate the darkness swirling within him. Recalling his previous mission to Western Liang with Wang Jie, his heart churned like a turbulent sea. While there, he had merely engaged in normal interactions with Ma Chao and others, but Wang Jie had maliciously interpreted them as private dealings. Wang Jie exaggerated these fabricated "crimes" before the emperor, causing a deep misunderstanding. From then on, the emperor dropped his rank, relegating him to a simple guard post at the Chang'an city gate. He often gazed at his spear and armor, his ambitions thwarted, and his hatred for Wang Jie grew like wild weeds within him.

Today, as he was consumed by a sea of ​​resentment and resentment, the commander of the emperor's guards arrived like a gust of wind. With a stern expression, he relayed the emperor's order to execute Hua Tuo. Li Tong's heart trembled, the news like a boulder dropping into his already restless heart. But then, a flicker of hope ignited in his dimmed eyes. He knew this might be the perfect opportunity to regain the emperor's favor and resolve his current predicament. He quickly gathered his thoughts, his gaze hard and resolute, his resolve to carry out this mission flawlessly, to reaffirm the emperor's appreciation of his worth.

Meanwhile, Hua Tuo strolled leisurely down the street, his steps steady and resolute, oblivious to the impending danger. His mind was still preoccupied with Lu Zhi's complex condition and the emperor's worrying health. He contemplated how to further his medical skills and relieve the suffering of even more patients. His lean yet upright figure, bathed in the sunlight, radiated a radiant vision of salvation.

Soon, Hua Tuo arrived at the city gate. The area was bustling with activity, a clamorous scene, but it all came to an abrupt halt. Li Tong and a group of soldiers descended upon them like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey. Before Hua Tuo could react, a rough cloth was suddenly pressed against his mouth and nose. His eyes widened in fear, his heart filled with confusion and shock. He tried to struggle, but the strong soldiers held him tightly, making his resistance seem futile. He ignored his struggles and dragged him roughly, like cargo, into a hidden room near the city gate.

The room was dark and damp, filled with a sickening odor. Hua Tuo was thrown heavily onto the cold floor, his medicine box rolling to the side and the herbs inside scattered all over the floor. Li Tong strode into the room, arms folded across his chest, looking down at Hua Tuo. Hua Tuo raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion and fear, and asked in a trembling voice, "Why is this happening? What crime have I committed?"

Li Tong folded his hands over his chest, tilted his head, and said with a playful smile on his face, "You old man are just an ordinary medical officer, but you actually received the order from the emperor to kill you. You have made me look at you with new eyes."

Hua Tuo's eyes widened, a flash of panic followed by anger and disappointment. His voice trembling slightly, he shouted, "The Emperor wants to kill me?" After a brief moment of distraction, he began to think rapidly, his mind racing through his conversations with the Emperor. After a moment, as if understanding everything, he spoke indignantly, "No wonder, no wonder he has those symptoms. He's such a narrow-minded person, yet so scheming, deceiving the world with the facade of a gentle and benevolent ruler. Given his scheming, it's no surprise he has these symptoms."

A desolate smile appeared on Hua Tuo's face, and he sighed, "Alas, I was just speaking my mind, but I am dying here today. It's all my fault for not speaking the right words. I will die if I do."

Li Tong frowned, looking at Hua Tuo with confusion in his eyes. Hua Tuo's expression kept changing in the dim light, like a chaotic painting. He said with a hint of pity, "Could it be that, Doctor, you've been frightened silly?"

Hua Tuo raised his eyes and looked directly at Li Tong. Fear was gone from his gaze, instead revealing a clear and calm understanding that saw through everything. He spoke slowly, "General, you only know how to follow orders, but you don't know the hidden truth. The Emperor, as a ruler, refuses to listen to the truth. If this continues, it will be bad for the Han Dynasty. Such a narrow-minded emperor will not last. It is truly pitiful for you, General, to serve such an emperor! I'm afraid there is not much hope for the Han Dynasty."

Li Tong was startled and was about to retort when a flash of compassion suddenly crossed Hua Tuo's eyes. Hua Tuo looked at Li Tong and said slowly, "General, although you are as strong as an ox, I can tell from your complexion that you have some minor health issues. If you don't take precautions, you may suffer a serious calamity in the future. I am now a dying man and will no longer be able to practice medicine. This diagnosis of your condition is my last attempt. I wish you good health."

Hua Tuo frowned slightly, his expression becoming serious as he continued, "General, you've been on the battlefield for years, sleeping in the open air, and your body has accumulated many hidden injuries. First of all, your liver is damaged, as can be seen from your slightly yellowish complexion and slightly cloudy whites of your eyes. On a normal day, you must often feel a dull pain in your upper right abdomen, especially after excessive fatigue or drinking. The pain is more pronounced. This is caused by poor liver qi and blood circulation, and liver qi stagnation. The liver is responsible for regulating qi and blood, and the general has been in a state of intense battle and mission execution for a long time, which has caused emotional distress, preventing the liver from properly regulating qi and blood."

"Furthermore, the general's shoulder and back meridians are blocked. Long periods of wearing heavy armor and frequently wielding weapons have likely strained the muscles and blocked the meridians. The general may only experience occasional shoulder stiffness and back pain now, but long-term this will affect limb movement and may even lead to hemiplegia. Furthermore, the general's stomach is quite weak. Eating irregularly on the battlefield, often skipping meals, has strained his spleen and stomach. Does the general often suffer from bloating and indigestion? He also sometimes experiences acid reflux and belching, all symptoms of spleen and stomach disharmony."

Hua Tuo looked at Li Tong sincerely and said earnestly, "General, if you want to improve your health, you need to adjust your daily routine, try to keep your emotions relaxed, and reduce alcohol consumption. You can also do more shoulder and back exercises to unclog your meridians. You also need to eat regularly and in regular amounts, and eat more foods that nourish the spleen and stomach."

Li Tong's heart was filled with emotion as he listened to Hua Tuo's words. He hadn't expected Hua Tuo, in such a desperate situation, to still consider the person who wanted to kill him. He looked at Hua Tuo, a wave of pity and emotion welling up in his heart. After a long moment, he breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had made a profound decision.

He turned, opened the door to the secret room, and whispered to Hua Tuo, "Doctor, please leave. I will pretend that what happened today never happened." Hua Tuo was slightly startled, then looked at Li Tong gratefully. He stood up, shouldered his medicine box, and slowly walked out of the secret room. The sunlight outside shone on him. He glanced back at Li Tong and strode away.

Li Tong quickly arranged for someone to find a corpse and disguise it as Hua Tuo, so he could handle Shi A's future inquiries. He knew that letting Hua Tuo go could have serious consequences, but at this moment, he chose to listen to his heart. The secret room still exuded a suffocating atmosphere, as if silently telling of the thrilling events that had just occurred.