The first encounter with Sun Simiao

At this moment, Li Zhi naturally had no idea what was on his father’s mind. He was currently pestering his medical tutor, Sun Huipu, to find someone who could teach him the art of alchemy.

In truth, all of this trouble was of Sun Huipu’s own making. Because Li Zhi was quick to memorize medical texts and identify medicinal herbs, the burden of teaching him was much lighter. With time to spare, Sun Huipu would often regale Li Zhi with strange tales and anecdotes from the world of medicine. Today, he happened to mention that some physicians, in their pursuit of the Dao, delighted in the practice of alchemy.

The moment Li Zhi heard this, his mind jumped to an unparalleled weapon of war—black powder.

Thus, the hapless Sun Huipu found himself beset by Li Zhi, who insisted that he find a physician skilled in alchemy. Driven to desperation, Sun Huipu tried to frighten him off, saying, “Your Highness, alchemy is fraught with peril. It’s said that many a physician has met his end, blown apart by a careless mistake.”

Li Zhi thought to himself, “I understand that better than you ever could. Do you think you can scare me off so easily?” Aloud, he replied, “Teacher, rest assured. I am merely curious and wish to observe; I would never recklessly attempt it myself.”

Hearing this, Sun Huipu knew Li Zhi’s heart was set—no amount of persuasion would change his mind. After all this time together, how could he not know the prince’s temperament? He could only nod and say, “It is said that the divine physician, Sun Simiao, once studied this art. But I fear I have neither the standing nor the means to invite such a great man.”

At the mention of Sun Simiao, Li Zhi’s eyes lit up. That name was all too familiar—the future generations would know him as the “King of Medicine”! If he could only learn from such a master, the benefits would last a lifetime.

With this in mind, he declared, “I will go to my father and beg him to summon the divine physician Sun to the palace.” With those words, he dashed away.

When Li Zhi asked Emperor Taizong if he could meet Sun Simiao, the emperor paused in surprise. Testing the waters, he asked, “Are you dissatisfied with Imperial Physician Sun’s instruction?”

Li Zhi shook his head. “Father, you misunderstand. I am quite content with my teacher, but after hearing his tales of Sun the Divine Physician, I have developed a deep admiration and wish to meet him.”

Emperor Taizong was somewhat troubled by this request. Frowning, he replied, “Sun Simiao is known for his indifference to fame and fortune; he shuns all such entanglements. Even if I summoned him personally, I fear your wish would be difficult to fulfill.”

Li Zhi was disappointed, but soon devised a solution. He said, “Mother is soon to give birth. Why not take this opportunity to invite the divine physician to the palace?”

Emperor Taizong’s eyes brightened at this suggestion, and he exclaimed in delight, “My son, you are quite right—such is exactly what should be done!”

Thanks to Li Zhi’s idea, Sun Simiao was indeed soon invited into the palace. Li Zhi met him for the first time when he was called to diagnose the Empress Changsun.

At first sight, Li Zhi was astonished by the physician’s appearance. Born in the early years of the previous dynasty, Sun Simiao should have been over eighty years old. Yet before Li Zhi stood a man with a face as radiant as polished silver and skin full and lustrous. Apart from his head of silver hair, he showed none of the frailty of age—even standing beside men in their forties or fifties, he did not seem old at all.

Li Zhi was instantly certain that Sun Simiao must be a true master of the arts of nourishing life. He resolved then and there to learn all he could of Sun Simiao’s methods for health and longevity.

After Sun Simiao had finished examining the Empress, Li Zhi hurried forward. He bowed respectfully and said earnestly, “Great physician, I am currently studying medicine. Might I trouble you with a few questions about the art?”

Sun Simiao was puzzled by this and could not help asking, “Your Highness, you are a prince of the realm. Why pursue so humble a craft?”

Li Zhi shook his head. “I must disagree, sir. In my eyes, medicine is the very path of the bodhisattva, preserving life itself. No amount of gold could compare with even a fragment of its worth.”

His words startled everyone present. Even the broad-minded Emperor Taizong could not help but frown. In this era, people did not yet comprehend the true importance of medicine. Many commoners would go their whole lives without ever seeing a physician. Medicine was simply considered a craft, its social standing only slightly above that of ordinary folk.

For Li Zhi to voice such an extraordinary opinion was nothing short of shocking.

Yet Sun Simiao, who had dedicated his life to medicine, was delighted to find such a kindred spirit. He eagerly began to discuss the matter with Li Zhi.

He asked, “Among scholars, medicine is looked down upon. Why do you esteem it so highly, Your Highness?”

Li Zhi did not answer directly. Instead, he asked, “What do people value most in this world?”

Sun Simiao smiled, “Naturally, to have no worries about food and clothing, and to live a long life.”

Li Zhi continued, “And what can medicine accomplish?”

Sun Simiao replied, “It relieves suffering and saves lives.”

Li Zhi pressed on, “If people are free from illness and pain, would they not live longer?”

Sun Simiao nodded, “Of course.”

Li Zhi concluded, “There you have it. If medicine can fulfill the greatest desires of mankind, how can it not be valued?”

His words sent everyone present into deep thought. He went on, “My mother and I often go to temples to pray for blessings. Yet what people truly wish for is simply to be spared from illness and calamity.”

He looked up at Emperor Taizong and asked, “Father, if medicine can achieve what the Buddha himself promises, why not promote medicine vigorously, instead of relying on the empty promises of the gods?”

Li Zhi’s question struck a nerve. Since ascending the throne, Emperor Taizong had long sought to address the proliferation of temples in the empire. Monasteries were a unique presence: their monks enjoyed land under the equal-field system, were exempt from labor and taxes, and received offerings and donations from countless believers. Yet the monasteries solved no real problems and were, in fact, a heavy burden on the empire’s economy.

At that moment, not only Sun Simiao but even Emperor Taizong found themselves intrigued by Li Zhi’s perspective. They immediately withdrew to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to discuss the matter further.

Little did the three of them realize just how far-reaching this conversation would be—until an event shook the entire imperial court...