Chapter 4: The Entry Point for Changing Destiny
It is well known that Li Shimin's ascension to the throne was illegitimate; the fratricide he committed remains an indelible stain on his life. When he first took the throne, public opinion was highly unfavorable towards him. To change this perception, he appointed virtuous individuals from localities to noble ranks, hoping to alter the public's view of him. However, this approach proved ineffective, as many of those selected declined his goodwill. Sun Simiao was one such individual. Therefore, while Li Shimin may have had some impression of Sun Simiao, it was certainly not profound. Otherwise, given that Empress Changsun had been ill for nearly two years, he would have summoned this renowned physician for treatment. This alone is sufficient to illustrate the point. As for the later accounts of Sun Simiao diagnosing and curing Empress Changsun through pulse diagnosis, these are entirely fabrications by later generations and are not credible.
This matter is of utmost importance; you are the person I trust the most, so please do not let me down!" After giving the instructions, Li Yin affectionately patted Gao Chong on the shoulder.
However, Sun Simiao truly rose to fame after he turned one hundred years old. The emperor at that time, Tang Gaozong, who was Li Zhi's brother, held Sun Simiao in high regard, which contributed to the growing reputation of Sun Simiao, extending beyond the medical community. Lu Zhao-lin, one of the Four Masters of Early Tang, was also his disciple. Furthermore, his renowned work "Qianjin Fang" was completed only after he reached over one hundred years of age
"It's nothing, feel free to speak your mind; this matter is very important!" Li Yin said. Gao Chong had lived in the palace with him since childhood and only left when he was conferred the title of King of Liang. He had many acquaintances in the palace and was well-informed about the news within, which is why Li Yin sought him to inquire about Empress Changsun's situation.
Sun Simiao was born during the Northern Zhou period and passed away in the first year of the Yongchun era of the Tang dynasty, living for over one hundred years. He dedicated his life to medical research and authored the "Qianjin Fang". He established a classification system for visceral and organ diseases, making significant contributions to the development of Chinese medicine. He was not only proficient in internal medicine but also skilled in surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology. Additionally, he conducted research in health preservation, dietary therapy, acupuncture, prevention, literature, and alchemy. He possessed extensive knowledge of pharmacology and exceptional acupuncture skills, making him an outstanding master of general medicine.
It seems that I should take some time to brew some tea, " Li Yin muttered to himself
"Wen'er, go find Gao Chong. I have some questions for him!" Li Yin immediately instructed upon returning to the living room. After sitting down and taking a sip of tea, he frowned and spat it out. In the Tang Dynasty, tea was generally in the form of tea cakes. A tea cake is made by steaming the picked tea leaves, mashing them into a paste, and then shaping them into cakes. When consumed, a piece is broken off and boiled in a teapot, usually with added salt, and sometimes with ingredients like scallions, ginger, jujubes, or orange peels. This preparation was quite uncomfortable for Li Yin, who was accustomed to the clear broth tea of later generations.
Subsequently, Li Yin inquired Gao Chong about some details, particularly regarding who had treated Empress Changsun. When he learned that the legendary figure was not among them, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, Li Yin soon fell into deep thought: he had not anticipated the severity of Empress Changsun's condition. If he remembered correctly, she would pass away in June of this year, and her death would signify the beginning of the princes' struggle for the throne. The most notable among them were Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li You, but unfortunately, none of them met a good end. Li Chengqian was deposed after a rebellion, and Li Tai was also deposed after competing for the throne with Li Chengqian. Li You, the boldest yet most unfortunate of them, killed his own Chancellor, Quan Wanjì, and then failed in his rebellion, resulting in his execution, becoming the only son killed by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. The other princes were also in a state of anxiety, and later, the fortunate Li Zhi became the crown prince. However, after Li Zhi ascended to the throne, matters became even more troubling. First, Changsun Wuji held power, which directly led to the wrongful execution of Li Ke, and then Wu Zetian came to power. At this point, Li Yin's group of brothers faced even worse fates, with some being deposed and others killed, and apart from the thirteenth son, Li Fu, almost none had a good ending.
It can be said that it was precisely due to the early death of Empress Zhangsun that the princes competed for the throne, resulting in the ascension of Li Zhi, the ninth son, and ultimately leading to the usurpation of power by the only female emperor, Wu Zetian. This also caused a catastrophe for the Li royal family, with most of the royal family meeting untimely deaths, and those who survived lived in great misery. For instance, the daughter of Li Ke, Princess of Xinan, did not marry until she was over forty years old. Similarly, historically, Li Yin was demoted to commoner status and died in despair, with many of his descendants also perishing during Wu Zetian's reign. Other members of the royal family faced similar fates, either being demoted or killed, with no good outcomes in sight.
Not long after, a middle-aged, plump eunuch dressed in court attire entered alongside Wen'er. This eunuch was Gao Chong, whom Li Yun was looking for. Gao Chong was a close attendant to Li Yun and had earned the trust of the previous Li Yun. However, since Li Tian awakened in this new world, as a person from a later era, he felt quite uncomfortable seeing a eunuch hovering around him every day. After Wen'er and Hua'er arrived, Gao Chong was promoted by Li Yun to the position of Chief Steward, responsible for managing the various affairs of the Liang Wangfu, while the duties of serving him were entrusted to Wen'er and Hua'er.
From Li Yin's perspective, curing Empress Changsun's illness would not only please his imperial father but also influence his own fate. If Empress Changsun were to live a few more years, it could potentially prevent the subsequent struggle for the throne among the princes, meaning Li Zhi would not become emperor, and thus there would be no Wu Zetian. As a member of the royal family, Li Yin would no longer have to worry about the safety of himself and his descendants, which could be considered a double benefit
Sun Simiao is revered in later generations as the King of Medicine. However, it is now the tenth year of the Zhenguan era. Li Yin calculated the time and realized that Sun, the old man, is probably over sixty years old and should still be living in seclusion in the Zhongnan Mountains, located more than 200 li south of Chang'an. He usually helps the local residents with their ailments, and due to his exceptional medical skills, he is quite famous in the area
"Gao Chong, you should be quite aware of the matters in the palace. Now, tell me how the Empress Dowager's health is faring?" Li Yin said with a serious expression. Although Empress Changsun was not Li Yin's biological mother, she held the title of Empress, and thus Li Yin referred to her as 'Mother.' Just moments ago, Li Ke mentioned that Empress Changsun's condition had worsened, which sparked a thought in Li Yin's mind. If he could seize this opportunity, perhaps he could win the favor of the Emperor, and maybe he would no longer have to travel so far to serve as the Governor of Yizhou.
"It is said that Empress Changsun is already gravely ill, beyond the help of human efforts, and it is feared that within a hundred days she will..." Gao Chong paused here, looking up at Li Yun, knowing that Li Yun could understand the unspoken words that followed.
Upon hearing about Empress Changsun's illness, Li Yin immediately thought of Sun Simiao, the renowned physician who excelled in internal medicine. Since the ailment afflicting Empress Changsun was classified as an internal disease, Li Yin believed that even if Sun Simiao could not completely cure it, he could at least extend the empress's life by a few more years. Naturally, it would be best if he could effect a complete cure, as the credit for such an achievement would undoubtedly be shared with him. Given the deep affection the Emperor had for Empress Changsun, he had no doubt that he would be generously rewarded. Li Yin was confident that even if Sun Simiao could not eradicate the illness, he could still prolong the empress's life. He thought that if Yang Fei and Third Brother Li Ke could speak a few good words on his behalf, it might help improve his standing in the Emperor's eyes. With some additional effort to curry favor, he estimated that even if he were to be assigned to a distant post, it would not be as far as Yizhou.
Upon reaching this conclusion, Li Yin made up his mind. Since he had crossed over and changed Li Yin's fate, he might as well change the fate of the Tang Dynasty as well. At the very least, he must prevent Wu Zetian from ascending to the throne. After all, he was also a part of the Li family, and under no circumstances could he allow himself and his descendants to experience the calamity that befell the Li royal family.
Of course, Li Yin also knew that his idea was somewhat naive. Even if Empress Changsun lived a few more years, it could not guarantee that future events would not occur. However, this was Li Yin's attempt to change history. Whether it succeeded or not was irrelevant; after all, there would be many more opportunities in the future, and he would always find a way to alter the course of history.
"Your Highness, I did not expect that Li Yin would ask about Empress Changsun. After a moment of contemplation, I responded. 'Since the year before last, when Empress Changsun went to Jiucheng Palace with His Majesty Taizong to escape the heat, she fell ill. Despite the various treatments from the imperial physicians, her condition has fluctuated between good and bad. Earlier this year, her illness suddenly worsened. I heard from the palace attendants that..." At this point, Gao Chong's tone became hesitant, and he raised his head to steal a glance at Li Yin, seemingly reluctant to continue.
The servant... The servant participated, Your Highness!" said the eunuch Gao Chongyong in his uniquely high-pitched voice, slightly trembling and tinged with a sob, seemingly very emotional
Li Dao looked at the loyal, portly eunuch with some exasperation. Was it really necessary to be so dramatic just for sending him to Mount Zhongnan to bring someone back?
In a moment of triumph, Li Yun could not help but laugh heartily, especially when he thought that this was his first time using knowledge from future generations to influence the course of history. This realization made Li Yun even more pleased, and he laughed uncontrollably. However, the attendants Wen'er and Hua'er standing nearby felt a sense of tension, both wondering in their hearts: Has His Highness the King of Liang's old ailment recurred?
Your Highness, this old servant will do everything possible, even at the cost of my life, to accomplish this task!" Gao Chong, once again stirred by Li Yun's words, knelt down with tears in his eyes, sobbing.
"No one bullies this servant; it is just that this servant has followed His Highness for over ten years, almost inseparable. A few days ago, His Highness promoted this servant to the position of steward, but I can no longer accompany His Highness as before. Today, upon seeing His Highness, this old servant is overwhelmed with emotion and cannot contain myself. I hope His Highness will forgive this old servant for any disrespect." At this point, Gao Chong became agitated again and simply fell to the ground, crying uncontrollably.
Watching the seventeen-year-old San Ge leave, Li Yin couldn't help but sigh. Although they had just met, he felt the concern of an elder brother for his younger sibling emanating from Li Ke. In his previous life, he was the only child in his family and had never experienced the deep bond of brotherhood. However, today, the brotherly affection displayed by Li Ke profoundly moved him, leading Li Yin to genuinely acknowledge this elder brother from the Tang Dynasty. Yet, the thought of this young brother's tragic fate, dying unjustly at such a young age, left Li Yin feeling somewhat distressed.
Good! You may go!
Gao Chong, you need to help me with something right away! After coming to terms with these matters, Li Yin immediately instructed Gao Chong with a serious expression, then beckoned him to come closer and whispered a few words in his ear
Li Yin was startled by the heartfelt confession from Gao Chong on https://m.hetushu.com, causing goosebumps all over his body. If the other party were a young lady, such words would sound quite pleasant. However, when a middle-aged, overweight eunuch attempts to confess in the same manner, it becomes somewhat difficult to accept. Nevertheless, the other party was sincere, and Li Yin could only hold his nose and acknowledge it, even offering some kind words of comfort. After much effort, he finally managed to get Gao Chong to stand up and respond.
To cure Empress Changsun's illness, it is essential to find a good doctor. Although Li Yin possesses some medical knowledge, he is not a physician, and thus he cannot cure Empress Changsun's ailment on his own. However, Li Yin's limitations do not imply that others are incapable. If we were to rank all the renowned physicians in history, there is one who would certainly be among the top ten in the present Tang Dynasty, and that is Sun Simiao, who is revered by later generations as the King of Medicine.
However, Li Yin thought again that since he had already become Li Yin, the King of Liang, the fate of the historical King of Liang must also have changed. The fates of those around him should likewise change, just like the famous butterfly effect. His small butterfly, having crossed over, flaps its wings, and the resulting hurricane is enough to throw the original history into disarray. As for his elder brother, Li Ke, there is no reason for his fate not to change. Whether it changes for the better or for the worse, that remains uncertain.
"Gao Chong, what has happened to you? Is someone bullying you?" Although Li Yin did not have a fondness for eunuchs, Gao Chong was one of the first individuals he encountered after arriving in the Tang Dynasty, so seeing him in this state prompted his curiosity to ask.
The old servant takes his leave! Gao Chong, with a face full of determination to face death, stepped forward with an unwavering stride as he left the living room. At this moment, Gao Chong felt that he bore the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by His Highness the Prince of Liang, and that not even a mountain of knives or a sea of flames could obstruct his path forward
Currently, Sun Simiao has gained some fame. When Li Yuan's son, Emperor Li Shimin, had just ascended the throne, he sent someone to bestow a title upon Sun Simiao, which he declined. However, one should not assume that Li Shimin held Sun Simiao in high regard because of this incident; in fact, the two had never even met, and there were reasons behind the bestowal of the title.