Fangshi (方士) are divided into those skilled in esoteric arts and those skilled in numerology.
Fangji refers to four categories of content related to medicine and health preservation: medical classics, prescriptions, sexual techniques, and immortality. Numerology includes astronomy, calendar, five elements, yarrow stalks and tortoise shells, miscellaneous divination, and physiognomy.
The current emperor was diligent in his youth and could be described as wise and powerful, but perhaps because the previous emperors all died young and he was in his mid-twenties without any offspring, he began to try elixirs.
Not long after taking the elixir, a concubine in the harem finally became pregnant. From then on, he gradually fell into depravity, neglecting state affairs and turning to the pursuit of immortality and becoming an immortal.
This emperor's experience is similar to that of a certain emperor in the history of the previous world that Emperor Xiu studied. However, although that emperor also had a national advisor during his reign, he was not a magician, but rather his teacher before he ascended the throne. Therefore, Emperor Xiu did not confuse the two.
However, in this day and age, alchemists have long been equated with Taoist priests.
The Imperial Preceptor was once a very powerful Taoist priest. After escaping from the underworld, instead of hiding properly, he used some unknown means to get to the emperor's doorstep, which speaks volumes.
It's not surprising that such a person, encountering an emperor who happened to be "eager for talent," would thrive in the political arena.
It's just unknown what level of skill he possesses in alchemy.
Regardless of his level, Emperor Xiu certainly couldn't go to him to exchange alchemy techniques, so he planned to go to the capital to discuss with other alchemists. There might be some fraudsters, but there were a lot of them, and there were bound to be some with real skills.
He carried a medicine basket on his back, rode a donkey, and led his "dwarf son" towards the capital. He would stop at each place for a while, so even though he had the right direction, he traveled very slowly.
He also took in a few mischievous demons and monsters along the way. When he ran into Taoist priests or monks who were also there to subdue demons, they would often fight each other in a muddled way. If he encountered an extreme one, it would be even more troublesome.
Once, he encountered a pair of eccentric Taoist priests and mad monks, and they debated Taoism and Buddhism with him for seven days and seven nights before the matter gradually subsided.
It was three years later when he arrived in the capital.
Over the past three years, thanks to his increasingly sophisticated medical skills and affordable treatment fees, he has become quite famous among the people, and many people have come to him seeking his help.
What people talk about most is his skill in acupuncture, which is so superb that when the King of Hell orders someone to die at midnight, he can keep them alive until dawn. Even more famous is the story of a pregnant woman who had clearly stopped breathing, but he managed to bring her back to life by acupuncture and helped her give birth to a son.
In this world there is a netherworld, and everyone's fate is recorded in the Book of Life and Death. By doing this, he often incurs the resentment of the ghost messengers who come to collect souls.
He could fight ordinary ghost messengers with various means, but he couldn't defeat the Black and White Impermanence. He also couldn't draw his Wuji, so he could only let the patient's soul be taken away on time.
After this happened many times, Di Xiu and the Black and White Impermanence grew to dislike each other, yet neither could do anything about the other.
...
As soon as Emperor Xiu arrived in the capital, a group of people blocked his way. The leader was fair-skinned and beardless. Emperor Xiu immediately knew where they came from.
The eunuch looked him up and down, his attitude seemingly friendly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, making him seem ill-intentioned.
"Dr. Hu, I have long admired your name. My master invites you."
001 was a little curious about the second young lady of the Grand Commandant's family. She wondered what her situation was now without the Imperial Preceptor. Before arriving, she scanned this bustling place and learned that the Emperor in the palace knew that "Divine Physician Hu" had arrived in the capital and had reminded Di Xiu of this matter.
Without much hesitation, Di Xiu readily agreed, and the eunuch's smile became more genuine as he invited him into the carriage.
The interior of the carriage was surprisingly spacious, large enough for a person to lie down. In the middle was a small table with an incense burner on it, where wisps of smoke rose, calming the mind and bringing peace of mind.
Emperor Xiu first placed his eldest son on the bed, then lowered the medicine basket from behind. Just as he was about to carry the baby inside, a guard stopped him.
The eunuch, with a forced smile, said, "Our master is of noble birth, and anyone who comes near him is searched. We have heard of Doctor Hu's character, so we will waive the search. However, we still need to take a look at this medicine basket."
Di Xiu took out three books and stuffed them into his robes. He then took out a dagger from his sleeve, tossed it to a guard, and got into the carriage.
The medicine basket and donkey were handed over to the guards. They rode in a carriage all the way to the majestic palace wall. The eunuch got off the carriage, and Di Xiu followed him down, carrying 001.
The eunuch glanced at him and suddenly said, "Doctor Hu should have guessed my master's identity by now. It is far too impolite for him to continue wearing a mask."
"I am but a humble countryman, and I am ignorant of etiquette. Since you are such an important person, it would be best if you did not delay any longer."
The eunuch choked, glared at him, and went to lead the way. Emperor Xiu, very familiar with the situation, told the guard carrying the medicine basket to follow, and led the big boy 001 into the palace.
After walking for what seemed like an eunuch for a long time, the eunuch led him to a palace. The palace was filled with smoke, and sorcerers were coming and going. When they saw a person wearing a mask coming, they were all stunned and whispered among themselves about the former national advisor who also liked to wear masks.
The eunuch nodded to the imperial guards at the door, bowed deeply towards the open door, and said, "Your Majesty, Physician Hu has arrived."
"Come in."
The voice was deep and resonant, carrying an aura of supreme authority, sounding nothing like that of a corrupt and incompetent ruler who neglected state affairs.
When Di Xiu entered, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in a Taoist robe, with piercing eyes and an imposing presence.
Emperor Xiu bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor looked at his mask and told him to dispense with the formalities, then asked, "I've heard that your medical skills are superb, even capable of contending with ghosts and gods?"
"Your Majesty flatters me."
"Then are you skilled in alchemy?"
Di Xiu shook his head: "I came to the capital this time because I am curious about the alchemists' methods of refining pills, hoping to make a breakthrough in my medical skills."
The emperor, seeing that his words did not seem to be false, suddenly felt bored. But seeing that he was wearing a mask, he couldn't help but think of the previous imperial advisor. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he asked, "Why do you wear a mask and not show your true face?"
"I fear my appearance might startle others."
The emperor smiled and said, "Since you have the reputation of a divine physician, why don't you treat your facial imperfections?"
After saying this, he glanced at the boy peeking in from outside the door, his expression darkening for a moment, and then cut the subject short: "Enough. I summoned you to the palace today to treat the Sixth Prince's illness. If you cure him, you will be richly rewarded. You may leave."
Di Xiu looked up at the emperor and then took his leave.
The eunuch who had brought him earlier continued to guide him.
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