Shen Xingyue said she had once tried to cultivate a Taoist art similar to qi-reading, originating from a Southern sect, not called qi-reading but "Inner Observation Technique," but she couldn't master it due to insufficient talent.
"That must be because you practiced incorrectly," I asserted confidently, as a beginner who had achieved minor success.
"The method might have been wrong, but I understand the principles of your Shamanistic qi-reading," Shen Xingyue stated. "It doesn't actually originate from your Northeastern Shamans, but from our Central Plains."
"Oh? We'd be happy to hear more," Yao Yao said. It seemed she was also unaware of the origin of this art; her master had taught it to her.
"The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, you know it?" Shen Xingyue asked, speaking as a representative of the Han people with pride.
Yao Yao and I both nodded. It was an ancient book, very, very ancient, but indeed the source of many later medical texts, and arguably the origin of Traditional Chinese Medicine and theories of the Five Elements.
"The essence of qi-reading is 'inner scene reflection.' To put it plainly, it's the ability to see the circulation of qi in the meridians of the human body. The 'Ling Shu' chapter of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon clearly records, 'Leaving the mundane world, accumulating essence and spirit, wandering between heaven and earth, seeing and hearing beyond the eight directions.' This describes qi-reading," Shen Xingyue explained fluently, as if she herself possessed the skill.
"The Records of the Grand Historian also contains records about qi-reading. Bian Que, do you know him?"
Yao Yao shook her head, but I nodded and whispered an explanation to her: "A divine physician from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods."
"In the Records of the Grand Historian, there's a record of Bian Que mastering qi-reading, stating that after learning 'Inner Observation Qi-Reading,' 'with this, he treated illnesses, seeing all the blockages in the five viscera. He was only known for pulse diagnosis,' when in fact, he didn't know pulse diagnosis at all, but relied on qi-reading to diagnose and treat illnesses."
"Really? Did the Records of the Grand Historian really say that?" I asked in surprise. I had always thought Bian Que was a great physician of ancient China, but I never imagined he didn't even know basic pulse diagnosis. This would mean he treated illnesses with magic rather than medicine.
"If you don't believe me, check it yourself."
I checked on my phone, and it was true! Sima Qian had clearly told future generations that Bian Que did not know pulse diagnosis!
"Chenfeng, how were your middle school Chinese classical literature studies?" Shen Xingyue asked again.
"Pretty good," I replied. "I scored 122 in the college entrance examination's Chinese paper."
"Hmm, that's already very good. I only scored nine points higher than you," Shen Xingyue boasted in a humble-bragging way, then continued, "Do you remember an essay called 'Bian Que Meets Duke Huan of Qi'?"
"I remember it. It's from Han Feizi," I said. "I can even recite it!"
Actually, I had forgotten it, but while searching for Bian Que earlier, I had accidentally seen this famous essay. Upon seeing the beginning, I remembered that I had indeed memorized it proficiently back then.
"I don't believe you. Recite it then!"
I quickly glanced at my phone screen and then looked up, reciting.
Bian Que met Duke Huan of Qi. After some time, Bian Que said, "You have an illness in the superficial channels. If not treated, it will likely deepen." Duke Huan replied, "I have no illness."
Bian Que left. Duke Huan said, "Physicians like to treat those who are not ill and claim it as merit!" Ten days later, Bian Que returned and said, "Your illness has reached the skin and muscles. If not treated, it will deepen further."
Duke Huan did not respond. Bian Que left, and Duke Huan was displeased again.
Ten days later, Bian Que returned and said, "Your illness is in the intestines and stomach. If not treated, it will deepen further." Duke Huan did not respond again. Bian Que left, and Duke Huan was displeased yet again.
Ten days later, Bian Que looked at Duke Huan and turned to leave. Duke Huan sent someone to ask him why. Bian Que said, "Illness in the superficial channels can be treated with warming plasters; illness in the skin and muscles can be treated with acupuncture and stone needles; illness in the intestines and stomach can be treated with fire cautery; illness in the marrow is in the domain of the god of destiny, and there is nothing that can be done. The illness is now in the marrow, which is why I did not offer any treatment."
Five days later, Duke Huan's body ached, and he sent someone to find Bian Que, but Bian Que had already fled to Qin. Duke Huan subsequently died.
A familiar passage.
"Think about it. Is that not what I said?" Shen Xingyue asked with a smile. "Look at the first sentence, what does it say?"
"'After some time,' meaning after standing for a while. This shows Bian Que did not take Duke Huan's pulse, but only looked at him. What was Bian Que looking at? Was he perhaps qi-reading?"
My goodness, it's actually true! Han Feizi was one of the few rare materialistic thinkers of that era. He didn't believe in ghosts or spirits, nor in heavenly will, yet he clearly recorded this story. Why? Because this story was real. The art of Inner Observation Qi-Reading existed even then! The textbooks clearly stated it, but our teachers never explained it to us back then.
"Now you believe it, right? Our Central Plains' qi-reading art is thousands of years ahead of yours!" Shen Xingyue said proudly.
"Yes, I believe it," Yao Yao suddenly said earnestly. "Because my master's qi-reading technique wasn't actually learned from his Shaman master, but from someone named Li Shizhen from the Ming Dynasty."
Holy cow, Li Shizhen! Compendium of Materia Medica! The one Liu Geng Hong dances to!
"That's right," Shen Xingyue smiled. "Li Shizhen also understood this. After rationally compiling the pharmacopoeia 'Compendium of Materia Medica,' he also wrote a book called 'A Study of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians,' which records: 'Only those who observe inwardly can illuminate the inner tunnels.' This refers to qi-reading."
I was truly shocked by these overlooked historical facts...