In the year Yisi, in the fifth month of summer, the Emperor fell ill, and lay confined within the Palace of Physicians.
The Emperor was clad in golden-threaded raiment, his arms extended as the wings of an eagle, and though his eyes were shut, his spirit roamed the Great Void. His attendants had bound him with leather straps, saying: "This is the method for calming the spirit."
The Emperor mused within: "What need hath the Sovereign of your calming arts? We are at this very moment employing the Celestial Ear to discern the conspiracies of treacherous ministers."
At that time, three physician-officials deliberated behind the curtain.
The first official spoke in Cantonese: "His family is deeply troubled; Empress Cheng weepeth day and night."
The second official answered in Mandarin: "The orders from above are not to be defied; this is the established regulation of the Court."
The third official suddenly switched to English: "The NGO is asking questions. We need to be careful."
The Emperor, hearing this, comprehended all at once: "Three tongues employed in concert — there must be treachery afoot. Cantonese to invoke familial sympathy, Mandarin to invoke the law, English to evade foreign scrutiny. These three officials each harbour their own secret designs!"
Suddenly, the sound of barking arose — it was none other than Zhuzhu.
The first official exclaimed in alarm: "How hath the divine hound entered the Palace of Physicians?"
The second official said: "This hound possesseth a spirit-communion; he must not be treated lightly."
Zhuzhu circled the bed thrice, then lay down at the Emperor's side, whimpering softly.
The Emperor, though unable to speak, rejoiced inwardly: "Zhuzhu knoweth that the Sovereign is unharmed, and hath come expressly to guard the imperial person. Excellent!"
The physicians resumed their deliberations, their voices growing ever lower. The Emperor, employing his divine perception, discerned that they spoke of the Hart-Miller rebel faction, and also of factional struggles within the Court.
The Emperor silently circulated his vital essence; the tips of his fingers stirred faintly.
The third official, observing this, cried out urgently: "He's responding! Lower the dosage!"
The first official said in alarm: "Should he awaken too soon, it may cause an incident."
The second official pondered: "His Sacred Majesty enjoyeth the abundant fortune of Heaven; all shall unfold according to destiny. We need but do our utmost and submit to the will of Heaven."
The Grand Historian remarks
From antiquity, whenever an illustrious sovereign hath met with peril, there have been signs and wonders. Tang was imprisoned at Xiatai; King Wen was confined at Youli — yet both turned calamity into deliverance. Now we observe Emperor Qiao, confined within the Palace of Physicians, yet still able to perceive the minutest detail, distinguishing the treacherous from the loyal — truly, this is the bearing of a Son of Heaven.
Confucius said
"The fierce gale revealeth the strength of the grass; times of upheaval reveal the true minister. Though the Emperor be confined within the Palace of Physicians, the true natures of his ministers stand fully exposed. This is what is meant by 'within misfortune resteth good fortune.'"
Note
The Palace of Physicians is what men of the present age call a hospital. The golden-threaded raiment is a hospital gown. The leather straps are restraints. The three officials each command Cantonese, Mandarin, and English respectively, and each hath his own design. Zhuzhu, learning that his master was in peril, broke through the prohibitions to enter — his loyalty and valour are worthy of the highest commendation.