In the Tang Dynasty, a powerful nation with numerous vassal states, a grand cultural festival was inaugurated in Chang'an. The festival invited scholars and artists from around the world to promote cultural exchange and integration, showcasing the inclusivity and magnanimity of a great power.
The cultural festival brought multiple benefits to the Tang Dynasty. Firstly, it boosted economic prosperity. Merchant caravans from various countries followed scholars and artists to Chang'an, bringing exotic goods such as spices, jewels, and unique textiles to fill the markets. These were traded alongside Tang's silk, porcelain, and tea, bustling the streets of Chang'an and significantly increasing commercial tax revenue.
Secondly, the festival enriched the spiritual lives of Tang citizens. Art performances from different countries were splendid: the Hu Whirlwind Dance from the Western Regions amazed audiences with dancers spinning lightly like flying butterflies; the music of Dashi (Arab lands) injected new elements into Tang music with its unique melodies and rhythms.
More importantly, the festival became a grand platform for knowledge exchange. Scholars from various nations brought advanced academic ideas and scientific technologies, sparking intellectual collisions that propelled development in multiple fields of the Tang Dynasty.
Lin Yue, a distinguished young physician of the Tang Dynasty, showed deep passion for medicine. She diligently absorbed knowledge from the vast ocean of medical classics, mastering traditional Chinese medicine theories through years of study, with profound insights into meridian theory and qi-blood theory, and accumulating rich experience in clinical practice. However, Lin Yue never stopped striving for perfection. She routinely studied complicated cases, reviewed ancient books to find optimal treatment plans, personally climbed mountains to gather herbs, and carefully identified their quality and efficacy to ensure each herb played its maximum role. To improve her acupuncture skills, she practiced on herself countless times, achieving mastery in acupoint positioning.
The medical exchange venue at the cultural festival was filled with enthusiasm. Medical experts from various countries gathered to showcase their unique medical techniques.
The medical expert from India, tall and robust with a sun-darkened complexion, wore curly sideburns and a thick mane of black hair coiled atop his head, wrapped in a vibrant colored turban. Dressed in a loose robe embroidered with mysterious and intricate patterns, he exuded exotic charm as he moved. His deep, gentle eyes sparkled with pride and love for Indian medicine while sharing its insights. Indian medicine excelled in herbalism and surgery, holding unique views on human meridians and acupoints, and adept at using rare herbs for treatment—for example, the herb "mandala," specially processed for surgical anesthesia with miraculous effects.
The Persian medical expert presented a different demeanor: slender, with a lean face, a pair of wise eyes behind delicate glasses, neatly combed hair, and a meticulously trimmed beard. Clad in a well-tailored robe with exquisite fabric and golden silk embroidery on the collar and cuffs, he represented Persian medicine's deep research in anatomy and pharmacology. The detailed anatomical charts they brought showed the structure and function of human organs, while their unique techniques in refining and preparing drugs combined spices and herbs not only for treatment but also for beauty.
The Dashi medical expert wore a warm smile, revealing a row of white, even teeth, with deep eye sockets and thick, expressive eyebrows. His white robe fluttered in the wind, accented by a gem-encrusted belt that shimmered in the sun. Dashi medicine emphasized precise diagnosis, using unique medical instruments to determine conditions by observing patients' complexion, tongue coating, and pulse. In treatment, they excelled in dietary and physical therapies, such as blending honey and olive oil into therapeutic foods to aid recovery.
During exchanges with these experts, Lin Yue absorbed knowledge like a sponge, humbly asking questions and engaging in lively discussions to integrate the essence of various medical systems with Tang medicine, broadening her medical vision.
However, beneath the festival's joy and harmony lurked an undercurrent. A small group of ill-intentioned individuals planned to disrupt the Tang's prosperity by causing chaos at the festival. Disguised as ordinary attendees, they sneaked into the crowd, plotting to create pandemonium and panic during key events.
Thankfully, the Tang Dynasty had astute talents. Li Ming, an experienced security official in charge of the festival, noticed several suspicious individuals loitering near important venues with shifty eyes and furtive behavior. He discreetly assigned personnel to monitor them and reported the situation to his superiors.
Meanwhile, Lin Yue heard rumors of potential sabotage at her clinic. Though focused on medical exchanges, she cared about the festival's security. Using her wisdom, she speculated that saboteurs might use disease to create chaos and proactively contacted Li Ming to propose strengthening hygiene inspections of water and food to prevent poisoning.
Li Ming highly valued Lin Yue's suggestion and immediately organized a thorough inspection of water sources and food supply points. Sure enough, suspicious powder was found near a water source, confirmed as a highly toxic substance through testing. Following the clues, Li Ming's team successfully arrested several would-be poisoners.
Undeterred, the saboteurs prepared another scheme: igniting flammable materials hidden around the venue during a grand performance. Just as they acted, a young martial artist Wang Qiang happened to pass by. Skilled and alert, Wang Qiang discovered the plot and rushed to fight them. Surrounding citizens and security personnel joined the fray, collectively subduing the saboteurs and averting disaster.
After this incident, the cultural festival proceeded smoothly. Lin Yue achieved fruitful results in medical exchanges, integrating global medical insights into Tang medicine to inject new vitality into its development. The Tang Dynasty not only demonstrated its strength and inclusivity but also highlighted the importance of talent and national cohesion through its successful handling of the sabotage.
At the festival's close, scholars and artists departed with full harvests and fond memories of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang's international reputation grew, and exchanges with other nations became closer.
Back at her clinic, Lin Yue continued to delve into medical research, applying what she learned at the festival to practice, curing more patients and becoming a shining star in Tang medicine's development.
In the future, the Tang Dynasty would continue to embrace cultural exchange with an open and inclusive attitude, continuously driving its own progress and writing more brilliant chapters.