CARP LEAPING FROM WAVES
From a Japanese painting in the British Museum
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Now it happened that the Emperor’s daughter—a very beautiful girl—was lying ill in the royal palace. The Court physicians had endeavoured in vain to restore her to health. Hearing of Wang Shuh’s discovery of the Red Cloud herb, the Emperor sent out for him. On reaching the palace, the herbalist was addressed by the Emperor himself, who said: “Is it true, as men tell, that you have seen the black kiao in the form of a little blue boy riding on a red carp?”
“It is indeed true,” Wang Shuh made answer.
“And is it true that you have found the dragon herb that sprang up during the thunder-storm?”
“I have brought the herb with me, Your Majesty.”
“Mayhap,” the Emperor said, “it will give healing to my daughter.”
Wang Shuh at once made offer of the herb, and the Emperor led him to the room in which the sick princess lay. The herb had a sweet odour,[12] and Wang Shuh plucked a leaf and gave it to the lady to smell. She at once showed signs of reviving, and this was regarded as a good omen. Wang Shuh then made a medicine from the herb, and when the princess had partaken of it, she grew well and strong again.
The Emperor rewarded Wang Shuh by appointing him his chief physician. Thus the herbalist became a great and influential man.