the 3 treatments

Prince Zhan goes to see the Royal Doctor one night in secret. His heart racing as he pushes the door into the doctor's chamber.

Prince: I want a prescription.

Doctor: Yes, Your Highness.

Prince: Poison...deadliest.

Doctor: Arsenic, vapours without a trace upon consumption.

Prince: It sounds perfect but...doctor?

Doctor: Yes, Your Highness.

Prince: Anything more deadly?

Doctor: Of course! (Pauses) The human heart. (Bows with respect).

***

Queen Ping Wah leaves her palace without a guard on a moonless night. She heads north toward the Royal Doctor's clinic.

Doctor: Your Majesty, I am at your service.

Queen: I need some questions answered.

Doctor: I give only my best, Your Majesty.

Queen: Is arsenic the darkest of all poisons?

Doctor: Absolutely. I have found no other competitors.

Queen: Very well, prepare a dosage for me but before that...doctor?

Doctor: Yes, Your Majesty?

Queen: Are you very certain that it is the darkest? Anything else that you have missed out?

Doctor: But of course, no poison is darker than the human heart. (Bows with respect).

***

General Ma left his company of officers much earlier than usual. It was just after midnight and as he disappears into the night, he went on a detour to visit the Royal Doctor.

Doctor: My Lord, what a pleasant surprise!

General: My old friend, Ching. It has been a long time since we met.

Doctor: Yes, while you defend the country with the power of your sword, I am ashamed that I only spend time with herbs and plants.

General: What is the might of a sword compared with the wit of a mind? You defend by saving lives while I defend by taking lives. The ground turns red.

Doctor: For the longevity and prosperity of His Majesty, the Heavenly King, we perform the tasks our postion brings upon us with loyalty.

General: Loyalty can make us blind.

Doctor: No, it is power that makes us blind.

General: Yes, something as innocent as a plant has enormous power to crush the life of a strong and well trained soldier.

Doctor: The silent killer is often the most addictive.

General: Can you spare me some?

Doctor: Yes, my old friend.

General: The most lethal.

Doctor: Arsenic.

General: I trust you but what is more poisonous?

Doctor: I believe it is the human heart.