Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.s2.t3.29

v1.c6.s2.t3.29

Wang Tao’s life story and experience is attached after Biography of Wang Gui in the New Book of Tang. Wang Gui (571-639) is the great-grandfather of Wang Tao, once assumed several important posts such as Privy Counsellor and Director of the Board of Rites after engaging in politics. The epitaphs of Wao Tao’s grandson, Wang Shizheng and great-grandson, Wang Tan have both been unearthed, which offer a short introduction to his official positions. Wang Tao was in poor health when he was a little child but he was very kind and obedient and treated his parents very well, and in order to treat his mother’s disease, he pushed himself very hard to explore medical science and even travelled with some famous doctors at his time across the whole country, in the process of which, he almost acquired all of the skills and knowledge of that doctor. Though the medical achievements he made are not as influential and far-reaching as those of some medical giants such as Sun Simiao, his skill and experience is undoubtedly profound and deep.