Warmest welcome! We are so excited to have you all here!
For you all who have read this novel, and appreciate it, let me say to you all: “THANK YOU VERY MUCH!” Your support is very helpful for me, like extra stamina for me to continue writing. I also dedicate this part to all of you readers. And those who have never read The Prince of Herbs, you can read this novel at here and enjoy!

PS: This novel is also participating in Webnovel Spirity Awards Spring 2021. I would be very happy and thankful if you are willing to support this novel in this writing competition. Thanks a lot! ?

Well, for those who never read The Prince of Herbs, kindly allow me to present the synopsis. The Prince of Herbs is a fictionalized biographical novel about a historical figure in China, who actually ever existed. A medical expert, herbalist and botanist, he has an incredible background. Maybe you think he is someone who comes from a family of doctors – at least some scholars in China think so, because the medical tradition from ancient times until now in China is; Any awesome doctors come from a family of doctors, and if there is a doctor that doesn’t come from a family of doctors… well, his skill is believed to be lost to those coming from the doctor’s family. Not only China, my country Indonesia also has the same thought. And this medical scientist has the same fate, his ability is doubted by some scholars. Even somebody suspected this work as the work of other people and he plagiarized them as his own (how awful!). The suspect can appear, due to the fact that he came from imperial family. Yes, he was the fifth prince of Hongwu Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty, Prince of Zhou Zhu Su.
Many people doubt the prince’s ability in medical and botanical sciences, because what usually happens is that the aristocrats, especially the royal family, get used to be spoiled in a luxurious and comfortable life and can do everything the ordinary people cannot do, then such habits of life usually let they have weak character. Let alone make something. useful, they usually become the ones who make people miserable. Usually, those who can create plenty of great works are academics who lives in hardship but have extraordinary abilities to struggle any kind of difficulty. The nobles who are accustomed to lavish life? How can they possibly do that!… However, it turned out that Zhu Su was not the type of noble who was used to living comfortably. Even his life is filled with sadness and sorrow that we ourselves never (and of course are unwilling to) have. History records that Zhu Su had ever been exiled twice, and faced one-time interrogation that nearly risked his life. And he was exiled in a poor, underdeveloped area, and worse of all, was attacked by a deadly epidemic. (The epidemic is terrible, huh? Before 2020, perhaps you didn’t really understand how terrible the epidemic was, but I am sure your mind is totally changed after 2020. COVID19 let you change your mind). Imagine, Zhu Su was in epidemic red zone, at that time medical knowledge was still undeveloped (1389 AD), humans had no idea about viruses, germs, and so on, but they still had to struggle with the epidemic.
Basically Zhu Su really liked medical science, in contrast to most Chinese aristocrats. So it turns out, the exile punishment that was likely supposed to make him live in hell, is like being “God’s bless” for him since it helps him realize his passion, and finally make a great contribution to the world. His books rocked Chinese medical science, even one of which received great appreciation from prominent scientists in Japan, Europe, and United States!
Interested of the way how Zhu Su turned his adversity into success? Let’s read the novel here !
The Prince of Herbs is “fictionalized”, because it is categorized as a fictional novel regardless, not a nonfiction biographical book, it also contains lots of fictional elements. Of course, without elements of fiction, it is impossible for for you to have pleasure when reading it, haha! Well, that’s why I say this novel is a fictionalized biography, and not a nonfiction biography. However, because after all this is a story about a historical figure who really did exist, of course many real elements are added here. History, as a matter of course. Then, medical and philosophical elements – these two elements become the aspects I mostly include in the process of writing this novel. Medical science and philosophy cannot and should not be fixed, and may attract much of your astonishment and interest. Please let me say something; these two elements are not only interesting, it also gives much help in our daily life. When you feel unwell, with medical knowledge you can find out the problem your body suffers from and how to deal with it, and if it is a minor problem, you can solve it by yourself, or share the knowledge with your family or friends. When you get disappointed, frustrated or lose your way of life and purpose, with the thousands-of-years philosophical guidance you can regain the passion and hope that was once diminished. Interesting, right? From novels, we can obtain great knowledge and wisdom. Not only getting pleasure from reading the story, we can even learn from it. So, besides to provide a more detailed knowledge of the “strange” terms in this novel and to eliminate the readers’ confusion, this part is also useful for those who never read this novel but get interested in Sinology, Chinese History, Chinese Medicine and Chinese Philosophy.
For the future, my plan is this blog doesn’t only talk about this novel, but can reach out wider zone of science and knowledge. Hopefully it can be realized.
If you have and suggestions or constructive and positive comments, please leave them in the comment sections below. Thanks for reading!