A famous doctor named Bian Que, upon seeing Duke Huan of Cai, warned him that his illness had intruded into his skin and required immediate treatment.
The Duke, feeling perfectly healthy, suspected Bian Que of seeking undeserved credit and ignored him.
Ten days later, Bian Que advised treatment while the illness was still in the flesh, but the Duke remained silent.
After another ten days, Bian Que informed the Duke that the illness had progressed to his intestines and stomach. Still, the Duke refused to believe him. When Bian Que saw the Duke ten days after that, he said nothing and turned to leave.
Duke Huan sent a messenger to inquire. Bian Que explained that illnesses in the skin, flesh, intestines, or stomach could be cured with methods like applying ointments, fumigating, acupuncture, or taking medicines to reduce internal heat. However, now that the illness had reached the bones, it was incurable.
Five days later, Duke Huan was in pain all over his body. By then, Bian Que had already fled to the state of Qin. Not long after, the Duke died of his untreatable illness.