Notes on Longevity

Chapter 18 Watching the Iron Flower Display at Night, Unwilling to Enter a Brothel

"What you just saw is called 'iron flower making,' a technique that craftsmen in the past discovered accidentally when casting utensils."

As the two walked down the bustling street, Li Chengru explained the origin of iron flower making to Yang Youan: "This craft originated in the Jiaxing period of the Southern Kingdom and flourished in the Wanli period of the previous dynasty, with a history of over a thousand years. Now, besides the capital, there is another place where this craft is very common."

"Where?" Yang Youan asked, having already heard Li Chengru say that he had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

“Traveling east from Kyoto, we passed through Huangzhou, a place where people even have a fondness for the art of iron flower making.”

Li Chengru smiled as he walked, looking around. Whenever he came across a stall selling trinkets like dolls or pendants, he would stop to take a look and talk to Yang Youan about them while playing with the items.

"Why?" Yang Youan had almost understood, but he was puzzled again after hearing Li Chengru's next words.

"There are two reasons. The first is that, according to legend, during the Jiaxing period in southern China, a village suffered a severe drought. In order to pray for rain, the villagers spontaneously donated money to build a temple and cast a large bell to place inside."

"It was nighttime, and the villagers were melting down their ironware to pray for a good harvest and to ward off disaster. But at that moment, a flock of crows appeared out of nowhere and kept circling in the trees. One of the older villagers took two willow sticks dipped in molten iron and struck the crows. The molten iron splashed and formed golden sparks that illuminated the night sky. The crows were startled and scattered. Then, in the middle of the night, a sudden downpour came down and the drought was relieved."

"Is this iron-sparkling art really that magical?" Yang Youan was completely bewildered. He couldn't understand how a craft could possess such divine power.

“That’s not quite right.” Li Chengru raised an eyebrow. “If it were truly that miraculous, then a few years ago, when the demon wreaked havoc on the country, causing extreme cold in winter and extreme drought in summer, all that was needed was to strike iron flowers. Why would a Taoist priest need to descend the mountain to subdue the demon and stabilize the world? Perhaps it was just a coincidence back then.”

"And the second reason?" Yang Youan nodded, agreeing with Li Chengru's words. If the iron flower making was really so magical, why would they need to invite that Taoist priest to come down the mountain?

"The second one is related to Taoist priests." Li Chengru chuckled, while repeatedly exclaiming "Aiya!"

"Huh?" Yang Youan frowned upon hearing this, making a surprised sound.

"Isn't it a coincidence that this iron flower making is actually related to the Taoist priest?" Li Chengru shook his head and smiled helplessly.

"The iron flower making was originally related to Taoism. It was a ritual performed by Taoist priests to pray for blessings, ward off disasters, and exorcise evil spirits. They used molten iron to create a dazzling spark effect, in order to pay tribute to their legendary ancestor, Laozi, who is said to have already become an immortal."

After Li Chengru finished speaking, he laughed loudly: "Tell me, isn't that a coincidence?"

Yang Youan couldn't laugh at all; instead, he was quite puzzled: Are there really immortals in this world? Are there really people who attain immortality?
He didn't know, he had only heard people say that, including a few years ago when the Wu Kingdom joined forces with the demons to wreak havoc on the Yan Kingdom, he only heard that the current emperor had no choice but to go to Zoumaguan and invite an immortal to come down the mountain to subdue the demons.

As a result, Taoism was once again designated as the state religion.

"Have you ever been to a brothel?" Yang Youan was pondering a question when he was suddenly asked by Li Chengru, who stood in front of him.

"No... I haven't been there." Yang Youan looked a little uncomfortable, and his eyes darted away from Li Chengru's.

“Come on, I’ll show you around.” With that, Li Chengru took Yang Youan’s hand and started to lead him forward. “Brother Li, we are both scholars, how can we go to these places of pleasure?”

Yang Youan forcefully shook off Li Chengru's hand, and said somewhat angrily.

Li Chengru was a little dazed when Yang Youan shoved him, feeling as if his arm had been punched by something.

"Not bad, I didn't expect you to be so strong despite your thin and weak appearance." Li Chengru rubbed his arm, looking Yang Youan up and down with great satisfaction.

“As Zhenghe said, he often went hunting in the mountains with his uncle when he was young, so his strength is naturally not bad.” As Yang Youan spoke, he looked at Li Chengru with some disdain in his eyes, as if to say that he was a scholar and yet he went to such places, which was an insult to the sages.

Of course, Li Chengru could tell from Yang Youan's tone and eyes what he thought of him, but Li Chengru didn't care. Instead, he dragged Yang Youan across a street, around several corners, and finally stopped in front of Zuihualou, which was known as the number one brothel in the capital.

With the gentle spring breeze, people flocked here seeking pleasure, one group leaving only to arrive in another.

Yang Youan looked up at the plaque and saw the three large characters "Zui Hua Lou" written on it.

The Drunken Flower Pavilion was ornately decorated and lavish. Large red lanterns hung at the entrance, and incense was burning, enticing people to enter.

Finally, under Li Chengru's urging, Yang Youan reluctantly made his way through the crowd and into the gate of Zuihualou.

As soon as Yang Youan entered, he could feel the unique atmosphere. The interior of Zuihua Tower was exquisitely decorated, with embroidered screens and painted portraits hanging on the walls, and the room was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus and sandalwood. The women here were dressed in gorgeous clothes and wore heavy makeup, some of them were held in the arms of men, constantly making provocative gestures.

Looking at all this, Yang Youan felt his heart pounding wildly, and even his breathing became rapid. Although he had heard about the scenery in brothels on his way to the exam, he had found it novel and intriguing at the time.

Although I had thought about it before, when I actually stepped into this place and saw what was happening before my eyes, I felt my heart pounding wildly and my blood boiling.

"Brother Li, perhaps I should..." Yang Youan felt something was wrong with his body. It was as if something inside his body was pounding on his mind, so he wanted to say to Li Chengru: Let's go back.

But when he turned around, Li Chengru had already disappeared, leaving him alone, standing there at a loss.

"Oh, this young master looks unfamiliar. This must be your first time visiting our Drunken Flower Pavilion!" Just as Yang You'an was looking around for Li Chengru, two heavily made-up women walked towards him.

"No...no, I'm here to find someone." Yang You'an bowed to the two women in a flustered manner, and was about to turn around to find Li Chengru when he heard one of the women say:
“Since you’re here to see someone, you must be a regular customer. It’s our fault for not recognizing you. May we ask which lady you’re looking for? Let me see if she’s available right now.”

"No, I...I've never been here before. I'm here to see...a friend."

Yang Youan was already flustered and stammered as he explained to the two of them.

(End of this chapter)