Idle courtiers

Chapter 370 Master Zhou Has Become a Popular Man
Zhou Nan said eloquently: "Buddhism and Taoism both seek immortality, but Buddhism emphasizes liberation, while Taoism pursues freedom. As a result, their attitudes towards the physical body are different. From the two perspectives, the human world is just There is a sea of ​​bitterness, and the body is a raft. It is necessary to rely on the body to cross this vast ocean. After reaching the other shore, Buddhism believes that the boat can be discarded, but Taoism has a different attitude. In the view of Taoism, only a strong body can pass smoothly Countless catastrophes. Even if you ascend, you cannot easily destroy it."

In fact, as a local religion, Taoism has no difference in its attitude towards the body from Confucianism.The so-called body, hair and skin are affected by parents, so it is not easy to damage them.After becoming a fairy, the body must be intact, and even the pets at home must be brought into the heaven to enjoy blessings. This is the allusion in "Huainanzi" that one person ascends to heaven with a chicken and a dog.

What the gods say is illusory, and it doesn't matter whether it exists or not, and Zhou Nan doesn't want to discuss it.

"Taoism has inner alchemy and outer alchemy. Inner alchemy is the so-called qigong, which is used to exercise the body's vitality. Outer alchemy is to strengthen the body through medicine. The earliest medical way also started from Taoism. There are two ways of internal and external, and it cannot be said. Who is good and who is not."

"You said it's okay to practice inner alchemy. You can meditate and practice qi all day long. If you don't work hard on your four limbs, your health won't be much better."

"Let's talk about Wai Dan. Taking some supplements can indeed cure the hidden dangers in the body. But the medicine is three-point poisonous. If you take too much, the body will accumulate toxic components, which is not a good thing."

Huang Jin praised: "Well said! I am impartial and stick to what I say." Then, he took out the pill from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Nan: "It seems that Mr. Zhou knows a lot about pills, look How about this elixir, what is it made of, and will it be good or bad for the body after taking it?"

This is asking me to do component analysis, I wonder if I understand?Zhou Nan had spoken to the full just now, and couldn't take it back.I had no choice but to take the pill, put on a pose and look at it carefully, thinking about what to say in my heart.

But they saw that the surface of the pill had melted away, and there was a faint metallic flash inside.The whole body is bright red, a shocking color.

This stuff is inherently dangerous, but I don't have the guts to swallow it.

As for the ingredients of the medicine and whether it would be safe to take it, Zhou Nan didn't dare to be careless. Huang Jin was knowledgeable and cultured at first glance, so it was not easy to lie.

It would be a bit embarrassing not to answer the question.

Zhou Nan thought of what he said just now, his heart moved, and he asked with a smile: "Did Huang Gonggong feel unstable after taking this pill?"

Hearing this question, Huang Jin looked a little excited. It seems that Mr. Zhou is an expert this week.Then he nodded: "Last night, I only swallowed it for a moment and felt unsafe, so I vomited it out. Mr. Zhou can even see this, please take a pulse for our family."

As he spoke, he stretched out a skinny hand with age spots.

Zhou Nan saw that the skin on the hand scroll was a little red, as if it was allergic. He put his fingers on it, and his body temperature was a little high, so he asked, "Does Mr. Huang feel his skin hurts and itches? It's very serious, and I feel cold all over."

Huang Jin took a deep breath: "Master Zhou even knows this, so what is the name of this medicine?"

Zhou Nan: "I dare not say it. Judging from the situation of my father-in-law after taking the medicine, this pill is vaguely similar to the five stone powder in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. Don't worry about my father-in-law. I will walk more than ten miles outside later. Don't drink hot water today." Water, just need to walk for more than a dozen miles, and the medicinal properties will evaporate, and it will be completely cured."

Seeing that Huang Jin was puzzled, Zhou Nan explained it in detail.

It turns out that when later generations talk about the Wei and Jin dynasties, they always think that it was an era of great cultural development.There are the Three Cao Poems, the Seven Sons of Jian'an, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, Lu Ji and Lu Yun, Yu Xin, and "Wen Xin Diao Long". This is the era of art.

But in that era, the Sima family usurped Wei, there were repeated wars, there was a great plague in the wild where thousands of miles of red land was buried, and there was chaos in China.

Moreover, the political struggles in the court were extremely fierce, and the family was often ransacked and the family was wiped out. The scholar-officials generally felt disillusioned with life and tried their best to avoid mundane affairs.

In this way, Jin people like to talk about metaphysics, drink too much, and take Wushi powder.

This five-stone powder was originally used by Taoists for cultivation. After ordinary people take it, they feel hot all over, their skin is sensitive, and their whole body wobbles.

Strange to say, although I was shivering and cold, I couldn't eat hot food. In the winter, I could only wear single clothes, and walk quickly outside to dissipate the medicinal properties.Otherwise, you must die.

And because the skin is too delicate, I can't wear new clothes, so I can only talk about the lice in tattered clothes.

Later generations think that Jin people are generous and free and easy, but in fact they are very painful in their hearts.

When Zhou Nan was in college, he accidentally read an article by Mr. Lu Xun called "Wei Jin Manners, Medicine and Wine".

Brother Zhou Shuren Xun's essays are simply the lingering haze of middle school Chinese, but his stuff is indeed interesting. When reading this essay, Zhou Nan felt a sense of eye-opening.

At this moment, Zhou Nan said with a smile: "Eunuch Huang, do you know how the Cold Food Festival came about? It's that people who take Wushi powder can't eat hot food, so it has become a social custom. Also, in the Jin people's article" Stepping out of the east gate for a walk' descendants don't know it, they think it's a walk, and think it's very elegant, but in fact it's spreading the medicinal properties. Don't worry, father-in-law, just walk a few steps later, and you'll be fine."

Huang Jin was greatly impressed, Zhou Nan is so knowledgeable, he deserves to be the leader of the young literary world: "Then, is it really harmful to the body to take this kind of Wushi powder?" He thought of the emperor taking so many medicines every day, and felt a tightness in his heart.

Zhou Nan spoke quickly, and seeing Huang Jin's tense face, he felt proud: "Nonsense, do you know what the ingredients of Wushi San are?"

Huang Jin: "What is it?"

Zhou Nan: "Five stones, five stones, are naturally five kinds of mineral raw materials, amethyst, red stone fat, stalactite, sulfur, and white quartz. In addition, lead and mercury are used as primers. But their medicinal properties are hot and hot. After taking it, it makes people feel hot all over, and produces a confusing short-term effect, which is actually a kind of chronic poisoning."

In fact, the ancient Taoist alchemy already had the meaning of primitive chemistry.Through repeated purification, they obtained extremely toxic minerals.It is said that in the Jin Dynasty, a Taoist once extracted a perfect six-sided crystal because of his good luck, and he was ecstatic.I thought I finally got the legendary elixir.

But he still didn't dare to take it, so he used it to feed chickens and ducks.As a result, the poultry after taking the medicine died without exception.

Later generations reconstructed the scene according to his formula and technique, only to be surprised to find that this thing turned out to be arsenic.

Hearing the word "poisoning", Huang Jin's eyelids twitched, his face turned livid, and he tightly grasped the handrail.

Seeing his great reaction, Zhou Nan suddenly remembered that Jiajing also ate this stuff.I wantonly belittle the Taoist elixir here, isn't this looking for bad luck?

Quickly make a patch: "However, from ancient times to the present, there have been many Taoist priests who have taken elixir. Who has been poisoned to death? It can be seen that Taoist priests naturally have the properties of resolving medicine, and they think it is a way to improve their cultivation. For example, long live, others took five Shi San wants to walk away, but he meditates and refines Qi, don't worry too much."

Hearing what Zhou Nan said, Huang Jin breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good, thank you Mr. Zhou for your guidance. Sitting around is boring, why don't you and I go to the South China Sea for a walk."

Zhou Nan also felt that this was an opportunity to get close to Huang Jin, and readily agreed: "Being obedient is worse than respect."

Given Huang Jin's status, there were naturally a few young eunuchs following them from afar.They were all amazed in their hearts: Master Zhou is so valued by his godfather, it seems that his great success is just around the corner!
After walking for a while and sweating, Huang Jin felt much more comfortable in his body, and thanked: "Master Zhou's method is really good. Our family is already so uncomfortable after taking it for a while. I think the emperor took the medicine." What a torture it is. Although Long Live God has his own way to dissolve the medicinal properties, there is no big mistake in being careful."

While talking, he suddenly thought of the large and small red spots on Jiajing's body, and suddenly felt sore, and asked, "Master Zhou, besides Xing San, is there any other way to get rid of the poison?"

Jiajing has been taking medicine for decades, but detoxification cannot be achieved by walking a few steps.What's more, his dragon body is already weak, and he is afraid that he will be out of breath after walking a few steps.

"Drink more hot water."

"This... this..."

Zhou Nan hurriedly said: "Actually, father-in-law don't need to worry too much. This medicine is a hot-tempered thing. You just need to keep your mind calm and ashamed. Just keep your mind at peace." Yes, Jiajing's His body has been completely poisoned and corroded by the elixir. In the real history, he can only live for a few more years, and even the gods can't save him.

He has a surly personality because of obedience, and he only hopes that he will produce less demon moths.

In the past, the Taoist priests in the palace were very bad. In order to let the emperor feel the effect of the so-called elixir immediately, they usually added aphrodisiac ingredients to it.

What Qiu Chuji used to persuade Genghis Khan can be applied to him.

Huang Jin nodded: "That's right, Lord Long Live also needs someone to accompany him and persuade him. Zhou Nan, you are also a man of morality, so you should serve His Majesty from now on!"

Zhou Nan was stunned: "The lower officials have to go to the morning court every day, and besides, the recording department also has a lot of official affairs to deal with."

Huang Jin coughed softly: "The Son of Heaven lives in Xiyuan, and you won't see his old man even if you go to the early court. Isn't it good to come here? As for the affairs of the Secretary, just let his subordinates handle it." He looked at the sky: "It's getting late, and Long Live Lord should be out of customs, let's go and serve him!"

When they arrived at Yuxi Palace, Jiajing saw Zhou Nan: "Zhou Nan, is that you?"

Huang Jin: "From now on, Zhou Nan will be studying economics and running a business with Long Live Lord."

Jiajing already valued Zhou Nan, so he nodded, "Zhou Nan, Yuxi Palace is very humid, and the weather is very good, but he took the scriptures out to dry."

"As ordered."

In this way, Zhou Nan became a close minister of the emperor, and his main job was to read scriptures to the emperor and discuss metaphysics with him.Of course, he would also listen in on important military and state affairs, and when the emperor was meditating and refining Qi, he would also help the emperor read the memorials, criticize reds, use seals and so on.

In addition, when the royal scriptures were feasting, he would stand aside and read the scriptures.

This made Zhou Nan a little confused. He was already desperate for being a familiar face in front of the emperor, but now he hangs out with the old man Jiajing all day long. father-in-law?

Of course, his main job is to persuade the emperor to eat less elixir, and focus on cultivating inner alchemy.

Whether Jiajing likes to listen or not is his own business.

The West Garden of the Imperial Palace was originally the core area of ​​power in the world. Those who can jump up to the present in this place are not human beings, and they can't see the direction of the wind.

Mr. Zhou stayed by the emperor's side for twelve hours a day, except for the three hours when he slept.Moreover, it can be seen that the emperor seems very satisfied with Zhou Nan.

Therefore, in everyone's eyes, an upstart in the inner court is slowly rising, and will shine brightly in the future.

Moreover, Mr. Zhou is the instructor of Neishutang, directly in charge of the diplomas of the eunuchs.

In the past few days, the palace people were very respectful when they saw Zhou Nan, saying "Mr. Zhou" for fear of offending this new star, so they almost called him "godfather."

Even the stewards shouted "Zimu" affectionately when they saw Lao Zhou.

Red, Zhou Zimu was completely red in the palace.

It's so red it's purple, it's so red it's hot.

Zhou Nan couldn't help but smile a little bit. If he really had the heart to cut off that thing and go to the supervisor of ceremonies to be a pen writer, it would be no problem to have the power in the inner court.But I'm a civil servant, even if I have face in the palace, wouldn't I be a little six-rank mustard seed when I go out?
That's a pity.

At the most regrettable moment, Zhou Nan became a close minister of the emperor himself, and in the hearts of the civil servants, besides "lusty and greedy for flowers", there was another comment of "Ningjin".

Our Lord Zhou is not worried about too many bills now, and not itchy if he has too many lice, so he doesn't take it to heart.

But he didn't know that the reason why Jiajing agreed to let him accompany him was because he loved Zhou Nan's Qing Ci very much, and he couldn't help but think of him as his future son-in-law in his heart.Anyway, there is still one month before Qiu Wei, and if Zhou Nan fails the exam, he can be married.

On this day, as soon as Zhou Nan entered Xiyuan to meet Huang Jin, Eunuch Huang handed over a set of Guan Fang and a waist badge: "Zimu, I don't need your escort today, let's take Guan Fang to Neishutang!"

It turns out that there are six teachings in Neishutang.Every month, except for the first day and the 15th day of the lunar new year, each of the six teachers will teach for a day.There are four days of classes a month, and there are also bundles of repairs to take.

"Okay, I'll be there now, Xiaguan." Zhou Nan said: "Since I entered the palace to serve His Majesty, my father-in-law has taken care of me a lot, and I have kept it in my heart. I don't know if there is a nephew of my father-in-law among the students in the inner school?"

He continued: "A gentleman has a clear distinction between grievances and grievances. The so-called kindness of a drop of water should be repaid by a spring. Zhou Nan was able to get his teacher Wang Yuanmei's face to face on weekdays. It is really a mountain of kindness. The old man was framed by a serious thief, and he is still in prison. Thinking of it, Zhou Nan burst into tears."

When Huang Jin heard it, he couldn't find it funny. It's really shameful for Master Zhou to use this kind of thing to negotiate terms with our family.Is the old man not a nephew studying in the inner school, even if there is, as our family, we still need you, Mr. Zhou, to take care of it?

However, this son is full of filial piety, but he remembers kindness and love, our family is right.

(End of this chapter)