Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

When did you first hear it?

Lu Chen carefully recalled his experiences over the past two years since he transmigrated.

No, I didn't hear it in this dimension!

If that's the case, then it must have happened before time travel!

The effects of this elixir are so exaggerated that it could never be a normal medicine!

If that's the case, then it must be some kind of contraband!

What could it be?

The list of banned drugs he had heard about before his transmigration flashed through Lu Chen's mind.

First, there are natural medicines.

By this time, coca products had already been introduced to the Ming Dynasty. The Native Americans across the ocean had been using coca products long before the arrival of Europeans, so it is also possible that they were brought to the Ming Dynasty by Europeans.

In addition, many hemp plants, as well as chard, datura, several hallucinogenic poisonous mushrooms, and even toad venom, have been used by ancient people around the world to make original versions of the enhancer.

Could it be these things?

It shouldn't be!

The medicinal properties of these natural fortifiers are far from reaching such exaggerated levels.

Could it be that some alchemists at this time have already mastered the reprocessing technology?

That's not right either!

Not to mention that with the technology of the Ming Dynasty, it would probably have been impossible to purify and reprocess natural opioid drugs.

Even if it were actually invented, the clinical effects of opioids wouldn't be like these.

What kind of enhancer can keep someone energized and tireless for twelve hours straight?

After reviewing all the enhancement agents he knew, Lu Chen finally set his sights on a famous enhancement agent that would later become renowned.

That was a strengthening agent produced by Japan during World War II for use by its military!

It is divided into low-dose "Awakening Pills" and high-dose "Fatigue Relief and Awakening Agent".

The "fatigue-relieving agent," specially designed for use by the Kamikaze pilots, can achieve this effect.

This thing began to spread widely among the people after the war, and it got another name that was more widely known!

The withdrawal symptoms after the drug's effects wear off are almost exactly the same as what Guo Shoulu just described!

Moreover, "fatigue-relieving and stimulating agents" do have the effect of enhancing male performance, although it's not that exaggerated, but it's not difficult to solve.

Ancient people also had many powerful aphrodisiacs, but what was truly difficult to achieve was keeping someone energetic all night long.

This "red lead" elixir is likely a complex enhancer composed of multiple ingredients.

Something that shouldn't exist in this era has been mixed in!

Although the production of "fatigue-relieving and waking agent" also requires the use of natural raw material ephedra, the production process of the Ming Dynasty was definitely not capable of extracting and synthesizing the active ingredients.

Lu Chen originally thought that Duan Chaoyong, the sorcerer who concocted the "Red Lead" elixir and tricked the Jiajing Emperor into seclusion to seek immortality, was just a charlatan.

Such swindlers have existed in every dynasty; even Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han were fooled by them.

But how could the wandering sorcerers of the Ming Dynasty be associated with "fatigue-relieving and waking agents" that only appeared shortly before World War II?

Who exactly is Duan Chaoyong?!

Did he synthesize this himself, or did he get it from somewhere as a finished product?

Should we investigate? Of course we should!

The discovery that the "Red Lead" elixir likely contains a modern fortifier that should have appeared before World War II gave Lu Chen a strong sense of crisis!

But how do I check?

If it were to investigate someone else, it would be an easy task for me now.

He himself was Zhu Houyu, the Prince of Ying, and the only younger brother of Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong.

At present, Emperor Jiajing is in seclusion in the Western Garden for cultivation. Nominally, the five-year-old Crown Prince Zhu Zaiyi is in charge of the country, but in reality, it is he himself who truly exercises the power of regent.

He also had a close relationship with Lu Bing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If he wanted to investigate someone, he only needed to say a word.

But this Duan Chaoyong is a very special case!

The Jiajing Emperor now greatly favors this person, regarding him as the key figure who can help him cultivate immortality and achieve eternal life.

Unless the emperor himself gives the order, who would dare to touch him?

After discovering that the "red lead" elixir that Duan Chaoyong presented to the emperor likely contained an ingredient of "fatigue-relieving and waking agent".

Lu Chen finally understood why the Jiajing Emperor had believed his nonsense and was determined to go into seclusion to cultivate.

Emperor Jiajing had been practicing Taoism for many years and had consumed countless elixirs.

The effects of this "red lead" elixir were truly astonishing, completely shattering Emperor Jiajing's understanding of Taoist elixirs.

In the eyes of the Jiajing Emperor, "cultivating to become an immortal" and "living forever" seemed to be within reach, and he was absolutely unwilling to miss such an opportunity.

Although the emperor did not attend court or handle state affairs, he was always in the Western Garden, and Duan Chaoyong could see him frequently.

If the emperor were to order an investigation into Duan Chaoyong himself, he would soon find out.

Lu Chen knew very well how fanatical the Jiajing Emperor was about cultivating immortality!

This is a taboo that no one, not even the princes, can touch!

More importantly, using the power of the Duan Chao faction is not a good thing for him either!

Duan Chaoyong played the most crucial role in enabling a prince like himself to enter the capital openly to assist the crown prince in overseeing the country.

By exposing his lies to the emperor, he would lose his reason to stay in the capital.

No, Duan Chaoyong cannot fall!

An investigation is necessary, but we must not alert the enemy.

The emperor must not be alerted, and it would be best if Duan Chaoyong himself did not find out.

It's definitely inappropriate for me to order the investigation myself, and it's also not suitable to have Lu Bing investigate it!

Lu Chen looked at Guo Shoulu, who was talking eloquently across from him.

If you want to investigate discreetly and covertly, this guy is a good candidate!

Duan Chaoyong was recommended to the emperor by Guo Xun, and the two became very close.

He is Guo Xun's son, and he is secretly investigating Duan Chaoyong. Even if someone discovers something, they will only think it is a private matter between Guo Xun and Duan Chaoyong.

"Young Master Chai has booked the entire Yihong Pavilion to host a banquet for me today, which shows his great hospitality."

Lu Chen glanced at Guo Shoulu's bloodshot eyes.

"I originally had something I wanted to discuss with you, but since Young Master Chai worked so hard yesterday, relying on ginseng to keep him awake isn't a solution. He should rest well first and we can talk about it when he's fully recovered."

If he wasn't mistaken, the "Red Lead" elixir really did contain an ingredient called "fatigue-relieving and awakening agent," and he was still in the process of withdrawal symptoms.

Fortunately, I only took it once, so the withdrawal symptoms weren't too severe.

Since we're going to talk about serious matters, let's wait until he recovers.

Since I already know the real effects of taking the "Red Lead" elixir, I'll summon a few palace maids to Chonghua Palace tonight and use my mental power to simulate it, just to fool them for now.

"Your Highness, please wait."

Just as Lu Chen was about to leave, Guo Shoulu suddenly stood up and bowed to Lu Chen.

"Your subject, Guo Shoulu, the third son of Marquis Wuding, pays respects to Your Highness, Prince Ying."

"Your Highness, please grant my entire Guo family a way to live!"