Elixir Supplier

The sun was considered to be bright and radiant on this day.

In the cottage, Wang Yao had finished the morning’s Qi practice and had started on his chores. He put the herbs that he had prepared beforehand into the pot to cure them. After the temperature was appropriate, he tallied the numbers, took the herbs out and categorized them. Subsequently, he used a crusher or stone mortar to crush them. His strength was extraordinary and since the equipment used was antiquities; it was relatively easy for him to get the hang of it. Very quickly, the herbs were crushed into tiny pieces. They were then sifted. The process was repeated a few times so that all the herbs were ground into fine powder, sorted and set aside for subsequent use.

He took out a tray, which was also an antique. This was obtained with Tian Yuantu’s help.

Swabbed with water, he sprinkled the grounded powder and both his arms set about gently tossing the powder about.

This was a technical task and required experience, which was precisely what Wang Yao lacked at the moment. However, he had a good attitude towards the task and possessed a great deal of patience. Hence, he would redo the process again if he failed, since the powder that he prepared was sufficient.

The process of swabbing with water, sprinkling the grounded powder and tossing them about was repeated again. After a few times, pills finally appeared on the tray.

Henceforth, Wang Yao became even more meticulous.

From morning till evening, Wang Yao concentrated on making the pills and skipped lunch. In completing a task, the greatest fear was not being able to overcome the inability to focus and persevere. Wang Yao was particularly focused that day, and hence the result was good. The result was having produced multiple pills on the tray.

“Looks like I’ve succeeded. I wonder what the effect’s like?”

He took a few pills and walked out of the cottage.

“San Xian, come here.”

The dog heard him and came to his side, wagging its tail.

“Open your mouth.”

Hearing these words, the dog decisively retreated and cocked its head to look at Wang Yao, as if saying, “What do you want to feed me?”

“This is good stuff. It’s a perfect supplement; it nourishes Yin, the kidney and harmonizes Yin and Yang. It’s great for the body. Come, try it.”

Wang Yao eventually managed to get the dog to swallow five pills. He then stood in a corner and quietly observed the dog’s reaction.

“How’s it, San Xian? Do you feel any discomfort?”

The dog had no reaction except to wag its tail and occasionally shook its head.

“Okay, no problem then. You can go.” Having said that, Wang Yao did not immediately go into the cottage, but sat outside and observed the dog’s behavior. When he determined that there was no abnormality, he finally heaved a sigh of relief.

“It seems there is no problem with the medicine.”

He threw two pills into his mouth.

Nothing is more objective and accurate than testing it on himself.

After he ate the pills, he quietly sat there and felt his body changing. After an hour or so, he did not discover any problems, and so he finally stood up.

“This pill can be consumed by humans.”

The pills were made following an ancient method. Wang Yao accurately measured and matched the various herbs, so there should not be a problem.

He did not intend to give the pills to others to consume; his intention was to understand the process of making the pills.

He was now familiar with the process, as he had personally tried it. With this experience, he had greater familiarity. Furthermore, he had experimented several times after. He recorded the flaws and shortcomings and revised the process in response.

“In using this ancient method of making pills, there are some areas where I have to make the best of what I can do.” As he became familiarized with the process, Wang Yao became even more impressed with the ancient physicians.

As Wang Yao was in the process of making the pills, someone unexpectedly made his way up the hill.

“Master Xu, why are you here?”

It was Xu Maosheng, who had come bearing gifts.

“I made some new tea and brought them here for you to try,” Xu Maosheng smiled and revealed the reason for his visit.

“Thank you.” Wang Yao wanted to decline at first, but when he heard that it was handmade by Master Xu, he realized his kind intentions. How could he not decline it? Wang Yao then invited him to his cottage. “Come in.”

Wang Yao made him a pot of tea.

“This tea is so fragrant. Is it Huangshan Maojian?”

“You are truly a master. You can recognize the tea just by smelling it.”

“This is excellent tea!” Xu Maosheng exclaimed.

“Is Mrs. Xu feeling better?”

“After taking your decoction, she is much better. She recovered her usual appetite and slept well. Honestly, I envy her!”

As a health care provider, the happiest thing was to hear that a patient’s illness had been vanquished and was on the path to recovery. This was even more so for a pharmacist.

The pair chatted some more. When Wang Yao came to know that Xu Maosheng had taken public transport to get to his place, he decided to drive him home. At the same time, he could check and take his wife’s pulse.

…

“You should be more or less recovered from the illness. Through diet, you can change your constitution. You can take more foods that can soothe the nerves.” Wang Yao made a list of suitable foods. Those were common food. They were apt for regular consumption as they were good for the body and particularly appropriate for Xu Maosheng’s wife’s condition.

“Thank you so much, Doctor Wang.”

“You are too formal, Mrs. Xu. Besides, I have learned much from Master Xu.”

“His skills are nothing to shout about!” Xu Maosheng’s wife said.

“Those are much-treasured skills!”

The skills, in which few people possessed, happened to be part of the country’s culture passed down from hundreds of thousands of years ago. Some people snub at or ignore these skills, and they gradually vanish. Eventually, when the time came, later generations could only learn about these skills through history books or legends. These were skills that ought to be passed down and spread far and wide.

The art of tea and traditional Chinese medicine—these were the classics of the ancient culture. The former was flourishing in modern society; whereas the latter had become popularized in Korea.

Chinese Medicine was invented by China, yet its usage was not as well adopted compared to the Koreans. In fact, the origins of its invention had gradually become perceived to be that of the Koreans’. This was such an unhappy outcome!

Wang Yao chatted for a while with the affable couple and then departed.

On his way home, he received a call from Wang Mingbao. It was regarding a matter that he had almost forgotten. The apartment he bought in Lianshan County had already completed its renovation. The renovation scent had also dissipated and was in move-in condition. Wang Mingbao asked Wang Yao when he would like to take a look.

“How about tomorrow?”

“Sure, I’ll wait for you.”

I should tell Sis in advance about this in case she comes up with some bad ideas, Wang Yao thought.

When he drove home, it was already evening. When he got home, there were two special guests in his house—It was his mother’s cousin and her husband. They had visited during the Chinese New Year, and they had now come again.

“Yao, say hi,” Zhang Xiuying said.

“Hi, Uncle and Aunt.”

“Hey.”

Wang Yao sat down and chatted with them for a bit. After dinner, they stayed for a while and then left.

“Mom, why are they here?”

Wang Yao could sense that they were here for a purpose, only that they did not disclose their intentions to Wang Yao.

“Nothing much. Their mother is quite old, and her children are not by her side. They are here to ask us to care for them in their stead,” said Zhang Xiuying.

“Just this matter?”

“Yes,” said Zhang Xiuying.

“If they are so busy, why not have the old lady stay with them in Jing City? The conditions are better over there, and they can engage a nurse,” said Wang Yao.

For people who had no time to look after their own parents and could think of asking others to help care for them in their stead—only talented people could think of such an idea.

The next day, Wang Yao went to Wang Mingbao’s shop at the arranged time. In the distance, he saw a car drive away. He recognized the person. It was Wei Hai.

“Hey, you came at just the right time. Wei Hai just left,” Wang Mingbao smiled and remarked after seeing Wang Yao.

“I saw him. He’s here to ask you again?”

“Yes, he’s asking when you can treat him. He is now in a state of anxiety and relies on sleeping pills at night,” said Wang Mingbao.

“He shouldn’t do that. His body is already so weak. Taking sleeping pills will worsen his condition. When you have a chance, call and tell him. I will treat him within a week. Ask him to stop taking those harmful medications.”

“Okay, shall we go see your apartment?”

“Okay.”

Wang Yao drove Wang Mingbao to the location of his apartment.

The apartment’s renovation had completed. There was no smell, and the renovation was done pretty well. It was done in a simple and elegant style. The style belonged to the type that looked average at first but looked better looking the more one looked at it. In addition, the materials used were good and caused less pollution.

“It’s not bad. How much is it?”

Wang Mingbao quoted him a price. It was very low, almost close to the original price.

“Don’t go back this afternoon, let’s have lunch together?”

“Sure, let’s ask Li and the rest. By the way, regarding the apartment, I need to consider how to tell my sister.”

“This is good news; she will definitely be happy.”

Noontime, the men gathered together. Tian Yuantu was on a business trip and was unable to come, so it was just the three of them. They chose a quiet farm restaurant recommended by Li Maoshuang, who praised it for its cleanliness and good ingredients.

They ordered some dishes and ordered a bottle of red wine. Wang Yao drove, so he did not drink. Wang Mingbao and Li Maoshuang both drank some.

“Are you free next week?”

“Why?”

“I have joined a tour to Tibet and Xinjiang. You stay at the hill all the time; it must be pretty boring. Shall we go together?” Li Maoshuang said.

“How long is it?”

“Seven days.”

Wang Yao pondered over it and then replied, “Count me out.” He could consider going if it was a two or three days’ trip. Seven days was a bit too long.

“Eh, I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you have a girlfriend?” asked Li Maoshuang.

“I’m dating,” Wang Yao smiled and said.

“Really? My wife said she has a nice girl to introduce you.”

“Why not introduce her to me? I don’t have a girlfriend!” said Wang Mingbao.

“Sure, I will talk to my wife.”

The three of them chatted for some time. After lunch, they went to Li Maoshuang’s place to try his spring tea.

After that, Wang Yao and Wang Mingbao went to the nearby furniture mall and shopped for a bit, choosing a few sets of furniture. They had to wait a few days for the stock as the place had only display sets but no stocks on hand.