The 005th Session: The Elegance of Renowned Figures and the Five Stone Powder, Discussing the Attire and Customs of the Wei and Jin Dynasties.
For example, one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, Liu Ling, the most famous drunkard in Chinese history, would raise his coffin and drink to the point of drunken stupor, claiming that wherever he got drunk, he would be buried on the spot. When he was intoxicated, he often sat in his room without a care. If someone could no longer bear to see this and questioned him, Liu Ling would retort, "Heaven and earth are my abode, houses are my trousers; what right do you have to enter my trousers?"
Wushi San is a formula made from five-colored stone resin, ground into powder. It is said that consuming it can lead to immortality, and it was particularly popular during the Wei and Jin dynasties. Among the nobility and prominent figures, it was considered embarrassing to go out without having taken Wushi San. Has anyone achieved immortality through Wushi San? There are no recorded instances in historical texts, yet why did people continue to consume it? Because Wushi San was indeed effective. There are no recorded instances in historical texts, yet why did people continue to consume it? Because Wushi San was indeed effective
While rummaging through the drawer, Mei Xi had not forgotten the silent instructions from Qu Yimin, pondering how to extract the old man's words. Directly asking might not work; it was necessary to tailor the approach, starting with topics that the old man enjoyed discussing.
Recently, it has been heard that Zhang Xiaoning is pursuing his beloved granddaughter Qu Yimin, which has made Qu Zhengbo increasingly displeased with Zhang Xiaoning. Therefore, it is said that Zhang Xiaoning took the formula for Wushi San from Qu Yimin and also discovered that a significant amount of red resin in his laboratory collection was missing, which led him to fly into a rage
Zhang Xiaoning is a general producer who supplies these products to various regions across the country. The advertisements are ubiquitous, and I believe those of you in front of the computer often come across them. The slogans of those products are highly impactful; they either claim to reproduce ancient royal court secrets or showcase the latest achievements in biotechnology. One product boasts the latest beauty-active ingredients, while another is said to be developed from ancient secret recipes, and so on. In reality, they are merely Zhang Xiaoning's nourishing formulas with a bit of hormone-based Western medicine, repackaged with different designs and accompanied by enticing advertisements for sale.
When someone says you have lice, it is a compliment, not an insult. Do you believe that
Professor Qu's words were somewhat mixed, and Qu Yimin blinked her big eyes, not quite understanding for a moment. She asked curiously, "Grandpa, what do you mean? He took away the prescription for Wushi San, and how could you and *Tu* *Shu* scold him as a 'bastard'? And not just one, is this true?"
The old man glared and said: "What are you asking these things for, young lady? That stuff is spring medicine! Showing off with a prescription, aren't you ashamed? ... Hurry up, don't you have class this afternoon?" Upon hearing this, Qu Yimin's pretty face couldn't help but flush with embarrassment; she stuck out her tongue and turned to leave.
Qu Zhengbo: "How would I know if it's true or not? What kind of person is he? Why would he need Wushi San? Either he will take it out to cause trouble, or he will use it himself. Do you know the effects of the medicine? ... ... " At this point, the old man fell silent, then angrily said: "We don't need your help here; Meixi is enough. You should go take care of your own business; I get angry just seeing you."
The prominent figures of the Wei and Jin dynasties consumed Wushi San, which actually had a secret and undisclosed efficacy. This was the primary reason why the elite of that time were so eager to obtain this highly valuable formula. As for the efficacy of Wushi San, Professor Qu did not mention it in class
So what is going on? It is a misunderstanding, entirely a misunderstanding! Lice have nothing to do with demeanor, but are closely related to another substance, which is called Wushi San.
The lice of the Wei and Jin dynasties are quite famous, particularly those of Wang Meng, a minister renowned for his literary and martial prowess during the Former Qin dynasty. It is said that when Wang Meng was still an unknown figure, he met General Huan Wen, who had entered the pass, and while casually discussing matters, he was seen picking lice from his body, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. This is the origin of the phrase "to talk while picking lice." However, Wang Meng was not the only notable figure who engaged in such behavior; historical records reveal a considerable number of prominent individuals from the Wei and Jin dynasties who also partook in this practice.
Later, some people interpreted this legend, claiming that Chairman Mao also possessed the demeanor of the Wei and Jin dynasties, though this may not be the case. The harsh conditions in Yan'an during the War of Resistance are well-known, and it is not surprising that Chairman Mao had lice on his clothes; after the founding of the nation, it would have been impossible for the great leader to have lice, as the entire nation would not have accepted it. However, the distinguished figures of the Wei and Jin dynasties were different. The aforementioned discussions about lice were all among high-ranking officials and nobles, whose living conditions had no connection to hardship. Moreover, the luxurious lifestyle of the nobility during the Wei and Jin periods is well-documented.
Zhang Xiaoning, who was a master's student mentored by the esteemed Qu Zhengbo in his early years, is now in his early thirties and has achieved remarkable success in his career. Zhang studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, but his greatest strength lies in marketing. The company he owns sells a variety of nutritional health products, primarily divided into two categories: one category includes beauty, weight loss, and breast enhancement products for women, while the other category consists of kidney tonics, aphrodisiacs, and potency-enhancing products for men.
... ...
Some have claimed that this reflects a natural and candid atmosphere among the scholars of the time, characteristic of the Wei-Jin style. While this assertion may seem somewhat reasonable at first glance, a closer examination reveals significant issues. The traditional Chinese aristocracy differs from the medieval French nobility in that they did not have the habit of avoiding baths and masking body odor with perfume; rather, they placed great emphasis on health preservation. The renowned health preservation text "Huangting Jing" was written during the Wei-Jin period, making it untenable to assert that the prominent figures of that time did not value health and hygiene. Furthermore, is there any correlation between having grace and having lice? If one desires grace, there are certainly ways to achieve it.
Zhang Xiaoning is someone that Meixi has met. He is not very tall and always appears to be quite shrewd and capable. He is very affable, greeting everyone with a smile in Professor Qu's laboratory, even to someone like him, a second-year undergraduate working part-time. However, Meixi does not like this person and cannot quite articulate why. Is it because he is too shrewd, or perhaps too wealthy, or is it because she has heard that he is pursuing Qu Yimin?
Indeed, there are those who believe, and the believers are certainly not Ah Q, but rather the renowned figures of the Wei and Jin dynasties. The Wei and Jin period represents a remarkable transition in Chinese history between the strong Han and the flourishing Tang dynasties. The scholars of Wei and Jin favored elegant discussions on metaphysics, indulging in self-appreciation and extravagant behavior, a style historically referred to as the Wei-Jin demeanor
Thus, when it is said that a celebrity has lice, it refers to them wearing soft, infrequently washed clothing, which is a result of consuming Wushi San. Long-term use of Wushi San is not only fashionable but also globally esteemed, hence saying that a person has lice is a compliment rather than an insult. The issue is clear at this point
Currently, Qu Yimin's beautiful eyes shimmer with a shy and timid light, while Mei Xi beside her is even more endearing. However, Old Master Qu is not swayed by this and continues to scold her until she cannot lift her head. She can only pout and weakly say: "Didn’t grandfather himself say that if conditions allow, he wants to try to restore the legendary ancient formula from a thousand years ago for research, to clarify its medicinal effects, and to infer the medical situation and social life of that time"
As she was leaving, Qu Yimin discreetly signaled to Mei Xi, indicating that she understood the meaning regarding the true properties of the Wushi San. She urged Mei Xi to inquire with the old master for clarity. She did not believe that the efficacy of this ancient miraculous formula could be as simple as the two words "spring medicine"; otherwise, her grandfather would not have gone to great lengths to collect rare and precious herbs like red stone resin. There must be more to it. In a moment of pride, she had given the prescription to a senior, who then took away the red stone resin from her grandfather's collection. She was determined to find out what was going on. She did not believe that the efficacy of this ancient miraculous formula could be as simple as the two words "spring medicine"; otherwise, her grandfather would not have gone to great lengths to collect rare and precious herbs like red stone resin. There must be more to it. In a moment of pride, she had given the prescription to a senior, who then took away the red stone resin from her grandfather's collection. She was determined to find out what was going on
In addition to the prominent figures of the Wei and Jin dynasties, there is also a great leader in modern times who has left behind a similar anecdote, namely Mr. Mao Zedong. According to American journalist Edgar Snow's recollection, during his conversations with Chairman Mao in the caves of Yan'an, he often observed Chairman Mao unfastening his belt to catch lice, remaining unfazed and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Wang Xizhi's nonchalance is more restrained than Liu Ling's wildness; after all, Liu Ling exposed his entire self while Wang Xizhi only revealed his belly. So what is the matter with the lice mentioned earlier?
Qu Yimin, however, was not particularly afraid of her grandfather and continued to follow the conversation, asking: "Wushi San is so famous in legends; what is its efficacy? Grandfather, you must have prepared it before, could you tell me about it?"
The heavens and the earth are the canopy of my dwelling, and the house is the clothing I wear. How did you end up in my trousers? Is there any way to speak like this? If someone else said it, they would surely be considered a lecher, but Liu Ling is different; he is a cultured man of good repute. This shows that cultural rogues have existed since ancient times.
While lost in thought at Meixi, I heard Professor Qu say: "Kid, you are tall and agile. Move a stool and switch the top drawer of the illustrated book to the bottom. Tear off the label of the red resin and replace it with a label of the cold bird droppings crystal." This is a good idea; the laboratory has two walls lined with cabinets, and the cabinets are densely packed with small drawers, probably numbering in the thousands. Changing their locations and labels would indeed make it difficult for others to find them again.
The content above is from a lecture by the renowned Professor Qu Zhengbo of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Upon hearing this anecdote about lice, the students all laughed, and Mei Xi could not help but join in. This is not a course on ancient literature and history, but rather a course on traditional Chinese medicine. However, Professor Qu's teaching is very engaging; he brings life to the dry classical theories of traditional Chinese medicine, often interspersing various historical anecdotes. Professor Qu has a well-known viewpoint: traditional Chinese medicine cannot be learned merely as a medical skill; without understanding the cultural connotations of each era in China, one cannot truly master traditional Chinese medicine. Mei Xi loves listening to Professor Qu's lectures and has never missed a single class.
The older the silk, the softer and more comfortable it becomes, making it most suitable for those who regularly consume Wushi San. In ancient times, clothes were washed with soapberry paste, resulting in fabrics that were very stiff, feeling almost like cardboard. It took a period of wear for them to become soft again, making them quite uncomfortable to wear. Therefore, the prominent figures who frequently consumed Wushi San had no choice but to avoid washing their clothes as much as possible, leading to the presence of lice over time. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, wearing lightweight old garments became a fashion trend during leisurely discussions.
In a delightful contrast to Liu Ling's indulgence in wine, there is Wang Xizhi reclining on the eastern bed, exposing his belly. The Jin Dynasty's Grand Commandant, Qiao Jian, sought to select a son-in-law from among the sons of Prime Minister Wang Dao, which was a political marriage among the ancient nobility. The Grand Commandant's daughter was renowned for her beauty. Upon hearing of the Grand Commandant's visit to their home, the sons of the Wang family all acted with restraint, yet Wang Xizhi remained unconcerned, lifting his clothing to reveal his belly while sitting on the eastern bed enjoying snacks. Consequently, Grand Commandant Qiao unexpectedly chose Wang Xizhi, believing him to be an ideal match, without knowing whether Miss Qiao would be pleased with this choice.
Although Zhang Xiaoning has graduated for seven or eight years, he has always held great respect for the elder Qu Zhengbo, visiting his home with valuable gifts during festivals. However, Professor Qu has never had a favorable impression of Zhang Xiaoning and has never accepted any of his gifts. Yet, as the saying goes, one should not strike a smiling face; his student is always very respectful, making it awkward to sever ties. Several projects at the school have also received funding sponsorship from Zhang Xiaoning, but Professor Qu's attitude towards him has remained lukewarm.
Mei Xi was able to take a part-time job in Professor Qu's laboratory to earn some living expenses, thanks to the introduction by her counselor Qu Yi Min. Qu Yi Min has a cheerful personality and is beautiful, making it easy for boys around Mei Xi's age to develop a vague affection for her. Therefore, it is normal for him to have a poor impression of Zhang Xiao Ning.
Old Qu was in a fit of rage, shouting at his granddaughter Qu Yimin: "Who told you to give the prescription for Wushi Powder to Zhang Xiaoning? If this prescription falls into his hands, it will lead to great trouble. If I didn't know he couldn't gather the medicinal materials for large-scale production, I would really want to give you a good beating. You are too good at causing trouble! ... ... The study of medicine should be driven by a heart to benefit the world, not to show off or seek personal glory"
It was the year 2008, shortly after the Beijing Olympics had just concluded. The day after listening to Professor Qu's lecture on the legend of Wushi San, Mei Xi, a second-year student at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, learned about the most important efficacy of Wushi San, in Professor Qu's formula laboratory.
After taking Wushi San, the entire body feels warm, yet there is no profuse sweating, which leads one to wear thin clothing even in cold weather, with flowing sleeves that appear quite elegant. Additionally, there is another effect of the medicine: after prolonged use, the skin all over the body becomes very delicate, looking beautiful and sensitive with fine texture. This brings about a problem, namely that clothes cannot be washed frequently, and one should also try to avoid wearing new clothes
Qu Zhengbo's anger had not subsided: "I said that, but does it have anything to do with Wushi San? You gave the formula for Wushi San to Zhang Xiaoning without telling me. If it weren't for that kid calling me today, asking where he could find red resin, I wouldn't have known he got the prescription and even took a lot of red resin from my laboratory... This useless fellow, if he has the ability to make money and keep those mistresses, then he should have the ability not to take medicine!" I wouldn't have known he got the prescription and even took a lot of red resin from my laboratory... This useless fellow, if he has the ability to make money and keep those mistresses, then he should have the ability not to take medicine!