Chapter Two: Five-Mineral Powder

Late at night, the moon hung bright, and weary birds returned to their nests. The noisy mountains finally grew quiet. People who had indulged in wine and joyous songs wrapped themselves in quilts and fell asleep. Some felt excited, some felt peaceful, and perhaps they dreamed of a bountiful harvest and wealth in the coming year.

Xu You and He Ru felt no sleepiness. They stepped out of the courtyard and sat side by side on the edge of a steep cliff. They did not set up cloth screens to block the wind, but wore thick marten fur cloaks, which were more than enough to keep the bone-piercing chill away from their bodies.

"Do you know why most aristocratic families like to build fortified manors outside of towns and cities?" Xu You pointed toward the distant manors of the various aristocratic families faintly visible in the distance. Some were large, others small, resembling scattered stars fallen among the countryside, brimming with the unique characteristics and romantic charm of the Southern Dynasties.

"Clans and local communities gather in fortified strongholds, relying on dangerous terrain to defend themselves and escape the disasters of foreign raiders and bandits. Ever since the Five Barbarians Rebellion and the southward migration of the gentry, aristocratic clans have occupied the mountains and rivers, living self-sufficiently. Their private armies, slaves, and tenant farmers number in the thousands at least, and tens of thousands at most. Without fortifying themselves, how could they protect all this that they own?"

Xu You shook his head and said solemnly, "What you mentioned is one of the reasons, but not the most important one."

"Oh?" He Ru became somewhat interested and asked, "Then what do you say is the most important reason?"

"The most important thing is..." Xu You deliberately paused for a moment, raising He Ru's curiosity to its absolute peak, and while barely holding back his smile, he said, "Living in a fortified manor outside the city means you don't have to observe the curfew. Whether you light lamps after dark, have a meal, stroll around, or do whatever you please, it is far more carefree than living inside the city."

He Ru turned his head to look at Xu You, his expression utterly speechless. After a long moment, he said with contempt, "It's a wonder you can keep such a straight face when joking; you are far more shameless than I imagined!"

Xu You burst into hearty laughter, well-pleased at having successfully teased He Ru. Once his laughter subsided, he said, "Joking aside, a curfew is a helpless measure in troubled times. Once the realm is at peace and the seas are clear, abolishing the curfew will be imperative. The common people labor by day, officials handle affairs by day, and merchants conduct trade by day. After toiling hard for a whole day, not allowing them to enjoy the pleasures of life at night—where is the reason in that?"

"For the sake of maintaining order and preventing theft, a curfew ensures that criminals have nowhere to hide. It is not entirely without merit!"

"Imposing a curfew to prevent theft is the policy of a lazy government! Ever since the Qin and Han Dynasties, curfews have existed for hundreds of years, yet how many private homes are still cleaned out by thieves at night? Especially between September and February, when the nights are long and cold, and most people are reluctant to get up, it is precisely the prime season for rampant night thieves. Take Qiantang for example: the night patrolmen combined with the night watchmen probably number no fewer than several dozen, yet theft cases are still repeatedly committed. Tracing it to the root cause, isn't it just inside-and-outside collusion and organized theft? Such a curfew, what use is it?"

Among the ancient systems that Xu You detested the most, the curfew definitely ranked near the top. If it were wartime control or a sudden emergency situation, implementing a curfew might be forgivable, but ancient curfews were a regular norm—meaning that even in times of peace, one's comings and goings were dictated by the sound of evening drums and morning bells. Rousseau said that man is born free, but is everywhere in chains. A curfew might seem to have limited harm, especially since the night life of ordinary ancient citizens was monotonous and dull, but no matter how monotonous or dull it was, those in power should not unilaterally decide when people could go out and when they must stay at home. This not only restricted behavior, but worse still, it shackled the mind and fettered the spirit, leaving a poisonous legacy that persists for a millennium!

He Ru asked in puzzlement, "Even if a curfew cannot prevent theft, what benefit is there in lifting it?"

This was the limitation of his perspective. He Ru was brilliantly talented and exceptionally shrewd, yet he knew nothing of economics. Xu You smiled and said, "Lifting the curfew can foster thriving commerce and trade. Don't you find the current Eastern Market, active only by day, too monotonous? If the curfew is lifted, there will be night markets, and before the night markets close, there will be morning markets. With such continuous activity day and night, it not only brings convenience to the common people, but also yields handsome rewards for merchants. Everyone shares in peace and prosperity—isn't that a wonderful thing?"

Bianjing in the Northern Song Dynasty and Lin'an in the Southern Song Dynasty both lacked curfews, and the direct impact was that these two cities became veritable cities that never slept. Novel sounds and clever smiles echoed through willow-lined streets and flower-adorned alleys, while strings were plucked in tea houses and wine taverns, creating a degree of economic prosperity and cultural flourishing unmatched by any other dynasty.

He Ru smiled. Although he did not understand why Xu You held such a deep-seated hatred for the curfew, turning circumstances to advantage was the forte of the *Yinfu* arts, so he said, "If Qiulang wishes to abolish the curfew, it is impossible without holding a high position. To break this centuries-old convention, one must confront public opinion at court and across the country. The resistance will be immense, as one can well imagine. Even those in high positions might not necessarily be able to achieve it."

"By your meaning, there is no hope in this lifetime?"

"Not necessarily!"

He Ru's eyes opened, and under the illumination of the moonlight, they emitted a brilliance that was by no means inferior. He said, "If the sovereign is determined to push it through, even if there is resistance, the curfew will surely be abolished. In the final analysis, failing to accomplish something is not because it is too difficult, but because your power is not yet great enough!"

Xu You remained silent for a long time, then finally shook his head and said, "You! You won't be satisfied until you push me onto the path of rebellion... The sovereign is a sagacious and wise monarch, revered by the millions. Without him, how could the State of Chu have enjoyed these decades of stability? Besides, this life of mine was saved by him..."

He Ru stopped at the appropriate point and did not continue. Although he knew a little about the inside story of the bloody night in Yixing, he could not be one hundred percent certain. There was no need to tell Xu You at this moment; once verified and confirmed beyond a doubt in the future, it would not be too late to tell him.

"When is Qiulang going to see Gu Yun?"

Xu You wrapped his cloak tighter around himself and said, "I will go as soon as the city gates open at dawn. Do you have any instructions?"

"Gu Yun is, after all, a scion of the Gu clan. Although our cooperation this time was pleasant, the gentry clans cannot be entirely trusted. It's better not to let him know about certain matters."

Xu You indicated that he understood. The four great families of Wujun were Zhu, Wu, Zhang, Lu, and Zhong, Gu. Although the Gu clan was considered benevolent, the interests of a gentry clan sometimes superseded everything else. Given his status, position, and what he wanted to accomplish in the future, trusting others too much would lead to death without even knowing how it happened.

Early the next morning, Xu You took Zuo Jun to the county magistrate's office. When he saw Gu Yun in the inner hall, Gu Yun was lying on a couch with a vacant expression, his hair disheveled, wearing only a thin single-layer robe of silk and brocade. A belt was loosely tied around his waist, and he was bare-chested and barefoot. His skin was as white as jade, even smoother and more delicate than a woman's. If one didn't know he was a man, one would truly think it was a beauty taking a spring nap, revealing a glimpse of spring scenery.

Bao Xi said in a low voice, "The magistrate has just taken his *wushi san* powder and will wake up after a short rest. Please wait a moment, My Lord!"

Taking *san*?

Xu You paused for a moment before he understood. Gu Yun had taken the Five Minerals Powder. The Five Minerals Powder was a medicine invented by the Medical Saint Zhang Zhongjing, originally meant to treat typhoid fever. However, some high-minded person expanded its other uses, and it quickly spread through high society, becoming the most fashionable social activity of the era. If one didn't take a few doses together at a gathering, and then strip off outer garments and trousers to walk rapidly in the bitter wind, one couldn't even consider the gathering a success.

"Never mind, I'll wait!" Xu You sat kneeling on a straw mat and smiled, saying, "Master Bao, the other day by the shores of Lake Qiantang, you displayed divine might. Faced with Xi Yuanda's aggressive posture, you remained as steadfast as a mountain, ultimately bringing that bandit leader to justice. Not only is there widespread praise among the common people, but I also hold you in high admiration!"

Bao Xi's gaze swept across Xu You's face and said, "I was merely performing my official duty, not worth mentioning!" Then his eyes shifted to Zuo Jun and he said, "If not for the sword strike of Master Zuo, Xi Yuanda might well have escaped, with consequences too grim to contemplate. If the people of Qiantang truly wish to give thanks, they should thank Master Zuo."

Zuo Jun sat in the lower seat and said indifferently, "I dare not!"

Bao Xi seemed filled with interest in Zuo Jun and said, "I heard that Master Zuo was once a retainer in the Yuan family's household?"

Zuo Jun didn't even look at Xu You's expression and answered directly, "Yes! My aptitude is dull and foolish, unfit for major tasks, yet Duke Yuan did not abandon me, and I undeservedly served as a first-rank military commander."

"Oh?"

Bao Xi was thoughtful. He had deliberately brought up Yuan Jie to test the relationship between Xu You and Zuo Jun. If Zuo Jun had shown the slightest hesitation, or worried about Xu You's attitude, it would have indicated a rift between them. Since Zuo Jun possessed supreme martial arts skills and steady judgment unlike ordinary people, Bao Xi could have driven a wedge between them later if necessary. But Zuo Jun answered straightforwardly, and Xu You did not mind at all, which showed they enjoyed each other's company immensely, sharing a closeness that could neither be swayed by words nor bought with wealth.

"As far as I know, a first-rank military commander's position in the Yuan family is not low, yet you willingly cast it all aside and followed Master Xu thousands of miles to Qiantang. You are truly a righteous man!"

Zuo Jun smiled and said, "Master Registrar does not know, but I spent many years in the Yuan household and grew weary of the unchanging life among the gentry clans. That is why I followed Master Xu out to travel and broaden my horizons. What did I cast aside..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Bao Xi's heart stirred as if he had thought of something. Just at that moment, Gu Yun snapped out of his intoxicated dream, clutching his forehead and muttering, "Wine... wine..."

After taking the five minerals powder, one also had to drink plenty of warm wine and eat cold food. A maidservant who had been waiting nearby immediately brought over wine. Gu Yun drank it dazedly and ate some food before he finally regained his composure.

"Weizhi, when did you arrive? I was communing with divine beings while taking the powder and kept you waiting a long time!"

Taking the Five Minerals Powder was much like taking modern drugs; it induced various hallucinations in the mind, making one feel ethereal and weightless, as if between heaven and earth. Xu You stepped forward to help Gu Yun off the bed and said, "I just arrived not long ago. Does Feiqing take the Five Minerals Powder often?"

Gu Yun smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "I know what Weizhi means. The Five Minerals Powder is called a remedy to dispel illness and strengthen the body, but in reality, it merely satisfies one's desires. I am not fond of female beauty; if I hadn't hit a bottleneck while painting, I would not easily resort to taking the powder to inspire divine thoughts..."

Just like many drug addicts in later generations who claimed that taking drugs stimulates mental activity and aids creative art, perhaps it truly had some efficacy in that regard, but weighing the pros and cons, one had to choose wisely. Xu You admonished, "The harm of the Five Minerals Powder is truly great. Upon encountering this formula, it should be burned immediately and not kept for long. If Feiqing feels constrained by your brush while painting in the future, you can come and discuss it with me; do not take this substance again."

Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty utterly despised the Five Minerals Powder, stating that upon encountering this formula, one must burn it immediately and keep nothing. That a Medical Saint invented the Five Minerals Powder while a King of Medicine held it in deep abhorrence is quite an irony.

"Very well! Having Weizhi resolve my doubts is certainly a hundred times better than the Five Minerals Powder!" Gu Yun's expression was excited, and he grabbed Xu You's hand as if about to embrace him. Xu You smiled bitterly to himself; he still wasn't quite accustomed to the ways men of this era expressed friendship, especially a man like Gu Yun, who was three parts more beautiful than a woman.

"Feiqing, has the official dispatch to the Inspector's Office been sent out?"

Gu Yun smiled slightly and said, "Not only has it been sent to the Inspector's Office, but I also dispatched men through the night to Jinling. Since Xi Yuanda had the audacity to execute the white snake, if we don't pin a treasonous charge on the Celestial Masters, we would do a grave injustice to the late White Lady!"