157 Perfect Supplement and Harmonization of Yin and Yang (1/2)
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.