909 Good Wine, Good Food, Good Times (1/2)
”At that time, we will have no problems here,” Yang Guanfeng said. ”After going out, we might have headaches, stomachaches, diarrhea, itchy skin, or blisters. Ah, we may not be able to get hard either. Think about it.”
”Is it that magical?”
”You haven't experienced it in person, so you don't know. I don't want to go through it a second time!” Yang Guanfeng still had a lingering fear from the last poisoning. That kind of burning pain was different from normal fevers caused by a cold.
”I'm actually a little afraid after you have said that,” Lu Xiufeng said. ”Ah, I can understand that the purpose of studying medical skills is to cure diseases and save people. What do you think is their purpose for studying the use of poisons and poisonous insects?”
”I've thought about it and investigated it,” Yang Guanfeng said. ”First, it was passed down by their elders. Second, poisons and poisonous insects belong to the category of medicine. Their original purpose for studying those things was probably to cure diseases and save lives, but they found another use for them, which was to kill people and deter others. Although this place is remote, wars and bandits were plenty in ancient times. That was their means of defense.”
”You did quite a lot of work before we came here,” Lu Xiufeng said.
”Of course. I went to the library just to check it. There are some related records of them, but they are all legendary things and rumors. It has been said that their ancestors were disciples of Sun Simiao, the king of medicine.”
”King of medicine?” Lu Xiufeng asked. ”What are you talking about? That was in the Tang Dynasty, which was more than a thousand years ago!”
”Yes, but there were already records of this Valley of Thousands of Medicine in the Ming Dynasty.”
”Hmm, if it was the Ming Dynasty, then the valley has a few hundred years of history now.”
”That's right. This is an ancient village,” Yang Guanfeng said. ”They are located in a remote area, so several big wars did not spread here. They also rarely communicate with the outside world, so their culture could be passed down.”
”Oh, there are quite a few secrets in such a place!”
”I also found a piece of information that said there are people over 200 years old here,” Yang Guanfeng
”200 years old?” Lu Xiufeng was shocked. ”What the f*ck! Is that still human? That should be a monster!”
”Not necessarily,” Yang Guanfeng replied. ”It has been said that Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Mountain lived for more than 250 years and became immortal.”
”What kind of character was Zhang Sanfeng. Was he a Taoist immortal?”
”That is also a rumor. According to the last population census, there were at least 20 people over 100 years old in this stockade at that time. The total population of this stockade was only 200, and that is considered quite a high proportion.”
”Longevity, good at medicine, good at poison, good at poisonous insects… Ah, what exactly are the poisonous insects like?” Lu Xiufeng asked.
”To be honest, I have never seen them and I do not want to.”
As they were talking, someone knocked on the door.
”Come in, please.”
Miao Qingfeng entered the room.
”Gentlemen, the banquet is ready. Would you like to join us?”
”Sure, let's go and have a taste of that delicious food and wine here,” Lu Xiufeng said with a smile.
The two of them went to Miao Xihe's home with Miao Qingfeng. The banquet was rich and plentiful. All the dishes were local stockade cuisine. They were prepared to entertain the distinguished guests.
Seeing that the two men had arrived, Chief Miao got up to meet them in person. ”Welcome, please take a seat.”
”Thank you, Chief Miao, you are too kind.”
After sitting down, Lu Xiufeng stared at the delicious food on the table.
”Oh, what's this?”
”Ah, that is a kind of fungus that grows on our mountains,” Miao Qingfeng said. ”It tastes delicious and has the effect of nourishing the body.”
”Oh, what about this one?”
”That is a special fish from Soothing of Gods Lake. It's very fresh and delicious.”
”Is that so? I will have to savor it well.” Lu Xiufeng asked about almost every dish, just like a curious toddler.
”Tut, tut, you have the treasures of heaven and Earth and outstanding people who lend glory to a place. There are so many specialties.”
Since all of the people had arrived, the banquet was about to begin. As the chief of the stockade, Miao Xihe had brought wine to express his warm welcome to the two people. He said that he would do everything possible to help them complete their task.
According to the rules of the stockade, the banquet started after the chief spoke.
”Mmm, delicious, delicious.” Lu Xiufeng rarely stopped working his mouth or putting down his chopsticks.
”This local food is really delicious.” He kept raising his thumbs. Miao Qingfeng's face was full of smiles. No matter who it was, a person would always be happy in the face of praise.
”Since it's delicious, eat more.”
”Sure, this wine tastes good as well. What is it brewed from?”
”It is made from a mixture of several grains in our local area. Some Chinese herbal medicines have also been added. Regular drinking can strengthen the body and prolong life.”
”Well, I have to drink more then. Can it strengthen the loins?”