Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 227, Section 226: Distillation of Elixir
The art of alchemy is still relatively rudimentary today. Even in the Qin Dynasty, people could extract texts from books like the "Zhouyi Cantongqi" to simulate the secret methods of alchemy. Naturally, the alchemical cauldrons used by alchemists were also quite ordinary.

When Qin Shi led his men to the Taoist temple, they saw that the alchemical cauldrons were made of both bronze and pottery, and their appearance was rather simple. There were also some other cauldrons and other tools prepared next to them, so it seemed quite complete.

Qingyangzi's explanation was quite simple: "Using copper and pottery vessels allows for a steady fire, making the elixir less prone to spoilage. It can also help maintain the efficacy of herbs in daily practice."

Although it doesn't conduct heat quickly, it has a good heat retention effect, just like stewing meat in an iron pot or stewing soup in an earthenware pot.

The reason why sorcerers are so popular today is that they are good at spouting mysterious and esoteric words that resonate with contemporary aspirations.

On the other hand, those who can work in this field are actually quite well-educated.

For example, the divination experts that Qin Shi was looking for all had a basic understanding of them. It's not surprising that they possessed some knowledge of medicinal properties, making them even more suited to their profession.

Mao Sheng's ability to rise to fame before his senior brothers was indeed due to his unique qualities.

For example, at this moment, his own alchemy furnace is particularly magnificent.

Although it wasn't adorned with gold and jewels, it was still carved with various landscape designs. Now that he saw Qin Shilai, he was even more determined to win favor with the Queen and never live such a miserable life again, so he worked even harder!
"Your Majesty, my fellow disciples have all returned to their original simplicity. Only I have learned some minor skills and cannot live without these external things."

"The best place for this alchemy cauldron is a place where the spiritual veins of mountains and rivers and the dragon veins converge. A cave should be dug there to serve as a urn for heaven and earth."

"Then one must refine elixirs, observe the ash's appearance, and draw in the pure and turbid energies of heaven and earth. Only after three years of arduous practice can one attain the Dao."

He spoke eloquently, and finally regained some confidence amidst the Queen's strange expression.

However, Qin Shi stared at him, thinking to himself: You swindler!

Could it be that you're the one who passed down those crazy, deceptive methods of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill?

There is also the practice of external alchemy—finding a cave, digging a pit to refine elixirs, observing the ashes produced, and judging the heat level. This is indeed a recorded method of alchemy.

She raised her eyebrows: "Really? I don't believe it."

This simple sentence ignited Mao Sheng's passion once again:
"Your Majesty, please do not disbelieve!"

"The reason I was able to refine the Golden Core earlier than my senior brothers and sisters is because my alchemy technique was in harmony with the changes of heaven and earth."

"The alchemy furnace is divided into upper and lower sections, which correspond to the two principles of heaven and earth."

"Three legs correspond to the three elements of heaven, earth, and man."

"If the feet are four inches long, then it represents the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter!"

"A furnace that is 8 inches deep corresponds to the spring equinox, winter solstice, and the eight solar terms of the four seasons!"

"Opening the eight gates of the tripod..."

He was full of passion and growing increasingly confident, speaking eloquently, when suddenly the Queen asked again:
"Where's your golden elixir? Eat it, and I'll see if I can become an immortal."

"If not, I will order someone to help you dissect your body and enter Kunlun."

Mao Sheng: ...

He closed his little mouth.

Looking helplessly at her senior brothers and sisters, she saw that they were all engrossed in the medicinal herbs and minerals in their hands, completely ignoring the conversation on the other side.

Now look at the Queen.

Mao Sheng's eyes were slightly red, and his pale face was almost devoid of flesh. He said aggrievedly, "I lack that great fortune. I'm afraid I can't withstand taking the pill..."

Qin Shi chuckled, "If you have no skill, don't spout such nonsense—"

If she really wanted to tell stories about cultivating immortality, she could recite hundreds or thousands without even needing to go to a webpage.

but……

Qin Shi looked him over with a strange expression: "You're quite good at this kind of thing..."

He doesn't believe in persuasion, but if he takes him along on his mission to the Western Regions, he can write one or two more tales of immortal cultivation...

Qin Shi smiled and said, "Someone come here." Immediately, a servant bowed before him.

"Please have the Taoist priest Mao Sheng reside in the side hall, and provide him with three meals a day. Also, invite the physician to examine his pulse and urge him to exercise—after a month, I want to see him with full cheeks, fair and smooth skin, shiny black hair, and a light and graceful figure."

"Then order the Imperial Household Department to make him clothes from the finest silk..."

In short, you should be as light and graceful as a crane, and as ethereal as possible.

As for Mao Sheng, he should learn how to manage himself well and create the impression of someone who has attained enlightenment and become an immortal.

Everyone was confused by this series of instructions, but since the Queen had given the order, everyone should do their best.

Looking at the people in the Dao Palace, they were also dumbfounded, completely unaware of why this stupid junior brother, who had clearly made a mistake, was being treated this way.

Alas! The Queen of Qin is truly too unfathomable.

After giving these instructions, Qin Shi looked at Qingyangzi, who was still adding fuel to the furnace at the very front:
"What are your thoughts on the arrangements for Mao Sheng, Daoist Master?"

Qingyangzi, with his otherworldly demeanor and serene naturalness, said, "Since the Queen has shown such kindness and made other arrangements, this old Taoist is eternally grateful."

Qin Shi smiled and asked, "And what about you, Daoist? Have you managed to refine any golden elixir?"

Qingyangzi shook his head: "This old Daoist lacks talent and has not yet achieved the Golden Core stage. I only have some minor external medicinal pills that can temporarily relieve the pain..."

He was referring to calcined gypsum and sulfur.

The former has astringent properties that promote tissue regeneration, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The latter is effective in treating boils, swelling, and pain by killing bacteria.

It can't be said to cure all diseases, and its application range isn't even very wide. But in this day and age, it can be considered a panacea.

Qin Shi was not opposed to this; traditional Chinese medicine has always been willing and able to use anything to treat illnesses. What is poison to one may be honey to another, which is commonplace.

only……

"How do you refine this?" she asked, quite curious.

Qingyangzi was not surprised: Although the Queen had written down the secret method of the Golden Elixir, if she were truly proficient in this method, she would not walk with unsteady steps and would not have a light and agile body.

He opened the cauldron: "We've only just started the fire to expel the poison. Your Majesty, please look—"

Qin Shi understood that the so-called "fire to drive away poison" was actually a method he used to sterilize utensils with high temperatures.

but--

In alchemy, there are always various needs for purification and interference resistance. Each person's alchemy furnace is slightly different according to their habits, and tools such as cauldrons and urns are also needed.

What she never expected was that among the utensils that Qingyangzi had simply heated and sterilized on the side of the alchemy cauldron, there was a complete distillation apparatus!
A complete and relatively advanced system.

Distillation devices are not unusual; a bronze still with steam column was excavated from the tomb of Fu Hao in the Shang Dynasty.

The tomb of the Marquis of Haihun in the Western Han Dynasty even contains a distillation apparatus capable of distilling liquor.

But those were all relatively primitive and basic.

The set that Qingyangzi was using was small and made of only the most basic pottery.

However, judging from the various components, it is already very close to the simple stills of later generations.

Qin Shi couldn't help but laugh: "I thought this thing needed to be drawn and designed slowly..."

It turns out that in every era, there are some unnamed figures who have already been ahead of the curve in terms of technology.

She looked at Qingyangzi and asked, "If we have enough materials, could you lead a team to make this still larger and more perfect?"

In this day and age, hand-rubbing penicillin is no longer effective, and garlic, which contains allicin, has not yet spread back from the Western Regions.

The simplest disinfection method is to rely on wood ash.

Now that we have such a distiller, could we perhaps prepare high-purity medical alcohol in the Xianyang Palace?
　Coming!
　　(End of this chapter)