Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 129 Opioids? Accidentally Stumbling into the White Lotus Dharma Assembly!

During the Ming Dynasty, the British were called "Ying Guili," but there are no definite records of this until the Chongzhen era.

Historically, the British have repeatedly sought to visit China.

However, at this point in time, the ninth year of the Wanli reign, there is no definite record of the British visiting.

The earliest recorded contact between the Ming Dynasty and the British was during the Anglo-Ming War in the ninth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

Just like in the late Qing Dynasty, the British attempted to force open the gates of the Ming Dynasty with their powerful ships and cannons. However, the result was different: the British ended up paying reparations and fleeing.

Therefore, Zhang Yunxiu was so shocked when he saw the English tattoos on the female corpse.

How exactly did those White Lotus Sect thugs learn English, and even use it as a code word?

Shuntian Mansion.

Li Shizhen, accompanied by several apprentices, traveled north and arrived at Liangxiang.

Liangxiang is the southwestern gateway to the capital, and it will only take a few days to enter the capital.

At a post station, Li Shizhen was reading by lamplight late into the night.

“Sir, this medical book by Frankie is truly bizarre. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic says: ‘What a person possesses is blood and qi.’ Blood is transformed from the essence of food and water by the spleen and stomach. Its production is not easy. How can bloodletting be used to treat diseases and save lives? Isn’t that treating the dead?”

The young apprentice frowned deeply, clearly not agreeing with this book, "Western Medicine."

Although this copy looks simple and worn, it was something that Li Shizhen painstakingly found in the Songjiang area.

Since the opening of the port during the Longqing era, private overseas trade has been carried out extensively, but it has been limited to the Yuegang and Guangzhou areas.

The fact that Songjiang Prefecture possesses this document clearly suggests that it was smuggled.

Li Shizhen didn't pay much attention to these things; he only cared about whether he could find anything useful in the medical books.

He said, somewhat incredulously.

"You will then nitpick, showing you its merits while focusing on its flaws."

After saying that, he snatched the book "Western Medicine" away in a huff and began to read it carefully.

However, after reading for two hours, his brows furrowed even more, and he returned the book to the medicine boy.

"The part about human life mentioned above has some merit, but the rest is not worth reading."

This theory of the human body is what later generations called "anatomy".

The apprentice glanced at Li Shizhen, suppressing a smile, and nodded earnestly, saying, "Sir, you are right."

While reading by lamplight until midnight, Li Shizhen suddenly asked a question.

"Did you receive a reply when I sent you a letter to Zhang Shiyuan in the capital last time?"

"So you're asking about 'big-headed plague' and 'modern medicine'?" the young apprentice tilted his head and thought for a moment before speaking. "We've passed through post stations along the way, so we shouldn't miss any news. Zhang Shiyuan is probably too busy."

"Is that so?" Li Shizhen nodded with some disappointment. "It's alright, it's only a two or three-day journey to the capital. We can visit Zhang Shiyuan later."

But the young apprentice said somewhat indignantly, "Given your status, it should be Zhang Shiyuan who comes to visit you."

Along the way, wherever he went, which high-ranking official or nobleman did not treat Li Shizhen with courtesy?

Li Shizhen smiled and shook his head, then shook the Wanli Xinbao in his hand and said, "Zhang Shiyuan uses newspapers to educate the world. Many of his articles introduce his experience in treating patients. We have been learning from him as we travel, so we should all call him 'Master'."

The apprentice seemed rather unconvinced, after all, Zhang Yunxiu was a year younger than him.

Li Shizhen thought for a moment and continued, "Write another letter, attaching what we have seen and heard along the way. Zhang Shiyuan is often slandered in the court and among the people. We must remind him of this."

The young apprentice's expression turned serious: "Sir, are you referring to the White Lotus Cult?"

Li Shizhen remained silent, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

late at night.

West City.

Although there was a curfew in the capital, it was naturally much easier for the Imperial Guards to leave the city.

However, without a legitimate reason, the captain's office cannot be mobilized, as it would be too conspicuous.

Therefore, Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Jianxiu disguised themselves, dressed in night clothes, and rode two fast horses straight out of the city gate.

After circling the western suburban camp, Zhang Jianxiu originally intended to ask the Duke of England to send some men, but the situation was uncertain, and he was afraid of causing a disturbance in the middle of the night, so the two of them simply headed towards the western mountains.

Following the coded messages on the female corpse, the group rode their horses to the foot of Yuquan Mountain.

The English inscriptions on the female corpse differed somewhat from those in later generations, but Zhang Yunxiu still roughly understood their meaning.

Yuquan Mountain is known for its "clear and blue water, as pure as jade," which must be very much in line with the doctrines of the White Lotus Sect.

"Would the White Lotus sect really hold a religious ceremony here?"

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu was a little irritable.

At night, Yuquan Mountain is pitch black, with only a small stream flowing gently down from the mountainside.

The two circled around several times, but found no trace of anything.

"Take a chance."

Zhang Yunxiu observed his surroundings and said.

"The upright officials in the court have suffered a setback and will surely take some action. It seems that the death of Lady Wang was also part of the ritual, and we might just see something."

He looked around and then focused his gaze on the mountainside.

"Let's go take a look at the mountainside."

"I'm afraid of returning empty-handed."

Zhang Jianxiu complained a little, but still followed after him, his hand on the embroidered spring knife at his waist.

When we reached the mountainside of Yuquan Mountain, it was still pitch black. The pool water on the mountainside was clear, and the scenery was quite nice under the moonlight.

Zhang Jianxiu went forward to wash his face and said with some disappointment, "What a waste of time." But Zhang Yunxiu frowned and said, "Can you smell something?"

"Smell?" Zhang Jianxiu sniffed. "It's springtime, so it's probably the fragrance of flowers."

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head without saying a word, kicked his older brother's butt, and walked off in one direction.

"Come with me."

"You scoundrel!" Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu was furious and chased after him.

They walked into the deep forest for an unknown amount of time. Just as Zhang Jianxiu was about to stop Zhang Yunxiu, he suddenly saw a fire.

Startled, he quickly grabbed Zhang Yunxiu and pointed in that direction.

"There is a situation."

Zhang Yunxiu remained silent, and the two of them hid in the bushes, cautiously approaching the firelight.

"The Three Yang Calamity"

"Maitreya saves the world!"

"Vacuum Hometown~"

"The Eternal Mother~"

One sound after another, like a demonic chant, irritated their eardrums.

This place is on the mountainside of Yuquan Mountain, beside a spring in a deep forest. Dozens of believers dressed in white are gathered around a fire, chanting similar words.

"It really is here!" Zhang Jianxiu said in a low voice, sounding very excited.

Zhang Yunxiu frowned, staring intently at the bonfire and the crowd, and smelled an even stronger, sweeter aroma in the air.

Beside the campfire, pilgrims dressed in white danced wildly. Although they wore masks, their inherent madness was palpable.

Zhang Jianxiu sniffed and said, "This thing should be datura. These White Lotus cult bandits always like to burn this incense. Those who inhale it will feel light and shadow floating around, as if they are in another world, and can see their so-called Eternal Mother."

“It’s not datura,” Zhang Yunxiu said, frowning. “It’s opium. Adjust your breathing and don’t be misled by the scent.”

He could tell from the cloying sweet smell that there was also a pungent, stale stench that it was definitely not datura.

After saying this, Zhang Yunxiu's gaze towards that group of people became even more serious.

The so-called "opium" is also called "black fragrance". It was recorded as early as the Tang Dynasty and is actually what is known as "opium" in later generations.

The Compendium of Materia Medica records: "Opioids were rarely heard of in previous dynasties, but some people have used them recently. Common people use them in their bedroom arts. This substance can dazzle and bewitch people. If taken for a long time, it can cause addiction, dry mouth, dark face, and emaciation. Therefore, few people are good at using it."

Whether Li Shizhen wrote about this today is unknown, but opium was introduced as early as the Tang Dynasty.

The ancients even recognized its harm long ago; a Yuan dynasty official described it as "killing people like a sword."

"It's opium."

Zhang Jianxiu said with a hint of apprehension.

"Since the opening of the sea, there has been a lot of this stuff circulating in the market. I've heard that some people use it as a magic potion for the bedroom, some use it as a drink, and some grow it for ornamental purposes. It has the effect of bewitching people. I never thought that the White Lotus Cult bandits would use it to perform rituals."

Zhang Yunxiu squinted and said, "Fourth Brother seems to know a lot about this?"

Zhang Jianxiu immediately tensed up: "Shiyuan, don't talk nonsense. Father has repeatedly ordered that no one should touch this thing. Last year, the King of Siam presented His Majesty with two hundred catties of black incense, and Father strictly forbade it from entering the palace. Not to mention us, if Father finds out, he will really beat us to death."

After scrutinizing the other person for a while and confirming that the older brother was not lying, Zhang Yunxiu continued to remind him, "Opium destroys people's minds, so it is absolutely forbidden to touch it."

He couldn't help but have some doubts.

In the Ming Dynasty, opium was a very valuable item, and its spread was limited.

Such precious medicine, hidden among ordinary people, how could the White Lotus cult bandits be willing to use it like this?
Where did they find it?

The place with the most of these things must be the maritime trade area, right?

Upon realizing this, Zhang Yunxiu's pupils suddenly contracted.

Just as the two were talking, a man suddenly jumped out from the crowd around the campfire. He was dressed in more elaborate clothes and was clearly the leader of the group.

He was babbling strange words.

"That sounds familiar." Zhang Jianxiu frowned, feeling like he had heard it somewhere before.

"Songjiang accent".

Zhang Yunxiu translated it as: "I am the reincarnation of Zhao Quan, the Duke of Duan, offering young boys and girls to welcome Maitreya and purify the world."

"Zhao Quan?!"

Upon hearing this name, Zhang Jianxiu's eyes seemed to spit fire.

Just then, several people appeared in the room leading children dressed in white, who looked to be no more than ten years old.

"Dingling~Dingling~"

The rhythmic ringing of bells caused these people, under the psychedelic effects of opium, to almost lose their minds and mechanically follow the rhythm as they moved closer to the campfire.

"No! These people want to offer up young boys and girls!" Zhang Jianxiu roared, his eyes bloodshot. "A bunch of beasts!!"

But then Zhao Quan said, "Without the protection of my unborn parents, I see the chaos in the world. Corrupt officials hold sway in the court. I will display my divine power to sweep away evil and welcome all beings back to their true home."

Mentioning this treacherous minister, Zhang Jianxiu subconsciously glanced at Zhang Yunxiu, but upon seeing his younger brother staring intently at the young boys and girls with eyes full of anger, he steeled himself and spoke.

"We brothers will fight our way out! We'll rescue those boys and girls and capture them all!"

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at his older brother speechlessly: "There are dozens of them. Even if we are brave, can we subdue them all?"

After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject and said...

"I have an idea."

(End of this chapter)