Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan said, "Upon closer inspection, I can see that I have wrinkles, and I've also been getting sick from time to time in recent years."

Zhao Yuan has not yet named the institution that conducts research in chemistry.

There were only a few students, all of whom were selected from those who failed the imperial examinations this year.

Moreover, Zhao Yuan also invited several Taoist priests to help him collect various chemical experimental materials.

As the news gradually spread, everyone assumed that the emperor was going to refine elixirs, and the court officials were considering whether they should advise him against it.

The emperor did not go too far in his advice; he did not lavishly reward the Taoist priests, nor did he build Taoist temples on a large scale.

Nowadays, hiding away to refine elixirs is merely a private hobby of the emperor.

If we don't advise against it, it's already common knowledge that those elixirs are poisonous.

As the Grand Secretary, Zhai Ruwen said at a cabinet meeting: "Everyone knows that elixirs are poisonous, and if we are not careful, it could lead to disaster."

"We, the cabinet ministers, should jointly advise His Majesty not to put him in danger!"

“Indeed, I will earnestly remonstrate with him. If the Emperor does not listen, I will rather resign from my post than fail to remonstrate to the very end!” Zhong Shidao was the first to respond.

.....

A dozen or so Taoist priests arrived by boat from the south, carrying large and small bags of chemical materials.

They were led into the city to stay. One of the young Taoist priests had never been to Tokyo before. As soon as they settled their luggage, he insisted on going out shopping together.

After his disciples left, Wang Wenqing sat down to meditate and practice breathing exercises.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door: "Hearing that my master has arrived, disciple Quan Yang pays his respects!"

Wang Wenqing opened his eyes and smiled: "Come in."

Sa Shoujian pushed open the door and entered, bowing to Wang Wenqing: "Several years have passed since we last parted, and my esteemed teacher has made even greater progress."

Chapter 3276 The Great Gathering of Taoist Priests

Wang Wenqing waved his hand: "We were just exchanging ideas on Taoist techniques. We didn't formally become masters back then, so there's no need to address each other as master and disciple."

"A teacher for a day is a teacher for life!" said Sa Shoujian.

The two reminisced about the past, and even talked about Lin Lingsu.

Wang Wenqing became famous because Lin Lingsu recommended him to the capital, where he used the Shenxiao School's thunder magic to pray for rain, and it actually rained.

Sa Shoujian also belonged to the Shenxiao School and was said to have received the true teachings of Wang Wenqing, Lin Lingsu, and Zhang Jixian.

In fact, he was a quack doctor when he was young. He accidentally killed people while treating them, and when he couldn't make a living, he simply changed careers and became a Taoist priest.

The Shenxiao School, on the other hand, takes the cultivation of internal alchemy as its foundation and uses talismanic techniques as its external application, integrating a whole host of things such as magic arts, talismans, spells, hand seals, Yu steps, qigong, spirit preservation, and internal alchemy.

This school's cultivation system can be directly copied into writing fantasy novels.

As the conversation gradually turned to the current situation, Sa Shoujian asked, "Did my mentor come to the capital by imperial decree?"

Wang Wenqing countered, "You too?"

Sa Shoujian said, "Not only did my disciples receive the imperial edict, but my senior brothers from Longhu Mountain also came and stayed in the west courtyard."

Wang Wenqing said with concern, "The new dynasty has always suppressed Buddhism and Taoism, and I don't know why His Majesty has summoned us."

Sa Shoujian said, "I heard that the Emperor intends to refine elixirs."

Wang Wenqing said, "What you and I practice is the art of internal alchemy."

"Although we also know how to refine external elixirs, we are not as skilled as those from Longhu Mountain. Why did you recruit us all here? And why did you bring so many alchemy materials with you?"

"I don't know," Sa Shoujian shook his head.

Wang Wenqing truly sighed. Back then, he and Zhao Yuan were colleagues, both being granted titles by Zhao Ji.

He is still practicing Taoism, while Zhao Yuan has already become emperor.

.....

Wang Zhongfu is eighteen years old this year. He lives in Xianyang and comes from a prominent family.

He passed the provincial examination two years ago and became a Juren. This year he went to the capital to take the metropolitan examination, but unfortunately he failed.

This is similar to another timeline, except the exam location is different and the exam time is earlier.

Historically, he went to the puppet state of Qi to take the imperial examination, failed it, and then participated in the military examination, where he passed with top honors.

Despite passing the imperial examination for military officers, Wang Zhongfu's official career was unsuccessful. He spent a long time collecting wine taxes in the puppet Qi and Jin states, and in frustration, he changed his profession and became a Taoist priest.

He also built a tomb for the living dead, changed his name to Wang Zhe, and adopted the Taoist name Chongyangzi.

Those from the same hometown who failed the exam this year returned home to continue their studies, but Wang Zhongfu planned to stay in Tokyo to study abroad.

He also enrolled in a training course for the Agricultural Promotion Office, figuring that as long as he wasn't officially transferred to the position of Agricultural Promotion Officer, he could still continue taking the imperial examinations.

After registering, he was inexplicably singled out and told he was to join some kind of chemistry research group.

Wang Zhongfu was completely baffled by this, but after making inquiries from various sources, he finally got some clues.

"Do you all know that this chemical research group is specifically for refining elixirs for the emperor?" Wang Zhongfu hurriedly told his companions.

The students who failed the exam were shocked; they had no desire to become Taoist priests.

A student named Sun Junping, who had failed the imperial examination, asked, "Is it still possible to leave the capital now?"

“If we run away, our careers will be ruined. The chemistry research group was recruited by the government!” The student who failed the exam spoke up, Zhao Ang.

Wang Zhongfu said, "I must see the Emperor first, and then find an excuse to leave."

The students were filled with regret, wishing they hadn't tried to persuade the agricultural officials to register.

Chapter 3277 They're all awesome people!

There are two types of people who participate in the agricultural promotion training course. One type, like Wang Zhongfu, simply wants to broaden their horizons and does not actually want to become an agricultural promotion official.

Another type were those who, knowing they had no hope of passing the imperial examinations, simply switched to becoming agricultural officials to find another way out.

Now that they've heard they're going to learn alchemy, they're all as if they've lost their parents.

The appointed date arrived, and Wang Zhongfu and his companions went there with trepidation, only to be met with even greater despair upon arrival.

Because a large group of Taoist priests were already standing inside and outside the house; those were probably the teachers who taught them alchemy.

Several failed candidates in the imperial examinations and a group of Taoist priests, summoned by imperial decree, stood inside the house looking at each other, completely bewildered by what was going on.

The old Taoist priest Chen Fu suddenly appeared, and he was led there by a eunuch.

Zhang Shixiu, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, stepped forward, performed the Taoist bow, introduced himself, and asked:

"I heard that Brother Chen was also summoned to the capital and even had a long talk with the Emperor. I wonder where he is cultivating?"

Chen Fu returned the greeting, saying, "I have no master or cave dwelling. I only cultivate on the small mountain in my hometown, making a living by growing medicinal herbs and occasionally providing free medical treatment to the villagers."

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priests not only did not despise Chen Fu, but instead held him in even greater respect.

These Taoist priests of unknown origin all have very unorthodox methods, and the best among them is Lin Lingsu.

You absolutely must not offend them!

Zhang Shixiu, as the contemporary Celestial Master, bowed to Chen Fu again, wanting to establish a good relationship first, regardless of anything else.

Gongsun Sheng, the Dragon Entering the Clouds, has a master named Luo Zhenren, whose prototype is very likely Luo Deng, a disciple of Zhang Shixiu.

The Zhang Tianshi before us is, in a sense, Gongsun Sheng's advisor.

The first version of Thunder Magic was created by the previous Celestial Master Zhang Jixian, and its connection with internal alchemy was not yet close.

Zhang Jixian had no wife or children and devoted his life to studying Taoist practices. It is said that Wang Wenqing and Sa Shoujian were his disciples.

Wang Zhongfu, who had not yet transformed into Wang Chongyang, now stood among a group of Taoist priests as a failed scholar, bowing and asking:

"Esteemed masters, have we gathered here today to refine elixirs for the Emperor?"

Zhang Shixiu was also unsure and could only reply, "Perhaps."

Sa Shoujian said, "Brother Dao is skilled in external alchemy and can refine elixirs for His Majesty. But we practice internal alchemy and are not good at refining external elixirs."

Wang Wenqing said, "The emperor may have been able to refine elixirs himself. During the Song Dynasty, he even produced a lingzhi mushroom the size of a millstone."

The Taoist priests chatted amongst themselves, but Chen Fu remained silent, only smiling.

Wang Zhongfu asked, "Master Chen must know the inside story. Please enlighten me."

Then everyone remembered that Chen Fu had a long talk with the emperor, and they all bowed and asked the old Taoist priest for advice.

Chen Fu cupped his hands and said, "This is not alchemy, but rather an exploration of the principles of the creation and transformation of all things."

All things are born and transformed?

This thing is even more absurd than alchemy, leaving both the Taoist priests and the scholars completely dumbfounded.

Chen Fu added, "His Majesty also said that he prepared some tools and materials, but I don't know if they are here."

Everyone turned around and looked at the center of the house.

It was a long table with a marble top, on which were piled a lot of random things.

Zhang Tianshi leaned closer to examine it carefully, and pointed to a ceramic vessel, saying, "This looks a bit like an alchemical cauldron, only smaller in size."

When used in alchemy, it is called a cauldron; when used in processing traditional Chinese medicine, it is called a crucible. In fact, their shapes and functions are very similar.

Chapter 3278 Alchemy

"Where is the alchemy furnace?" another Taoist priest asked.

When refining elixirs, the cauldron (or crucible) is usually placed on top of the furnace, inside the large round hole above the furnace lid.

The group hurriedly searched for the alchemy furnace, but they couldn't find it. Instead, they discovered many strange and unusual objects.

Among them, glassware is particularly abundant, and most of it is marked with graduations.

"There's mercury here!"

A Taoist priest shouted.

The other Taoist priests quickly gathered around to take a look, and saw a piece of paper with the word "mercury" written on it pasted on a ceramic jar.

It really is alchemy after all; they've prepared all the mercury, and surely the lead is also there.

Wang Zhongfu was immediately plunged into despair. Was he really going to become a Taoist priest?

He should adopt a Taoist name as soon as possible; perhaps "Wang Chongyang Suanqiu" would be a good name.

Just then, another large group of officials entered, all of whom were high-ranking ministers of the cabinet and other ministries.

The cabinet had actually received a memorial recommending Chen Fu, but the cabinet ministers were too busy with their daily affairs to remember this kind of agronomist who came from a Taoist background.

Prime Minister Zhai Ruwen roared, "Where is the heretical Taoist Chen Fu?"

Chen Fu was displeased, and replied with his hands clasped, "Chen Fu is here, and is not a heretic."

Zhong Shidao stepped forward: "To bewitch the emperor into alchemy, what else is that but a heretical Taoist?"

"Now that it is the new Ming Dynasty, do you still want to be like Lin Lingsu?"

Chen Fu explained, "I was recommended to the capital because I wrote a book on agriculture."

Li Hanzhang angrily said, "You've gone to such lengths to flatter the emperor by using agricultural practices, and then you've even lured him into alchemy and Taoist cultivation!"

Chen Fu was even more speechless, and argued, "Today is not about alchemy, but about exploring the way of the creation of all things."

“This traitor is spreading heresies and misleading the emperor; he should be executed!” Hu Anguo shouted.

Li Bangyan stepped forward to stop him, trying to smooth things over, saying, "Gentlemen, please don't be impatient. With His Majesty's wisdom, how could he be misled by slanderous words?"

"This Master Chen still wears a coarse Taoist robe, and he is clearly not someone who covets wealth and status."

“He knows His Majesty values ​​simplicity, so wearing a coarse cloth robe is also to cater to His Majesty’s wishes!” Qian Chen said.

Li Bangyan was utterly speechless. The emperor didn't believe in the interaction between heaven and man; it was these ministers who were anxious.

The emperor is now obsessed with alchemy and Taoist practices, and it's these ministers who are really worried.

Don't you know how to always obey the emperor?

Even Meng Zhao and Qian Chen came this time, which made them a bit impatient.