Chapter 129: Medicinal Wine

"Isn't that easy to solve?" Zhang Yu, who had vanished from everyone's sight at some point, reappeared quietly, accompanied by his lingering aura of petty shrewdness. "Why not just put the medicine and the wine together?"

"Heh," Hua Tuo chuckled. "Young Master Yu, how could that—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing in thoughtful contemplation. Before long, his doubts seemed to dissolve, and his expression brightened. "Young Master Yu’s words have cleared the fog from my mind. This is indeed a viable strategy."

Guo Jia, listening from the side and observing Hua Tuo’s reaction, realized this might actually work. He added happily, "The Classic of Poetry mentions 'brewing spring wine to prolong our lives,' which proves the benefits of wine. I have often felt that if not for the mellow influence of fine spirits, my own constitution would be far worse than it is now."

"Fengxiao, you are mistaken," Hua Tuo said, knowing full well what he was thinking. "While drinking is not the primary culprit eroding your health, it has a significant impact on your frailty. It is by no means a good thing."

"Then, Master Yuanhua, do you think medicinal wine is feasible?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Medicinal wine... medicinal wine... Wine can promote blood circulation, dispel dampness, and neutralize toxins. If we infuse it with herbs that tonify deficiency, support the vital essence, regulate the organs, and balance yin and yang, combining them with the wine’s ability to clear the meridians... even if Fengxiao’s body cannot be fully cured, it surely won't be weakened by drinking it."

"But wouldn't putting medicinal herbs into fine wine ruin its exquisite taste?" Guo Jia fretted.

"Preposterous! Fengxiao, I must disagree. If the medicinal wine can be perfected, the herbs are the foundation—"

"No, no, I cannot agree with you, Master. If medicinal wine loses the taste of wine, those who love to drink will find it like taking medicine. What is the difference between that and drinking medicine directly?"

"...Wine has its benefits, too. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic says, 'The sages of old brewed decoctions and fermented spirits as a precaution.' This means the ancients brewed wine specifically for medicinal use. For instance, wine infused with Zuo Jiao Fa treats corpse-like syncope; fermented spirits treat blocked meridians and numbness; chicken-dropping wine treats abdominal distension..."

"The ancients relied on medicine to treat illnesses, and the wine was merely an aid. But today, this medicinal wine is not for curing life-threatening diseases; it is for daily health maintenance. In that case, the taste of the wine is even more important."

"How can one neglect the efficacy of the herbs for the sake of daily maintenance!" Hua Tuo grew impatient.

"Wine is the 'chief of all medicines.' Though I am far inferior to you in the study of medicine, I know that the two complement each other. Only when the medicine borrows the power of the wine, and the wine enhances the potency of the medicine, can their full potential be realized. My concern is simply that this medicinal wine might become nothing more than 'medicine,' losing the very essence of fine wine."

"Why are you arguing with Guo Jia, you honest man..." Zhang Yu, the bystander, mourned silently.

Hua Tuo fell back into thought. After a long while, he said, "Ordinary wine indeed has that flaw. However..."

"However what?"

"However, Young Master Yu’s immortal brew would have no such issue." Hua Tuo shook his head. "I had similar thoughts in my youth, but generally, common spirits combined with herbs fail to achieve the desired effect; only aged, fine wine can be of any use."

"Then use it," Zhang Yu replied.

"That is not all. If we are to regulate Fengxiao’s body, the herbs must be balanced and gentle, working gradually. This requires an even higher quality of wine."

"To what extent?"

"The 'Emperor’s Drunkenness.' Even if it makes gods and Buddhas fall, the medicinal efficacy would still be somewhat lacking."

That day, when everyone first arrived at the Zhang residence, Zhang Yu had specially brought out two bottles of "Gods and Buddhas Fall" and half a bottle of "Emperor’s Drunkenness" for the banquet, while he, his parents, and Guo Jia had eaten simple home-cooked meals. Guo Jia, upon learning this later, was devastated.

***

Hearing Hua Tuo say this, Guo Jia saw the situation clearly and smiled, "Since the requirements are so harsh, I had better stick to taking my medicine honestly. I will have to trouble Master Yuanhua—"

"No problem."

Zhang Yu’s resolute voice stunned both Hua Tuo and Guo Jia.

"We shall use the Emperor’s Drunkenness. I leave the task of selecting the herbs for Brother Fengxiao in your capable hands, Master Hua."

"Young Master Yu, you must not! Everyone says the Emperor’s Drunkenness is priceless; a single bottle is worth a fortune—"

"Brother Fengxiao, do not worry. Can your talent be measured by a mere city or territory? Leave it to me."

...

"Ding! Congratulations—you handled yourself well, spoke wisely, and took decisive action. Your intimacy with Guo Jia has increased significantly, reaching 88. You are only one step away from forming a special bond."

"Oh, and here’s another: your intimacy with Doctor Hua has reached 85. Keep a good hold on this 'get-out-of-jail-free' card. I have high expectations for you!"

"Hello, Director."

"Hello."

"I feel... the previous way of addressing me was more pleasant. Can you change it back?"

"Do you really want to change it back?"

Damn it! Not this again. If I say yes, you’ll definitely say, "How could that be possible!"

The pleasant feeling of gaining the favor of these two greats was destroyed. Zhang Yu cursed the arrogant Dean of Students in his heart, but couldn't help but reply:

"Yes."

"Then I'll change it back."

"What the hell?" Zhang Yu blinked. "Really?"

"Of course I'm lying."

"Get out, get out, get out."

It seems excessive intelligence isn't always a good thing, but it’s bearable for now. I’ll leave such worries to the scientists of the future.

Zhang Yu didn't truly understand the nature of the system or whether such advanced technology existed on Earth at the time.

"The teleportation of 'Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives,' the various skills and props... it all seems like fantasy. And the key is, if you have this ability, you could at least summon a few peerless generals. The next reputation task reward is a gun; surely it wouldn't be hard for you to provide a few planes or cannons? You give me nothing but poetry and song skills, and pair them with a weak, sickly physique... isn't this just bullying an honest man?"

Zhang Yu’s expression was complex, as if he had just been struck by a club only to be fed a sweet date.

"Do you really think I can't make it without these? System, oh system, no matter how cunning you are, I will make you taste my own medicine. The first step of my journey in the Han Dynasty begins now. My grand ambitions and dreams of becoming the Emperor are all within the scope of my laughter!"

Somewhere, somehow, in an unknown corner.

"He... what does he want to do?"

...

"Young Master Yu, the medicinal wine is prepared. After a few more days of settling, it will be ready for Fengxiao to drink," Hua Tuo said happily.

"If this wine comes to the world, Master Yuanhua, your fame will surely reach new heights!"

"No, no, this is all thanks to your whimsical idea and generosity; otherwise, I could never have accomplished it. Besides, given the rarity of the Emperor’s Drunkenness, this wine cannot be mass-produced; it is already difficult enough to provide for friends and family." Despite his words, Hua Tuo’s face beamed with joy.

People in this world are busy chasing fame and fortune. As a humble physician, he never dared to dream of such lasting renown. Now that he saw a glimmer of hope, he began to hold Zhang Yu in the highest regard.

"The medicinal wine for Fengxiao is indeed hard to mass-produce, but we can replace it with other herbs and specialize it for physical strengthening. There will certainly be no lack of a market."

"You are right, Young Master Yu, but—"

"Master, do not worry. Feel free to take as much of the 'Hermit’s Brew' from my Hermit’s Workshop as you need!"

"This..." Hua Tuo’s face flushed with excitement, as if he had already drunk too much of the medicinal wine.

"Well, we can discuss that later. Master Yuanhua, please follow me."

"Where to?"

"The Hall of Universal Salvation."