He Xiangu Sells Medicine
Contents
☯Introduction
By the West Lake in Hangzhou, there was a well-known pharmacy called Jishitang (Hall of Relieving the World). Though not large, the pharmacy had a very complete variety of medicinal herbs, so it was always crowded with customers and did a booming business.
🕉The Taoist's Request
One day, as soon as the pharmacy opened its door, a Taoist priest walked in. He had white hair like a crane's feathers and a childlike face, with a ruddy complexion and an elegant demeanor.
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The Taoist went straight to the shop assistant, cupped his hands in a bow, and asked, "I'd like to buy some herbs. I wonder if your shop has them?"
The assistant was a little displeased upon hearing this and replied, "Our pharmacy has all kinds of medicines. What kind of herbs does the master want to buy?"
The Taoist smiled and said, "Don't boast too soon. I've been to many pharmacies and couldn't buy them. Can your small pharmacy have everything?" The assistant was even more annoyed to hear the Taoist's rude words, and said loudly, "I'm not boasting. Our shop really has a complete range of medicines. For relieving coughs, we have pinellia, loquat leaves, menthol, and fritillaria; for treating wind-cold, we have isatis root, andrographis, folium isatidis, heliotropium indicum... What kind of herbs does the master want to buy?"
The Taoist replied, "I don't want any of these. The medicines I want to buy are Jiahe Powder (Family Harmony Powder), Shunqi Decoction (Smooth Temper Decoction), Xiaodu Pills (Toxin-removing Pills), and Chang Sheng Bu Lao Dan (Elixir of Immortality)." When the assistant heard these strange names of medicines, he was immediately speechless, not understanding what they meant. But the assistant was quick-witted and immediately went upstairs to invite the extremely intelligent young lady.
🌿Miss He's Background
This young lady was He Xiangu before she became an immortal, so we'll call her Miss He for now. When it comes to Miss He, we can't help but mention her adventure in the mountains. Miss He's father was He Tai, who knew medical skills and was proficient in pharmacology. He had only this one daughter, so he loved her very much. Unlike most fathers at that time who believed that "a woman's lack of talent is her virtue", He Tai hoped that his daughter could inherit his career. Therefore, he taught her medical skills from an early age and often took her into the mountains to collect herbs.
At the age of 13, once Miss He went into the mountains to collect herbs with her female companions, but got separated and lost her way, wandering alone in the mountains. Suddenly, she saw a man standing under the peak, with long beard fluttering and a fairy-like appearance. Miss He immediately stepped forward to pay her respects and asked him to show the way. The man said kindly, "Little girl, why are you alone in the deep mountains? Are you hungry? I have a peach here. You can eat it first to satisfy your hunger. Then I'll tell you how to get out of the mountains." Miss He took the peach and immediately smelled a fresh fragrance. Just as she was hungry, she ate the peach at once. After eating the peach, not only did she no longer feel hungry, but she also felt her body was light and full of strength. After thanking him, she carried the herbs home under his guidance. Strangely enough, since eating that peach, Miss He became even more intelligent and sensible, understanding the ways of the world. If there were difficulties in the shop, as long as she was called, they could be solved easily.
💊The Meaning of the Medicines
The assistant invited Miss He, who politely cupped her hands and said, "Immortal master, may I ask what kind of medicine you want to buy?" The Taoist repeated the medicines he wanted to buy. As soon as the Taoist finished speaking, Miss He said cheerfully, "Immortal master, don't worry. We have all the medicines you want in our shop." Miss He's words made the assistant stunned. He thought to himself: What's wrong with the young lady? She's usually so smart, why is she lying today? Isn't this ruining our reputation? No, I have to find an excuse to send the Taoist away, otherwise, it will disgrace the young lady and the pharmacy.
The assistant was about to step forward, but unexpectedly, Miss He spoke at this moment: "Immortal master, listen to me. Filial piety of children and kindness of parents is Jiahe Powder; brotherly love and respect is Shunqi Decoction; harmony between sisters-in-law is Xiaodu Pills; and freedom from desires and worries is the Elixir of Immortality." These words made the Taoist nod and smile, while the assistant and others suddenly realized and began to discuss, all thinking that in life, only by achieving filial piety and parental kindness, brotherly love and respect, harmony between sisters-in-law, and mutual respect between husband and wife can one be happy and live a long and healthy life.
✨Enlightenment and Ascension
Seeing this, the Taoist smiled and praised, "Little girl, you are really good at selling medicine! This pharmacy is worthy of the name 'Jishitang'!" With that, he rose into the air and left.
Miss He was so surprised that she almost cried out. Just now, she was so focused on thinking that she didn't have time to look carefully at the Taoist's appearance. At this moment, she realized that the Taoist was the one who gave her the peach in the mountains, and that he was an immortal! This Taoist was none other than Lü Dongbin. He came to buy medicine this time to enlighten Miss He. After being enlightened by Lü Dongbin, Miss He devoted herself to Taoism, becoming more quick-witted and kind-hearted. Through hard cultivation, Miss He finally attained immortality, and she became He Xiangu, the only female immortal among the Eight Immortals.
