The next day, Cao Cao hosted a banquet to summon Zuo Ci, treated him with great courtesy, and rewarded him with a hundred gold coins as a thank you.
Zuo Ci refused. He was just a member of Xianyun Yehe, and he couldn't take the money away even if he took it.
Cao Cao said displeased: "Cao has never owed any favors. If the Taoist Master doesn't accept the gift of thanks, does he really want me to retreat?"
Zuo Ci sighed: "The Prime Minister doesn't want to retreat, just remember to be on guard against fire and water! I just hope there will be less killing and more people alive in the future, and I will be satisfied."
"A certain person has always been considerate of the people, settled the fields to bring peace to the people, and never killed innocent people indiscriminately. You don't have to worry too much!"
Cao Cao asked: "I don't know which fairy mountain cave I grew up in. If there is any shortage of materials for refining the medicine, just bring it up."
Zuo Ci sighed with emotion and said: "Since Sun Ce expelled the Taoist cultivators in the territory, and left Tianzhu Mountain in Lujiang River, the poor Taoist has been wandering around, living in no fixed place. He wants to make elixirs in peace and save the people but can't. Five stones are scattered. There are only these five pairs left!”
Cao Cao naturally knew that Sun Ce had killed Yu Ji and expelled the Taoist priests from the territory, and he fell ill and died as a result, so he became more convinced.
Fuxu smiled and said: "There are countless geomantic treasures in the land of Kyushu. The Taoist priest has traveled everywhere. Is there any one you like? You might as well point out that a certain person is willing to do his best to build a cave for the Taoist priest, so that he can make elixirs and save people with peace of mind."
He was actually worried that the headache would happen again. If Zuo Ci disappeared like Hua Tuo, he would still suffer. He wanted to keep him by his side. At the very least, he would know his whereabouts and be able to ask for medicine at any time.
Zuo Ci thought for a while and said: "I went to Zhongnan Mountain a few years ago and passed through Luoyang. I saw a geomantic treasure land in Songshan Mountain. If I can refine elixirs and practice Taoism here, I will get twice the result with half the effort."
"Oh?" Cao Cao asked, "Who is where?"
Zuo Ci replied: "There is Shaoshi Mountain in the hinterland of Songshan Mountain. It is high and densely forested, shaped like a green lotus. It is the habitat of the Fish King's wife. There is the Shaoshi Temple with its ethereal aura. If this temple can be expanded, it will be of great merit."
"Haha, what's so difficult about this?" Cao Cao laughed and said, "I will send someone to follow the Taoist priest to investigate the Shaoshi Mountain. Within half a year, he will build an immortal temple and build an alchemy room for the Taoist priest to practice Taoism."
Zuo Ci was overjoyed and bowed deeply: "Thank you so much, Prime Minister."
After the banquet, Zuo Ci said goodbye and left the camp, heading into the mountains towards Mount Song. Cao Cao took the third dose of Wu Shi Powder and lay in the tent to recharge his batteries, preparing to show off his power in the evening.
Zuo Ci followed the Baihe River to the west and entered the deep mountains. Seeing no one following him, he took out a set of coarse cloth blouses from his baggage and pretended to be a woodcutter. Then he turned south and walked out of Bowang Slope after dark. Come to the south of Bowang City.
When he arrived at the city, he called the defenders to report, and he was soon invited into the city. In the backyard of the government office, Liu Qi and Zhuge Liang personally received him.
Liu Qi asked: "Did the Taoist priest's trip go smoothly?"
"The traitor Cao didn't believe in any disasters such as water and fire, and refused to retreat!" Zuo Ci waved his hands and sighed sadly, "But after taking the Five Stone Powder, he was really afraid of me leaving and successfully captured Shaoshi Mountain!"
Liu Qi and Zhuge Liang smiled and asked Zuo Ci to take a seat: "That's enough."
But Zuo Ci couldn't stop complaining: "That Five Stone Powder was made by a poor Taoist who worked hard for a year, but it was given to Cao Cao for free to cure his illness. It's like a secret act to help the tyrants do evil. It's a pity!"
It turned out that Zuo Ci suddenly came to Bowang a few days ago and said that he would donate medicine to Liu Qi to cure his illness. He was the only person in the world who had prospered the Han Dynasty, and he was willing to do his little bit.
At first, Liu Qi was full of hope for this legendary half-immortal. When the old man solemnly took out the Five Stone Powder, his scalp suddenly went numb and he recommended it to Boss Cao.
Seeing the old Taoist complaining constantly and being full of fists, Liu Qi was also filled with emotion. Since ancient times, in troubled times, Taoists have always done some unknown things to save the country.
Although he knew that Five Stone Powder was fatal, in Zuo Ci's eyes, it was his life's work and his proud work.
Liu Qi poured a cup of tea and consoled him: "Taoist priest doesn't have to be like this. After this incident, Taoist priest's name will be resounding throughout the Central Plains. Next is the time to serve the country and save the people."
"What use does a poor Taoist have for his false reputation?" Zuo Ci shook his head and said, "Cao Cao was a traitor in the world, and a general is a member of the imperial family. You should take this elixir to prolong your life and revive the Han Dynasty."
Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Uncle, there is no need to complain. This time I went to Cao Ying to obtain the land of Shaoshi Mountain. Within three years, great achievements will be made. When the Han Dynasty rises again, Uncle Shi will also share the credit."
Zhuge Liang had practiced Taoism in Wudang for three years, studied the Yin and Yang Bagua, and had a close relationship with Zuo Ci.
Zuo Ci said in astonishment: "Cao Cao built a temple just to facilitate his treatment. The longer the traitor lives, the worse it will be for the country. How can the Han Dynasty prosper?"
Liu Qi smiled and said: "There is another plan here. Listen to me, Taoist Master. The Cao family's transition from prosperity to decline should start from meeting the Taoist Master..."
Although the Zuo Ci in front of him is not as magical as in the legend, because he is highly respected by He Yan, he is very famous in the Central Plains. If he uses it to treat Cao Cao's illness, he will surely prosper.
Soon Zuo Ci will become famous among the nobles of Xuchang, and everyone will come to ask for medicine. This will be a great opportunity to make money.
After hearing Liu Qi's plan, Zuo Ci looked at him in disbelief, feeling that under his kind smile, his eyes were full of gold and silver.
Liu Qi said seriously: "In today's troubled times, people are displaced and plagues continue. The poor have no money to see a doctor, and the rich have money but pray to gods and worship temples. As long as Mr.'s elixir is effective, they will spend a lot of money. This money is just Isn’t it just right that the people’s fat and anointing collected by the aristocratic family can be used to treat diseases and save people?”
Zuo Ci was stunned for a moment after hearing this. He thought for a long time before saying, "I am a poor man who only knows a little about collecting herbs. I'm afraid he won't be able to do it."
Liu Qi smiled and said: "Taoist Master, don't worry about this. When you recruit disciples, you will have people who know how to treat diseases. Just mix the prescription into the elixir."
"How do you know that this poor disciple..." Zuo Ci frowned slightly, suddenly realized, and stroked his beard and said, "In this case, this poor Taoist has taken advantage of the general, and I'm afraid that the false reputation will be tiring!"
Zhuge Liang said: "When my uncle is refining the alchemy, he must remember to only cure diseases and save people. He is not allowed to ask for divination, he is not allowed to bribe people, and he is not allowed to accept any believers or disciples. Otherwise, Cao Cao will be jealous."
"I understand this!" Zuo Ci sighed: "I have learned from Ji's mistakes, poor Taoists have their own sense of proportion."
Liu Qi raised his glass and said with a smile: "The Taoist can just accept the money without any burden. When I return to Luoyang in the future, I will return it to the old capital. All the money will be used to build the palace. This is the Taoist's immeasurable merit!"
"It turns out that the general has such a profound plan!" Zuo Ci suddenly realized it, raised his glass and laughed and said: "If I can do my best for the Han Dynasty, I am willing to do it."
That night, Liu Qi planned the Taoist temple's business strategy to Zuo Ci. They were all simple marketing strategies for later generations. Zuo Ci was dumbfounded.
Even Zhuge Liang was amazed. After all, he was from a noble family. He only studied military classics, military strategies, statecraft, and business, and he didn't even bother to ask about such lowly methods.
Regardless of whether it is a time of governance or a time of trouble, it is absolutely impossible to have no money. Although this move is not enough to shake the foundation of Cao Wei, it is too wasteful to leave these leeks uncut.
Of course, the most important thing is to let Cao Cao take Wu Shi San and go down early to cook wine with Liu Da'er so that he will not be lonely and talk about himself all the time.
In fact, Liu Qi also had a small selfish motive: instead of letting those fat and bald people take advantage of this good place to make money, it is better to leave it to his own people, so that at least it can pass on Chinese civilization.
