Mo Zhizhang nodded and said, "Correct. These are all the poisonous herbs known to the world. Anything else?"
Anything else?
Jiang Mian was taken aback.
The only medical classic she had read about poisons was just that one.
Could it be that Uncle Mo was referring to poisonous plants not mentioned in the book?
She thought for a while and honestly shook her head. "Uncle, forgive my limited knowledge. I can't think of any other poisonous plants for the moment."
Unexpectedly, the next moment, Mo Zhizhang said meaningfully, "Nephew, you should have heard the saying 'All things in the world can be used as medicine.' But what I want to tell you today is that all things in the world can also be poisons."
"However, these poisons can be classified according to their quantity and toxicity. Some may cause no harm to the human body even with a slight touch, while others can immediately take a person's life and are known as highly toxic poisons."
Mo Zhizhang took out a bamboo stick he had casually grabbed just now, broke it into four sections, placed them on the table, and continued,
"Poisons can be classified into four categories. The first is plants, such as the mandala, aconite, and gelsemium you mentioned just now. Some have poisonous branches and leaves, some have poisonous roots and rhizomes, and some have poisonous odors. The second is animals, such as snakes, scorpions, toads, rats, or the kui bird. These two types are well - known to the world and are often used to harm people."
"Rarely known are two other types: ores and filthy substances."
Mo Zhizhang said, "For example, arsenic and cinnabar are both refined from ores. And the other kind of filthy substance is the filth excreted from animals..."
Jiang Mian listened attentively and nodded. "I've written it all down."
Xiao Jingcheng looked deeply at Mo Zhizhang. He really didn't expect there to be so many poisonous things in the world.
So, sometimes medicine may not cure people, and poison may not necessarily take a person's life.
His uncle had been "sick" for so many years, looking weak and unable to even hold a sword or a spear. But now he could lead an army into the palace and seize the throne. Was he really sick, or did he use some means to make everyone think he was too weak to be a threat?
Mo Zhizhang didn't talk much on weekdays. Most of the time, he was smiling, looking like a gentle and kind - tempered person. But when it came to the word "poison", he seemed to be a different person. He said whatever came to his mind, speaking faster and faster and getting more and more profound.
Qi Wen listened attentively at first, but later his eyes gradually became blank.
How could everything become a poison?
Was there anything safe in the world that could make people live a long life?
He looked at the people beside him despairingly. Jiang Mian and Xiao Jingcheng were both listening very attentively. How could Lady Jiang and His Highness the Crown Prince remember so much knowledge?
No wonder Doctor Mo said that this kind of thing depended on understanding. It seemed that he really didn't have the talent for practicing medicine...
When Li Zhao came to the front hall, Mo Zhizhang had been teaching for almost two hours. Qi Wen couldn't hold on anymore and had fallen asleep snoring. Only Jiang Mian and Xiao Jingcheng were still listening.
Jiang Mian was very eager to learn. Holding a medical classic in her hand, she would occasionally ask Mo Zhizhang questions. The two of them got closer and closer. At this time, Xiao Jingcheng would always give a wink to Dahuang, and Dahuang would squeeze between them on purpose to force them apart.
Li Zhao knew that Jiang Mian had been stimulated, which was why she wanted to learn how to detoxify from Mo Zhizhang. Seeing her so diligent, Li Zhao felt full of pity and love in his heart.
This was his and Yingniang's child, smart, kind, tough, and full of righteousness. She was the best child in the world.
His body was not fully recovered yet. A surge of qi and blood rose in his throat. He tried hard to suppress the urge to cough and gently stroked his slightly aching chest.
Remembering what Mo Zhizhang said that he only had three years to live, Li Zhao's gaze fell on the four children of similar ages sitting around the table in front.
God didn't leave him much time. He still had a lot of things to do and many wishes unfulfilled. He had to seize every second to settle the two people he loved most in this world.
Jiang Mian had her back to the door and didn't know that Li Zhao had come. But Xiao Jingcheng and Mo Zhizhang had already noticed, and neither of them reminded her.
"Alright, that's all for today's teaching." Mo Zhizhang said with a smile. "What I've said today should be enough for you, nephew, to ponder over for a month or two. If you have any questions, feel free to come and ask me."
Jiang Mian nodded. She also thought that Mo Zhizhang had taught a bit too much today, and she needed to digest it well.
Xiao Jingcheng said to Mo Zhizhang, "Doctor Mo, I actually have some questions to ask you. May I have a word with you in private?"
Jiang Mian couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
Wasn't this guy usually at odds with Uncle Mo? Why was he being so cooperative today?
Mo Zhizhang and Xiao Jingcheng left together. They met Li Zhao who had been waiting in the corridor. They nodded slightly at him and walked one after another towards the back yard.
Their leaving together was just an excuse. In fact, it was to let Li Zhao and Jiang Mian, father and daughter, have some alone time to talk.
The rain was dripping down from the eaves, and the splashing water wet the hems of their clothes.
"They say that one should look at a person with new eyes after three days' separation." Mo Zhizhang raised his hand. Raindrops fell into his palm, leaving a puddle of water on his hand.
"Brother Gou Dan has been away for just one day, but his temperament seems much more stable than before."
Xiao Jingcheng kept a distance from him that could fit two people in between and said indifferently, "I've been to the Underworld and back. My house has been occupied, and I have nowhere to go home. If I can't calm down, I would be wasting the chance that God and Jiang Mian gave me to live."
The words "nowhere to go home" made Mo Zhizhang's face change slightly, but then the change was covered by his usual smile.
"That's true." He said. "If Brother Gou Dan has nothing else to do, I'll go back to my room and rest first."
Xiao Jingcheng didn't call him out just for Jiang Mian.
"Since Doctor Mo is good at poisons, I wonder if there is a kind of poison in the world that can make a person weak and powerless after taking it, but a pulse - taking from the outside won't show any problems. In fact, this poison doesn't have much impact on the body, and as long as the medicine is stopped, the person can be as normal as others?"
After much thought, Xiao Jingcheng believed that Xiao Tianchi must have used some means to hide his true strength behind his weak appearance for so many years.
Even Doctor Wang couldn't diagnose it. Maybe he was taking some kind of poison to deceive others.
Mo Zhizhang let out a soft "Ah". Not knowing what he was thinking, the smile on his face deepened.
"There are countless poisons in the world. As long as one has the intention, one can achieve what Brother Gou Dan described."
Xiao Jingcheng clenched his fists tightly, and his breathing became a bit heavier.
So, was his guess right?
"However," Mo Zhizhang said meaningfully, "I've never seen a poison that won't harm the body after it's stopped."