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Shiqifu took mercury for a long time, resulting in itchy skin. Scratching led to red rashes. Mercury was excreted with the fingernails, in fine granules like millet seeds. During the Jianyan era, he served as the military governor of Hangzhou but became incapacitated due to severe illness. After being dismissed, his condition deteriorated critically. Before his death (shanghuan: attaching the silk cord to the bed rail, indicating imminent death), all his concubines scattered, leaving him unattended. This serves as a warning to the world (from *Bozhai Bian*).

Jiang Huan recounted that Feng Yue, an imperial physician, had taken too many "fire-subdued" pills, causing sores on the back of his head and rising heat, nearly leading to his demise. A Daoist priest instructed him to moxa the Fengshi acupoint (GB31, Wind Market) with over ten moxa cones. Although he recovered, the condition recurred periodically. The priest then advised Feng to take Yin-processed Autumn Stone (Qiu Shi, calcined human urine precipitate) with a strong decoction of Soybean Sprout Hulls (Dadoujuan). Thereafter, his yin and yang balanced completely. Regarding the method of Yin-processed Autumn Stone, I recorded it previously; the version transmitted by Shen is correct. The method for Soybean Sprout Hulls: Soak soybeans in well water on Ren or Gui days (days associated with Water in the Heavenly Stems). When sprouts emerge, use the hulls to make a decoction for consumption (from *Sanhuai Wangshi Lu*).

The cavalry commander Lei Shixian was wealthy and maintained dozens of concubines outside his main household. While stationed in Jiankang, he indulged entirely in music and women, frequently taking Cinnabar Pills (Dansha Wan) and milk-based medicines to facilitate his desires. He later sought more materials from the Shu roads and purchased numerous precious minerals and metals, refining them day and night. He consumed these preparations constantly, having one trustworthy concubine manage the process. The father of this concubine came from Lin'an and stayed in a nearby house. Suffering from cold-type diarrhea and loss of appetite, the concubine gave him ten pills from Lei's supply. The old man took only half. Shortly after swallowing, he felt burning heat in his navel and abdomen. Soon, the heat became unbearable, causing him to run wildly around the house for over a hundred laps before jumping into a well. Family members rescued him, but his body was covered with purple blisters as large as plums. After a day, all blisters collapsed, leaving pits about one cun deep at each site. He screamed for six days before dying. Lord Lei had consumed thousands of such pills without any ill effects, yet this man died immediately after ingesting merely five pills. How extraordinary!

Wang Cheng, courtesy name Dingguan, was the son of Yuanfu Dianzhuai Wang En. He was talented and scholarly, associating with families of former Yuanyou officials. Fan Yuan Shi and Wen Qianxi praised his poetic abilities. In the late Zhenghe era, at age twenty-eight, he served as Dianzhong Jian (Director of the Palace Hall), enjoying great imperial favor. Enjoying youth and high office, he amused himself with wine and women. One day, he was suddenly summoned to the palace. The Emperor said, "I have recently met a strange person who can refine Cinnabar. Taking it allows for longevity and eternal life. Refined over a year, it resembles purple gold. You should test it." Dingguan joyfully accepted the order and took the medicine. Immediately upon swallowing, he felt extreme restlessness in his chest. Soon, smoke emerged from his mouth. He was rushed home but could not be saved. After the funeral rites were completed, knocking sounds were heard from within the coffin, the cause unknown. Suddenly, fire erupted from inside, quickly turning into fierce flames that destroyed the house. The Prefect of Kaifeng arrived to extinguish the fire, which burned through hundreds of households before stopping. Only charred bones were found in the remaining ashes. This is indeed strange (as stated by Fan Zijie).