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Cuttlefish (Uzei Yu)

Taste: Sour. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. (It is incompatible with Jilian, Fuzi, Baiji, Baijian, and Heifuzi.) It is produced in commanderies and states near the sea. Legend has it that it was transformed from the abacus bag discarded by King Qin during his eastern tour. Currently, its species reproduce, and the appearance remains similar. (There are two long whiskers on both sides of the mouth like belts; when the wind and waves become slightly urgent, it uses the whiskers to tie rocks as cables, hence also named Lan Yu [Cable Fish].) The blood and bile inside the abdomen are very black, resembling ink. Whenever it sees large fish or humans, it spits out black mixed water for self-defense. People instead recognize this as familiar, allowing them to be caught with nets. The meat is delicious to eat, benefiting Qi and strengthening willpower. It can also unblock menstrual obstruction and treat dark, dry hair. The bone is named Haipiaoxiao (Sepiae Endoconcha), an essential medicine in medical practice.

Light, crisp, and white, suitable for carving into ornaments. Select those with straight and smooth patterns on top as genuine ones. (Those with horizontal patterns on top are shark bones.) During the three dog days (Sanfu), boiling in brine must not be lacking. It should still be buried in a burned earth pit, ensuring it undergoes day and night grinding and sieving. Made into powders or pastes, it is used to save patients. It mainly treats leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, amenorrhea due to blood stasis, and erosion, swelling, and pain in the genital area; it treats chills and fever, mass disorders (Jia Zheng), fright qi entering the umbilicus, and circular abdominal pain in women. It removes floating nebulae (cataracts/opacities) from the eyes, contracts wound ulcers, and expels rotting tissue. Rubbing thickly with concentrated vinegar from the abdomen cures worm-induced heart pain upon immediate ingestion. If writing contracts with slightly diluted ink, they will completely disappear after a year. Locals often use such contracts to borrow money and deceive others. Merchants must not be unaware of this.

Pufferfish (Hetun Yu)

Taste: Sweet. Nature: Warm. Highly toxic. It grows in the Jianghuai region and rivers and seas, generally appearing after the Winter Solstice. It corresponds to the image of the Zhongfu Hexagram in the I Ching, thus explaining the phrase "trust extends to pigs and pufferfish." Its shape resembles a tadpole, with a short body and pointed tail. The back is black with yellow stripes, and the belly is white with eyes that can open and close. Internally, it lacks a gallbladder; externally, it lacks gills. When touching objects, it gets angry and inflates its belly like a ball. Once it floats on the water surface, it is also called Chen Yu [Angry Fish]. Although the meat taste is precious, the liver and roe are extremely toxic. Large fish and otters dare not swallow it. Upon obtaining it, one must cook it according to proper methods: (remove the liver and roe, wash the blood clean with water. Move to a clean pot, cover tightly while boiling, avoid dust contamination. It kills effectively; it is best boiled with olive wood or reed grass, do not use soot/coal smoke.) Otherwise, poisoning leads to sudden death. The proverb says, "Risk life to eat pufferfish." Those who excel in health preservation should be cautious and avoid eating it. At the first sign of poisoning, quickly chew reed rhizomes, or decoct olives in water and drink the thick soup to detoxify. It can also treat minor ailments, as recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. It regulates the waist and legs, eliminates infantile malnutrition (Gan accumulation), kills parasites, tonifies deficiency, and removes dampness and reduces swelling. The Jiangtun (river dolphin) has a similar shape, making sounds when emerging and submerging through its nostrils. Boatmen wait for it to predict major storms. After catching it with fishing nets, its fat is taken to light lamps. Used to rub game boards makes them bright; reading or spinning under its light becomes dim. Folklore says it is transformed from lazy women, which may not necessarily be true.