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Litharge (Mi Tuo Seng): Pungent and salty in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. Pound into a fine powder, boil over fire for one *fu* period (approx. 12 hours), then use the water-flying method for preparation. It can be used to mitigate the toxicity of *Radix Stellerae Chamaejasme* (Ye Lang Du).
Li Shizhen stated: Litharge was originally obtained from silver smelting. Since it is now difficult to obtain, the residue at the bottom of the furnace in silver shops after refining silver foil is used instead. Those who produce Minium (Huang Dan) refine it from the sediment at the bottom.

Mercury (Shui Yin): Pungent in flavor, cold in nature, highly toxic. If stored in a gourd, it will not leak; if accidentally spilled on the ground, it can be collected by sprinkling powdered *Fructus Zanthoxyli* (Chuan Jiao) or tea powder, or it can be attracted using real gold or diamonds. Mercury fears Magnetitum (Ci Shi) and Arsenic Trioxide (Pi Shuang).
Lei Xiao said: When using mercury, do not use those containing plant-derived mercury, those from old vermilion lacquer, those treated with other medicines, those that have been in corpses, or those that are half-refined and half-unrefined.
Method for extracting mercury: Place Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) in a porcelain bottle in any quantity, seal with paper, and boil in fragrant soup for one *fu* period. Take out and place in a water-fire tripod, seal the mouth with charcoal, and heat to extract mercury.
Method for extracting "grass mercury" (plant-derived mercury): Dry the leaves of *Portulaca oleracea* (Ma Chi Xian). From ten jin of dried leaves, eight or ten taels of mercury can be obtained. First pound with a locust wood hammer, then dry on a rack facing east towards the sun.
According to the *Guangxi Tongzhi*: Si Zhou produces mercury. The extraction method is extremely cruel. People buy them from outside markets, or they are runaway servants, or kidnapped by unscrupulous merchants. The workers suffer unbearable itching and their cries resonate throughout the night. Annan, near Pingxiang Prefecture, also has mercury. Barbarians hire workers to sell themselves regardless of price, binding dozens of people to take them away. This is the method of extracting from grass/plants, but the cruelty is unbearable to hear, and the textual research is incomplete regarding the nomenclature.

Calomel (Qing Fen): Pungent in flavor, cold in nature, highly toxic. It fears Magnetitum (Ci Shi) and Orpiment (Shi Huang). It is contraindicated with all blood products. *Rhizoma Coptidis* (Huang Lian), *Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae* (Tu Fu Ling), aged soybean paste, Black Lead (Hei Qian), and Iron Slag (Tie Jiang) can detoxify it.
Method for sublimating Calomel: Grind together one tael of Mercury (Shui Yin), two taels of Alum (Bai Fan), and one tael of Salt (Yan Shi) until no star-like particles are visible. Spread in an iron vessel, cover with a small black basin, and seal with salt mud... [Text cuts off].

Vermilion / Cinnabar (Zhu Sha - Note: Text describes synthetic red mercury compounds like Silver Vermilion/Yin Zhu mixed with natural cinnabar descriptions): Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, toxic. It is often adulterated with Minium (Huang Dan) and Alum Red (Fan Hong); its color is dull yellow and dark, which should be distinguished. The genuine product is called Shui Hua Zhu, i.e., Guang Ming Zhu.
Method for refining Silver Vermilion (Yin Zhu): Melt two jin of Resinite (Shi Ting Zhi) in a new pot, then add one jin of Mercury (Shui Yin). Stir-fry until it forms "Green Sand Head" (Qing Sha Tou), continue frying until no star-like particles remain, grind into powder, and put into a jar... [Text cuts off].
Cinnabar (Dan Sha): Nowadays, people often mix it with Minium (Huang Dan)... [Text cuts off, mentions weights and ratios].
Appendix: Method for making Zhu Ingots: Finely grind Guang Ming Zhu, clarify using the water-flying method, remove water, and use Qin Pi, Gardenia (Zhi Zi), and Gleditsia Sinensis (Zao Jiao) each in one part, and one kernel of Castor Bean (Ba Dou) without shell... [Text cuts off].
Fake vermilion made using Realgar (Ci Huang), where Ci Huang's color is like... [Text cuts off].
Appendix: Method for making seal paste ink: Use about half a liang of true sesame oil, add ten or more castor beans, crush and simmer together until yellow-black, remove the castor beans, mix the oil with roasted mugwort... [Text cuts off], does not stick... [Text cuts off], plug it, so the seal pattern does not develop white mold.