Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1080 - 123: Zhao Yao’s Speculation
The Divine Pill did not first appear in Swamp Prefecture but in another prefecture—Nanyan Prefecture. This Nanyan Prefecture is adjacent to the Pyu Kingdom and has many strange animals and plants. Lingnan has many peculiar things, but there are also very effective medicines made from the plants and animals here.
In the Western Regions, there are many forbidden drug ingredients, which are said to also originate from here. Most of the materials in the forbidden drugs from the Pyu Kingdom and Annan also come from here. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
Here, there are also many poisonous insects, snakes, and ants, among other animals. The poisons from Lingnan are renowned across the world because there are many poisons here that people have never heard of. Moreover, the toxicity of these poisons is quite terrifying; once poisoned, one is almost certainly doomed, as there is no antidote.
Zhao Yao found out that the Divine Pill first appeared in the poison-producing Nanyan Prefecture, and his initial reaction was that there was something wrong with this so-called Divine Pill. Until a few days ago, he was unaware of the Divine Pill’s existence; it was only recently that he found out.
He learned of the Divine Pill because a merchant from Annan, wanting to curry favor with him, spent a large sum of money to buy a bottle of the Divine Pill as a gift for him, praising its effects to the skies.
Zhao Yao initially thought the Divine Pill was from Annan, but later, Zheng Qian also brought him a bottle. Zheng Qian’s bottle of Divine Pill was gifted by an inland merchant who came to trade in Swamp Prefecture, hoping to gain Zheng Qian’s favor for easier business dealings.
Zheng Qian didn’t believe in any Divine Pill either, but hearing the merchants exalt it to the heavens, he was told that many officials inland were consuming the Divine Pill. The effects of this elixir were said to be extremely good, and its price was worth a fortune, with many wanting to buy it, yet unable to.
Upon learning that even people in the capital were consuming this so-called Divine Pill, Zhao Yao became more skeptical. He quickly had the Imperial Physician investigate the ingredients in the Divine Pill to determine if it was truly beneficial or merely a harmful poison.
He later sent people to Annan to investigate the origin of the Divine Pill. Through investigation, it turned out that not only Annan but also Johor, the Pyu Kingdom, and Siam had the Divine Pill. The officials and royal families of these countries were consuming it and were very obsessed.
After careful investigation, it was found that the Divine Pill didn’t originate from Annan. Its true origin was Lingnan, produced by the people of Great Zhou, who sold it secretly to Annan and the Pyu Kingdom.
"The Divine Pill comes from Nanyan Prefecture in Lingnan?" Upon mentioning Nanyan Prefecture, Zhao Yao frowned, "Are you sure the source is indeed Nanyan Prefecture?"
"Master, confirmed without error," the spy from the Dark Guard Camp continued, "Most of the ingredients in the Divine Pill are sourced from the Poison Mist Forest." The Poison Mist Forest is a mountain forest in Nanyan Prefecture, named so because it harbors numerous terrifying poisons, and even the mist shrouding the mountain is poisonous, leading locals to call it "Poison Mist Forest."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao suddenly understood: no wonder Doctor Tong and the others have been studying the Divine Pill for so many days without identifying its ingredients. They have never visited the Poison Mist Forest nor encountered its medicinal materials.
"Who made the Divine Pill?"
The spy answered respectfully, "The Southern Wei people."
Upon hearing this answer, Zhao Yao was not surprised at all. With a grim expression, he said, "As expected, they made it." After learning about the existence of the Divine Pill, his first reaction was that the Southern Wei people were behind it.
"Master, news from the Western Regions indicates that many places there also have the Divine Pill," the spy reported, "The Southern Wei people even sent the Divine Pill to Prince Han, but he did not consume it."
"Even the Western Regions have it?" Anything made by the Southern Wei people definitely harbors ill intentions. Now that so many places have the Divine Pill, what are the Southern Wei people planning to do?
"What reactions do people have after taking the Divine Pill?" This so-called Divine Pill should be a poison, intended for controlling people.
"Older people who have taken it have become stronger, and their appearances have significantly rejuvenated..." just as the external claims boasted.
Zhao Yao asked, "After taking it for a while, did they notice anything unusual?"
"Currently, everything is normal; so far, no one has exhibited any problems."
"Everything normal?" Zhao Yao squinted slightly and said, "With the insidious and cunning nature of the Southern Wei people, they couldn’t possibly be selling genuine medicine. Moreover, they are not short of money, so they wouldn’t profit from selling magic elixirs."
"Master, do you mean the Southern Wei people intend to use the Divine Pill to control them?"
Zhao Yao nodded slightly and said, "This Divine Pill is likely a poison. Initially, there wouldn’t be any problems, but after taking it for a long time, problems are bound to arise. By then, if the Southern Wei people withhold the antidote, those people will be poisoned to death."
