《金石簿九五數訣》

The Jinshi Bu Jiuwu Shujue (Register of Metal and Stone Materials in Ninety-Five Sections) is a guide for identifying alchemical materials, primarily teaching how to recognize and select high-quality mineral ingredients for elixir crafting. Below is a modern interpretation of its core content:

Cinnabar (Zhusha)

The finest specimens come from Chenzhou and Jinzhou, resembling peach or jujube seeds in size, with translucent bodies like pomegranate seeds. If unavailable, horse-tooth shaped pieces are acceptable substitutes. Avoid dark purple or dull-colored varieties, as they are unusable.

Realgar (Xionghuang)

The premium grade from Wudu, Gansu, exhibits rooster-comb red hues with fine texture. Persian imports with paler red tones are inferior.

Jade (Yushi)

Lantian jade from Shaanxi is supreme, particularly white varieties with pure texture that produce clear, resonant tones when struck.

Sulfur (Liuhuang)

"Kunlun Yellow" from Linyi (modern Vietnam), translucent like colored glaze, is the highest grade. Persian imports are also serviceable.

Arsenic Ore (Yushi)

The best specimens are found near stork nests or from Lianghan and Bingzhou regions. Select pieces with cypress-like grain patterns, sized between bowls and fists, jade-white in color. Other sources are unacceptable.

Red Halloysite (Chishizhi)

Samples from Wu Commandery (Jiangsu) and Zezhou (Shanxi) with rouge-like coloration and fine texture are optimal.

White Halloysite (Baishizhi)

From the same regions as red halloysite, the finest resemble congealed fat in appearance.

White Quartz (Baiying)

From Shouyang and Zezhou, specimens should be uniformly translucent without impurities, appearing water-like when submerged. Size is irrelevant.

Mica (Yunmu)

From Langya (Shandong) and other regions, classified into six types:

• Yellow-white with bluish tint: "Cloud Essence" (Yunying)
• Green-yellow and translucent: "Cloud Liquid" (Yunye)
• Pure white without impurities: "Cloud Quintessence" (Yunjing)
• Blue-white with black streaks: "Mother of Cloud" (Yunmu)

Specimens displaying prismatic iridescence are most valued.

Stalactites (Zhongrushi)

Shaozhou specimens are adequate; extreme refinement isn't necessary during processing.

(Note: These minerals were historically used in Waidan [external alchemy] practices. Modern experimentation is strongly discouraged.)

The Jinshibu Jiuwu Shujue primarily details the criteria for identifying and methods for using various mineral-based medicinal substances:

1. High-quality ores should be selected based on their lustrous color and coarse, thick texture.

2. Magnetite (Cishi):

• Originates from Cizhou (present-day Ci County, Hebei)
• Specimens capable of attracting six or seven needles are considered superior grade

3. Realgar (Shinao):

• Mainly found at Maoshan (a sacred Daoist mountain)
• The finest quality comes from Puzhou (present-day Yongji, Shanxi)
• The most suitable specimens are snow-white in color when held in hand
• Persian (modern Iran) produces the highest quality

4. Actinolite (Yangqishi):

• Forms at the root of mica deposits
• Occurs in both yellow and black varieties
• The yellow-white specimens from Mount Tai are most prized
• Pure white specimens from Xingzhou, Yizhou, Qizhou, and Queshan are of supreme quality

5. Malachite (Jinjing):

• Should be selected in its unrefined, natural state
• Exhibits an emerald-green jade-like coloration
• Specimens with abundant golden speckles on the surface are superior

6. Yellow Alum (Huangfan):

• Mined in Guazhou (present-day Guazhou, Gansu)
• Comes in five varieties, with yellow-white most used in alchemy
• Resembles gold in appearance; when broken, reveals golden speckles
• Essential for fixing mercury (a crucial Waidan material)
• Horse-tooth shaped or charred specimens are unusable

7. White Alum (Baifan):

• The finest comes from Wu region (modern Jiangsu-Zhejiang area)
• Zhao region (modern Hebei) produces secondary quality
• Specimens from other regions are unusable

8. Crimson Alum (Jiangfan):

• Persian specimens are superior
• Resembles greenish-blue colored glass
• Translucent specimens are top grade

9. Chicken-Dung Alum (Jishifan):

• Originates from Persia
• Resembles chicken droppings in shape and color
• Holds significant importance in alchemical practices

10. Annam Alum (Annanfan):

• Mined in Annam (modern Vietnam) and Heling
• Exhibits red-yellow-black coloration
• Essential as a catalyst in alchemical processes
• Genuine specimens show golden speckles when fractured

11. Azurite (Kongqing):

• Primarily from Liuzhou, Luzhou, and Yuezhou
• Deep bluish-purple with spiral patterns
• Contains hollow cavities within
• Also found in Guangzhou but often counterfeit
• Considered a secret alchemical medicine
• Small granular forms are called Kongqing or Zengqing
• These two names actually refer to the same substance

(Note: The term "alchemy" here refers to Daoist Waidan practice - the preparation of elixirs from minerals for longevity. Various alum types primarily function as catalysts or fixatives in alchemical processes.)

This scripture details the origins, physical characteristics, and quality assessment methods of various mineral substances used in alchemical preparations:

The finest ores from Mount Shu and Yuezhou resemble emerald or coptis root in color, with the highest grade displaying bluish-purple hues similar to earthworm castings. Stone cassia (Shi Guiying) is found in stalactite-rich areas, where premium specimens are snow-white and leave powdery residues on one's palm like freshly handled snow.

Superior fibrous gypsum from Liangzhou, Qingzhou, and Ningzhou exhibits yellowish-white coloration with needle-like crystalline luster. The best crude sodium sulfate (Puxiao) comes from Yizhou, characterized by vibrant greenish tones without desiccation or weathering marks. High-quality mirabilite (Mangxiao), also from Yizhou, resembles accumulated snow in shaded areas with moist luster, though volcanic regions reportedly yield similar deposits.

The finest chalcanthite (Shidan) appears in bluish-green varieties from Xindu in Liangzhou and Qiang territories. While the crescent-shaped yellow-green specimens from Laoshan Mountain are serviceable, they rank below the premium products from Puzhou. Originally sourced from Yizhou and neighboring regions, saltpeter (Xiaoshi) was later discovered in superior quality from Uddiyana (modern Afghanistan). Historical records mention Indian monks during the Tang Dynasty testing samples from Fenzhou and Zezhou, finding Zezhou's slightly softer than Uddiyana's but still effective for dissolving metallic ores.

Persian celestial brightness sand (Tianmingsha) proves valuable for metalworking. Authentic specimens can be identified by these traits: absence of bitter or sour taste when held in the mouth, non-boiling during heating while exuding viscous mucus-like secretions resembling glue. The appearance of purple smoke or lacquer-like substances during heating also indicates genuine material.

(Note: These minerals were primarily used in Daoist alchemical practices. Puxiao and Mangxiao represent varying purity grades of sodium sulfate; Shidan is copper sulfate; Xiaoshi is potassium nitrate; Tianmingsha likely refers to natural resins or mineral adhesives.)

The Jinshibu Jiushu Jue (Register of Metals and Minerals with Nine-Five Formulas) scripture primarily documents several mineral materials commonly used in alchemical practices along with their identification methods:

1. Yellow Blossom Stone (Huanghua Shi)

The finest quality comes from Persia (modern-day Iran region), while the second-best originates from Qianzhou, Jiangxi (present-day Ganzhou). This ore resembles copper deposits with golden speckles, appearing reddish and emitting fishy smoke when burned. Authentic Persian Yellow Blossom Stone exhibits exceptional luster; when ground, it can make mercury float. Some mistakenly compare it to purple ore or dragon's blood resin (xuejie) — this is incorrect.

2. Unburnable Wood (Bu Hui Mu)

Also sourced from Persia, it forms the base matrix of silver ore. Resembling rotten timber, it remains unchanged after prolonged burning, leaving no ash, with a wood-like bluish hue. Only Persian specimens are suitable for controlling mercury (zhi gong) — others are unusable.

3. Rong Salt (Rong Yan)

Found in Rongzhou (modern Yibin, Sichuan) in the northwest, it naturally exudes from high cliffs thirty li from the city, never artificially produced. Genuine Rong Salt tastes neither salty nor astringent; its quality can be tested by stacking eggs. Bluish-white varieties are supreme, outperforming granular salts from Hedong (Shanxi) and Guannei (Shaanxi).

4. Supreme Yin Mystic Essence (Taiyin Xuanjing)

Harvested from Xie County's salt ponds in Shanxi, these crystalline salt roots must be collected near water. Jade-like or tortoiseshell-shaped specimens, transparent with yellow-white hues, rank highest for mercury control (zhi gong). Heavy black varieties are inferior, with Yanzhou producing the finest quality.

5. Bitter Salt (Lu Xian)

Obtained from salt marshes northeast of Tongzhou (modern Dali, Shaanxi), also crystalline salt roots resembling fine grains, bitter yet non-salty. Many erroneously identify soft white terrestrial growths as Lu Xian — this is mistaken.

6. Talc (Hua Shi)

The premium types come from Caizhou (Henan) and Qingzhou (Shandong). Some incorrectly use Kunlun Mountain talc for making Six-One Mud (Liu Yi Ni, the alchemical sealing compound) — completely inappropriate. However, Kunlun talc proves better for medicine; the softest, whitest, wax-like specimens are optimal.

7. Gypsum (Hanshui Shi)

The whitest, water-like varieties are best.

8. Hu Tonglu

A congealed tree sap from the Western Regions (Central Asia).

(Note: "Mercury control" (zhi gong) refers to alchemical mercury manipulation techniques, while "Six-One Mud" denotes the special sealing clay used in Daoist alchemical vessel preparation.)

The Jinshibu Jiuwu Shujue (Register of Metals and Minerals in Ninety-Five Sections) records several mineral substances commonly used in ancient alchemical practices along with their properties. Here is the passage rendered in modern vernacular:

The mineral called "Hutonglei" has lost its original meaning in contemporary understanding, often being mistakenly written as "Hutonglü." It resembles subterranean salt ore in appearance and is particularly valued by goldsmiths for crafting utensils, as well as being suitable for refining gold and silver.

Pomegranate Cinnabar (Shiliudan) originates from Mount Taihe (modern Wudang Mountain). Its appearance resembles a pomegranate—red on the outside with seed-like formations inside. Legend says the ancient recluse Xu You attained immortality by ingesting it, making it exceptionally precious in alchemical traditions.

Yu's Surplus Grain (Yuyuliang) is found in the East Sea, Dongyang, and Zezhou regions, appearing in five colors: blue, yellow, red, white, and black. The yellow variety resembling cattail pollen is superior, the red is also good, but the pure white is considered supreme.

For Sal Ammoniac (Naosha), the translucent variety should be selected. Specimens from volcanic regions are inferior in quality compared to those from Beiting.

Orpiment (Cihuang) from Wudu is considered finest, exhibiting golden-yellow brilliance. When broken open, it should show mica-like luster without stony impurities—such specimens are graded highest.

Golden Sprouts (Jinya) primarily come from Shu Province and the Jingxiang region, appearing black and glossy externally with golden veins inside. When steeped in wine and consumed, it reportedly cures beriberi—hence the name "Golden Teeth Wine."

Hematite (Dai zhe) from Yanmen Pass with reddish-brown hue is preferred; the yellow variety is inferior. Specimens from Dawangcheng in Weizhou with crimson veins are exceptional.

Rock Salt (Shiyan) from Pingzhou's northern Xi territories is graded highest when exhibiting the dark, lustrous quality of black mica. Persian rock salt is considered the finest quality.

Amethyst Quartz (Zi shiying) from Mount Taihe, when dice-shaped, perfectly transparent and pure-colored, is most valued. Though also produced in Chenzhou, the completely translucent purple variety holds paramount importance in alchemy.

Stone's Yellow Core (Shi zhong huangzi) from the Qinshui River source resembles river pebbles. When cracked open, it contains yolk-like fluid. Tradition states consuming two or three sheng (ancient measurement) can confer longevity.