When he was about to return home, Shi Men made a large donation to the temple head for the repair expenses. Before leaving the temple, he first took a stroll in its vast backyard. In a room, he saw many Hwesio monks reading sacred texts. One of them, who was kneeling and facing the holy book, caught his attention. The Hwesio was thin and bony, his robes simple yet clean. His eyes were like those of a tiger, emitting a sharp gaze. His shiny bald head resembled a marble stone and his chin bore an unkempt beard. Unlike others, this Hwesio appeared authoritative and deeply engrossed in his meditation.
“Ah, this Hwesio is no ordinary man,” Shi Men thought and wanted to converse with him. Louder, he asked as he approached the monk.
“Lo-Suhu, what is your name and where do you come from?” After repeating his question twice, the Hwesio finally came to his senses and opened his eyes. Seeing Shi Men, he quickly rose and responded in a hoarse voice.
“I am called Hwan Hwesio and I come from the west, on the borders of India. I am a travelling Hwesio who enjoys wandering among the clouds and I possess some knowledge of medicine to help those who are ill. What is it that Taijin wishes from me?”
“Ah, so Lo-Suhu is skilled in the art of medicine. Do you perhaps have a powerful aphrodisiac for men?”
“I do.”
“Great, then I invite Lo-Suhu to visit my home. Would you like to accompany me?” “Yes, yes.” The Hwesio took a stick from under the bench and also carried a pair of medicine pouches with it. Upon reaching the temple gate, Shi Men asked Siauw Thai to find a horse for the Hwesio.
“There's no need to trouble yourself, Taijin,” Hwan Hwesio said. “I never ride horses but I can get to the destination faster on foot than Taijin can on horseback.” At that time, in front of Shi Men's house gate, there was a young man who had been pacing back and forth, seemingly waiting for someone... He was the younger brother of Liok Hwa or Lady Han, Shi Men's lover. His Enchi (aunt) who missed Shi Men, sent him to convey her desire to meet her lover through the servant Siauw Thai. Hearing that Siauw Thai had followed his master out, he waited at the gate.
Finally, Siauw Thai appeared riding a donkey, followed by a Hwesio on foot. Strangely, while Siauw Thai who was riding the donkey seemed exhausted, the Hwesio looked fresh. Seeing the person he was looking for, the young man quickly conveyed his Enchi's message to Siauw Thai, who promised to inform his master. Soon after, Shi Men arrived on horseback and seeing the Hwesio already there, he was amazed and impressed. He quickly ushered the Hwesio into his home. Hwan Hwesio was astounded and awed by the lavish and beautiful interior of the mansion. He was invited to sit in the living room while Shi Men went inside to change. When he came back to meet his guest, Shi Men asked,
“Does Lo-Suhu enjoy drinking liquor?”
“Liquor and meat are not forbidden for a wandering Hwesio like me. All are blessings that must be accepted.” As that day was the birthday of Sun Siu Oh, Shi Men's fourth wife, there was plenty of food in the kitchen and the Hwesio was served food that he had rarely or never before tasted. Without any hesitation, he heartily relished the food along with the liquor and only stopped after his shrunken stomach was full.
“Ah, I am very full,” he said contentedly. A servant then cleared the table and left them alone at Shi Men's signal.
“Now, I am holding you to your promise about the aphrodisiac,” he said.
“Do not worry, Taijin. Because Taijin has been very kind and hospitable to me, Taijin deserves to receive a few extraordinary aphrodisiac pills from me. This medicine is from the prescription of Prophet Lo-Cu who received it from the Empress from the West.” He took out a medicine pouch from his bag and poured out a hundred and ten red pills. “Take only one pill at a time, Taijin, not more, and swallow it with liquor,” he said.
“And what are its effects?” asked Shi Men, elated.
“The effects? Not only will it make Taijin look younger, thicken hair growth, strengthen teeth, sharpen eyesight, but it will also enhance virility so Taijin is able to outlast ten women overnight. If Taijin runs out of energy, a glass of plain water is enough to recover Taijin's energy.” As a man obsessed with women and a slave to his lust, Shi Men was extremely delighted to hear about the medicine's effects. His greed led him to imagine that the hundred and ten pills would quickly run out, so he thought it would be great if he could have the aphrodisiac recipe to make himself. Thus, he offered to buy the recipe at any price. Hearing this, Hwan Hwesio laughed.
“I'm sorry, Taijin. I have sworn to renounce worldly matters. Since I don't need worldly goods, what does a lot of money mean to me? I gave the medicine to repay taijin's hospitality. I do not need money.” After saying this, the monk left. Meanwhile, in the inner room, among the guests who came to congratulate the fourth Lady Sun Siu Oh, there were two Nikouw, Wang Nikouw who this time kept his promise by bringing an elderly and noble Nikouw, Pi Nikouw, accompanied by two beautiful young Nikouw.
The nikouw were hosted separately by Goat Toanio with a meatless feast. On this occasion, Pi Nikouw gave teachings on Buddhism and its lessons, and the women there listened with interest, except Kim Lian who was bored listening to theories about pious and good life. Goat Toanio was the most serious listener. Seeing that the wives were busy hosting the Nikouw, after escorting Hwan Hwesio to the front gate, Shi Men immediately went to visit his lover, Lady Han. He had been informed by Siauw Thai that his lover was looking forward to his visit, because that day happened to be Liok Hwa's birthday too. An amazing coincidence, Shi Men thought, remembering the aphrodisiac in his pocket.
“Siauw Thai, if people at home ask, say that I am going to check my stores,” Shi Men instructed his servant. And he directly went to visit Lady Han. Liok Hwa greeted him with great joy, especially when her lover presented a pair of gold brooches with the beautiful word “Longevity”. Shi Men also gave her half an ounce of silver.
“Get someone to buy good liquor.” And he added, “Corn liquor.”
“What? Corn liquor? Are you bored with the good grape wine so you want cheap corn liquor?” Liok Hwa asked in surprise, but she quickly sent her younger brother to buy the liquor Shi Men wanted. Hwesio Hwan advised that the pill should be taken with corn liquor! Once the liquor arrived, Shi Men took out a red pill and downed it with the liquor. Seeing this, Liok Hwa smiled and nodded.
“Ah, so the corn liquor is to take with that pill? What is that medicine?” Her lover did not answer, but Liok Hwa soon found out when she was in her lover's embrace. They made love in such a way as they had never experienced before. Wang Liok Hwa was led to the peak of pleasure until she almost fainted, and naturally Shi Men was very happy seeing the effects of the medicine given by Hwan Hwesio.
“Listen, my dear. I will send your old husband along with Lai Po to the salt production center in Yang-Couw, then from there straight to the silk factory in Hu-Couw. This way, for some time, the two of us will enjoy our love without any disturbance.” Meanwhile, Shi Men's wives were wondering where their husband had gone. “Strange, where did he go?” Goat Toanio asked grumpily.
Glossary
- Hwesio: A term for a monk in Chinese Buddhism.
- Lo-Suhu: A formal address for an older man or teacher, showing respect.
- Taijin: A term of respect used towards a person of higher social status.
- Enchi: A term for aunt in Chinese.
- Nikouw: A term for a nun in Chinese Buddhism.
- Goat Toanio: Possibly a name or title for an individual, exact context unclear.
- Siauw Thai: Likely a servant or subordinate to Shi Men.