A closer look
Chinese alchemists during the Tang Dynasty spent centuries frantically searching for the elixir of life to grant their emperors physical immortality, completely ignoring the fact that their magical potions were consistently killing the exact people they were trying to save. In a brilliantly ironic twist of historical fate, these mystics frequently mixed highly toxic substances like mercury, sulfur, and arsenic into their longevity drinks, essentially creating beautifully bottled poison that rapidly accelerated the dying process. Several mighty emperors died in absolute agony specifically because they drank a heavy metal smoothie prepared by their most trusted spiritual advisors. Modern society loves to judge these ancient royals for drinking literal liquid mercury to stay young, right up until we remember that people currently inject a lethal botulism toxin directly into their foreheads just to prevent mild wrinkle formation
