Library

There are deeds originating from benevolent and filial individuals that remain illustrious even after tens of thousands of years. I have observed that those in the past who dedicated themselves to governance, served as teachers spreading education, and accumulated merit to benefit others, all had the core intention of rescuing and relieving people. How much more so is it that regimens for preserving life and health, which ancient sage-kings certainly wished to transmit? Thus, the illustrious words of benevolent people are a fortune for this world, and the fact that filial sons do not hoard secrets but choose to share them is a fortune for ten thousand generations. My *Wan Shi Quan Shu* (Complete Works of the Wan Family) by Luo Mizhai has long been highly regarded within and outside the country. Later, the printing blocks were lost due to a fire in the book market, and the books remaining in the county were destroyed during the chaos of the late Ming Dynasty. Those who cherish medical knowledge have always sighed with regret. Fortunately, Wan Tong, the fifth-generation grandson, preserved the secret collection hidden among thousands of mud bricks, akin to the classics found in the Wall of Lu. It seems Heaven truly did not wish for this lineage of medicine to be extinguished in future generations. During the leisure time when Li Shitang, a respected figure in the county, was under protection, the local scholars collectively requested its publication for the public, worrying that the cost would be too high to complete. I discussed this with Tong: "You possess the pediatric text *Pian Yu Dou Zhen* (Piece of Jade on Smallpox and Rashes), which is a family secret transmission not yet included in the complete works. Why not publish it first as a foundation for the complete works?" Tong agreed happily, entrusting friends skilled in recitation to review and edit it before printing. After more than half a year, it was completed. Subsequently, the complete works were gradually published. However, this pediatric book features illustrations, songs, formulas, and symptom descriptions, exploring profound mysteries and tracing subtle nuances, reaching the precision of Lu Yi (Bian Que) and surpassing what the son of Zengzi (Ken Tang) could fully elucidate. Such rare treasures should surely be treasured by the world. Parents' hearts toward humanity cannot bear to see even one person left without care. I anticipate that once the complete works are released, the people will be free from disease, and all things will not suffer premature death; everyone will live joyfully in an era like that of Emperor Yao and Shun. Who says that medical books are not merits of governance and education? Who says that the Wan family's books do not succeed through the promotion by benevolent and filial people? I hope the complete jade-like work is transmitted to record its immortality.

Written and inscribed by Liu Yijiong, a fellow townsman, on a propitious day in the early summer of the Jiawu year of the Shunzhi reign.

Since my ancestor, Old Man Xingcheng, was from Yuzhang and became famous for pediatrics, he was the first generation, passing away early. My late father, Old Man Juxuan, orphaned at a young age, inherited his will and elaborated upon it. In the Gengzi year of the Chenghua era, he resided in Luotian, married my late mother, Lady Chen, and I, his unworthy son, was born there. We settled down, and his medical skills became widely practiced, known throughout the region as "Wan Shi Xiao Er Ke" (Wan Family Pediatrics). This constitutes the second generation. In Luotian, there were scholarly Confucians such as Zhang Yuquan and Hu Liuxi, who studied law, chronology, and history. My father, knowing I could be filial, ordered me to study under the Master (Confucius), and I acquired considerable transmission. After my father passed away, I worried that his pediatric expertise would not flourish. Without predecessors, virtues remain obscure; without successors, prosperity does not spread. This is my responsibility. Therefore, in my spare time, I sought the lineage of our family's tradition, collecting scattered parts, supplementing missing ones, deleting redundant content, and correcting errors. Upon completion, I named it *Yu Ying Jia Mi* (Family Secrets for Infant Care) to leave to my descendants, marking the third generation. This differs from having ten sons but none capable of practicing the art. The book has already circulated among Jing, Xiang, Min, Luo, Wu, and Yue regions, where no one fails to say, "This is the Wan family's hereditary pediatrics." I deeply reflect on this. Treating illness relies on methods (Fa), while mastering treatment relies on intent/understanding (Yi). If the method chosen is not precise, it is merely empty method; if the intent is not detailed, it is merely empty intent. If methods become too cumbersome without benefiting the world, they are useless. I am not wise, but future gentlemen will surely understand. If I do not pass this to my sons, I fear they will neither understand nor practice it, and the grace of the Wan family will cease before the fourth generation. Regarding education, if one can teach as Yin Gong Ta learned from Yu Gong Zhi Si, then the transmission will find worthy recipients. The Way of the Master will not fall into disrepair; conversely, if one abandons the Way of Zhou and Confucius like Chen Xiang, the transmission will be lost. I hope you sages take this seriously.