Library

During my three years of governance in Luotian, I never had a single day to read books, feeling that even my appearance and speech were despised by the ancients. Occasionally, one or two students would come with visiting cards; while I was happy to receive them, the flurry of official documents and lawsuits made it impossible for me to remember them after they left, let alone have the energy to study medical texts! In the autumn of the Bing Shen year, when I paid respects to the Provincial Governor (Fang Xian) in Qiyang, Lord Zhao from Zhongzhou said, "Do you know there is a Mi Zhai in your county? People say he is a figure from ancient times, and his books can be passed down." I felt ashamed and did not know how to respond. Upon returning, I inquired among the local gentry, who praised him enthusiastically: "Wan Mi Zhai is a master of Qi Huang (Traditional Chinese Medicine), renowned during the Longqing and Wanli reigns, but his books are likely incomplete now." This made me feel even more ashamed.

In ancient times, magistrates knew every famous mountain, river, unique person, and outstanding scholar in their jurisdiction as if they were stored in a medicine cabinet; yet today, amidst such abundance of talent, I do not even know their names. Am I not ashamed of failing the duty to recognize talent? How can I justify this mockery? Therefore, I obtained the book and summoned Wan Mi Zhai's grandson, Wan Da, to inquire. I learned that Wan Sheng's given name was Quan, with the courtesy name Mi Zhai. He was a Linsheng (state-supported student) in the county who, frustrated by the Eight-Legged Essay examinations, abandoned them to pursue the art of medicine. His skills were refined and effective; he recorded these successful cases into essays, compiling dozens of volumes. Previously, Li Gong, the Prefect of Qiaochuan, had them printed, causing the books to become highly sought after in the Three Xiang region. However, due to war and fire, the printing blocks were destroyed. Only one copy remained, hidden within a wall by his grandson Wan Da, which luckily survived. Every official serving in the locality knew of this book and wished to purchase it, but copying was difficult. I consulted again with Wan Da, pooled my meager savings and clean salary, hired engravers, and after eight months, completed the work, resulting in eighteen volumes.

Reflecting on this: The practice of medicine relies on "Yi" (intuitive understanding/mind). Where the mind reaches, the physician may not realize the height of their skill, yet the prescriptions are transmitted to posterity. Thus, medical books in the world are merely accumulations of prescriptions. Modern physicians desire the reputation of being doctors. To gain this reputation, they inevitably seek books, driven by circumstances. However, desiring reputation without properly studying medical texts is unhelpful to medicine and shifts blame onto the books. If the spirit of the book cannot benefit the doctor, then the doctor's reputation distorts the book. Once one has the reputation of a doctor, writing books becomes easy. Yet, so-called masters of a generation often limit themselves to familiar practices and transmissions, suddenly claiming prestige for themselves. What are their books like upon reading? Wan Mi Zhai’s practice, like his scholarship, was not only unknown to others but also he dared not call himself a famous doctor. This is why he could be a true doctor and why his book could be transmitted. I read it with admiration and discerned his intent: he preferred that his medical skill be high while his fame did not pursue him, rather than having fame arrive while his skill lagged behind. We, who govern counties and fail to benefit the world, should consider it fortunate to have those who do benefit the world. Thinking that there are still gentlemen in today's world who widely transmit his books, to soothe my heart and exert my efforts, it is appropriate to reprint them.

Bing Shen Year, 5th Year of Kangxi
Tongjia Di (humble self-reference), Magistrate of Luotian County, Lü Minghe of Zhili, respectfully composed