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What does the *Record of Aspirations and Conduct* record? It records Mr. Yunlin's life aspirations and his daily practices. Why is a record made for Mr. Yunlin? Previously, my father, while serving in Fugou, fell critically ill. I requested leave to visit him. At that time, I was filled with panic and terror. Relying on Mr. Yunlin's diagnosis, nursing, and medicinal rescue, my father was able to recover. For the sake of my father, I hold Mr. Yunlin in high esteem; he is indeed like flesh and blood to our two families. Having thoroughly known his true character, I have listed his aspirations and conduct in detail to write this record, thereby honoring goodness.

Mr. Yunlin's family has been residents of Jinxi for generations. His surname is Gong, given name Tingxian, courtesy name Zicai. He was born exceptionally intelligent, endowed by heaven with benevolence and filial piety. His mind was broad as the vast ocean, outstanding among the heroes of the Zhao (Ming) dynasty. In his early years, he studied for the imperial examinations, well-versed in classics. When wielding the brush and writing, his compositions were brilliant like cloud-patterned brocade and heavenly flowers, completed instantly. He originally aspired to great distances (the Southern Sea), hoping to serve in the court and fully realize his contributions. However, due to ill fortune, he failed the examinations. Thus, he inherited his father's profession and became proficient in medicine. He believed that whether one becomes a good minister when successful or a good physician when unsuccessful, both contribute to the moral order of the world.

He initially traveled through Xuchang, went to Fugou, and then proceeded to the capital. There, he gained the appreciation of Grand Scholar Gao Xuan, Marquis Wen Yi of Dingxi Jiang, and Minister of Justice Liu Sichuan. His fame spread brilliantly throughout the capital. Subsequently, he was appointed to an official post and returned home in glory. Later, traveling from Jinling to Daliang, his reputation spread everywhere. He revived the dead and saved countless lives. Princes, kings, dukes, and ministers treated him with the etiquette due to guests, respecting and admiring him. Those who came to welcome and await him were continuous. Poems were presented to him, and plaques praising him were hung, unceasingly. The Prince Haiyang of Zhou, Zhu Hu, the Prince Jingguan of Anchang, Zhu Jingguan, the Chief of Clan Affairs, Zhu Xiting, as well as the Provincial Governor Hongxi Zhong, the Hanlin Academician Yuyang Zhang, and the Education Commissioner Yishen Yang, showed him particular caution and respect! However, by nature, he was incorruptible and upright, happy to give relief without demanding repayment. Although he accepted gold and silk offered by senior officials and scholars which he could not refuse, he did not keep it for himself but took it home to relieve the poverty of his clan and fellow townsmen.

He served his father, Mr. Xiyuan, with pure filial piety, ensuring warmth in winter and coolness in summer, and reporting morning and evening. He gathered all forms of obedience to nourish his father's will. Since his father's ambition was to extend benevolence to the world, he published three secret collections passed down to him: *Gujin Yijian* (Mirror of Medicine Through the Ages), *Zhongxing Xianfang* (Immortal Apricot Prescription), and *Wanbing Huichun* (Revival from Ten Thousand Diseases). This allowed everyone to examine their illnesses according to the books, enabling them to live out their natural lifespan and enter the realm of longevity, bringing great merit to the world and future generations. His father cherished the two young sons born to his concubine. Mr. Yunlin extended this love to them, treating them as if they were his own children. He yielded all family property to them and additionally gifted them land, allowing them to enjoy leisure and please their father. He can be described as one who skillfully inherits and elaborates upon his father's legacy and strictly observes righteous principles.

Regarding yielding ancestral property to his uncle, leaving substantial wealth to his second younger brother, building an ancestral hall to honor predecessors, establishing family instructions to inspire descendants, constructing a grand gate to glorify the clan, and purchasing義田 (charitable fields) to support clan members—these are all actions of benevolent and righteous men. He also donated grain and millet to relieve famine victims, unable to bear seeing them in destitution; provided coffins to bury travelers' remains, unable to bear seeing bodies exposed; gave away clothes and furs to save poor scholars, without expecting future repayment; upheld etiquette and befriended the virtuous, never failing in his trustworthiness; redeemed sold daughters and recovered sold servants, without claiming bride prices or fees; pitied widows and the orphaned, showing no stinginess with generous funds. His aspirations and conduct were outstanding and extraordinary, too numerous to list. These are merely the most obvious and significant deeds, worthy of recording and transmitting to influence the education of the world.

His noble deeds are about to be heard in heaven, and successive summons are being issued. To leave his name in bamboo slips and silk records is indeed destined. Moreover, hidden virtue moves Heaven, and Heaven blesses the good. His descendants' fortune will prosper forever, enjoying endless rich rewards. Is this not the inevitable law of reason! I appreciate his goodness and record it, waiting for the Historiographers who observe customs to collect it. This is not a flattering record.

The time is the auspicious day of the first month in the year Wuzi (1588), the sixteenth year of the Wanli reign. Written by Xu Ruyang, native of Linchuan, styled Jingwu, who received the Jin degree, held the rank of Yazhong Dafu, and served as Counselor of the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission.