Library

It has been over a year since our parting. My heart was constricted and blocked, and the feeling of separation drove my soul and dreams. Like the bright moon illuminating the gallbladder (a metaphor for clarity and courage) and the clear wind refreshing the bosom, your noble character inspires admiration. I sigh repeatedly while reading your works. You have sought after the vast and distant lineage of academic tradition, independently gathering knowledge from afar and continuing it, standing as a pillar in midstream and turning back the raging torrent that had already overturned. Thus, spring-like vitality arises wherever you touch, and praises are everywhere; this is what is meant by "not a single person left without receiving your benevolence."

Yesterday, I received your commission to deliver a letter from Mr. Qiu Shan. I respectfully read the *Linglan Miscellany* (referring to precious medical texts or specific case records here), which were entirely entrusted to printing presses. The merit of saving lives and benefiting the world flows endlessly. Let us use the compass as a metaphor for guidance; I truly wish to learn from you. However, I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed that you included my humble name among those involved in the proofreading and engraving process. How can I deserve such sincere and profound kindness? My gratitude is beyond words. If possible, after the printing is completed, I beg you to grant me an early reading opportunity, which would be my great fortune. It is like seeing auspicious stars and clouds (metaphors for rare and auspicious signs); it is a joy to witness them first.

I, Ling Ming, respectfully followed my teacher's order to collate and edit the book *Three Families' Medical Cases*. My teacher spent several years on this book, collecting materials wherever he went, compiling the excellent prescriptions of ancient sages to prepare a precious mirror for clinical practice. By studying cases to ponder pathogenesis, and retaining the standards of prescriptions, one can consider contemporary practices without being bound by antiquity, and reference ancient methods to understand the present. This work is made public for enthusiasts who share these interests, not sparingly imparting medical skills (Qingnang refers to medical knowledge), but passing them to my disciples, transmitting the art of medicine (Dan Zao refers to alchemy, here metaphorically referring to the transmission of medical arts). This is the lofty intention of saving the world and the precious raft guiding people out of confusion.

Recently, my teacher also selected Xu Lingtai's annotated *Linzheng Zhinan* (Clinical Guide) and re-edited it. Because the version previously engraved by the Hua family, although categorized into sections, mixed essence with dross. Therefore, we again cleared away the繁杂 and superfluous parts, striving for precision and appropriateness, so that profound meanings could be clearly revealed, and skills could be subtly transmitted like a golden needle passed in secret. Continuing the past and opening up the future, it may well be that my teacher's selection in this edition initiated this trend. Now that the medical cases are completed, I append a few words to record this event, seeking further instruction. In the summer of the fourth month of the Renchen year of the Daoguang era, disciple Ling Ming recorded this at Nuancui Pavilion.