Library

This is the reason why the Way of Medicine is obscure and not grand. If it lies in writing treatises and commentaries to open wisdom and benefit future generations, how can one fail to rely on the achievements of predecessors? The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) records acupuncture therapies, and Zhang Zhongjing began to establish the theory of formulas. Currently, the works collected by various schools are numerous and vast. Even if one could read them all and try them one by one, what is truly applicable undoubtedly depends on the choice of the wise.

I once heard Lord Xu Wenzheng discuss the medical arts of recent times, stating that the books of Zhang Jiegu constitute the "Kingly Way among medicine." I deeply agree with this statement but have had no leisure to study them carefully. By "Jiegu" is meant Zhang Yuansu; "Jiegu" is his pseudonym. Yunqizi Zhang Bi was his son; Li Dongyuan (Li Gao) expounded upon his way, and Wang Haogu promoted his way; they were all followers of this school. Luo Tianyi (courtesy name Qianfu) inherited and elaborated on his medical techniques. Their works have been handed down to the world.

In previous years, after retiring from my post at the Secretariat, while residing above the Mi River, I took these books and read them. Generally speaking, his discussions on principles are superior, not advocating for lucky successes, but being flexible and changing without being stuck in one corner. Through opening and closing, suppressing and raising, wherever he directed his efforts, he hit the essential point, focusing primarily on supporting and protecting Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi). To call it similar to the Kingly Way is indeed well-founded. Therefore, I selected those parts most relevant for practical use, excerpted and recorded them, classified them by category, containing both theories and formulas. They are detailed enough not to be redundant, yet concise enough not to be superficial. I still placed acupuncture methods first to emulate ancient systems, and included views from others that did not contradict mine but were consistent, to demonstrate impartiality in selection. It was compiled into five fascicles, each containing the original texts, and collectively titled *Jisheng Bacui* (Rescuing Life Extracts).

I dare not follow others' words and rashly claim that various schools are wrong; nor do I dare to stick to my own views and arrogantly assert that this book is correct. Considering myself to be eighty-one years old, my eyesight and mental faculties are not as sharp as before. Engaging in concise work may be more convenient for me. Furthermore, thinking of having it woodblock printed for wide dissemination, I am pleased to share this opportunity to enlighten others with the public. Nevertheless, medicine is not solely about herbs, but without herbs, medicine cannot be complete; herbs need not be confined to formulas, but without formulas, herbs cannot function effectively. As for scholars who explore the mysteries of Heaven and Humanity and thoroughly understand physical principles, whose treatment methods arise from their intuitive understanding, they will likely disdain this book. Although this book offers little to great masters of medicine, for those who share my aspirations, it may certainly provide some benefit. On the auspicious day of the tenth month of the second year of the Yanyou era, Baoshan Laoren (Old Man of Goodness), Du Sijing of Tongshan, wrote the preface.

[Yin Shi (Yin Jian) *Jian Yan Fang* (Simple Verified Prescriptions)] Supplementing *Yuan Zhi*, volume missing; Not seen.

[Wu Shi (Wu Yining) *Qubing Jianyao* (Brief Essentials for Removing Disease)] Supplementing *Yuan Zhi*, twenty-seven volumes; Not seen.

[Yu Shi (Yu Youbai) *Cangsheng Siming* (Life Guardian for the Common People)] Lost.

The *She County Gazetteer* states: Yu Shimian, courtesy name Zijing, whose father Yu Youbai was proficient in the principles of Qihuang (traditional Chinese medicine), edited *Cangsheng Siming*. Shimian was particularly capable of inheriting his family's learning, demonstrating steady progress and often achieving accurate diagnoses through trial. He supplemented and corrected the deficiencies of the previous book, calling it *Zhuzheng Xiyi* (Analyzing Doubts in Various Syndromes). His son, Yu Zhijun, verified in medicine exactly like his father.

[Yu Shi (Yu Shimian) *Zhuzheng Xiyi*] Lost.

[Pan Shi (Pan Tao) *Yixue Shengmo* (The Plumb Line of Medicine)] Lost.

The *Jiangxi General Gazetteer* states: Pan Tao, a native of Shangren, had a family renowned for practicing medicine for generations. His fame became even more prominent, and he saved many lives. He once authored *Yixue Shengmo*, which contained ten chapters: One, Pulse Diagnosis; Two, Inquiry into Symptoms; Three, Determining Disease Names; Four, Distinguishing Reversible and Irreversible Conditions; Five, Clarifying Root and Branch; Six, Establishing Treatments; Seven, Assessing Severity; Eight, Prescribing Formulas; Nine, Using Herbs; Ten, Conditioning and Regulation. It circulated in the world.

[Anonymous *Yanxia Shengxiao Fang* (Sage Efficacy Prescriptions of Misty Clouds)] Not seen.

[*Danxuan Fang* (Dantian Prescriptions)] Not seen.

[*Yilin Fang* (Medical Forest Prescriptions)] Not seen.

Regarding the above three books, cited in various syndrome sections of *Yifang Leiju* (Gathered Medical Prescriptions), judging by their formula discussions, they seem to have been composed during the Yuan Dynasty. They are recorded here nonetheless.

[*Yefu Duoxiao Fang* (Wild Man's Many-Efficacy Prescriptions)] *Wenyuan Ge Shumu* (Bibliography of the Pavilion of Literary Sources), one part, one volume, missing; Lost.

[*Jiji Danfang* (Emergency Single Prescriptions)] *Wenyuan Ge Shumu*, one part, one volume, missing; Lost.

[*Shiyi Miaofang* (Extraordinary Prescriptions from Omissions)] *Wenyuan Ge Shumu*, one part, one volume, missing; Lost.

[*Zhufang Cuoyao* (Essentials Gathered from Various Formulas)] *Wenyuan Ge Shumu*, one part, one volume, missing; Lost.