Library

In the past, Zhu Gong (Counselor) wrote *Shanghan Baiwen* (Hundred Questions on Cold Damage). After the book was completed and presented to the court, he was appointed as a Medical Doctor. The book was submitted to the Imperial Academy for printing and distribution. On the way, he encountered Song Daofang, a renowned physician from Yuzhang, and consulted him. Song pointed out dozens of errors in the text, leaving Zhu Gong bewildered and ashamed. Consequently, the Imperial Academy halted the printing; this incident is recorded in *Xu Yijian Fang*. Li Zhixian from Shuangzhong subsequently compiled two books: *Ge Kuo* (Song Rhymes) and *Ba Yun* (Eight Rhythms). Our local seniors generally regarded these as "Huoren" (Life-Saving) books. (Note: *Records of the Three Kingdoms: Biography of Hua Tuo* states that there exists a volume capable of saving lives; thus, the term "Huoren" originated from Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* [Treatise on Cold Damage].) Although both Mr. Zhu and Mr. Li were aware of Zhang Zhongjing's work, they failed to penetrate its profundity and did not fully merit the title of "Life-Saving."

In the first year of the Zhengtong era (1436), I traveled to the capital and met Mr. Liu Zishan from Linjiang. He gave me a scroll which also identified dozens of errors in *Baiwen*. I brought it south upon my return and presented it to Mr. Zhao Jingyuan from Songjiang. Counselor Zhu's book was indeed imperfect, and the critiques by Mr. Liu seemed to highlight significant omissions, yet no subsequent scholars had commented on them. Moreover, Zhang Zhongjing's works have been circulated for a long time, resulting in numerous textual corruptions (such as fish and ro characters being confused) and intermingled obscure meanings. Following the loss of fragments and chapters, Mr. Zhu neither understood the original text nor the clinical manifestations. However, since the Han and Wei dynasties, how many works by eminent scholars and recluses have failed to survive? He then displayed various texts, stating: Guo Baiyun's *Shanghan Buwang* (Supplemental Lost Matters on Cold Damage), Pang Anchang's *Zubing Lun* (Treatise on Sudden Diseases), Han He's *Weizhi* (Subtle Principles), Yang Renzhai's *Shanghan Leishu* (Classified Book on Cold Damage), Wang Shi's *Zhengzhi* (Diagnosis and Treatment), as well as works by Chang Qizhi and Yang Dashou. These several types all contributed to the understanding of Zhang Zhongjing's teachings but remained unseen by medical schools in the Southeast. Mr. Jingyuan also compiled his own book titled *Shanghan Lili* (Classified Examples of Cold Damage), but it remained unfinished for a long time and was not shown to others.

In the winter of the Gengyin year, I fell ill and stayed indoors for several months. During this time, I studied Cheng Wuji's *Mingli Lun* (Theory Clarification), noting that it covered only fifty syndromes with detailed and clear analysis. Regrettably, it was incomplete. Therefore, I collected what I had seen and heard, categorized and attached examples, and through careful deliberation and addition or deletion, finally produced a book named *Mingli Xulun* (Continued Discussion on Theory Clarification). This was merely intended to prevent personal loss and omission, not to claim transmission to others. Although Mr. Zhu's *Baiwen* accumulated a lifetime of diligence, it still invites diverse criticisms from later generations. What kind of person am I, to achieve something in merely a few months? This is likely due to the inspiration derived from the established teachings of the ancients. Perhaps those who begin their study of medicine may gain something from it, and there will be those who understand my intentions. Thus, I record these origins at the beginning of the volume.