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Syndrome and treatment of Shanghan (Cold Damage diseases) have been difficult to master since ancient times. It originated with Zhang Zhongjing, and later scholars compiled numerous commentaries, numbering no less than a hundred schools, yet only more than ten are familiar to the general public.

Who can synthesize the myriad branches and streams into a single source, achieving a coherence as precise as matching tally marks, like that of Zhang Changsha (Zhang Zhongjing)? Unless one is a scholar who has devoted years to study at their desk, exhausting their mind and spirit, it is not easy to discuss this with them. When my hair first began to turn white, I started reading Zhang Zhongjing's works. Now, my temples are covered in snow-white hair. Between Nanyang (hometown of Zhang Zhongjing) and Yishui (associated with Bian Que, symbolizing medical lineage), I searched extensively. After poring over crumbling books and fading ink, I finally completed *Shou Zhu* (Bestowing Pearls) in ten fascicles. At the end of spring in the Yiyu year, the collection was just finished when it was destroyed by war and fire. In early spring of the Jichou year, I planned to print it but faced financial difficulties. Moreover, I reflected on the ancient adage: "Too much causes confusion; too little yields gain." Although *Shou Zhu* is comprehensive in principle, later learners might find it cumbersome. Why not use concise writing to reveal profound truths, allowing beginners to enter the path easily and ascend quickly? Thus, I edited *Shou Zhu*, removing redundancy and complexity, selecting the profound and essential, retaining only about two-tenths of the original content, without omitting any significant meaning. I titled it *Kuoyao* (Essentials Summarized), meaning that the principles are comprehensively summarized while the wording is concise. Among my students, only Xu Shizi truly understood its essence and could revive the dying. He eagerly wished for the book to benefit the world and donated money to have it carved onto printing blocks.

To point towards Fusang (a metaphor for high medical truth) without a boat is impossible. This does not mean that holding this book allows one to discard all other schools, but rather that mastering it allows one to adjudicate millennia of medical knowledge. The mechanisms of disease are complex and change infinitely, like pearls rolling on a plate—unpredictable in their movement, yet always confined within the plate. Is this book the plate? Or is it the hand holding the plate? To wield a spiritual method to respond to infinite changes, adapting appropriately to variations without being rigidly bound by fixed rules, is to be a true master of *Kuoyao*.

Recorded by Li Zhongzi, courtesy name Shicai, pseudonym Jinfan Jushi, on the 15th day of the first month of the Jichou year, in the sixth year of the Shunzhi reign.

First, Zhang Zhongjing is the founding ancestor of Shanghan studies. Although later scholars emerged in great numbers, none transcended his scope. However, works that elucidate Zhang's profound insights or supplement his omissions are all collected. I have also added my own humble observations, so that learners may see everything at a glance and avoid regretting missed pearls.

Second, among those who interpret Zhang Zhongjing's works, Cheng Wuji is the most detailed and clear. Yet even the wise make occasional errors. One must base interpretations on the original text and ultimate principles, analyzing them in detail to correct historical errors, rather than making arbitrary criticisms based on personal opinion.

Third, Zhang Zhongjing's prescriptions often involve large quantities, measured in jin (pounds) or sheng/he (volume units). However, when using powdered medicines, the dosage is only a "fangcun bi" (square-inch scoop); pills are sized like paulownia seeds, rarely exceeding thirty grains. How can decoctions, pills, and powders differ so drastically? *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) and *Bencao* (Materia Medica) suggest that three taels of ancient weight equal one tael of modern weight, and three sheng of ancient volume equal one sheng of modern volume, which serves as a standard. Ancient weight measurement defined twenty-four zhu as one tael. In the Han dynasty, six-zhu coins made up one tael; in the Song dynasty, ten Kaiyuan Tongbao coins made up one tael. The difference is roughly one-third. Furthermore, Zhang's decoctions were taken in three doses, reducing the effective dose per administration significantly. Considering both the weight conversion and the divided dosing, an ancient tael might equate to merely one qian (modern unit) today. *Ju Fang* (Formulas of the Bureau) and *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) generally treat five modern qian as one dose, which is too small. Tao and Wu arbitrarily adjusted dosages, altering ancient methods further. This edition strictly selects Zhang Zhongjing's original texts, avoiding arbitrary changes. However, given differences in era, climate, geography, drug quality, and patient constitution, adaptable wisdom is required.

Fourth, the previous compilation *Shou Zhu* listed Zhang Zhongjing's full text for each syndrome, followed by later commentaries and a summary. This edition aims for simplicity, so full texts are not always retained. Redundant or unimportant characters are omitted, but the core meaning remains intact.

Fifth, according to Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage): "Taiyang disease" refers to floating pulse, aversion to cold, and stiffness/pain in the head and neck. "Yangming disease" refers to excess in the stomach/intestines. "Shaoyin disease" refers to faint and thin pulse, and desire to sleep. "Jueyin disease" refers to qi rushing upward, heart pain, and vomiting roundworms. For example, Shaoyin disease presenting with fever and deep pulse requires Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction). This applies specifically to cases with deep/thin pulse, desire to sleep, AND fever. Later practitioners misunderstood this, seeing only fever and deep pulse and prescribing Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang, missing Zhang's intent. This is cited as an example.

Sixth, later practitioners, being overly cautious, replaced Zhang's heavy formulas with lighter ones, such as using Chonghe Tang (Harmonizing Decoction) instead of Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). This obscured Zhang's subtle profundities. Disease dictates medicine, like a key fitting a lock. Harm arises from mismatched medicine and syndrome. Using light medicine for severe conditions is like asking a weak soldier to draw a strong bow; success is unlikely. This edition follows ancient methods strictly. By carefully distinguishing pulses and symptoms, erroneous prescriptions will be avoided.

Seventh, Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) are indeed eternal medical classics. However, their language is concise and archaic, and their meanings profound. Without diligent study and deep reflection, they are hard to understand. Presuming my own shallowness, I intend to provide annotations to clarify implicit meanings and illuminate obscure points, seeking correction from experts in the future.