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To study medicine, one must use the *Shanghan Zhige* (Direct Rules for Cold Damage), which was authored by Liu Shouzhen, the noble Mr. Hejian. Liu Shouzhen had a profound understanding of the principles of creation and Yin-Yang as described in the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) of the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). He once said to me:
Cold damage is referred to as a "major disease" because life or death depends on the sixth or seventh day after onset. The classics state: "When humans are injured by cold, it manifests as a febrile disease." Since ancient times, this has been generally termed "Shanghan Rebing" (Cold Damage Febrile Disease).
In the first three days, the Taiyang (Greater Yang), Yangming (Bright Yang), and Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridians are affected; heat is intense at the exterior, and treatment with sweating methods leads to recovery. In the subsequent three days, the Taiyin (Greater Yin), Shaoyin (Lesser Yin), and Jueyin (Terminal Yin) meridians are affected; heat transmits to the interior, and treatment with purgative methods leads to healing. The transmission through the Six Meridians proceeds from shallow to deep, all representing heat syndromes, without any Yin-cold diseases. Ancient sages taught that Yin and Yang are exterior and interior counterparts. Only Zhang Zhongjing deeply grasped this essence. Later, Zhu Gongfengyi wrote the *Huo Ren Shu* (Book for Saving Lives), yet still deviated from Zhang Zhongjing's original intent by interpreting the term "Yin-Yang" as "Cold-Heat." This slight deviation led to significant errors, resulting in many unnecessary deaths due to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, a fact that cannot be ignored. I asked Liu Shouzhen: "Your arguments are so profound; why do you not refute this erroneous view to enlighten the world and reform the flaws in medical practice, instead enduring silence?" Liu Shouzhen replied: "Various theories circulate in the world. Human nature prefers warmth and dislikes cold. If my arguments are not detailed enough, they might instead cause suspicion and slander." He added: "I intended to compile a ten-volume book, but have not yet completed it, hence I could not act." Now, Mr. Liu of the Taiyang Bookshop has carved and printed this work to widely disseminate it, which is deeply beneficial to the world. It is like walking in darkness, lost and unaware of the path, when suddenly encountering bright lights, making the correct path clear. Those who remain deluded and refuse to believe and practice these truths are hardly worth mentioning. However, for wise, erudite, and elegant gentlemen who can investigate the origin and reflect on the end, studying with precision and deep thought, their gains will far exceed what I can merely chatter about.

According to Ma Zongsu's *Shanghan Yijian* (Medical Mirror for Cold Damage) from the Jin Dynasty, the preface author is "Zhai Gong from Pingcheng."

Jia Yi Bing Ding Wu Ji Geng Xin Ren Gui

Jia corresponds to Gallbladder (Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao), Yi corresponds to Liver (Hand-Jueyin Pericardium); this belongs to Wood of the East.
Bing corresponds to Small Intestine (Hand-Taiyang Bladder), Ding corresponds to Heart (Hand-Shaoyin Heart); this belongs to Fire of the South.
Geng corresponds to Large Intestine (Hand-Yangming Large Intestine), Xin corresponds to Lung (Hand-Taiyin Lung); this belongs to Metal of the West.
Ren corresponds to Bladder (Foot-Taiyang Bladder), Gui corresponds to Kidney (Foot-Shaoyin Kidney); this belongs to Water of the North.
Wu corresponds to Stomach (Foot-Yangming Stomach), Ji corresponds to Spleen (Foot-Taiyin Spleen); this belongs to Earth of the Center.
Those listed first are considered Gang (Firm), Yang, Elder Brother, Fu-organs (Hollow organs), governing the exterior. Those listed second are considered Rou (Soft), Yin, Younger Sister, Zang-organs (Solid organs), governing the interior.