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Ancient texts state: Zhang Zhongjing, whose surname was Zhang and given name Ji, with "Zhongjing" as his courtesy name, was a native of Nanyang. (Records indicate that Zhang Song once met Cao Cao, boasting about the medical expert named "Zhongjing" in his region; chronologically, from the Jian'an era, Zhang Song was also a contemporary of Zhang Zhongjing.) He studied under Zhang Bozu, a fellow townsman, excelled in treatment, and was particularly proficient in *Jingfang* (Classic Prescriptions). He was recommended as a *Xiaolian* (Filial and Incorrupt Candidate) and rose to the office of Prefect of Changsha. Later, he became a renowned physician in the capital, ranking among the top experts of his time. Due to the fact that out of more than two hundred members of his clan, two-thirds had died within less than ten years since the first year of the Jian'an era, with seven-tenths of these deaths attributed to *Shanghan* (Cold Damage), he composed a treatise consisting of twenty-two chapters. It encompassed 397 diagnostic methods and 113 prescriptions. The language is concise, ancient, and elegant. No scholar of *Shanghan* throughout history has been able to surpass its scope. This book is regarded as the ancestor of all prescriptions; contemporaries believed that even Bian Que and Cang Gong could not surpass it, hence later generations honored him as the "Medical Sage" (Yi Sheng).

Bian Que and Cang Gong were divine physicians. The realm of "divinity" is already exalted, yet people considered nothing superior to Zhang Zhongjing, thus calling him "Sage." Is this not because his medical achievements and recorded wisdom clearly manifested the principles of Heaven and Humanity, serving as pillars of strength that are difficult to emulate? His knowledge penetrated the world and spanned past and present, being simple, clear, easy to understand, and easy to practice, rather than involving bizarre or miraculous phenomena inaccessible to ordinary people. Therefore, he is called a Sage. Jia Yi (the Duke of Tai) said, "I have heard that ancient sages, if they did not hold high positions in the court, would certainly be found among diviners and physicians." These words are indeed true.

However, since he is the Medical Sage, why is the book titled "Lun" (Treatise/Discourse)? This reflects Zhang Zhongjing's self-expression. It stems from his indignation at the unclear understanding of *Shanghan* and his grief over the untimely deaths of his clansmen. He discussed diseases to clarify the nature of *Shanghan*, not merely to discuss *Shanghan* as a single disease. The text serves as canonical principles, while the content involves discursive analysis. His original intent arose from mourning for his relatives, so he did not wish to forget his beginnings. The extensive content was intended to benefit future generations, and his humility prevented him from claiming the status of a Canon (*Jing*). As the *I Ching* states, "The modest gentleman," this describes the situation. Thus, I say: although nominally titled "Lun," it is实质上 (substantially) a "Jing" (Canon).

Nevertheless, calling it directly the "*Shanghan Jing*" would be inappropriate; it must be called the "Medical Canon" (*Yi Jing*) to fit the context properly. (Regarding the entries of the "Lun," popular editions circulating in bookshops present rules in a flat, scattered manner, making them hard to count. Regarding prescriptions, many additions and modifications exist, yet the *Guizhi Fuzi Tang* (Cinnamon Twig and Aconite Decoction) and *Qu Gui Jia Zhu Tang* (Decoction with Cinnamon Twig Removed and Atractylodes Added) are uniquely omitted, creating an imbalance. Currently, I have categorized the 397 conditions into the Six Channels (*Liujing*), each with its own guiding principles and subordination, linking them to establish a fixed order. I have also punctuated the chapters and sentences to facilitate reading for beginners. After supplementing the missing prescriptions, the numbers align. The phrase "beyond the conditions" followed by "meaningless" seems suspicious; it is likely a transcription error where "Lie" (List) was mistaken for "Wu Wei," as seal script and cursive scripts can look similar. However, everyone calls it the *Shanghan Lun*. The Preface to the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* mentions the "*Shanghan Zubi Lun*" (Treatise on Cold Damage and Sudden Illnesses); "Zu" is pronounced as "sudden/hasty," which was indeed the original title, providing evidence. It is unknown when the term "Zu Bing" (Sudden Illness) was dropped. Popular habits favor brevity, and the tradition has persisted for so long that verification is impossible. Gentlemen cannot help but feel regret regarding this matter.)

Recorded by Fang Youzhi, Scholar of Jiushan, on the auspicious day of the tenth month in the Gui-Si year of the Wanli era.