Library

There are over a hundred families of works supplementing and annotating the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage). Examining their intentions, they fall into two categories: one follows the original text to provide annotations and exegesis, similar to Gongyang Gao and Guliang Chi explaining the *Spring and Autumn Annals*; the other cites Zhang Zhongjing’s texts to establish new theories, akin to Han Ying explaining the *Classic of Poetry* by composing the *Han Shi Waizhuan*. However, those who cite and reference cannot justify taking passages out of context; yet those who annotate often damage the true meaning through pedantic adherence to words. They initially fail to realize that Master Zhang Zhongjing’s *Shanghan Zabing Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) consisted of sixteen volumes, containing comprehensive excellent methods. The *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions) of the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) had already outlined the manifestations of various diseases and elucidated the subtleties of acupuncture; Zhang Zhongjing further completed the therapeutic applications for these diseases and detailed the criteria for prescribing herbs and formulas. The variations within constancy and constancy within variations were all thoroughly addressed. If the complete book existed, tracing its compilation would allow one to understand the origin of diseases upon observing symptoms. Since Wang Shuhe’s editorial arrangement, the *Shanghan Lun* and *Zabing Lun* were separated into two books, with miscellaneous diseases removed from the main treatise. Nevertheless, many miscellaneous disease contents remained in the treatise, indicating that although Wang Shuhe established the exclusive title of *Shanghan Lun*, he did not sever the root of the combined Shanghan and Zabing treatise. The name did not match the reality, causing confusion between right and wrong, and obscuring the profound insights of the ancients, resulting in few readers. Consequently, divergent paths emerged, leaving people unsure whom to follow. Is this not the disaster caused by Wang Shuhe’s erroneous editing? People claim that treating cold damage enables one to treat miscellaneous diseases, unaware that Zhang Zhongjing’s *Zabing Lun* is actually contained within the *Shanghan Lun*. Moreover, miscellaneous diseases frequently intermingle with cold damage. Therefore, when Shanghan and Zabing are treated together, the symptoms and treatments of both are orderly. Now, with Shanghan and Zabing categorized separately, the threads are unclear, inevitably leading to the mistaken treatment of miscellaneous diseases as cold damage. Later authors wrote exclusively on cold damage. Since Zhu Fengyi (Zhu Gong) appeared, books on cold damage increased daily, while the understanding of cold damage pathology became increasingly confused. It was not that he intended to confuse cold damage, but rather that he failed to recognize what constitutes true cold damage. When Tao Jie’an (Tao Hua) appeared, even more books on cold damage emerged. This was not because true cold damage cases increased, but because even the miscellaneous diseases in the *Jinkui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) were all identified as cold damage. The world is entrenched in false doctrines, mistakenly finding Zhang Zhongjing’s work difficult to read, unaware that his texts have been disguised by Wang Shuhe and no longer reflect their original form. Pulse diagnosis and prefaces were placed at the beginning; discussions on sweating versus non-sweating methods were placed later; conditions like Jing (Spasm), Shi (Dampness), and Ye (Heatstroke) were moved to the head of the Taiyang chapter; Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder) and Laofu (Relapse after recovery) were placed outside the Jueyin chapter; vulgar views were mixed into the Six Channels. This has essentially become a book by Wang Shuhe. When Lin Yi and others corrected the text, lacking Zhang Zhongjing’s original collection, they were misled by the title *Shanghan Lun* and arbitrarily compiled figures of 397 methods and 113 formulas to conform to Wang Shuhe’s defined framework of cold damage. Thus, knowing Zhang Zhongjing’s true way became impossible. Cheng Wuji deeply revered antiquity and stood out uniquely, but unfortunately living after Lin Yi, he wished to be a merit-maker for Zhang Zhongjing yet could not obtain the authentic transmission. Therefore, his annotations of Zhang Zhongjing’s work often contradicted Zhang Zhongjing’s intent; his *Mingli Lun* (Theory Clarification) instead obscured the principles of cold damage. Because he did not grasp Zhang Zhongjing’s principle of combining Shanghan and Zabing, he could not identify the error of Xu Shwei’s theory of three equal schools. Instead, he collected these errors in his notes, opening doors to doubt for future generations. Was he not misled by the theories of 397 methods, etc.?
Thus, Fang Zhongxing (Fang Youzhi) produced the *Tiaobian* (Analysis and Differentiation), further damaging Zhang Zhongjing’s standards and rules. While nominally overturning Wang Shuhe’s arrangement, it effectively destroyed Zhang Zhongjing’s flexible methods. Lu Ziyi’s *Shuchao* (Annotated Excerpts) avoided Lin Yi’s numbers and did not follow Fang’s Three Major Principles, showing insightful intent, yet it erroneously paired the Six Channels with six abstract concepts and added theories such as Ben-Biao (Root-Branch), Xing-Ceng (Form-Layer), Ben-Qi (Original Qi), and Hua-Qi (Transformed Qi). How can Zhang Zhongjing’s methods withstand such disruption? Recently, authors have sprung up like bees, with debates becoming more bizarre, drifting further from truth, dividing details newly, and confusing ancient methods. Zhang Zhongjing’s Six Channels are blocked and indistinguishable, which is truly pitiable. Originally, Zhang Zhongjing’s Six Channels established laws for all diseases, not solely for cold damage. The treatment of cold damage and miscellaneous diseases shares no dualistic logic; both fall under the regulation of the Six Channels. Each of the Six Channels involves cold damage; it is not that only cold damage possesses the Six Channels. Those treating cold damage拘泥 (cling rigidly) to cold damage without investigating the principles of intermingled miscellaneous diseases. Those treating miscellaneous diseases consider the *Shanghan Lun* irrelevant to their field and ignore it. This reduces the classic of assisting heaven and earth in nurturing life to a realm of doubt. I am deeply concerned about this path. Having studied Zhang Zhongjing’s works for years, I regret my lack of deep comprehension. However, having glimpsed some subtle principles herein, I dare to briefly state my humble views, naming this work *Shanghan Lun Yi* (Wings to the Treatise on Cold Damage). I do not include miscellaneous diseases here to avoid confusing readers regarding the original intent of the combined treatise, lest they deem miscellaneous diseases unworthy of attention. Whether appropriate or not, let others judge.
Preface by Ke Qin of Cixi, Spring of Jiayin Year.