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Li Minfan of Tangxi initially suffered from coughing and hemoptysis. Zhang Congzheng (courtesy name Dairen) prescribed one liang of Tiaowei Decoction (Regulate the Stomach Decoction) with added Danggui (Angelica sinensis), which failed to alleviate symptoms. Subsequently, 50–60 pills of Zhouche Wan (Boat Cart Pill) were administered; after three or four bowel movements, he vomited a bowl of blood. A mediocre physician would likely have harbored doubts. Without waiting for another night, over 100 pills of Zhouche Wan and 3–4 qian of Tongjing San (Unblock Meridians Powder) were given to induce strong purgation. After more than ten bowel movements, the condition had improved by more than half. Thereafter, Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity) with added Danggui was decocted and taken orally. Next, a grass stem was used to induce nasal bleeding of half a sheng. In the evening, Yishen San (Tonify Kidney Powder) was applied, and after several episodes of diuresis/purgation, he recovered.

The eight-year-old son of Gao Shuo, an inspection officer, suffered from fever. Physicians treated it as cold injury, using hot-natured drugs to attack the pathogen. When the child desired water, it was forbidden and not provided. Consequently, internal fluids dried up, irritability arose, both urination and defecation were blocked, mouth and nose were dry, chills and fever alternated, coughs occurred intermittently, and there was no sweat on the entire body. Moxibustion was also planned. Fortunately, Zhang Congzheng encountered them. Zhang reprimanded the mother, saying, "Wrapped in heavy quilts, with a warm kang and red stove, the child can already no longer bear the heat; how can moxibustion be considered?" The mother apologized for her ignorance. Zhang ordered the administration of Renshen Chaihu Yinzi (Ginseng and Bupleurum Drink). After several doses, foul-smelling discharge resembling rotten fish intestines was passed. Thirsty and desiring water, the child was allowed to drink freely, consuming cups of ice-cold water repeatedly. Through successive stages, thirty to forty bowel movements occurred, and only then did the high fever subside. Niuhuang Tongge Wan (Calculus Bovis Clearing the Diaphragm Pill) was then given, resulting in another ten-plus bowel movements, after which the child fully recovered. In total, about fifty bowel movements occurred, leaving the child slightly fatigued but otherwise untroubled, having consumed up to one hu of ice water. What would have happened if moxibustion had been performed?

The son of Qiu Tianxiang of Wuyang developed chills and fever. Various physicians treated him as bone-steaming consumption (Gu Zheng Lao), causing the illness to worsen over half a year. He was invited with courtesy to see Zhang Congzheng. Upon examination, Zhang palpated the pulses at both wrists: the Cun and Chi positions appeared weak relative to the Guan position, while the Guan pulse alone was large. Zhang stated, "This is the pulse image of an abscess." He asked the wet nurse, "Did the child previously have any painful areas?" The nurse replied, "No." Zhang instructed the child to remove his clothes and raise both hands to observe the hypochondriac regions; the right side was slightly higher. Pressing laterally with his hand, Zhang noted that the child shifted away when the right hypochondrium was pressed but did not avoid pressure on the left. Zhang said, "There is an abscess in the lung region, but it is not Lung Abscess (Fei Yong). If it were Lung Abscess, pus would already have been expectorated. This condition should not be disturbed aggressively; rather, herbs should be used to support the interior, awaiting spontaneous rupture." The family doubted this assessment. After three days of medication, three red spots appeared on the right hypochondrium. Zhang sighed repeatedly, saying, "If this child's illness had been treated early, it could have been cured with ease; now it is too late. However, life or death will be verified only after rupture. If the pus is yellow, red, or white, the patient lives; if green or black, the patient dies." He then took his leave and privately told Li Jianzhi, a friend of Tianxiang, "There must be a sign; the child will die. The Lung Qi fails at Si hour (9–11 AM)." At the appointed time, the child suffered dizziness and could not lift his head, dying a few days later. The father said, "The group of physicians diagnosed bone-steaming syndrome. Only Dairen claimed there was a lung abscess. I remained skeptical." After death, the family burned the coffin. Once ignited, Tianxiang struck the hypochondrium with a staff, and indeed, a bowl of green-black pus flowed out. Tianxiang cried to heaven, "The physicians mistakenly killed my son!"