Library

Whenever a bumper harvest occurs, grain fills hundreds of rooms, piled openly as millet and sorghum, yet scattered sheaves and lingering ears remain collectible, benefiting widows. Compared to the celebration of farmers, although there is a difference in quantity, is there any difference in the firmness and plumpness of the grains? Mr. Liyuan (Li Yuan) compiled the *Biographies of Famous Doctors of Our Country*, narrating the deeds of former sages, much like grain filling hundreds of rooms. Although this section belongs to the "scattered sheaves" (minor contributions), its value is identical to that of firm grains. Whether junior scholars can taste its essence or not, the benefits are considerable; those who find it ultimately good and abundant will certainly exist. Reflecting on Mr. Chu's bitter study, it was no different from farming in the fields, treading in mud, driving oxen and horses, weeding and fertilizing with painstaking effort while constantly hoping for an autumn harvest. Today, those rich in learning and prosperous in career also encounter a bumper harvest. The vast yellow clouds manifest auspicious omens; we promote Mr. Gong to be the granary city. Thus, with this completion, how can we not celebrate? Joyfully, I write this postscript. Jin Cunliang respectfully records.

Zhao Yunsong, in his *Oubei Poetry Talks* covering the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, selected ten families as the standard for scholars. No poetry talks have ever surpassed it.
Mr. Liyuan Asada's *Xianzhe Yihua* (Talks of Former Medical Sages) follows a format similar to the thirteen families recorded by Oubei. Although Confucian medicine differs in path from poetry, they are both masterpieces. I once stated that our nation lags behind the West in textual studies, but in medical arts, there is indeed a brilliance of surpassing one's teacher (qing chu yu lan). In the Qing Dynasty, medical masters You Yinhe and Xu Huixi were renowned. Xu's *Lunshu Yuanyuan Lun* (Discussion on the Origins and Development of Medicine) displays upright arguments and profound scholarship. However, reading *Lantai Guifan* (Standard Norms of the Imperial Clinic) seems almost as if written by another hand; You's *Jingui Yi* (Wings of the Golden Cabinet) shows some merit. *Yixue Dujilu* (Records of Reading Medical Books) has little to recommend; this is merely due to ornate writing lacking substance. How will children with braided hair react upon reading this compilation? If someone like Wang Meian existed, he would surely narrate and biographize him. Nevertheless, this action of yours can be said to fill a gap in the medical forest (medical community). Late summer, first day of the month, Yisi year of Meiji. Junior scholar Cunshan Chun bows and records.

Since the Song Dynasty, poetry talks have accumulated enough to prop up houses. Yet prose talks are rare: only Wang's *Prose Talks* in Song, Min Wenzhen's *Lanzhuang Prose Talks* and Li Yun's *Prose Talks* in Ming. The absolute absence of medical talks is indeed a deficiency in the apricot forest (medical field). Recently, reading *Shiren Zhenglue* (Brief Records of Poets), which cites *Lingfen Shanguan Wenchao*, states: Huang Kai excelled in medicine, prioritized relieving suffering, combined good medicines to distribute, and compiled his experiences into *Yihua* (Medical Talks). The preface to *Piyilun Leibian* (Classified Compilation of Treatise on Pestilence) says: Liu Kui also wrote *Songfeng Yihua* (Song Peak Medical Talks), but the book has not been seen, causing regret every time. Mr. Liyuan imitated this title, compiling sayings of famous sages of the dynasty, naming it *Xianzhe Yihua*. Generally, medicine has cases and talks. Medical cases are like official archives, rigid in format and meaning; whereas talks are leisurely and satisfying, penetrating deeply into people's hearts. Thus, they cannot help but coexist and be transmitted with poetry and prose talks. Therefore, after collation, I handed them over for printing. Disciple Shinano Matsuyama Ting respectfully records.