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Can Confucian scholars be of no use? If they are merely like wood and stone, possessing only ears, eyes, and mind, their hundred-year life is a cause for sorrow. Can Confucian scholars be of no use? If they merely engage in the routine duties of military affairs, justice, finance, and grain, they appear contemptible in a moment.

Living in the present world, aspiring to follow the Way of the ancients, seeking those who stand out independently, neither confusing the will of the monarch nor submitting to the common people, such individuals must lie within the profession of Qi Huang (Traditional Chinese Medicine). However, the profession of Qi Huang is not easy to discuss. One who does not understand the principles of Yin-Yang waxing and waning cannot be spoken to about medicine. One who does not understand the causes of life and death transformations cannot be spoken to about medicine. One who does not understand the natures of herbs, insects, fish, hills, and male and female animals cannot be spoken to about medicine. One who does not understand that ancient and modern practices differ, that rigid and flexible methods are used interchangeably, and that adaptation must align with minute details cannot be spoken to about medicine.

If this is the case, then the Five Classics and Four Books are the fundamental principles of medicine. The reasons behind success and failure, and the rise and fall of rulers and ministers recorded in the Twenty-One Histories, serve as evidence for medicine. Furthermore, the scattered biographies of various schools of thought and miscellaneous texts derived from books on diet and medicinal stones constitute the eclectic knowledge of medicine.

Just as a Prime Minister must employ educated scholars, so too must the state's physicians employ educated scholars. In this way, whether a Confucian scholar appears useless (like wood and stone) or useful (engaged in official duties), they can achieve virtuous conduct and renowned reputation, excelling in their own right. Is this not largely due to the influence of medicine?

Medicine cannot be lightly discussed, just as the path of the Confucian scholar cannot be lightly discussed. My nature is humble and I have few acquaintances; I do not enjoy associating casually with others, and others disdain associating with me. Nevertheless, I still recall my childhood days when I made friends with Mr. Luo Dansheng in our prefecture, who is now known as Dongyi. He explored his findings and meticulously elaborated upon the classics and histories in his mind, speaking fluently and intelligibly. His knowledge extended to classical philology, revealing him to be far from an ordinary person. Not long after, worldly changes occurred (mountains turned into valleys), and he lived in seclusion under misty rains and overgrown weeds. His name could be heard of, but his whereabouts could not be seen. Such was the situation for thirty years. How did Mr. Luo's joy in reading and following the Dao compare to his youth? Thus, works such as *Neijing Boyi* were published. People say that discussing matters day and night with Mr. Dongyi without tiring, what one values is surely not trivial matters. I reply: Confucian scholars may seem useless as described, yet useful as described. A hundred years later, if there are still individuals like Dongyi, without the *Boyi* series of books, how could they last through the ages?

Your friend and younger brother, Shi Nian Zhao Ru Kui, respectfully inscribed.