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In the past, Xu Sizong, the Prefect of Yixing, was proficient in medicine. When advised to write a book for posterity, he replied: "Medicine lies in 'Yi' (the physician's intuitive judgment and flexible application); what I comprehend in my mind cannot be fully articulated." This was likely due to his deep concern that those studying ancient texts might become bogged down by books and rigidly bound by fixed methods, citing classics to diagnose diseases without understanding adaptability. He formulated this saying to teach the world, with profound intent.

Today, there are hundreds of people practicing medicine, yet they have not even seen the classics of Qibo, Leigong's *Paizhi* (Processing of Medicinals), Yifangzhi's *Tangye* (Decoctions), Jizi's *Hongfan*, Bian Que (courtesy name Yue Ren)'s *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), Huangfu Mi (courtesy name Shian)'s *Jia Yi Jing* (The ABCs of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Wang Bing (style name Qixuanzi)'s commentaries, Qian Yi (courtesy name Zhongyang)'s diagnostic discussions, or Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica). Yet they recklessly claim to be physicians. Consequently, they remain utterly confused regarding the six qi (pathogenic factors) of wind, cold, dryness, fire, heat, and dampness; the seven emotions of joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, and fright; the eight essentials of exterior/interior, deficiency/excess, cold/heat, pathogenic/righteous; the eight pulse qualities of floating, sinking, slow, rapid, slippery, choppy, large, and moderate; the seven superficial pulses of floating, knotted, slippery, solid, wiry, tight, and full; the eight interior pulses of minute, sinking, moderate, choppy, slow, hidden, deficient, and weak; the nine additional pulse types of long, short, deficient, hurried, knotted, intermittent, firm, moving, and fine; as well as the generation and restriction of the Five Elements, the transmission of the twelve meridians, and concepts such as Zang-Fu organs, Yin-Yang, Heavenly Harmony, and seasonal influences. When facing patients, they prescribe remedies mismatched to symptoms, thereby hastening the disease to an incurable stage (Gaohuang). Alas! How dangerous.

One must realize that the phrase "Medicine lies in Yi" can only be uttered after having read all medical texts from Yellow Emperor and Qibo downwards; and it can only be practiced effectively after mastering these same texts. Feng Chuzhan, a native of Wuyuan, practiced medicine in his youth, traveling through eastern and western Zhejiang, saving countless lives. Physicians renowned in eastern and western Zhejiang bowed their heads in submission, acknowledging his superiority. In the summer of the Yichou year, he arrived at the capital. The more experiences he accumulated, the more effective his prescriptions became, and his reputation soared among high-ranking officials. One day, he visited me and presented a volume titled *Jinnang Milu Ji* (Secret Records Collected in the Brocade Pouch). The book investigates the root and branch of diseases, analyzing details and categorizing them systematically, allowing readers to search by category with clarity. It reveres Qibo, models itself after Bian Que, adopts the teachings of Liu Wansu, Zhang Yuansu, Zhu Danxi, Li Dongyuan, and various other schools, comprehensively synthesizing their principles while integrating personal insights to form this collection. It is indeed a bridge to medical knowledge and a repository of diverse medical theories. Thus, the words of the Prefect of Yixing can cure those in the world who study ancient texts but fail to adapt; and reading Mr. Feng of Wuyuan's book can cure those in the world who are intellectually empty yet talk idly about the arts of Leigong and Cang Gong.

Written by Zhang Shizhen of Luhe at his residence in Yan Tai on the Mid-Autumn Festival of the Bingyin year of the Kangxi reign.