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A fellow townsman, Zhang Menglu, courtesy name Qianli, was a learned scholar and enjoyed a prominent reputation in medicine. During the Daoguang reign period, he accepted an invitation from Sun Erzhun (posthumous title: Wenzheng), the Viceroy of Minzhe (Fujian and Zhejiang provinces) from Wuxi, to travel to Fujian. At that time, the Viceroy suffered from severe Shuizhang (ascites/abdominal edema) but still firmly trusted folk practitioners, taking drugs to purge water retention, believing himself capable of recovery. Zhang then elaborated on the condition at length, repeating his arguments for thousands of words, and advised him to stop medication. Privately, he told the Viceroy’s subordinates: "The Yuanqi (vital energy) is exhausted; it will be difficult to survive more than ten days." Seven days later, the Viceroy indeed passed away. His argument was roughly as follows: Specialist doctors treat herbal medicines as if they were sweet wine, using harsh agents to drive out water. The effects may manifest as fluid oozing from both legs or direct purging through the large intestine. Although the specific herbs used are kept secret, the fact that small doses yield rapid results reveals their extreme potency. Using medicine is like deploying troops; the methods of attack and defense are intricate and complex, and must always aim for benefit without harm. It has never been the case that a disease lasting two years with multiple recurrences can be treated solely by harsh purgation, repeatedly administered with repeated success, without distinguishing the depth of the disease or the deficiency/excess status of the constitution. Generally, this illness originates initially from excessive eating and drinking, where Stomach strength exceeds Spleen weakness; subsequently, due to excessive worry and labor, Qi exhaustion and Liver injury occur. Water flow stagnates because its source is blocked. If one strictly adheres to severe dietary restrictions while administering violent, abrupt, and robbing agents, it is akin to suppressing rebels with uncontrolled military force, causing soldiers to turn into bandits; or reinforcing an army without provisions yet forcing them to advance, turning the populace into enemies. How could you bear to risk your precious body (worth a thousand gold) in such a desperate gamble? Those ignorant folk practitioners, sticking to their personal lineage teachings, seek luck in a million-to-one chance. They apply treatments suitable for commoners suffering from physical labor indiscriminately to a person relied upon by the state and people. If effective, it is a blessing to the nation; if ineffective, even consuming their flesh would not suffice for retribution. This is why I am heartbroken and propose stopping the medication. The words are particularly earnest and straightforward; I record them here to warn those in the world who are deluded by quack doctors. Zhang had a poem written when visiting Governor-General Sun: "Thinking of serving the country, the burden on my shoulders is heavy; Illness makes it difficult to handle matters for the worried people." This appears in his published work, *Min You Cao* (Poems from Travel in Fujian).

(Bingzhang) Note: Doctor Menglu’s pseudonym was Qianli. He was from Tongxiang, residing in Houzhu Village. In his youth, he excelled in poetry and prose; in adulthood, he mastered medical arts. Patients arriving by boat numbered hundreds daily. He did not engage in accumulating property but instead collected ten thousand volumes of books. He authored several collections of medical cases that have been passed down.