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Yang Jianfan (Courtesy Name: Jiaoyin), a Military Commissioner in Changzhou, was skilled in poetry and painting, and also well-versed in medicine. He transmitted a prescription for treating jaundice: take several crucian carp (*Carassius auratus*), cut off their tails, apply them to the body and warm with hands; the hands would also turn yellow. Using this method for treatment, from morning till evening, applying the fish tails several times, once the fluid drained away, the disease would be cured. I witnessed its efficacy personally. He also said: There is a herb named *Bingdi Shanhu* (Twin-Red Coral Herb), whose leaves resemble cinnamon (*Cinnamomi Cortex*), growing less than one chi tall. Each plant bears two red fruits in winter, resembling the berries of *Nantianzhu* (*Nandina domestica*). Taking these fruits for decoction and ingestion [is effective].

Xu Shanlin, an Inspector from Haining, was proficient in medical principles. While serving as the Prefect of Pingdu Zhou, a relative of his staff member Du, surnamed Wang from Shanyin, suddenly fell ill between summer and autumn. From head to toe, he suffered massive edema, swelling twice his normal size, accompanied by asthma, hoarseness, and obstruction of urination and defecation. His condition was critical. He sought Xu's diagnosis. Xu prescribed four liang of raw *Huangqi* (Astragali Radix) and one wine-cup of glutinous rice (*Oryza sativa var. glutinosa*), decocted into one large bowl. The patient was instructed to sip it slowly using a small spoon. After drinking about half a bowl, his breathing eased slightly; he then consumed the remainder at once. Shortly after, he passed a large volume of urine, changing the urinal three times, and the edema subsided accordingly. However, the swelling on the dorsum of the feet reduced by less than half. He continued taking this formula subsequently, reducing the dosage of *Huangqi* from four liang to one liang gradually, accompanied by herbs that dispel dampness and harmonize the stomach. Two months later, he recovered fully, except for a coin-sized area of persistent swelling on the foot. Fearing a recurrence the following year, he was strongly advised to return home. Indeed, the previous symptoms returned at the appointed time. A physician from Shaocheng was summoned, who severely criticized the previous formula, stating that survival itself was a miracle. He instead used potent diuretic agents. After more than ten doses, the patient died of qi exhaustion. On the second day, just before coffin closure, his wife noticed his eyes moving slightly. She gathered people to watch as his eyes moved repeatedly. They tried administering rice water for resuscitation. When the mouth was full and swallowing seemed impossible, his eyes suddenly opened wide, and the liquid was swallowed. He regained consciousness and voice. He took several jin of *Huangqi*, and even the foot swelling completely resolved, leading to a cure. Xu's younger brother, Xinmu, a Departmental Director, stated that this formula had cured many people. Previously, his sister-in-law, Lady Wu, suffered from fetal death in utero, resulting in whole-body edema, asthma, and rigid posture, with her life hanging by a thread. My elder brother searched through famous medical cases and found this formula, which she followed. Her bowels and bladder cleared, edema subsided, and she delivered immediately. Since it was summer, the fetal remains had rotted into dozens of pieces and were expelled gradually without pain. Later, in Pingdu, a concubine surnamed Gu suffered from edema complicated by difficult labor; this formula cured her after a few doses. It subsequently cured several others, with Mr. Wang being among the later cases. Generally speaking, *Huangqi* consolidates the exterior. When the exterior is deficient, water accumulates between the skin and fascia, causing edema. With *Huangqi* to open the collaterals and channels, the water is expelled, and the distension naturally resolves.