Library

In the past, my father-in-law, Mr. Zhang Cike, once said: All things in the world have their own origins. The Way of Confucianism originates from Confucius and Mencius; the Way of Medicine originates from Qibo and Huangdi (Yellow Emperor). The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) by Qibo and Huangdi are the great origins of medical texts. Zhang Zhongjing of the Han Dynasty deeply explored the secrets of the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, and was known as the "Medical Sage of Nanyang." His transmitted works, *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jinkui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), have been held as standards by later generations. From the Jin and Tang dynasties onwards, there have been inheritors in every generation. The number of books written is so vast that it would make oxen sweat from carrying them and fill houses to the rafters. Those at the higher level each grasped one aspect of Zhang Zhongjing's system; those at the lower level confused the world and deceived the people, departing from the classics and abandoning the Dao, just as there are pseudo-learnings in Confucianism. Vulgar scholars do not examine this carefully, seeking profit in its superficiality and nearness, running about for the sake of food and clothing, causing worries about people suffering premature death. The decline of medicine is entirely due to this. You must be cautious, and I shall wear it with gratitude and never forget it. Recently, I obtained a book titled *Yi Yuan* (Medical Origins) by Scholar Shi (Shi Shoutang). Its theoretical stance begins with recognizing the internal landscape of the human body, including the morphology and substance of Zang-Fu organs (viscera), Ying Qi (Nutrient Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), the generation and restriction of the Five Elements, the outline of hundreds of diseases, and the meanings of Yin-Yang and exterior-interior relationships of the hand and foot meridians. It then covers internal injuries and external infections, pediatrics, and gynecology, thoroughly understanding the causes and consequences of Biao-Biao (Exterior-Interior) and Xu-Shi (Deficiency-Excess), deeply hitting the pathogenesis. Furthermore, it discusses drug properties, offering theories without specific formulas, breaking away from clichés. Compared to those in the world who rigidly stick to established formulas, the difference is as vast as heaven and earth. I dare not say how it compares to the books of ancient sages, but if compared to the famous "Three Books of Jiayan" (referring to Yu Chang's works) and "Six Works of Lingtai" (referring to Zhang Lu's works) of recent times, it can be said to be like the two horses harnessed alongside the main carriage (implying they are comparable or complementary). Subsequently, I obtained another book titled *Yixue Juyao* (Key Points of Medicine) written by Xu Mingjing (Xu Dacun) of our prefecture. In discussing the Six Meridians, he analyzes items clearly and meticulously; in discussing seasonal pathogens and miscellaneous diseases, his language is concise and his purport comprehensive; his treatment methods fully accord with appropriateness; his discussion of formulas does not deviate into eccentricity. The few medical cases included show profound thought, resembling the ancients. Although not as refined and extensive as Shi's work, his usual brilliant exposition of the *Su Wen* and *Ling Shu*, and his tracing back to Zhang Zhongjing, already allows us to glimpse a part of the whole. In short, Shi's book represents the origin, while Xu's book represents the extension/branch. Collecting both books constitutes going from the origin to the branch. May the eminent scholars of the present age reflect upon this.
Preface respectfully written by Junior Scholar Zhang Shengchi of Huating in the late summer of the 17th year of Guangxu.