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Since I assumed my official post, I have served in Xinghua three times. Each time I interacted with the scholar-officials, I invariably inquired about those who were filial and fraternal, as well as those who were benevolent, profound, dignified, and cautious, hoping to set an example for social customs. Furthermore, considering that the region frequently suffered from water disasters and many people suffered from diseases caused by dampness (Shi, 湿), I sought a skilled physician to cure their ailments. Everyone unanimously recommended Mr. Zhao Shuanghu. Shortly thereafter, due to a minor illness, I met him and found him to be modest, respectful, and cautious. When he discussed meridians and pulse positions, it was as if he could see clearly into the internal organs' structures, ranking him among the foremost practitioners of Qi-Huang (Traditional Chinese Medicine) at that time. It was then I learned that he was originally from Gaoyou but settled in Xinghua to practice medicine, dedicating himself to saving lives, with his footsteps covering almost the entire Jianghuai region. He was humble and prudent, fond of giving alms, and delighted in doing good deeds. His conduct within the family was particularly pure and sincere; he was extremely filial to his parents. When encountering patients who were ill and poor, he would always gift them medicine. Even during extreme cold or heat, he never ceased treating patients. Taking advantage of his leisure time, he completed the book *Yixue Zhigui* (Medical Guide), enabling future students of medicine to understand the origins and details of the meridians.

Based on what I have seen of him and heard from others, his filial piety and love for goodness are indeed credible! His benevolence, profundity, dignity, caution, and medical skill are also indeed credible! Because I care for the people of Xinghua, I extend this mention to those residing there as expatriates. Mr. Zhao is the most outstanding among them. Therefore, upon his passing, I presented him with a plaque inscribed with "Sincere Heart Doing Good" (Shixin Weishan, 实心为善). Recently, I heard that his son requested imperial recognition for his life's deeds. I, having served in Xinghua for a long time, am editing the *Xinghua County Gazetteer* which is nearing completion, and will include Mr. Zhao in the biography of sojourners. Thus, his ambition was to save people, and his book aims to guide future learners to save people. Readers of his work can also comprehend the subtle meaning behind "breaking one's arm three times leads to knowing how to be a good doctor" (Zhe Gong Zhi Wei Liang Yi, 三折肱知为良医). Therefore, taking the opportunity of this book's publication to detail his life story, I am pleased to write this preface.

Respectfully composed by Liang Yuandi, Prefect-level Magistrate of Xinghua County, Lingshi [Clan Name].

In ancient times, Fan Zhongzheng (Fan Zhongyan)'s literary achievements and moral conduct were considered perfect for the Song Dynasty. In his youth, he once said, "If I cannot serve as a capable Prime Minister, I must surely become a capable Physician." This is because while a capable Prime Minister governs the state and a capable Physician treats diseases, the matters differ, but the heart and principles are the same. However, without examining the meridians and pulses, one cannot speak of medicine. Even if one examines the meridians and pulses, without assessing the syndrome's cold-heat and deficiency-excess patterns, and distinguishing the Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier roles of herbs, one absolutely cannot practice medicine. Is medicine easy to discuss?

Mr. Shuanghu was of Gaoyou origin and resided in Xinghua; he was a gentleman of earnest practice. In his youth, he studied for the civil service examinations, memorizing texts effortlessly. He was filial to his parents and cared for his grandmother. When his grandmother fell ill, he personally attended to her medicinal decoctions. Finding no effective treatment available, he devoted himself to studying medicine, meticulously researching pulse theory. From the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) to the methods of syndrome differentiation, prescription formulation, and drug preparation by Zhang Jingyue and other schools, he gained definite insights. Mr. Gong Yi, the Prefect of our hometown who formerly served as Magistrate of Xinghua, once told me that Mr. Zhao possessed pure character and exquisite medical skills. I admired him deeply but had not yet met him. In the Ji Hai year, while staying in Taizhou, we finally met. By the Xin Chou year, I came to act as the director of Wenzheng Academy in Xinghua, and our friendship deepened. Whenever I fell ill, his treatments were invariably successful. In the Jia Chen year, I returned home severely ill; other physicians withdrew their hands in helplessness. I accidentally examined an old prescription from Mr. Zhao, and after one dose, I recovered. Later, when I asked for the reason, he explained that diseases have root and branch aspects, and this case perfectly suited the "treat every other layer" method. His precision and meticulousness were typically like this.

Mr. Zhao was naturally sincere and affectionate, good at inheriting ancestral aspirations, rescuing the distressed, comforting widows, and tirelessly loving goodness. After his death, both Gaoyou and Xinghua counties compiled local gazetteers and appealed to higher authorities to commend his filial piety. His virtuous sons read his remaining books and gained fame in the medical field. His eldest son, Xiaohu, inherited the former virtues; patients seeking treatment from all directions were no different from before. This spring, I suffered from illness for several weeks with no effect from multiple doctors. The eldest son happened to return from outside, and after a few doses, I recovered completely. Indeed, his lineage has its source.

Recently, he entrusted me with writing a preface for his hand-edited *Yixue Zhigui* (Medical Guide). Reading it, I found it extracted the essence and summarized the key points, analyzing items in detail and dividing them logically. This further confirmed that his character was pure and his medical skill exquisite; Lord Gong's words were indeed not empty. I once visited Yucheng, boated on Zhu Lake, and ascended Wenyou Terrace, solemnly imagining the lingering style of past sages. Xinghua County has Desheng Lake, which was also the jurisdiction of the former sage Fan Zhongzheng. Mr. Zhao styled himself "Shuanghu" (Double Lakes). Did he admire Fan Zhongzheng's saying of "Capable Prime Minister and Capable Physician," choosing one path to benefit humanity? Su Dongpo stated that Fan Gong's benevolence, righteousness, propriety, music, filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, and trustworthiness were words inevitably spoken by a virtuous person. Mr. Zhao published this compilation to demonstrate to the world. Its ink nourishes and educates, leading the people to benevolence and longevity. Thus, a capable physician indeed shares the same merit as a capable prime minister. This is the preface.

Respectfully bowed by Cai Chunquan, younger brother of Yunxi, late August of the leap month in the first year of Xianfeng (1851).