Library

Sun Simiao was a native of Huayuan, Yongzhou. He began his studies at the age of seven, reciting thousands of characters daily. He was skilled in discussing the teachings of Zhuangzi (Zhuang Zhou), Laozi (Lao Tzu), and various schools of thought, and had a natural inclination towards medicine. He extensively studied all classical prescriptions and authored works such as *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Golden Prescriptions), which were circulated in the world.

Zhang Wenzhong was a native of Luoyang, Luozhou, famous for his medical skills. During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, he served as Imperial Physician-in-Waiting (Shi Yu Yi) and was particularly adept at treating wind diseases (Feng Ji). When Empress Wu ordered him to compile prescriptions for various ailments, he memorialized: "Wind diseases number one hundred and twenty types; qi disorders number eighty types. Although generally similar, human constitutions vary. Only head wind (Tou Feng) manifests according to timing and requires temporary adjustment. For those with wind-qi invasion, employing purgative or draining methods during late spring/early summer or late autumn prevents severe distress."

Meng Shen was a native of Liang, Ruzhou. He passed the Jinshi examination and, early in the Chui Gong era, was promoted successively to Secretary of the Fengge Pavilion. In his youth, he favored medical arts and focused on dietary therapy and medicinal tonics. He authored *Buyang Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) and *Bixiao Fang* (Prescriptions for Guaranteed Efficacy), which were circulated.

Wang Fangqing was a native of Taiyuan. He possessed an elegant demeanor, broad learning, and literary talent. He deeply loved classical prescriptions and was proficient in materia medica properties.

Qin Minghe's place of origin is unknown. He served as an Imperial Physician-in-Waiting for Emperor Gaozong. (See *History of Tang*)

Xu Zhicang was a native of Gaoyang. In his youth, having seen his mother ill, he extensively studied medical prescriptions, earning the reputation of a renowned physician. He served in the Chen dynasty as Attendant Gentleman of the Palace (Sanqi Shilang). When Prince Xiao of Qin, Xiao Jun, fell ill, the emperor summoned him urgently. That night, Prince Jun dreamed of his deceased consort, Lady Cui, weeping and saying, "I was about to welcome you, but I heard Xu Zhicang is coming. If he arrives, he will surely cause me suffering. What shall I do?" The next night, Prince Jun dreamed again that Lady Cui said, "My natal family has succeeded; I will hide within the Spirit Mansion (Ling Fu)." Upon arrival, Xu Zhicang diagnosed Prince Jun's pulse and stated, "The disease has entered the heart; epilepsy will soon manifest, and it is incurable." This proved true. (From *Book of Sui*)

Chao Yuanfang's place of origin is unknown. During the Daye era, he served as Doctor of the Imperial Medical Bureau. By imperial decree, he compiled *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (Treatise on the Origins and Manifestations of All Diseases) in fifty volumes, covering all aspects comprehensively. (Preface to *Chao Shi Bingyuan* by Song Xuanxian)

Master Yuanzhu's place of origin is unknown; his appearances and disappearances were unpredictable. Only Wang Bing, Prefect of the Imperial Stud (Tai Pu Ling), recognized him as an extraordinary person and took him as a teacher. Master Yuanzhu had profound mastery of the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), penetrating its subtle mysteries. He secretly transmitted profound principles, teaching Wang Bing methods for cultivating the qi of the five zang and six fu organs, health preservation, the nature of herbs and minerals, and divine prescriptions for dispelling evil and curing diseases. Consequently, Wang Bing annotated the *Suwen*, establishing it as a canonical model for physicians. (From *Immortal Biographies*)

During the Baoying era, Wang Bing served as Prefect of the Imperial Stud. Devoted to medical texts, he obtained copies of *Taisu* and the works of Quan Yuanqi held by his predecessors. He extensively reorganized and annotated the *Suwen*, compiling them into eighty-one chapters across twenty-four volumes. In his preface, he wrote: "To ascend Mount Dai, what path is used? To reach Fusang, what vessel crosses the sea?" Thus, he diligently sought out experts, spending twelve years to grasp the essential principles, consulting on gains and losses, and fulfilling his long-held aspirations. (Preface to *Suwen* by Lin Guanglu)