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Wu Peng was the pioneer of physicians in the Zhou Dynasty and established the official system. He stated: "Nourish diseases with five grains and five medicines; observe vitality through five qi, five sounds, and five colors. Use changes in the nine orifices as observation criteria, and correlate them with the movements of the five zang organs." Thus, he employed "five poisons" to attack pathogens, "five medicines" to treat conditions, "five qi" to nourish, and "five flavors" to regulate, thereby dispelling myriad diseases (from *Records of the Grand Historian* and *Book of Zhou*).

Wu Xian was a minister of Emperor Yao, who treated the emperor using shamanistic arts. Additionally, *Shiben* records that Wu Xian initially created divination (from Guo Pu's *Preface to Mount Wuxian* and *Shiben*).

Qibo was a minister of the Yellow Emperor. The Emperor tasked Qibo with tasting herbs and managing medical affairs. Works such as *Jingfang*, *Bencao*, and *Suwen* all originated from him (from *Emperor's Century*).

Yufu was a minister of the Yellow Emperor, skilled in medicine. He treated diseases without using decoctions or fermented wines. Instead, he utilized stone needles, qiaoyin (similar to daoyin/massage), and hot compresses. By directly observing pathological responses and utilizing acupoints of the five zang organs, he performed procedures such as incising skin, dissecting muscle, resolving meridians, knotting sinews, manipulating marrow, clearing abdominal regions, scraping lesions, washing intestines and stomachs, cleansing the five zang organs, refining essence, and transforming the form, thereby eliminating myriad diseases (from *Records of the Grand Historian*).

Tongjun was a minister during the Yellow Emperor's reign. He compiled *Yaodui* in four volumes and *Caoyaolu*, discussing the floral and leaf characteristics of herbs, and elaborating on the principles of sovereign-minister-assistant-courier herb pairing and mutual enhancement. These works are still transmitted today (from *Preface and Discussion of Bencao Jing*).

Leigong was a minister during the Yellow Emperor's reign, skilled in medicine. Once, while the Yellow Emperor was sitting at leisure, he summoned Leigong and asked: "You have studied medicine and recited medical texts. If you can browse diverse learning, distinguish differences, classify similarities, and integrate principles, making them clear, you may achieve perfect cures. If you fail to understand these, you will be resented by the world." He added: "Do you understand the way of medicine? Merely reciting and partially comprehending, comprehending but not distinguishing differences, distinguishing but not clarifying principles is sufficient to treat common officials, but insufficient to treat feudal lords." Leigong stepped out of his seat and bowed twice, replying: "I am young and ignorant, confused by my lack of knowledge. I have received instruction from my teacher. Please allow me to recite. There are many volumes in the upper and lower parts of *Maijing*. As for distinguishing differences and classifying similarities, I have not yet achieved perfection, so how could I possibly clarify the principles?" (from *Suwen*)

Bogao and Shaoyu were ministers during the Yellow Emperor's reign; their surnames are unknown. They assisted the Yellow Emperor in detailing *Maijing*, answering questions and resolving difficulties, thoroughly exploring theoretical principles to establish canonical treatises. Therefore, people rely on their contributions to this day (from *Suwen*).

Ma Shihuang was a veterinary physician during the Yellow Emperor's reign, skilled in assessing horse morphology, qi, and signs of life and death. His treatments were invariably successful. Later, a dragon descended before him, drooping its ears and opening its mouth. Ma Shihuang said: "This dragon is ill; I can cure it." He then needled the dragon's lips and administered Licorice Decoction (Gancao Tang) orally, after which the dragon recovered. Subsequently, dragons frequently appeared by the water's edge for treatment. One day, a dragon carried him away, and he was never seen again (from *Biographies of Divine Immortals*).