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Old theories stated that in herbal prescriptions, there is a hierarchy of one Sovereign (Jun), two Ministers (Chen), three Assistants (Zuo), and four Envoys (Shi). The meaning behind this is that although many herbs are used, only one herb specifically treats the disease, while others assist it in a graded manner, roughly controlling and regulating each other. This arrangement is considered appropriate, but it need not be absolute. The "Sovereign" herb, which directs the formula, does not have a fixed identity. *Yao Xing Lun* (Treatise on Herb Properties) erroneously defines the Sovereign as the herb with the strongest nature and flavor, followed by Ministers and Assistants, with toxic herbs mostly serving as Envoys. This is a fallacious theory. If the goal is to attack hard accumulations, would herbs like *Crotonis Fructus* (Badou, 巴豆) not necessarily serve as the Sovereign? (From *Liang Fang*)

Physicians discuss that although human hair, beard, and eyebrows all belong to the category of hair, they are governed by different Zang organs. Therefore, some elderly people have white beards but white-free hair and eyebrows, while others have white hair but white-free beards and eyebrows. This is due to an imbalance in Zang Qi (Vital Energy of the Zang organs). Generally, hair belongs to the Heart, inheriting Fire Qi, thus growing upwards; the beard belongs to the Kidney, inheriting Water Qi, thus growing downwards; eyebrows belong to the Liver, inheriting Wood Qi, thus growing sideways. In men, Kidney Qi flows outward: manifesting as the beard above and genitalia (Shi, 势) below. Women and eunuchs lack genitalia, hence they lack beards, while their eyebrows and hair are no different from men's. From this, we know that the beard does not belong to the Kidney. (From *Lei Yuan*)

Zhu Gong (Zhu Gong, courtesy name Yizhong) passed the Jinshi examination and enjoyed discussing medicine, particularly specializing in Shanghan (Cold Damage Diseases). While in Nanyang, the Prefect Sheng Cizhong fell ill and summoned Zhu Gong for treatment, who cured him. Consequently, they discussed the essentials of meridians. Lord Sheng strongly supported writing a book, which took about twenty years of dedicated study to complete, resulting in the *Huoren Shu* (Book for Saving People). During the reign of Emperor Huizong (Daojun), he presented the book at court and was appointed Medical Doctor. Zhu Gong's compilation was indeed precise and comprehensive. Once passing through Hongzhou, hearing of the famous physician Song Daofang, he visited him with the book. Song detained Zhu Gong for a cordial conversation and pointed out dozens of errors in the text, all backed by textual evidence. Zhu Gong felt lost and confused, leaving immediately by boat. This shows that scholarly pursuits vary greatly, or perhaps Zhu's book had its limitations. Those who use this book in later times should examine it carefully and select wisely, which would be good.

Males are born covered (face down), females are born uncovered (face up); similarly, their deaths in water follow this pattern. Males are internally Yang and externally Yin, while females are the reverse. Thus, the *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: "Kun is extremely soft yet moves with strength." The *Shangshu* (Book of Documents) states: "Deep and quiet, overcome with firmness." Ancient sages understood this. He, the physician of Qin, said: "Heaven has Six Qi (Energies); when excessive, they cause Six Diseases: Excess Yang causes Heat diseases; excess Yin causes Cold diseases; excess Wind causes extremity diseases; excess Rain causes abdominal diseases; excess Darkness (night/dimness) causes confusion diseases; excess Light causes Heart diseases." Women are Yang entities active during Darkness (night), so excess leads to internal heat and bewitchment diseases. It is widely known that women are associated with bewitchment, but whether they, as Yang entities, cause internal heat is unknown even to good physicians. The Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries all involve steaming hot sweats; during darkness, one either suffers bewitchment or wind-stroke, all generated by Heat. He's words should be highlighted and promoted. Read this account in the *Zuo Zhuan* (Commentary of Zuo). (From *Liang Fang*)