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The scholar, in his twilight years, pities himself alone. A hundred diseases strike simultaneously, with no way to recover. Knowing his primordial Qi (vital energy) is insufficient to support old age, the Liver Wood (Liver system) runs rampant while the Heart Fire burns freely. Heat flares upward and descends downward, failing to restrain each other. The whole body suffers from the imbalance of Yin and Yang. Every fifteen days (or every few days), the illness strikes, leaving him bewildered and disoriented. His heart pounds like a taut, precarious string. His head feels muddled, as if on a boat tossed by the wind. Last year, he lay ill for nearly half a year. His ears only heard the buzzing of autumn cicadas. Master Luo was summoned to Youyan. He seems to share a predestined affinity with me. Medicines that are too cooling might damage Qi; thus, I tentatively applied Bian stones (stone lancets) to the vertex. After more than twenty punctures, it felt like a breeze passing. Only then did the stagnant Qi surge upward, emitting white vapor. My chest felt open and relaxed, my head and eyes refreshed. The accumulated turbidity was washed away into a clear, cold abyss. Dongyuan Lao Ren (Master Li Dongyuan) is an immortal among physicians. Receiving his exclusive transmission, he revives the withered, strengthens the timid, brings back the dead, and achieves perfect healing. Now, there are no hidden talents in the countryside; his name has reached the Jade Steps (imperial court). The sick patient writes a poem for you, hoping to engage with immortals like Sun Simiao. The secret methods of the Green Bag should not be hoarded, so that this decaying body may enjoy its natural lifespan.

Yao Gongmao, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, aged sixty-seven, had a chronic history of "Shi Du" (Seasonal Toxins). In the spring of the Wuchen year of the Zhiyuan era, due to alcohol consumption, his old illness relapsed. His head and face were red, swollen, and painful, with swelling around the ears being particularly severe. He experienced chest oppression and difficulty in the throat. The lower half of his body was cold, especially the calves. Consequently, he placed a bed and a kang (heated brick bed) together, sleeping with his upper body on the bed and his lower body on the kang. His food intake decreased, and he suffered from mental fatigue and physical weakness. He ordered me to treat him. The pulse was floating and rapid, but fine and wiry upon deep pressure. This clearly indicated Upper Heat and Lower Cold. The *Neijing* states: "When heat prevails, swelling occurs." It also says: "Diseases caused by Spring Qi often affect the head." The *Nanjing* states: "Accumulation leads to swelling and heat, which requires Bian stone bloodletting." This was chosen for its ability to easily dissipate stagnation. Thus, over fifty punctures were made on the swollen area. The blood flowed out purple-black, resembling dewdrops. In an instant, the swelling and pain subsided. Then, one hundred moxa cones were burned at Qihai (CV6, Sea of Qi) to assist the deficiency of Yang in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner) and dispel Yin cold. Next, twenty-one moxa cones were burned at each of the Zusanli (ST36, Three Mile) points to treat cold feet, thereby guiding the hot Qi downward. Subsequently, a prescription named Jiji Jiedu Tang (Ji-ji Detoxifying Decoction) was prescribed, following the principle of "treating heat with cold." However, diseases vary in location and treatment in distance; one must not exceed established protocols. Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), bitter and cold, were stir-fried with wine to adapt to the usage, serving as the Sovereign herbs to purge Upper Heat. Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), acrid, sweet, and warm, ascend, assisting the bitter herbs to treat upper heat, serving as Minister herbs. Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), bitter and neutral, have thin flavors and belong to Yang within Yang, dispersing upper heat, serving as Assistant herbs. Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), acrid, bitter, and neutral, dissipates nodules and reduces swelling. Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), acrid and warm, harmonizes blood and stops pain. Jiuhuang Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma stir-fried with wine), bitter and cold, guides the bitter nature upward to the vertex and drives heat downward, serving as Envoy herb. After administration, the swelling subsided, pain decreased, and bowel movements became smooth. Upon the second dose, Dahuang was reduced. Speech was moderated, and diet was regulated. Within ten days, full recovery was achieved.

[Jiji Jiedu Tang] Treats Upper Heat causing redness, swelling, and pain in the head and eyes. Chest and diaphragm oppression preventing restful sleep. Coldness throughout the lower half of the body, especially in the calves. Slight constipation.
Dahuang (steamed with wine; omit if stool is already loose) Huanglian (stir-fried with wine) Huangqin (stir-fried with wine)
Gancao (roasted) Jiegeng (each 2 qian) Chaihu Shengma
Lianqiao Danggui Shen (each 1 qian)
Coarsely crush the above ingredients. Prepare as one dose. Add two cups of water, decoct until one cup remains. Strain. Take warm after meals. Avoid alcohol, damp wheat products, strong spices, and raw, cold, or hard foods.