Library

A person from the Spring and Autumn period, surnamed Gao, given name Huan. Duke Jing of Jin fell ill and sought medical treatment from Duke Wen of Qin. Duke Wen sent Huan to treat him. Before Huan arrived, Duke Jing dreamed of two little boys who said to each other, "Huan is a good physician; we are likely to flee from him." One said, "I reside above the *Yu* (a term referring to the diaphragm or upper abdomen), and you reside below the *Gao* (fatty tissue around the heart); what can he do to us?" When Huan arrived, he examined the Duke and said, "The disease cannot be cured. It lies above the *Huang* (the area between the heart and diaphragm) and below the *Gao*. Acupuncture cannot reach it, and medicinal herbs cannot penetrate it; therefore, it is incurable." The Duke said, "He is indeed a good physician." He then sent him away with great honor.

A minister of King Goujian of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period, he assisted the king in destroying Wu, after which he retired to wander among the Five Lakes. He possessed methods of taking elixirs to transcend the mortal world and taught them to Kong Anguo and others, all of whom became Earthly Immortals, living for hundreds of years while retaining youthful complexions. He practiced medicine to help people without seeking profit. Within less than two years of residing in one place, he accumulated wealth, but he abandoned his savings and moved to another location, becoming wealthy again within a year. People commonly referred to him as Tao Zhu Gong. When asked about his method of accumulating wealth, he only said, "Plant the five grains and raise the five domestic animals."

A skilled physician from the State of Song during the Warring States period, he had profound understanding of medical principles and also mastered extraordinary arts. Long Shuzi was ill; Wen Zhi instructed him to stand with his back to the light and observed him from behind, saying, "I see that your heart, the square-inch space, is empty." After treatment, he recovered. King Min of Qi suffered from multiple ailments and summoned Zhi for diagnosis. Zhi told the Crown Prince, "The King's illness will heal only if he is angered. After he recovers, he will kill me. What should I do?" The Crown Prince said, "I will protect you together with my mother before the King; you will not be killed." Zhi climbed onto the King's bed without removing his shoes. The King angrily scolded him, and the illness immediately healed.

A native of Wu Commandery who studied Daoist arts in Shu. He could eliminate disasters and cure diseases, saving the people with medicine; those who took it recovered immediately. His merit moved Heaven. In the tenth year of King Nan of Zhou, Laozi sent an envoy with a tally to summon Xi to ascend to heaven. His disciples searched for him but could not find any trace.

A native of Hanyang during the Warring States period. He often collected flowers from various herbs, soaked them in water, stored them in jars sealed with mud, starting from the first month until the end of the ninth month. Then, he buried the jars underground for one hundred days, and finally decocted them to make pills. For those who died suddenly, he placed a pill in their mouth and washed it down with water, and they would revive immediately. People of the time called him an immortal. This comes from the *Wai Zhuan* (External Biography).