Library

Wang Lu, courtesy name Bo Ren, pseudonym Yingning Sheng. His father held an official post in Jiangnan, and he was born and raised in Yizhen. From childhood, he was intelligent and quick-witted, capable of writing ten thousand characters a day, and his essays were full of thoughtful insight. He studied medicine under Wang Juzhong, who taught him the essential principles of the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) of Huangdi and Qibo. He then organized and classified these teachings, studying pulse diagnosis, disease mechanisms, zang-fu manifestations, meridian pathways, acupuncture techniques, and the Six Qi and Five Movements (Yunqi), copying them by category for study. Wang Juzhong praised him, saying, "Excellent! You have grasped the Way of learning." From then on, Wang Lu's scholarship advanced daily, and he further explored the secrets of Zhang Zhongjing, Li Dongyuan (Li Mingzhi), and Liu Wansu (Liu Shouzhen). His treatments were invariably miraculous. He also authored works such as *Shisi Jing Fa Hui* (Elucidation of the Fourteen Meridians), *Zhen Jia Shu Yao* (Pivot Essentials for Pulse Diagnosis), and *Bencao Hui Yun* (Collected Rhymes of Materia Medica), totaling several volumes that circulated in the world.

Du Ben, courtesy name Yonghe, was from Xuanzhou. He was proficient in medicine and pharmacy and skilled in using talismans and spells for treatment with rapid effects; people called him a Divine Physician.

Hua Shou, courtesy name Zhenfu, was from Gusu. He excelled in medicine and once authored *Yixue Huitong* (Comprehensive Integration of Medical Learning) in twenty volumes. He deduced the root and branch of the Five Movements and Six Qi, observed the left-right dynamics of Yin-Yang ascending and descending, thereby determining the deficiency and excess of the Zang-Fu organs, and integrated the flow and distribution of meridians and Qi-Blood. His cures and resuscitations often differed from those of other physicians. He rose from the position of Medical Professor at Pingjiang to be promoted to Supervisor of Medicine in Jiang-Zhe.

Hua Gan-sun, son of Zhenfu, surpassed his father in medical skill. He was extremely benevolent and compassionate, treating patients regardless of noble or humble status, administering medication with utmost care, achieving universal efficacy. He authored *Yixue Qimeng Lun* (Discourse on the Enlightenment of Medical Learning), *Shi'er Jingluo* (Twelve Meridians), and *Shiyao Shenshu* (Divine Book of Ten Medicines), which circulated in the world. Recorded in *Yishi* (History of Medicine).

Xiong Zongli, from Kunshan, courtesy name Andao. His learning investigated Heaven and Humanity, and his writings were unparalleled in the world. He deeply probed the origins of medicine, penetrating its profound mysteries. He extended the doctrines of Li Dongyuan, noting that Li did not address injuries due to "excess" (pathogenic abundance), so he wrote *Neishang Yu Yi* (Supplementary Meaning on Internal Injury), titled *Suhui Ji* (Collection of Tracing the Source). He also detailed standard and variable approaches, authoring *Shanghan Lifakao* (Examination of Principles for Cold Damage). The *Yishi Buzhuan* (Supplemental Biographies in History of Medicine) mentions *Baibing Gouxuan* (Hooking the Profundities of Hundred Diseases) in twenty volumes and *Yiyun Tongshu* (Comprehensive Book of Medical Rhymes) in one hundred volumes. What remains extant is only *Shanghan Suhui*. *Gouxuan* and *Yuntong* have not been seen. If these two books had survived, their contribution to the medical Dao would surely have been significant. Alas, his authentic writings have been lost, while spurious texts like *Maijue* (Pulse Secrets) and *Qianfa* (Talismanic Methods) circulate. Is it that Heaven does not wish for the people of later generations to reach the realm of longevity? Sigh!