Library

Ge Hong, courtesy name Zhichuan, was from Danyang. He styled himself Baopuzi (Master Who Embraces Simplicity). He extensively read various books and the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought, down to miscellaneous writings, reciting and memorizing tens of thousands of volumes. He favored the methods of Immortals and Dao Yin (a traditional Chinese practice involving breathing exercises and physical movements for health preservation), refined elixirs in hopes of longevity. His authored works include *Shenxian Liangshi* (Biographies of Good Immortals), which collected the Five Classics, histories, and works of the Hundred Schools; *Jingui Fang* (Golden Cabinet Prescriptions) and *Zhouhou Fang* (Prescriptions Ke Ready for Emergency Use), totaling one hundred volumes. In his eighties, it was said that he achieved "corpse liberation" (shijie, a form of Taoist immortality where the practitioner leaves behind an empty shell) and became an immortal.

Tao Hongjing, courtesy name Xuanping, was from Danyang. Orphaned young, he relied on his maternal grandfather's family, the Yu clan of Xinye. He built a hut in the garden, wore coarse cloth, ate vegetarian food, burned firewood to write books, and after finishing writing, recited them thoroughly, thereby becoming proficient in the Hundred Schools of Thought. He was benevolent and skilled in medicine, making diagnosis and relief his profession. For anyone who was ill, regardless of status, he treated them, saving eight or nine out of ten. He compiled over one hundred volumes of medical prescriptions.

Wang Shuhe, courtesy name Daoming, was from an unknown commandery. He attained prominence through Confucianism and Daoism, governed with fame, possessed a demeanor akin to a Daoist, and was devoted to medicine. He once studied Materia Medica and classic prescriptions, never letting the scroll leave his hands. When appointed Governor of Yangzhou, he crossed the river eating crabs and accidentally ingested poison from Pengqi (a toxic crab species), nearly dying. He sighed, saying, "I did not study *Erya* (An Ancient Dictionary) thoroughly enough; I was misled by vulgar learning."

Yin Zhongkan was from Chen Commandery. His grandfather was the Minister of Personnel, and his father was a Staff Officer of the Cavalry Guards. He was capable of Qingtan (Pure Conversation, a philosophical discussion style popular among Wei-Jin scholars) and skilled in composition. He often said, "If I do not read the *Daodejing* for three days, my tongue feels stiff." When his parents were ill, he did not remove his clothes to sleep, personally studied medicine, explored its subtleties, and was renowned for his filial piety. Emperor Wu summoned him to serve as Vice Director of the Palace Library for the Crown Prince.

Xu Zhicai was from an unknown commandery. He had a steady and resolute character, ample tolerance, and gained fame for his medical skills in his youth, serving as Imperial Physician Director. [Source: *Book of Jin*].

Faxun was a monk from Lingnan. He entered the Daoist path due to his intelligence in his youth and gained fame for his medical skills. Since the southward migration during the Yongjia era, Jin dynasty scholars and officials suffered from maladaptation to the southern climate and water, primarily suffering from Jiaoruo (weakness of the legs). Only Faxun could rescue and aid them. [Source: *Qianjin Fang*].

Xu Xi, courtesy name Zhongrong, was from Donghai. He loved the teachings of Huang-Lao (Huangdi and Laozi), secluded himself on Taiwang Mountain. A Daoist priest passed by and asked for water. Xu Xi left him a gourd, saying, "Practice this, and your descendants will save the world with the Dao, reaching high official ranks." Xu Xi opened it and found a volume of *Bianque Jingjing* (Mirror Classic of Bian Que). He studied it diligently, and his fame spread throughout the land. He served as Governor of Puyang. His son, Xu Qiufu, mastered his techniques even further.

Xu Qiufu, son of Xu Xi, served as Magistrate of Sheyang. He often heard ghosts groaning at night, their voices extremely mournful. Qiufu said, "You are a ghost, what do you need?" The voice replied, "My surname is Hu, given name Si, home in Dongyang. I died of lower back pain. Although now a ghost, the pain persists. I hear you are skilled in medicine; I wish for your help." Qiufu said, "You are a ghost without form, how can I treat you?" The ghost said, "Just bind straw into a human shape and needle its acupoints." Qiufu did as instructed, needling Yaoshu (BL23) and Jianjing (GB21) twice each, set up sacrifices, and buried it. The next day, the ghost thanked him, saying, "Thanks to your treatment, my lower back pain has healed." He was called a divine physician by contemporaries. His eldest son, Dao Du, and second son, Shuxiang, also possessed miraculous skills.

Xu Daodu, eldest son of Qiufu, had a profound and broad demeanor, clear and sharp conduct, and mastered medicine in his youth. As he grew older, he resembled his father, eventually serving as Governor of Lanling.

Xu Shuxiang, second son of Qiufu, had a gentle and respectful character, was quick-witted and eager to learn, devoted himself to medical studies, and rose to the position of Governor of Taishan.

Xu Wenbo, courtesy name Dexiu, son of Daodu, was proficient in medicine and possessed scholarly integrity. When Empress Dowager Lu of Emperor Xiaowu of Song fell ill, many doctors could not diagnose her. Wenbo diagnosed, "This is Stone Bi (stone obstruction) in the small intestine." He prescribed a water-based decoction of Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas), and the illness cured immediately. He was appointed Attendant Gentleman to the Prince of Poyang and gifted a thousand pieces of gold. Thus, his name became known in the contemporary era. His son, Xiong, also inherited his profession.

Xu Sibai, son of Shuxiang, bore extraordinary talent in his youth and possessed unique skills. He was thoroughly familiar with classic prescriptions, diagnostic methods, and divination. He dedicated himself to saving patients, regardless of status, achieving many miraculous effects. He was praised by his contemporaries. [Sources: *Book of Song*].

Yang Xin, courtesy name Jingyuan, loved literature and arts, valued pharmaceuticals, was meticulous in affairs, and excelled in treating phlegm-related diseases. He achieved miraculous rescues and was promoted multiple times to Gentleman of the Palace and Governor of Yixing. [Source: *Book of Song*].

Xue Bozong specialized in treating illnesses using Jin Qi (Qi suppression/control techniques). Gongsun Tai suffered from Fabei (back carbuncle/abscess). Bozong sealed the Qi for him and placed the corresponding point on a willow tree in front of the meditation hall. The next day, the abscess subsided, but a tumor appeared on the tree. Ten days later, the tumor burst, discharging about one sheng (approx. 1 liter) of pus, causing the tree to wither.

Qin Chengzu was from an unknown commandery. He had an upright character but was proficient in prescriptions. He treated all patients equally, regardless of status. [Source: *Book of Song*].

Seng Shen was a Daoist practitioner during the Qi and Song dynasties. He gained fame for his medical skills in his youth, particularly in treating Jiaoruo (weakness of the legs) and Hongxiangjiao (foot qi disease/berriberi). He was respected by contemporaries. He compiled records of texts by Zhi Faxun and others, collecting thirty volumes of old prescriptions from various schools. These were clinically effective and were known as *Shenshi Fang* (Prescriptions of Master Shen).

Liu Juanzi was from an unknown commandery. At the end of the Jin Dynasty, while hunting in the suburbs of Danyang, he suddenly saw an object about two zhang high. He shot it, and it fled like lightning, making sounds like wind and rain. He dared not pursue it at night. The next day, he led dozens of disciples to track it. At the foot of the mountain, they saw a boy who said, "The master was shot by Liu Juanzi last night and used water to wash the wound." They asked who the master was. The boy replied, "It is the Huang Lao Ghost." They followed the boy back, approaching closely, and heard the sound of pounding herbs. From afar, they saw three people: one lying down, one reading, and one pounding herbs. They shouted and rushed forward. The three fled, leaving behind a manuscript of *Yongju Fang* (Prescriptions for Carbuncles and Ulcers) and a mortar with medicine. Liu Juanzi obtained these. Later, accompanying Emperor Wu of Song on a northern campaign, he applied the medicine to soldiers wounded by weapons, curing them instantly. Commentators believed that when sages act, heaven assists them; thus, heaven granted this prescription to Emperor Wu. It was expanded into ten volumes, titled *Guiyi Fang* (Ghost's Legacy Prescriptions).