Library

A person surnamed Han, whose given name is not recorded, was a member of a military family in Western Shu and also a Daoist priest. He harbored a benevolent heart, enjoyed reading poetry and books, admired the noble customs of ancient times, and mastered the art of medicine to save lives. His two-volume treatises on phlegm-fire and other conditions were able to elucidate the profound intentions of ancient sages; the world transmits Han's *Yi Tong* (Medical Compendium).

Another individual, styled Juquan (Orange Spring), was from Siming and came from a family that practiced medicine for generations. His skills became increasingly refined; he possessed exceptional insight in diagnosing conditions and prescribing medications, often achieving miraculous effects. During the Yongle reign, he was summoned to the Imperial Medical Academy. The officials and gentry in the capital all respected and admired him. Cheng Shangshu (Minister Cheng) from Huangdun, my hometown, wrote his biography.

Another person named Ji, with the courtesy name Shirén, was from Yuyao. He became known for his filial piety during the Jingtai reign. He practiced medicine, and his skills reached a state of subtlety and perfection. An imperial edict was issued to commend his household.

Another individual, with the courtesy name Chuxiang, lost his father when young. Following his mother's teachings, he studied Confucianism, but later said, "Medicine is an art of benevolence." If one masters it, one can serve the ruler and parents above, and aid people and things below. Thus, he deeply investigated the principles of the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues). He became famous for his medical practice in the Huaiyang region. In the early Zhengtong reign, he was conscripted as an Imperial Physician. During the Jingtai reign, Dong Su, the Director of the Medical Academy, recommended him to the Emperor. He attended to the Emperor's medication and achieved success. He gathered renowned scholars from all directions in the capital, taking it upon himself to preserve the Emperor's health. In the Chenghua reign, he was promoted to Vice-Director of the Nanjing Imperial Medical Academy.

Another person from the Wu region had medical skills that were profound and subtle. During the Hongzhi reign, a tutor suffered from a wasting disease. Various physicians discussed it as a Sanbai Tang (Three Whites Decoction) syndrome and used it without effect. He then sought treatment from Yangzheng. Yangzheng also used Sanbai Tang (Three Whites Decoction), adding only two or three slices of Prepared Aconite Root (Shu Fuzi), and the illness immediately resolved.

Another individual, with the courtesy name Shangwen and the pseudonym Jian'an, was from Yuhang. He read Confucian classics in his youth and mastered medicine in his adulthood. He thoroughly investigated the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders) and authored *Suoyan* (Trivial Words), *Shachechui* (Carriage Wheel Hammer), *Yitijin* (One Lift Gold), and *Mingli Lun* (Discourse on Clarifying Principles). This could be described as diligent in effort, serving as a standard for beginners.

Another individual, with the courtesy name Yuanjie, was from Hunling. He passed the imperial examinations during the Yongle reign and served as a close attendant. Sent on missions to various regions, whenever he encountered matters beneficial to the people through his observations, he mostly memorialized them and implemented them. However, this was insufficient to fulfill his aspirations, so he also devoted himself to medicine. Whenever he found good medicines or effective prescriptions, he recorded them himself. Having collected a rich volume, he titled it *Weisheng Yijian Fang* (Simple Prescriptions for Hygiene and Health), presented it via a memorial, and it was printed and circulated in the world. He rose to the rank of Minister of Rites.