Library

Huang Pilie's Postscript

I previously heard Qian Tingran of Baidi say that during the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a famous physician who cured Cai Jing's condition of intestinal constipation (Chang Mi) using only one herb: Radix Asteris (Ziwan). The physician became well-known because of this, and he was Shi Zaizhi. Later, my friend Gu Qianli visited Shi Zhongyan Jiuneng on the lake while touring Hangzhou, showed him various ancient books for consultation, and upon returning, told me that among them were two volumes of *Shi Zaizhi Fang* (Prescriptions of Shi Zaizhi), which were indeed exquisite block-printed editions from the Northern Song Dynasty. I had long yearned for them. Last year, He Menghua of Qiantang purchased them from the Yan family, and this summer they were transferred to me. Upon examining the prescriptions in the book, I indeed found a section on "Da Fu Mi" (Severe Constipation) that used Radix Asteris (Ziwan). This confirmed that Mr. Qian's words were not false. However, I did not know which book the claim about its efficacy originated from. Regarding the edition being a Northern Song print, it is certainly credible. The characters are square and vigorous, with a solemn and dignified spirit, which is rare among Song prints. The taboo character 'Jiong' (炅) is particularly uncommon in other editions. Gu Qianli praised it highly before, and He Menghua facilitated the transaction afterwards. I can say that obtaining this book was a rare encounter. I enjoy reading books I have never seen before. Although this book is not recorded in various bibliographies, *Song Shi Xin Bian* (New Compilation of the History of Song) mentions *Shi Zhan Fang* (Prescriptions of Shi Zhan) in two volumes. 'Zhan' is likely a typo for 'Zai' due to similar shapes, leaving no doubt. Valuing the rarity of this book, I exchanged thirty taels of silver to obtain it. I re-bound it carefully. Where the upper part had cut original paper, I filled it entirely with Song paper. The missing characters on the last leaf were also replaced with Song paper. I had artisans recopy the text, believing that the predecessors must not have been ignorant or reckless authors. The upper and lower volumes total 107 pages. Including binding costs, the expense amounted to nearly three taels of silver per page. My love for books outweighs my reluctance to spend money; am I truly an idolater of Song editions? Indeed, I can be called a "book demon."

Recorded by Rao Weng Huang Pilie at Baibei Yilou, one day after Lidong in the Bingyin year of the Jiaqing reign.

Wang Zhensheng's Postscript

This book is not recorded in *Junzhai Dushu Zhi* (Bibliography of the Junzhai Library) or subsequent works. Huang Fuweng of the prefecture obtained it from the Shi Zhongyan family; this copy was transcribed from his version. Shi Zaizhi was not very famous, and his life details are unrecorded. According to Huang Fuweng's postscript, *Song Bai Lei Chao* (Miscellaneous Records of the Song Dynasty) states that Zhu Shigu of Meizhou suffered from a strange illness and hurried to the prefecture to consult Shi Zaizhi. Since Meizhou belonged to Chengdu Prefecture during the Song Dynasty, Shi Zaizhi was a native of Chengdu. *Shulu Tijie* (Explanation of Book Titles) records *Zhinan Fang* (Guiding Prescription) in two volumes, authored by Shi Zaizhi, a man from Shu. Although the number of volumes is the same, the title differs. It is unknown if this is the same book. However, since he is referred to as a man from Shu, consistent with *Song Bai Lei Chao*, it is clear they are not two different people. Shi Zaizhi's given name was Kan. Ruan Yuan (Ruan Wenda) stated in his abstract that his courtesy name is unknown, mistakenly assuming 'Zaizhi' was his given name. *Beichuang Zhigelu* records that Shi Zaizhi treated Cai Yuanchang's illness. Cai Yuanchang passed the jinshi examination in the third year of Xining and died in disgrace during the Jingkang era, indicating Shi Zaizhi lived after Emperor Shenzong of Song. These are the general facts available. It is recorded that when treating Cai Yuanchang's severe large intestine constipation, Shi Zaizhi purchased Radix Asteris (Ziwan) from the market and administered it, resulting in immediate relief. This book's section on "Da Fu Mi" indeed contains a prescription using Radix Asteris (Ziwan). Regarding Zhu Shigu's strange illness, Shi Zaizhi named it "Shigua," claiming it derived from *Suwen* (Basic Questions), prepared medicine for him to take, and he recovered completely within three days. *Song Bai Lei Chao* does not specify the herbs used, and this book lacks a discussion on the "Shigua" prescription. It can be inferred that Shi Zaizhi's writings likely extended beyond this work, perhaps included in the *Zhinan Fang* mentioned in *Tijie*, meaning this book is not identical to *Zhinan Fang*. In the text, characters such as 'Jiong', 'Xu', 'Jing', and 'Wei' appear malformed, while characters like 'Wan' and 'Wan' do not avoid the taboo name of Emperor Qinzong of Song (Zhao Huan). This suggests the printing occurred before the Jingkang era. Huang Fuweng's determination that it is an exquisite Northern Song edition is correct.

Written by Wang Zhensheng of Wu County at the Tieqin Tongjian Lou (Iron Guitar and Bronze Sword Pavilion) on the sixteenth day of the third month in the Wuwu year of the Xianfeng reign.