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My late father often said: Medical knowledge in books is dead, while medical experience among the people is alive. To learn the rich medical knowledge hidden within the populace, one must first put aside any pretensions and ask widely to gather broadly. Secondly, one must think independently and carefully refine the acquired knowledge. The primary object of inquiry should be teachers. Teachers are generally knowledgeable and experienced, but in the old society, they often lacked patience. Coupled with the reverence for the teacher-student relationship, asking too many questions might be considered impolite; thus, one could only ask about key issues, relying mainly on one's own independent thinking. For instance, early in his career, my late father treated a certain Mr. He from Luojiang who initially suffered from lower back and back pain that made bending and stretching difficult. Various physicians treated him as Damp-Bi Syndrome (Bi syndrome caused by dampness), prescribing formulas such as Duhuo Jisheng Tang (Notopterygium and Dogwood Decoction), Qianghuo Shengshi Tang (Notopterygium and Angelica Pubescens Decoction), and Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction). However, the more he took them, the worse he became, gradually developing a stooped posture, curled body, difficulty extending his limbs, and ceaseless pain throughout the day. When my late father first diagnosed this case, he also believed it initially belonged to Cold-Bi (Bi syndrome caused by cold pathogens). He reasoned that the ineffectiveness of the previous prescriptions was because the Cold-Bi had not resolved and, upon contracting further pathogenic factors, had internally affected the Kidney. He then modified the formula of Anshen Wan (Kidney-Anchoring Pill) from *Leizheng Zhicai* to treat the patient. After more than a month, there was still no effect. My late father then consulted his great-grandteacher, Mr. Dong Zhi'an. Elder Dong hinted: "In treating Wei Syndrome (flaccidity syndrome), focus solely on the Yangming." Only then did my late father recall the clear statement in *Suwen · Wei Lun*: "When Kidney Qi is hot, the waist and spine cannot move; bones become dry and marrow decreases, leading to Bone Wei." However, he remained confused as to why, for Bone Wei caused by Kidney heat and bone desiccation, one should not target the Shaoyin channel but exclusively the Yangming. He asked Elder Dong again, who said rather impatiently: "*Neijing* has long stated clearly: Yangming is the sea of the five zang and six fu organs; it primarily moistens the Zongjin (major sinews); Zongjin binds the bones and facilitates the joints." Retreating to reflect further, my late father finally understood that Yangming is the great source of the five zang and six fu organs. If Yangming is nourished, all five zang and six fu organs benefit, and the tendons, bones, and joints will naturally be moistened and nourished. Yet, he still hesitated regarding which prescription to use and consulted Elder Dong again. Elder Dong spoke sternly:

"A skilled physician can only show others the rules and compasses; he cannot make them clever. The way of learning is that without thought, there is confusion!" My father bowed and withdrew. Thinking deeply late at night, he suddenly had a revelation. Yangming refers to the Stomach; "moistening" implies nourishment. Kidney heat, dry bones, and reduced marrow are synonymous with severe heat damaging body fluids. When fluids are dried up, bitter-drying heat-clearing methods should not be used. Instead, sweet-moistening methods to generate fluids should be employed, primarily using agents that benefit the Stomach. Then the Zongjin will be moistened, and the tendons, bones, and joints will naturally function smoothly. Thus, he used a large dose of Yiwei Tang (Stomach-Benefiting Decoction) as the main formula, adding Gegen (Kudzu Root) and Huaishanyao (Chinese Yam). After just a few doses, the lower back and spine pain decreased significantly. Subsequently, he adjusted this formula over several months until the patient recovered.

Secondly, learn from colleagues. There are indeed many colleagues with abundant experience. As long as one is willing to ask humbly, most can share their general insights. However, in the old society, constrained by conservative thoughts, key points were often kept secret. To learn from colleagues' experiences, my late father adopted the method of sitting knee-to-knee for heart-to-heart talks, mutual exchange, practical observation, and clinical verification. In the voluntary medical teams he organized multiple times, he treated people with humility and sincerity, achieving good results of mutual learning and common improvement. For example, in the Ren-Shen year, when cholera erupted in the Chengdu area, my father organized the Ren-Shen Epidemic Prevention Team, with over twenty colleagues participating. They treated each other with sincerity and competed to offer secret recipes. Clinical verification confirmed that Can Shi Tang (Silkworm Intestine Decoction) and Fangyi Biwen Dan (Epidemic-Preventing and Aromatic Detoxification Pill) had the best efficacy. This not only played a significant role in controlling the epidemic but also provided effective methods for my late father's future treatment of cholera, summerheat sha syndrome (toxic summerheat conditions), stifling and chaotic vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Another example is colleague Mr. Xie, who frequently used Shengjiang San (Ascending and Descending Powder) with modifications to treat various exogenous diseases. My late father humbly sought advice, Mr. Xie told him the truth, and its application in clinical practice proved highly effective. There are countless such examples.

Thirdly, learn from the broad masses. My late father believed that the masses harbor immense wisdom, and medicine itself is summarized from the production and life practices of the people. Particularly, single remedies and proven prescriptions among the masses should not be ignored. If they can be elevated theoretically, differentiated according to indications, and accurately applied clinically, they often yield miraculous effects. For instance, while working at Sichuan Normal University, my late father heard a worker mention a miraculous remedy for stopping epistaxis (nosebleed): simply burn dried ginger until black, decoct it in water, and take it urgently. My father recorded it for verification. In 1931, my late father went to Zhongjiang to visit his uncle. His uncle's friend, Mr. Sun, suffered from chronic epistaxis with frequent recurrences. After taking heat-clearing and hemostatic medicines, the condition worsened. Suddenly, the bleeding became profuse and uncontrollable, with dark yellow blood, pale complexion, and cold hands and feet. The pulse was fine and slow, and the tongue was pale with purple hues. The condition was critical. It was believed that cold qi caused blood coagulation, blood failed to follow its vessels and flowed recklessly, overflowing into the upper orifices causing severe epistaxis. Recalling the worker's proven remedy for stopping nosebleeds, which perfectly matched this syndrome pattern, he ordered an urgent decoction of Pao Jiang Tan (Charred Prepared Ginger) 15g to warm the qi and control bleeding. After ingestion, the nosebleed subsided immediately. From this, my late father realized what is stated in *Jinkui*: "For unceasing hematemesis, Bo Ye Tang (Cattail Leaf Decoction) should be administered." This formula consists of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Ai Ye (Mugwort Leaf), and Bo Ye (Cattail Leaf). Although this was designed for hematemesis due to cold qi, such vomiting and nosebleeds are all due to cold qi with blood exiting through upper orifices, so it can be used universally. At the follow-up visit, he used charred Gan Jiang and Ai Ye to enhance the warming and astringent power.

This case was extremely deficient and cold, focusing on warming; thus, Ai Ye was omitted, and Fupian (Prepared Aconite) was added. Also imitating Bo Ye Tang from *Qianjin Fang*, Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) was added to nourish blood and regulate, and Hong Shen (Red Ginseng) was added to tonify qi and control bleeding. After a few doses of this formula, the nosebleed stopped completely and did not recur. Later, my late father saved many people with this formula, all benefiting from the inspiration of popular proven prescriptions.

Advancing Despite Difficulties, Tempered into Steel

My late father often said: In scholarship, one must advance despite difficulties and undergo repeated tempering to become good steel. He often warned us with his personal experience that to learn Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one must have four fearslessnesses to gain something. That is, fear no difficult-to-treat diseases, fear no difficult-to-answer questions, fear no difficult-to-teach courses, and fear no difficult-to-write articles. When encountering difficult-to-treat diseases in clinical practice, he would mobilize patients to cooperate with him, never giving up easily until cured. He believed that treating疑难 (difficult and complicated) cases often brings infinite joy. First, exploring complex natural laws is one joy; second, saving people from danger is another joy; third, enriching one's own knowledge and experience is the third joy. Early in his TCM career, in the monthly journal *Yiyao Gaijin* (Medical Improvement) he founded, he added a medical consultant column for the TCM community and the general public to raise questions. At that time, various medical problems followed one after another, forcing him to consult massive amounts of data during his spare time from diagnosis and answer them one by one through thinking. He considered this a good opportunity to spur himself to study deeply. Before liberation, while teaching at Sichuan National College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he voluntarily took on TCM courses that were difficult to teach and that others were unwilling to teach. He said: "This is not because I know more than others, but precisely because I feel my own deficiencies. Mainly, I am applying the principle of 'teaching and learning promote each other' to exercise and improve myself. If I do not understand it first myself, how can I teach others? This is exactly a good opportunity to promote my own learning." He also believed that learning TCM requires not only clinical skills, teaching ability, and problem-solving skills, but also writing skills. Only through writing can one organize one's thoughts systematically, summarize clinical experience comprehensively, and create teaching materials. Since ancient times, there were no popular TCM textbooks; one had to digest ancient books oneself to write lecture notes. His works such as *Jinkui Xin Quan* (New Commentary on Jin Gui Yao Lue) and *Neike Zabing Jiangyi* (Lecture Notes on Internal Medicine Miscellaneous Diseases) were written with this attitude. Through writing, he further enriched his knowledge of Chinese medicine and laid a reliable foundation for his numerous later medical writings.

Adopting Views from Various Schools, Discarding the Old for the New

My late father advocated adopting views from various schools and discarding the old for the new in his academic thinking. For example, when summarizing his experience in treating stroke (Zhong Feng), he said: Ancient treatments for stroke included theories emphasizing fire, phlegm, qi, yang deficiency, yin deficiency, blood stasis, and liver wind. All these were summarized based on their clinical observations at the time and have practical basis. One absolutely cannot discard them as biased views of a single school, nor can one ignore specific circumstances and rigidly adhere to one school's theory. Although ancient physicians each held one end, clinical evidence shows that multiple causes often appear together or present chain reactions. Clinically, one should grasp the prominent syndrome patterns appearing in the disease at that time and selectively apply methods from ancient physicians. For complex syndrome patterns, methods from several schools can be combined. For aspects not discussed by ancient physicians, one should flexibly select prescriptions and herbs based on syndrome differentiation. There should be the spirit of daring to discard the old for the new, allowing Chinese medicine to continuously develop, but the fundamental point should always focus on specific syndrome patterns.

Clinically, he advocated that principles should be precise, methods should be skillful, prescriptions should be balanced, and efficacy should be stable. For various difficult and complicated syndromes, he often achieved remarkable effects using the method of "moving a thousand pounds with four ounces." He had unique innovations in using soothing liver methods to treat various internal medicine miscellaneous diseases and selecting medications that tonify yin without being cloying and remove damp-heat without being drying for treating yin deficiency with damp-heat syndromes. These all confirm that my late father's academic guiding ideology indeed has practical value. Remembering Dr. Xiao Longyou

Xiao Chengcong

[Short Biography of Xiao Longyou] Xiao Longyou (1870–1960), named Fangjun, known by his courtesy name. Born in Santai County, Sichuan Province, he was a top graduate of the imperial examination in the late Qing Dynasty and a famous TCM physician. Proficient in history and literature, he excelled in both medical theory and literary expression, becoming a doctor through self-study. He spent his life meticulously studying ancient TCM books, linking theory with practice, possessing extremely rich clinical experience and high curative effects. He served as a delegate to the First and Second National People's Congresses, member of the Central Research Institute of History and Literature, academician of the Biological and Geological Sciences Department of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, academic committee member and honorary president of the Academic Committee of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences under the Ministry of Health, vice president of the Chinese Medical Association, and advisor to the Central People's Hospital.

My grandfather, Dr. Xiao Longyou, was one of the Four Famous Physicians in Beijing. His life contributed greatly to the development of TCM, enjoying high prestige among the people. There was a saying: "Northern Xiao Longyou, Southern Lu Yuanlei."

I lived by my grandfather's side for twenty years since childhood. His kind face, upright and uncompromising character, and diligent and hardworking spirit left a deep impression on me. I deeply felt he was an extraordinary master of TCM. This article is written merely based on my personal feelings and available materials, far from reflecting the entirety of Dr. Longyou's situation. Any omissions and errors are requested to be pointed out by seniors and comrades who knew Dr. Longyou.

Solid Foundation

Grandfather Xiao Longyou, originally named Fangjun, courtesy name Longyou, pseudonym Xi Weng (Recluse), changed his pseudonym to Buxi Weng (Unremitting Recluse) after liberation. Ancestral home in Santai County, Sichuan Province, born on February 13, 1870, in Ya'an, Sichuan.

My great-grandfather, Xiao Duanshu, was a provincial degree holder (Juren) in the Wu-Yin year of Guangxu's reign (1888) and served successively as magistrate of Wuchang and Daye counties. When Grandfather Longyou was born, it was right after the Taiping Rebellion, during a time when imperialist powers competed to invade and Western new learning was beginning to emerge. At that time, the scholar-official class still relied on imperial examinations for livelihood, and as the eldest son of my great-grandfather, Grandfather received strict paternal education from childhood, reciting poetry and classics daily until late at night. He thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics, poetry, fu, official documents, the Four Histories, and various philosophers. Simultaneously, he underwent strict calligraphy training. Whenever guests came to the house, my great-grandfather would order him to recite as a gesture of hospitality, earning him great favor from his elders. Thus, he laid a solid foundation in Chinese history, literature, and language knowledge from a young age.

After coming of age, Grandfather went to Chengdu to attend Zunjing Academy to study rhetoric and composition, consistently ranking first in exams. During this time, he read extensively, including many TCM books. His proficiency in classical Chinese constantly improved, and his theoretical knowledge of TCM continuously enriched, laying a solid foundation for his subsequent self-study of TCM. This also inspires us that to learn Chinese medicine well, one must master TCM classic works and possess strong classical Chinese knowledge.

Turbulent Official Career

At the age of twenty-seven (1897), Grandfather passed the Ding-You examination as a Bagong (selected talent) and entered Beijing to serve as an instructor for the Eight Banners. At that time, the Boxer Rebellion was occurring, and the Eight-Nation Alliance captured Beijing. Grandfather endured much hardship, was forced to carry grain for foreigners, and once sold calligraphy at Liulichang to make a living.

Afterwards, he was assigned to Shandong, serving successively as magistrate of Zichuan and Jiyang counties. Upon arriving in Shandong, it was the beginning of the Reform Movement, implementing new policies, abolishing the imperial examination system, and establishing higher schools in the provincial capital. Grandfather helped draft regulations and served as an instructor. As magistrate, he won the hearts of the people by fighting foreign priests over rescue cases. After the Xinhai Revolution, he moved to Jinan to hold a sinecure. Grandfather had left an inscription by Daming Lake, which I tried to find when visiting Jinan for winter vacation in 1962, but failed.

In 1914, Grandfather was transferred to Beijing, serving successively as secretary in the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture and Commerce, counselor to the government office, director of the Prize Industry Bond Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, and advisor hired by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Executive Government.

Path of Self-Taught Medicine

Grandfather practiced medicine without family tradition or formal apprenticeship. In his childhood, due to his great-grandmother's frequent illnesses, he paid attention to medicine and pharmacy, often seeking advice at pharmacies owned by clan members. Gradually, in his youth, he could distinguish genuine from fake herbs. Later, while reading classics and history at the academy, he also consulted medical formularies. Inspired by reading Laozi and various philosophical schools, he realized the mysteries of Qihuang (Yellow Emperor and Shennong, representing TCM), deepening his trust and interest in basic TCM theory, and subsequently seriously and repeatedly studied the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues). Later, due to his great-grandmother's metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding) that resisted prolonged treatment, Grandfather was urged to study the masterpieces of past physicians more diligently, gaining some insights.

In 1892, cholera epidemics swept through Sichuan, with eight thousand deaths daily in the provincial capital, Chengdu. The streets were desolate, and coffins were sold out. Many doctors, fearing infection, dared not treat patients. Grandfather, disregarding danger, accompanied Mr. Chen Yunsheng patrolling the streets, using Chinese herbal medicines to save patients, turning many critically ill individuals to safety.

Thus, his reputation rose rapidly. This marked the beginning of Grandfather serving the people with medicine.

Even after entering officialdom, he did not interrupt his medical research. He also browsed translated Western medical books and practiced medicine in his spare time, achieving small successes. Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and health authorities frequently appointed Grandfather as a reviewing commissioner for TCM practitioner examinations, thereby obtaining physician qualifications. Furthermore, feeling that decades of floating in officialdom were useless to the country and people, his determination to practice medicine deepened. After the Republican government moved south in 1928, he resolutely resigned from office to practice medicine, officially opening his clinic, styling himself as Yiyin (Medical Recluse), and naming his studio Xiyuan. He wrote an essay titled *Xiyuan Yiyin Ji* (Record of the Medical Recluse in Xiyuan), carved onto fan ribs, to express his aspirations.

Appendix: Record of the Medical Recluse in Xiyuan

One must have nothing conspicuous to truly recluse. Am I conspicuous? My ambition lies in healing the nation. Floating in the sea of officialdom for decades, I have contributed nothing to state affairs. Even discussing fame and position, I am merely a mid-level official. Moreover, in this declining era, even this cannot be obtained? Looking around in vast emptiness, my actions and concealment are unpredictable. My wife told me: "Are you not deeply versed in medicine? Since you cannot achieve prominence and use your learning to heal the nation, why not live in seclusion and practice your art to heal people? If you can combine their needs with your approach, I have heard that doctors are also officials. Medicine may be a minor art, but it is a way of benefiting oneself and others. If so, I will live in seclusion with you until we grow old." I said: "Agreed." Thus, I concealed myself and engaged in the profession of a doctor, hence styling myself as Yiyin. This is the record. Written in the winter of Ren-Zi year (1912), carved on fan ribs seventeen years later in Ji-Si year (1929).

Mr. Xi Strived to Manage TCM Undertakings

(1) Realistic Medical Style Grandfather was respected for his excellent diagnostic skills. In medical practice, he gave his all but never boasted. He treated those who could be cured and did not monopolize those who could not. An example illustrates this:

In 1924, Mr. Sun Yat-sen fell ill and could not drink or swallow. Colleagues invited Grandfather to diagnose him. After examination, Grandfather concluded that the root of the disease lay in the Liver. Many bitterly begged for a prescription. Knowing the disease had penetrated the marrow and was beyond the reach of herbal decoctions, he firmly refused to provide medication. Later, autopsy confirmed that Mr. Sun Yat-sen suffered from liver cancer. This incident demonstrated Grandfather's accurate diagnosis and realistic medical style. At the time, this matter shocked society, and Grandfather's medical fame spread further.

(2) Pioneering the Precedent of TCM Practitioners Using Herbal Medicine in Western Hospitals Since practicing medicine, Grandfather linked theory with practice, resulting in excellent curative effects. Dr. Diebold, a German physician at the German Hospital (now the predecessor of Beijing Hospital), having heard of Grandfather's fame, frequently invited him for consultations. The cases consulted were mostly difficult and severe illnesses, such as encephalitis, kala-azar, uterine fibroids, diabetes, and dysphagia. Undeterred by difficulties, Grandfather treated them carefully. Consulted cases were often cured solely with Chinese herbal medicine. In the old society where TCM was discriminated against, TCM practitioners had no hospitals of their own, no qualification to enter or leave hospitals, let alone prescribe herbal medicine in hospitals run by foreigners. Grandfather, with his superb medical skills, won the trust and respect of the Western medical community, pioneering the precedent of TCM practitioners entering Western hospitals to treat patients with herbal medicine. This brought honor to the Chinese people, especially to the TCM community, and his prestige grew day by day.

(3) Sharing Patients' Urgency and Pain After opening his clinic, Grandfather received many patients. He held morning outpatient clinics and afternoon house calls, and sometimes had to accept invitations to...