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Practicing medicine in other regions, he was busy all day long. He treated patients with sincerity and fairness; whenever he encountered poor patients, he often waived consultation fees or offered financial assistance. When working, Grandfather focused intently, spoke no idle words, and did not allow family members to disturb him. Whenever he encountered difficult cases where the initial medication had not taken effect immediately, he would ponder repeatedly, losing his appetite, and often consulted medical books late into the night without sleep, until he devised a more appropriate treatment plan that proved effective, at which point he finally felt relieved. Whenever he visited critically ill patients during house calls, he would frequently contact them by telephone or other means after returning home to learn about their reactions to the medication and changes in their condition, thereby deliberating on the next steps of management. In short, he always kept his patients in mind, truly sharing their anxieties and pains.

(IV) Pioneering the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Education Not only was Grandfather busy with clinical practice, but he also devoted himself to developing TCM education, strongly advocating for the establishment of TCM schools. When the reactionary Kuomintang authorities proposed abolishing TCM and Chinese materia medica, he overcame numerous difficulties and co-founded the Beijing College of National Medicine (Beijing Guoyi Xueyuan) with the renowned TCM physician Mr. Kong Bohua. Serving as co-president with Mr. Kong, he personally taught lectures to advance TCM academic research and cultivate national medical talents. When the college faced financial difficulties, Grandfather contributed his personal funds to sustain it; he even saw outpatients at the college alongside Mr. Kong, handing over the collected fees to the institution to subsidize its budget. Over more than ten years, hundreds of students graduated, playing a crucial role in rescuing and promoting the TCM cause at that time.

However, the reactionary Kuomintang faction consistently discriminated against TCM, forcing the Beijing College of National Medicine to eventually close. When the school closed and the request by Mr. Jiao Yitang, who headed the National Medical Hall, to establish a school was rejected, Grandfather was filled with righteous indignation and immediately composed three *Qilu* (Seven-Character Regulated Verse) poems to express his dissatisfaction with the reactionary authorities.

*Qilu*

Hearing that all medical schools in Beiping had been suspended due to interference from the authorities, I wrote this poem with deep emotion, focusing on the meaning rather than the literary quality.

(I)

If TCM is not valued, the nation faces peril,
In ancient times, preserving the race depended on Xuanyuan and Qibo.
Explaining physiology ensures human reproduction,
Clarifying cosmic principles leads to ethnic prosperity.
Descendants of the Yellow Emperor fill the universe,
Teachers and disciples abound throughout the central plains.
If teaching the root is akin to governing the state,
Who among the four hundred million people would dare to bully us?

(The yellow-skinned people prospered because the Yellow Emperor clarified the way of life. Thus, the race multiplied. Today, favoring Western medicine amounts to forgetting one's origins. If abandoning oneself to follow others truly brought benefits, why not? Learning is a public tool, and lecturing follows public principles; what distinction of East and West exists!)

(II)

TCM lacks texts, causing error to Wenzhang (Zhang Zhidong),
He was not unfamiliar with medical classics.
Although society opened up, debates remained futile,
If lecture halls could be established, methods would multiply.
To reorganize subjects according to new standards,
One must invite enlightened figures to reform the schools.
If we do not conspire to preserve national essence,
How can we willingly let Liu Bang (representing Western dominance) become strong?

(Zhang Wenzhang [Zhang Zhidong] personally drafted educational regulations, adding medical departments to various universities, including only Western medicine and excluding TCM. Mr. Ke Fengshi questioned him, suggesting equal emphasis on both. Zhang replied that TCM was too profound and lacked textbooks at the time, whereas Western medicine had ready-made texts and was relevant to military affairs. TCM could be delayed and specialized schools set up later. Little did they know that this delay became an excuse for Western medicine proponents. Based on this, the Ministry of Education only permitted the establishment of medical societies, not schools. Later, when the National Medical Hall requested to set up a school to fill the gap, a regulation already passed by the Central Political Council was altered by health authorities colluding with the Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan. Since Chu [2] was the leader of the Western medical circle, he had such power. It is strange that administrative organs could arbitrarily change legislation passed by legislative bodies, yet the authorities used this as justification.)

(III)

Distinguishing medicine by East and West is merely nominal,
Heaven cares for the livelihood of the people.
Why should scholars engage in mutual abuse?
Ultimately, patriots will achieve success.
Other nations' reforms were truly wise,
Our country's disregard for antiquity is too ruthless.
The rise and fall determine strength and weakness,
I dare not follow blindly but must evaluate carefully.

(Medicine has no East or West; it aims to save lives, differing only in methods. Take acupuncture: Western medicine uses "medicinal needles," which may be convenient but has no relation to meridians and acupoints. If used according to acupoints, efficacy would be faster. TCM uses acupuncture and moxibustion, targeting acupoints to regulate Qi and Blood, suitable for myriad diseases with miraculous effects, though few masters excel. If the state promotes it, there will be no shortage of rising talents or widespread transmission. Medicine concerns the rise and fall of the nation, a matter of great importance. I dare assert that purely using Western methods may not ensure population preservation and national strength. Promoting the combined use of TCM and Western medicine might lead to revival. If you doubt me, give it ten years. If the state intends to promote education and talent cultivation, and TCM fails to show results after ten years, I am willing to accept the penalty for false speech and abolish it immediately without objection. However, if left to perish naturally without attention, I fear TCM will vanish within ten years. Once TCM disappears in China, Westerners will pick up these methods for study. Once developed, Chinese people will again seek these methods from the West. Thinking of this, I shed tears and sobs, wondering what my colleagues feel.)

After liberation, Grandfather remained deeply concerned with TCM education. He believed that schools and hospitals must be established together so that learning and clinical practice could mutually benefit each other; otherwise, good results were hard to achieve. In 1954, at the age of eighty-four, he was elected as a People's Congress representative. He not only attended meetings but also actively proposed establishing TCM colleges. The state later referred to his proposal and founded the first batch of four TCM colleges nationwide in 1956. To this day, TCM education is vigorous and achieves remarkable results. I am sure Grandfather would feel comforted in the afterlife.

Main Academic Thoughts

(I) Careful Examination of the Four Diagnostic Methods in Clinical Practice, Emphasizing Inquiry In clinical practice, Grandfather emphasized syndrome differentiation and treatment, advocating the integration of the Four Diagnostic Methods (Inspection, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, Palpation). In the preface to the newly printed edition of *San Zhi Chan* (Three Finger Zen), he stated: TCM treats diseases using Inspection, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation as four essential keys. Inspection involves observing the patient's complexion; Auscultation/Olfaction involves listening to the patient's voice and smelling odors; Inquiry involves investigating the causes of the disease; once these three are obtained, the pulse confirms the diagnosis, hence called Palpation. Palpation means integration. Does the pulse's floating/sinking, slow/rapid nature align with the condition observed, heard, and asked about? If they align, following both symptoms and pulse leaves no doubt; prescribing herbs based on this will invariably fit perfectly. Otherwise, one must temporarily decide whether to follow the pulse or the symptoms, requiring considerable ingenuity. He particularly opposed those who made pulse-taking mysterious. He once said: Pulse-taking is one diagnostic method. Ignoring other methods and relying solely on the pulse, or using pulse-taking to deceive people, is rejected by knowledgeable practitioners.

Among the Four Diagnostic Methods, he considered Inquiry the most important. He said: I have made no inventions in medicine but still use the Four Diagnostic Methods to treat various diseases, regardless of gender, age, or status. Regarding how the eyes inspect, ears/nose listen/smell, and fingers palpate, judgments are made based on the condition combined with rational and sensory analysis. Distinguishing skin/flesh color, hearing breath/voice, and feeling pulses on both wrists helps identify differences. However, these three belong only to one aspect of medicine; only Inquiry relates directly to the patient. Therefore, in my diagnosis, I pay the most attention to Inquiry. Repeated questioning often enables patients to reveal their full situation. Because customs vary across five regions, weather conditions of cold/hot/damp/dry are uncertain, and land fertility/elevation/moisture differ, constitutions and habits vary. Diseases vary in novelty, depth, and manifestation for each individual. For example, Southerners coming North may initially suffer from acclimatization issues; if they fall ill, Southern treatment methods should still be followed so the Stomach can receive and transport nutrients to various Zang-Fu organs without harm. Northerners moving South are treated similarly. However, many cases present similar diseases with different manifestations. Without detailed inquiry, the cause cannot be determined. Special caution is exercised for women and children. Thus, some are cured in two or three visits, while others recover through long-term use of pastes, pills, powders, and dispersants, with fewer misdiagnoses.

(II) Legislation Adapted to Individuals, Accurate and Flexible Grandfather advocated different treatment approaches for the elderly and young, taking different measures for different targets. However, one must consider similarities within differences and differences within similarities. He said: Spring grass dries up but flourishes with rain; winter dead branches remain unrefreshed even when watered. Thus, different targets require different measures, yet one must consider similarities within differences and differences within similarities. He used an analogy for treating the elderly: Fabric is originally sturdy, but if borrowed for too long, even with double care, prolonged exposure to wind and sun and experience of frost and snow inevitably makes it brittle and rotten. If one sees only surface dirt but forgets the long wear, soaking it in alkali water and scrubbing with a wooden board will surely cause immediate breakage. If careful and thorough, gently washing with clear water, although old stains may not be fully removed, drying it afterwards gives a fresh appearance. This extends its lifespan, and its texture is not only undamaged but strengthened. This metaphor clearly explains the key to treating elderly patients. Therefore, clinically, for elderly patients, he mostly avoided aggressive attacks, avoiding sweating, vomiting, and purging methods, instead using regulating, clearing, and nourishing prescriptions, often using one or two fresh herbs to harness their vitalizing Qi.

These were his clinical views, but he was not rigid. His prescriptions were accurate and flexible, knowing both norms and variations. For deficiency syndromes, he mostly used Yin-nourishing and Root-cultivating methods, but selectively applied them. He said: To administer Yin-nourishing and Root-cultivating agents, one must first observe the conditions. If the disease requires them but one or two signs are unfavorable, obstacles must first be removed or conditions created. If timing is not favorable, aromatic middle-regulating herbs like Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Yujin (Curcuma Aromatica), Zhike (Aurantium Fructus), Chenxiang (Aquilaria Lignum), Jiaoqu (Fried Medicated Leaven), and Ji Neijin (Gallus Gizzard Lining) should be added to the Yin-nourishing formula.

Grandfather paid special attention to the Five Emotions and Seven Passions when regulating chronic conditions, often adding Hehuanhua (Albizia Flower) and Juluo (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium Veins) to prescriptions to regulate emotions and relieve stagnation. For excessive worry and thought, he administered Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome); for those prone to fear and fright, he used sedatives like Cishi (Magnetitum) and Fushen (Poria with Hostwood).

When treating consumptive diseases, he prevented over-treatment and focused not only on Lung and Kidney but especially on Spleen. He said: Those who obtain grain prosper; if Earth fails, even if Lu Ban and Bian Que were reborn, they would struggle. Thus, for tonifying Spleen, he used Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizoma), and Lianrou (Lotus Seed Flesh); for regulating the Middle, he used Bidou (Lablab Seed) and Yiren (Coix Seed); for poor appetite, he used Guyamai (Hordei Fructus Germinatus). For sour-sweet stomach-benefiting needs, he administered Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Jinyingzi (Cherokee Rose Fruit).

(III) No Sectarianism, Advocating Integration of TCM and Western Medicine

Grandfather practiced medicine without being bound by antiquity nor rejecting modernity, weighing pros and cons to suit contemporary needs, thereby curing diseases. He advocated eliminating sectarianism, learning from others' strengths to compensate for one's weaknesses. He said: Some say my medicine follows Huang Kunzai's school, but I have no specific school; I merely admire Fu Qingzhu, Chen Xiuyuan, and Xu Lingtai.

Although Grandfather was highly respected, he was humble and sincere, respecting peers. He shared the closest aspirations with Mr. Kong Bohua. The two elders exchanged thoughts openly, striving together to uphold righteousness in TCM and contribute to TCM education. Despite their different clinical characteristics, neither considered themselves infallible. For the noble goal of saving lives, they often conducted joint consultations, a practice worthy of emulation by younger generations.

Grandfather did not limit treatment to decoctions; if acupuncture was needed, he combined it. Sun Xiangling, the late expert in fine-needle acupuncture in Beijing, gained fame largely due to Grandfather's recommendation. Through daily conversation, Grandfather found Mr. Sun's medical theory profound and trusted him greatly. Thus, when acupuncture was required during house calls, he invited Mr. Sun to accompany him, strongly recommended patients to him, and taught him pulse diagnosis. Mr. Sun's success as a famous acupuncturist was inseparable from Grandfather's help, demonstrating Grandfather's ability to discover talent.

While alive, Grandfather did not monopolize family healthcare but drew upon the strengths of various physicians. I remember Grandmother's illness often involved Dr. Xu Youcheng. Dr. Xu was a few years older than Grandfather and had mobility issues. Each time he came for consultation, Grandfather ordered him to be carried in on a chair and received him personally. I clearly remember that in 1955, when I suffered from pneumonia, Grandfather asked my father to invite Dr. Wang Zhonghua, a resident physician at Xihe Niantang (a famous pharmacy in Xidan, Beijing) specializing in seasonal diseases, to treat me. Whenever Dr. Wang came, Grandfather always engaged in warm conversation and gave full affirmation. Grandfather also praised Mr. Pu Fuzhou highly. My sister suffered from rheumatic heart disease and headaches, which Grandfather treated effectively. But after Mr. Pu arrived in Beijing from Sichuan, Grandfather immediately instructed my eldest uncle to take my sister to Mr. Pu for treatment, continuing until Mr. Pu fell seriously ill at the end of 1972.

Grandfather strongly advocated the integration of TCM and Western medicine, expressing this view repeatedly, as mentioned in the three *Qilu* poems above. In his "Opinion on Organizing Chinese Medicine," he wrote: Today, Western medicine spreads eastward, emphasizing science. Although its techniques may not fully align with the Dao, its complete instruments, excellent drugs, and skillful surgeries are praiseworthy. If we wish to promote National Medicine, competing solely on material civilization will inevitably fail. Why has the essence of TCM survived for millennia without failing? We must meticulously search ancient books, seek practical truths, classify them as science, and then survive... In short, medicine is designed to save lives and has no East-West division. Researchers should not be fooled by ancients nor deceived by moderns. Whether Dao or technique, one must seek the root to determine the principle. One should not abandon oneself to follow others, nor reject others to affirm oneself. This fully illustrates that integrating TCM and Western medicine was his ideal. He never confined himself and trusted Western medicine. From his youth, he read Western medical books, and in his later years, he sought treatment from Dr. Zhong Huilan (former president of the Central People's Hospital and expert in kala-azar). They respected each other, often sitting knee-to-knee discussing views. Grandfather stayed in Ward 9 of the Central People's Hospital until his death. During this time, Director Zhong cared for him meticulously, and Grandfather complied well with treatment. Reporters from *People's Pictorial* interviewed them and took a photo published in the magazine, showing the close friendship between TCM and Western medicine. The unity and cooperation of the older generation of TCM and Western doctors serve as a model for us today.

Grandfather studied diligently, was knowledgeable, and was not only a famous TCM doctor but also a historian, literati, calligrapher, and painter. Since I can remember, Grandfather was the earliest riser in the family.

He woke up at 5 AM every day, practicing reading, calligraphy, and painting, persisting daily until he was over ninety and bedridden.

He loved reading, annotated extensively, and diligently sought ancient teachings. His calligraphy reached perfection. He liked treating patients and writing for others. Before liberation, some bought his medical records and prescriptions at high prices from patients, framing them as art, comparable to Mr. Fu Qingzhu of that era. My aunt, Ms. Xiao Qiong (also known as Chonghua), is a renowned female calligrapher today with foundations in regular, running, seal, and clerical scripts. She learned from Grandfather since childhood. Their calligraphy is still exhibited in the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong. Grandfather Longyou's couplet reads: "Morality as teacher, benevolence as friend; Rites and music bring joy, poetry and books foster virtue." Aunt Xiao Qiong's calligraphy reads: "Thousands of transformations, unique style."

Grandfather was close friends with famous painters Pu Xinyu and Qi Baishi. Aunt Chonghua was a favored disciple of both. Grandfather excelled in finger painting, possessing great spirit. I still keep a fan bone he gave me, painted when he was eighty-six in 1956. One side features Li Bai's "Palace Entertainment Poems"; the other side shows lifelike plum blossoms painted with fingers. Beside the plum blossoms is a small poem: "Old age brings half-body numbness, passing years with illness; Fingers have life, freely painting plum blossoms." This shows that although old, he remained passionate about life. Grandfather was indeed a talent capable of medicine, literature, calligraphy, and painting.

On October 20, 1960, Grandfather unfortunately passed away at the Central People's Hospital in Beijing at the age of ninety. His life contributed greatly to the development of TCM and people's health. After his death, the government held a memorial service presided over by Minister Fu Lianzhang, giving him high praise from the Party and State.

Respecting his wishes, our family donated his thousands of precious medical books to the Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. We also donated his precious cultural relics and antiques to the Palace Museum. In recognition, the Palace Museum held an exhibition and presented certificates of merit to my uncle, father, and aunt.