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Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (5 qian), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) (2.5 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (1 qian).
Decoct with water and fresh ginger for oral administration.
Wu Keyou stated: The three Chengqi Decoctions have similar functions, used when heat pathogens transmit to the interior. However, if there is fullness and obstruction in the upper jiao (Upper Burner), Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Stomach Decoction) is appropriate. If there are hard accumulations in the middle, adding Mang Xiao softens hardness and moistens dryness. If the disease has persisted for a long time without proper purgation, even if there are hardened feces, they are often sticky; with Mang Xiao, Da Huang gains the ability to thoroughly cleanse. Assuming there is no fullness or obstruction, but only retained stool accumulation with stagnant heat, Tiao Wei Chengqi Tang (Order the Stomach and Regulate Harmony Decoction) is suitable. The efficacy of these three Chengqi Decoctions lies primarily in Da Huang; the others are merely symptomatic treatments. For those who cannot tolerate decoctions, or who experience vomiting or hiccups, the herbs should be ground into fine powder, formed into honey pills, and taken with warm water.
It is like a person who has just consumed meat, and illness strikes, causing food stagnation in the stomach. Using Da and Xiao Chengqi Decoctions consecutively results only in the expulsion of foul-smelling watery diarrhea. By adding just one ingredient, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), to the Chengqi Decoction, even fully digested grains and meat that have been retained for thirty to forty days can be expelled by this formula. This is because the Chengqi Decoction borrows the power of Ren Shen to stimulate stomach qi, causing the retained matter to move.

Bai Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus) (2 qian, stir-fried with wine), Quan Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum) (1 qian, free of soil), Guang Jiang Huang (Curcumae Longae Radix) (0.3 qian, peeled, not Pian Jiang Huang), Chuan Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (4 qian, raw).
Grind the above ingredients into a fine powder and mix evenly. For mild cases, divide into four doses; each dose weighs 1.825 liang (approx. 1 qian 8 fen 2 li 5 hao). Mix with one cup of cold yellow rice wine and 5 qian of honey, take cold after mixing well. Stop once the disease is cured. For severe cases, divide into three doses; each dose weighs 2.433 liang (approx. 2 qian 4 fen 3 li 3 hao). Use half a cup of yellow rice wine and 7.5 qian of honey, mix well and take cold. For the most severe cases, divide into two doses; each dose weighs 3.65 liang (approx. 3 qian 6 fen 5 li). Use two cups of yellow rice wine and 1 liang of honey, mix well and take cold. If not cured after one or two doses, it may be taken again. Stop when the fever subsides. It is not contraindicated for pregnant or postpartum women. Honey-pilled, named Taiji Wan (Taiji Pill). The nature is slightly mild. It must be taken on an empty stomach. After taking, one must abstain from tea, water, smoking, and food for half a day. If these taboos are not observed, it will be ineffective. If observed, recovery occurs immediately upon swallowing, and healing is complete within half a day. Taking this after a full meal is also ineffective. After recovery, overeating is strictly forbidden; only eat porridge until about 40-50% full to prevent recurrence forever. Spicy and strong-flavored foods must be strictly avoided at all costs.
For anyone suffering from plague (Wenyi), who has not taken other medicines, whether it has been one or two days, seven or eight days, or even over a month without cure, simply taking this medicine will result in recovery. If other medicines were tried first without effect, and then this medicine is used, there are occasional failures due to the confusion caused by mixed medications.
Yang Lishan said: A prescription must have Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Courier (Shi) herbs, along with guiding agents; this is the great method of skilled physicians. In this formula, Bai Jiang Can is the Sovereign, Chan Tui is the Minister, Jiang Huang is the Assistant, Da Huang is the Courier, Rice Wine is the Guide, and Honey is the Director. All six methods are present, forming the prescription. I have studied the Materia Medica and know that Bai Jiang Can tastes bitter and pungent with a thin qi, preferring dryness and disliking dampness. It receives the clear transformative qi of heaven and earth, is light and floating, ascending, yang within yang. Thus, it can overcome wind and dispel dampness, clear heat and resolve depression, regulate the ministerial fire of the bladder, guide light clear qi to flood the mouth, and dissipate heat, turbid, knotted phlegm. Its nature belongs to fire, combining earth and wood. Aging, it undergoes transformation of metal and water, becoming stiff but not rotting. In warm diseases where fire flares and earth dries, burning wood and smelting metal, it naturally declines receiving the metal qi of the autumn equinox. Thus, it can repel all stifled pathogenic qi. Silkworms sleep and rise three times. Sleeping means sickness; the whole body is sick and does not eat. Rising means recovery; the whole body recovers and eats. Using this to treat plague in the whole family is called "due to the resonance of their qi, directing them by intention," hence it serves as the Sovereign. Chan Tui has a cold nature, is non-toxic, tastes salty and sweet, and is a pure and empty substance. It emerges from filth yet dwells high up, content with wind and dew. Absorbing wind, it obtains the true qi of clear yang, thus dispelling wind and overcoming dampness. Drinking dew, it receives the essence of yin, thus washing away heat and detoxifying. "Tui" means retreat; it aims to make the disease retreat, just as the cicada sheds its shell unharmed. This is also "due to the resonance of their qi, directing them by intention," hence it serves as the Minister. Jiang Huang tastes bitter, pungent, and warm, is non-toxic. Barbarians eat it raw, appreciating its ability to expel evil and attack malice, move qi and scatter depression. It enters the heart and spleen meridians, establishing merit against masses and plague, hence it serves as the Assistant. Da Huang tastes bitter, is greatly cold and non-toxic, circulating up and down. Excessive yang cannot be suppressed except by this. Bitterness can purge fire; bitterness can tonify deficiency, achieving two goals with one stroke. People only know its great merit as a good general but do not know its great virtue as a wise minister. Hence, it serves as the Courier.
Rice wine has a greatly hot nature, tastes bitter, pungent, and sweet. Drinking it cold makes it act slowly, transmitting gradually. It ascends to the head and face, descends to the feet and knees, circulates externally through pores, and internally connects zang-fu organs and meridians, driving out pathogenic qi everywhere. Like objects at high peaks, one must fly vigorously to retrieve them; objects in distant or profound places require swift pursuit. It also harmonizes blood and nourishes qi, attacks evil and repels malice, following Hua Tuo's old method and the meaning of Tusu Decoction. Hence, it serves as the Guide. Honey is sweet, neutral, non-toxic, and greatly cool in nature. It treats carbuncles, rashes, retained heat in the abdomen, vomiting, and constipation. To clear heat, moisten dryness, and naturally dissipate plague toxins, it serves as the Director. Silkworms eat but do not drink, having bowel movements but no urination. Cicadas drink but do not eat, having urination but no bowel movements. Using purity and emptiness to scatter fire, with a wise Sovereign and loyal Minister, governance arises. Jiang Huang repels evil and pacifies plague; Da Huang stabilizes chaos and achieves order. With Assistant and Courier united in heart, merits are established. Wine guides upward; honey moistens and guides downward. Guides cooperate, connecting far and near. Tonification and purgation proceed together, avoiding bias. Cold and hot are used together, achieving timely appropriateness. As heaven has the merit of covering all things, humans have the ability to substitute for heaven's covering. Truly so! Used to treat warm diseases. Hundred shots, hundred hits; repeatedly tested, repeatedly verified; absolutely safe.