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Mr. Cui Baiyuan was from Henan. He was just over forty years old and served as a Langzhong (Director) in the Southern Military Department. He suffered from pain in the right hypochondrium, with pain in the tendons and bones of the right hand and foot, making movement difficult for three months. Various physicians treated him for hemiplegia (Pian Feng) without success. He sent a letter to Magistrate Zhu of his county, requesting my treatment. Upon arrival, I observed his complexion was dark and his spirit was firm; his temperament was irritable. Palpating his pulse, the left side was wiry (Xian) and rapid (Shu), while the right side was slippery (Hua) and rapid. It was mid-autumn. I said: This is Bi syndrome (Obstruction Syndrome) caused by damp-phlegm and wind-heat. A slippery pulse indicates phlegm, a wiry pulse indicates wind, and a rapid pulse indicates heat. Generally, dampness generates phlegm, phlegm generates heat, heat obstructs the meridians, damages Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), and transforms into wind. The gentleman asked: How do you intend to treat this? I replied: Phlegm obstructing the meridians, though not immediately life-threatening, cannot be cured without taking considerable time. I then prescribed Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) added with Gouteng (Uncaria Rhynchophylla), Canxizi (Xanthium Fruit), Yiyiren (Coix Seed), Honghua (Carthamus Flower), Wujiapi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla), Weilingxian (Syneilesis Rhizome), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), administered with Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice). After a few days, the pain in the hands and feet decreased slightly, but the hypochondriac pain remained unchanged. I added Yujin (Curcuma Longa Rhizome), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), and Baijiezi (Sinapis White Seed); only then did the pain subside somewhat. Because I was summoned by Li Gong of the Grain Transport Office and had to leave quickly, I advised the gentleman to take leave to delay treatment, instructing him to guard against anger and practice inner contemplation to await the medicinal efficacy. The gentleman asked: What is the main focus of inner contemplation? I said: Rectifying the mind. He said: Confucianism regards rectifying the mind as the primary task of self-cultivation, yet I often suffer from not knowing where to begin. I said: The meaning of rectification lies in "stopping" (Zhi). Stopping at one point leads to tranquility and stability, preventing delusive thoughts from arising; this is what Song Confucians call "emphasizing stillness" (Zhu Jing). It also says: Observe the state before the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness arise. The Buddhist practice of Zhi Guan (Cessation and Contemplation), and Laozi's "Attaining One, all things are complete," all share this principle. Mencius's saying of "In affairs, do not anticipate results, do not forget, do not force growth," refers to the measure of this practice. The gentleman said: I understand the concept of stopping. He subsequently submitted a memorial requesting leave. I copied the previous prescription for him to take northward. Following the method, he recuperated for half a year, and the root of the disease was completely eliminated.

Brother Qiong suffered from internal injury due to diet and external contraction of wind pathogenic factors. He experienced chills and fever with shivering, irritability, and restlessness. After undergoing sweating, purging, and vomiting treatments, his urine became scanty and dark red, he felt thirsty, had abdominal pain, could not sleep at night, suffered from deafness and qi obstruction, restless soul and mind, and profound mental restlessness (Ao Nu). Palpating his pulse, both Cun positions were slippery and large, the left Guan position was wiry, the right Guan position was slippery, and both Chi positions were wiry and rapid (seven beats per breath). Based on this, it is determined as a combined disease of the Shaoyang and Yangming meridians. Zhang Zhongjing stated: For those who are thirsty and have difficulty urinating, one should promote urination. Initially, I gave Chai Ling Tang (Bupleurum and Poria Decoction) added with Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings). His hearing improved slightly, and he could sleep briefly, but the fever persisted. Upon smelling food, he vomited. I then used Jisheng Zhuru Tang (Efficacious Bamboo Shavings Decoction) added with Renshen (Ginseng Root), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), combined with 3 qian of Chensha Liuyi San (Cinnabar Six-to-One Powder). After ingestion, his spirit cleared slightly, but the palms and soles remained hot. I switched to Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction), but the fever did not recede, and the mental restlessness became severe; closing his eyes led to delirious speech. According to Zhang Zhongjing, after sweating, vomiting, or purging in Shanghan (Cold Damage) cases, if there is restlessness and insomnia, the heat is in the chest and diaphragm, and a mild emetic method is suitable. I used Zhizi Chihui Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction). After taking it, he still could not sleep at night, and the blockage in both ears was unbearable. I changed to Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) combined with Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), after which he finally slept. During sleep, he sweated twice, and his ears instantly became clear. Because he ate too early, fever and thirst returned, and a yellow coating appeared on the tongue. This indicated the recurrence of residual heat in the Yangming meridian. Therefore, I used Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 7 qian, Gancao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) 3 qian, Huanglian 1.5 qian, Baihe (Lilii Bulbus) and Zhuru each 1 qian, and 30 Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaves). Administered urgently, the heat completely subsided, and he finally found peace.