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Zhang Sixuan, Third Yin (Magistrate) of Jinxiang County, and Pan Shaobao (Vice Minister) Yinchuan, both married daughters of the Shi family, making them brothers-in-law. The Shi family was originally wealthy, and Mr. Zhang's wife was virtuous and intelligent, diligent and earnest in managing the household, meticulous and clean in her conduct. Due to multiple childbirths, her Qi and Blood became exhausted; furthermore, due to complex marriage arrangements, expenses exceeded income, leading to chronic worry. At nearly fifty years old, she fell ill with Xin Bi (Heart Bi Syndrome, characterized by chest pain and palpitations). Upon attack, she would faint, urination would be scanty and difficult, chest and diaphragm pain unbearable, accompanied by irritability, dry retching, nausea, internal steaming heat, rising Qi, emaciation with visible bones, and continuous menstrual bleeding. Local contemporaries diagnosed it variously as Qi deficiency or Ge Shi (Dysphagia/Regurgitation), but all were at a loss. She lay comatose for ten days, having taken no liquid or solid food for five days. With signs of impending death present and the family helpless, they prayed to deities. I happened to be at the Pan residence and was summoned to examine her pulse. The left pulse was wiry and large; the right pulse was slippery, large, and rapid. After examination, I said, "She can be saved." The pathogenesis states: "All rebellious vomiting and acid regurgitation belong to Fire; all wind syndromes with tremors and dizziness belong to Wood." The treatment method should regulate the Liver, clear Heat, resolve stagnation, and calm the Spirit. The other physicians stared and mocked behind my back, saying, "The classics state that bone-steaming flesh-emaciation is fatal, form emaciated with large pulse and excessive Qi in the chest is fatal, and starvation is fatal. Master Sun alone promises life. Is he the Medicine King reincarnated?" Ignoring them, I selected herbs and prescribed them. Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) and Hua Shi (Talcum) each 3 qian, Bai Dou Kou Ren (Cardamom Seed Kernel) 0.7 fen, Ban Xia Qu (Pinellia Fermented Paste), Ju Hong (Tangerine Peel), Jiang Lian (Ginger-processed Coptis), Fu Ling (Poria) each 1 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 0.5 fen. Decoct in water and let the patient swallow slowly drop by drop. After finishing the dose, retching stopped and fainting ceased. The next day, Wen Dan Tang (Warm Gallbladder Decoction) was used to mix with 3 qian of Chen Sha Yi Yuan San (Cinnabar Benefit Origin Powder). After administration, the chest and diaphragm instantly opened, allowing gradual intake of fluids and food, urination became smooth and prolonged, irritability completely subsided, and she rested peacefully as if nothing had happened. Later, Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) and Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) were used, added with Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) and Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome). After three months, muscle mass recovered, and spirit returned to normal. The locals were amazed, saying, "To cure such a disease, you are indeed the Medicine King."

Ma Di'an, Second Yin of Ma, aged fifty-five, overate eel rolls during tomb-sweeping, resulting in heart and abdominal distension and pain. City physicians, unaware of using emesis, hastily administered Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Huang Lian (Rhubarb Rhizome) to purge, but stool did not pass, and distension and pain increased. Subsequent physicians used Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan (Aucklandia and Areca Pill), followed by Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), and then Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction). After more than ten days, distension and pain worsened significantly. No food could be ingested, stool was completely blocked, and urine was merely drops. Later physicians again used Da Huang (Rhubarb Rhizome) and Mang Xiao (Mirabilite), which failed even in large doses, claiming only Bai Bing Zi (White Cake Pill) would work. After five days of this, pain intensified further. Then Bei Ji Wan (Emergency Aid Pill) was claimed necessary; after three days, pain became unbearable. Subsequently, Gan Sui (Kansui Root), Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flower), Da Ji (Euphorbia Root), and Qian Niu (Pharbitis Seed) were used. After three days, not only was stool blocked, but urine also ceased entirely, with unbearable distension. Physicians shouted in astonishment. From the second day of the third lunar month to the twenty-second day, twenty days had passed. A scholar named Wang Nanye moxiated Zhongwan (CV12) for over thirty moxa cones, with no effect, and predicted death on the twenty-fifth day at Xu hour (7-9 PM). Di'an's four sons, all scholars, wept upon hearing this. Zhang Huaichi, a Taixue student and Di'an's nephew, having seen me cure Zhang Sixuan's wife, urgently requested my help. Upon arrival, his complexion was dark/black, spirit was concealed, voice was loud, but abdomen was large like an inverted basket, unable to turn sideways. Pulse was slippery and large in both hands, especially strong in the Chi (Kidney) positions. Investigating the origin of the disease and reviewing previous medications, I was shocked to have never seen such a case. I formulated a treatment plan, first prescribing Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), using 2 qian each of Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome). A man named Qiao Xiaosong nearby, claiming medical lineage, objected to the prescription. I said, "This is not what you know." He continued to question, citing, "It is said that for fullness in the middle, one should drain from within; for difficulty in urination and defecation, one should first promote urination and defecation. Is this correct?" I replied, "Not common sayings, but stated in Su Wen (Basic Questions)." He added, "Various pains should not use Ren Shen and Bai Zhu, especially for those with dark complexions. Since you know Su Wen, why use obstruction instead of unblocking?" I remained silent, then addressed Di'an's sons, "Master Qiao is a rigid Confucian who cannot cure your father. Your father does not have Middle Fullness Distension, but Internal Injury Syndrome. Initially, the injury was in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner); the method should be emesis. Su Wen states: 'For diseases in the upper part, use the method of evacuation (emesis).' Using purgatives instead of emesis damages the Spleen. When Spleen Qi is damaged, its transportation function fails, leading to more purging causing more damage, and more damage causing more distension. Did you not consider that when Spleen Qi is damaged, the Shen (Spirit/Mind) cannot function, and medicines cannot move? Using harsh purgatives follows what principle? Because the Spleen is injured, I use Liu Jun Zi Tang to awaken the Spleen, and Mu Xiang and Sha Ren to assist movement. I will then use emesis to expel the previously ingested drugs. My prescription treats the doctors' errors, not your father's disease directly. I initially wished to spare the doctors, but Master Qiao provoked me to expose their faults. Moreover, I do not fear constipation, but fear that once it starts, it may not stop." Qiao absurdly asked, "In emergencies, treat the branch. Now methods fail to produce even one bowel movement, how can you worry about non-stop diarrhea?" I said, "Consider, how much Xia and Huang Lian can a normal person take? How much Ba Dou (Croton Seed) or Bai Bing Zi? Here, over 5 jin of Xia/Huang Lian and 5-6 liang of Ba Dou/Bai Bing Zi have been taken, plus harsh agents like Gan Sui, Qian Niu, Yuan Hua, and Da Ji. Fortunately, stool has not passed, and drug properties have not activated, so there is still time to act. If stool passes, all drug properties will activate, like a leaking bottle bottom; how much can remain? It is critical!" Qiao questioned again, "Why does frequent purging not produce stool?" I said, "Easy to understand. Initially food injury, then drug injury. Injury is in Upper and Middle Jiao, Lower Yuan (Kidney/Essence) is undamaged, hence Chi pulses still have spirit. Nan Jing states: 'The two Chi pulses are like roots of a tree.' Nei Jing states: 'The Kidney is the gate of the Stomach.' The Kidney governs defecation. His dark complexion and concealed spirit indicate the root is intact, relying on this, recovery is possible." After medication, severe abdominal pain occurred, indicating drug activation. I changed to Ren Shen Lu (Ginseng Stem), Fang Feng Lu (Saposhnikovia Root Stem), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), and Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) each 3 qian, decocted and given. Shortly after, goose feather induced emesis. Over ten bowls of previously ingested drugs were vomited out. The patient held his forehead and said, "My vision is bright now." This was Si hour (9-11 AM). I said, "Stool will pass at You hour (5-7 PM). Buy several jin of Ren Shen in advance for emergencies." At noon, Zhi Bao Dan (Treasure-containing Pill) was given to warm Middle Qi. Between Wei and Shen hours (1-5 PM), sounds were heard in the abdomen, turbid Qi rolled downward, and the abdomen expanded by several inches within moments. By evening, one bowel movement occurred, and urination slightly resumed. I immediately prescribed Ren Shen and Bai Zhu each 5 qian, Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger) 3 qian, Fu Ling 2 qian, Mu Xiang and Gan Cao each 0.5 fen, Chen Pi 1 qian, to be decocted urgently. At Fourth Drum (1-3 AM), another bowel movement occurred, followed by urination, and distension/pain gradually decreased. The next day, over ten diarrheal movements occurred. Therefore, Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) formula was made into pills, combined with decoctions for tonification. Abdominal distension completely resolved, diet gradually improved. Total diarrhea lasted 72 days, consuming over 2 jin of Ren Shen. Locals were surprised by the successful use of tonification. Qiao Xiaosong finally submitted, saying, "Marvelous! Marvelous! Others mostly use attacking methods, Master Sun uses tonification; others mostly use purging, Master Sun uses emesis. Due to true insight, the prescriptions were accurate. Medicine cannot be discussed lightly. Henceforth, I recognize Master Sun's greatness."