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Zhang Wenxue's son, named Xin, was the eldest son of Er Yin, Mr. Kequan. He possessed medical knowledge. In his early twenties, he fell ill. Famous physicians in Wu were consulted for his treatment, and all diagnosed it as *Zhai* (consumptive disease). Despite prolonged treatment, there was no effect. Zhang Xin himself concluded that death was inevitable. He instructed his family to prepare a coffin, had already bathed, put on burial clothes, and lay in the main hall, having abstained from food and medicine for two days.

Mr. Kequan heard that I had cured a strange illness of his prominent student Zhang Xingyue's aunt, so he visited me and said, "Who would not praise you as a master if one could cure someone like Xin, who suffers from Heart Bi (obstruction of the heart vessels) and has been bedridden like a corpse for ten days? My son is critically ill; I hope you will show pity and examine him."

Upon arrival, I palpated his pulse: the left Cun position was short and weak, the right Guan position was slightly wiry, while the rest were surging and large. His symptoms included coughing, fever starting from the soles of both feet in the afternoon, gradually spreading to the head and face, subsiding at midnight, bluish complexion, emaciation, rapid breathing, frequent nocturnal emissions, and being barely alive when closing his eyes to lie down. It was then the first ten days of the seventh lunar month. After finishing the pulse diagnosis, I told Mr. Kequan, "Your young master's illness is curable; there is no need to prepare funeral utensils in advance."

Mr. Kequan said, "All other physicians stated that those with 'fire rising from nine springs' (extreme yin deficiency with hyperactive fire) have only a one-in-ten chance of survival; those with complete muscle wasting die; those whose cough worsens with sweating die; and those whose pulse does not diminish after sweating die. Moreover, we are in the scorching heat of summer, and I fear the Metal of the Lung is about to perish. My son also believes there is no hope. Why do you say it is curable?"

I replied, "Excessive sweating indicates that isolated Yang is on the verge of flying away (deviating from its source)." Mr. Kequan said, "Flying away is also a sign of death." I said, "'Ji' (verge/soon) means something that is about to happen but has not yet occurred. Although the condition is critical, his complexion, voice, and pulse still show signs of life. One should not discard three auspicious signs because of one ominous one. The malar regions are not red, indicating Heart Fire has not burned out; the voice is not hoarse, indicating Lung Metal has not flaccidified; the earlobes are not scorched, indicating Kidney Water has not dried up. Physiognomy texts state: a bluish face indicates worry and indecision; a short left Cun pulse indicates insufficiency of Heart Spirit; a slightly wiry Guan pulse indicates unfulfilled plans. The Heart is the master of all transformations. The *Neijing* states: 'If the Master is clear, the subordinates are peaceful; if the Master is unclear, the Twelve Officials are in danger.' The Liver governs planning, and the Gallbladder governs decision-making. Due to indecisiveness, the face is blue. The symptoms, complexion, and pulse are not consistent with consumptive disease. It seems your young master has high aspirations that remain unfulfilled. This is likely a Heart disorder, not a Kidney disorder. The Classics state: 'When color and pulse correspond, there is life.' Therefore, I say your young master's illness can be cured."

Hearing this, the patient opened his eyes wide and said to his father, "I feel as if I have just awakened from sleep! No theory has ever penetrated my heart and spleen like this before. My illness stems from an astrologer predicting in the Guiyou year that I would pass the imperial examination. That year, I failed, while my classmates succeeded, leading to this depression. You have discerned my mind through my color and pulse; this is divine! These words serve as medicine and stone [metaphor for effective treatment]. I respectfully accept your prescription."

I prescribed a decoction named *Tiao Gan Yi Shen Tang* (Liver-Calming and Spirit-Nourishing Decoction). The sovereign herbs were *Ren Shen* (Ginseng Radix), *Suan Zao Ren* (Ziziphus Seed), and *Long Gu* (Fossilized Bone). The minister herbs were *Dan Shen* (Salvia Root), *Shi Hu* (Dendrobium Stem), *Bei Mu* (Fritillaria Bulb), *Mai Dong* (Ophiopogon Tuber), and *Wu Wei Zi* (Schisandra Fruit). The assistant herbs were *Shan Zhi* (Gardenia Fruit) and *Xiang Fu* (Cyperus Rhizome). After taking twenty doses, the illness resolved. For the pill formula, ingredients included *Da Gui Ban* (Testudo Plastrum), *Shu Di Huang* (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), *Gou Qi Zi* (Lycium Fruit), *Ren Shen* (Ginseng Radix), *Mai Dong* (Ophiopogon Tuber), *Wu Wei Zi* (Schisandra Fruit), and *Fu Ling* (Poria). These were made into honey pills. After three months of consumption, his spirit became robust, and muscles filled out. The following year, he had a daughter.

Mr. Kequan was a renowned scholar in the Tiao region. Astonished by my treatment, he praised me to Grand Secretary Dong Xunyang. The Grand Secretary's friendship with me began with Mr. Kequan.