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Scholar Xu Jianlao had a robust and fleshy physique and enjoyed drinking, which led to "Changfeng" (Intestinal Wind, a condition characterized by hematochezia). The amount of blood he passed amounted to several buckets, leaving him extremely debilitated. In the mid-winter of the Ji-Mao year, he suffered from severe pain in his right hypochondrium, radiating up to behind the ear, worsening at night. He could not turn his body left or right; movement exacerbated the pain. His appetite decreased, his complexion turned greenish, and he sweated profusely like rain when closing his eyes, soaking his clothes and bedding, so he dared not close his eyes to sleep. Clan physicians administered Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Qingpi (Aurantii Fructus Pericarpium), and acrid-dispersing formulas, but the pain intensified, sweating increased, and his complexion became greener.

I examined his pulse: both Cun positions were short and weak; the Left Guan position was wiry and forceful against the finger; the Right Guan position was deep and slippery; all six pulses were rapid, approaching seven beats per breath cycle. I said: Based on the pain located in the Shaoyang meridian distribution, it likely originated from anger. The nature of Wood and Fire moves upward rather than downward, hence the upward rush to the area behind the ear causing pain. The worsening of pain at night is because the night belongs to Liver Qi dominance. As stated in the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine): The Liver governs free flow and excretion. With pathogenic factors in the Liver and Gallbladder, closing the eyes triggers massive sweating. There is originally damp-phlegm in the Middle Jiao. The treatment principle should focus on regulating the Liver, clearing heat, and resolving toxicity, combined with promoting urination. One must not hastily stop sweating, as this would block the exit for pathogens. Currently, the pulse is large and rapid. If one hastily astringes sweat, it goes against the nature of Wood and Fire. Not only will the pain worsen, but carbuncles may erupt, causing grave harm. The *Neijing* states: Changes from rich and fatty foods can generate major Ding sores; prevention is necessary.

The Duke asked: Why are astringent formulas considered unsuitable? I replied: Danggui Liuhuang Tang contains Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), which are substances that stagnate phlegm and obstruct Qi. Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) is also inappropriate. Medical texts state: These are contraindicated for those with deficiency below and those whose Qi rises due to anger; thus, caution is required. Therefore, I used Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) as Sovereign herbs, Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix) as Ministers, Honghua (Carthami Flos) and Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) as Assistants, and Longdancao (Gentianae Radix) as Envoys. After ingestion, although sweating persisted, the pain reduced by one-third, allowing him to sleep. The next day, using the same prescription, the pain halved again. On the third day, after another dose, he could turn his body normally, and his diet improved.

Before my arrival, the Duke had gone to welcome Sheng Shi from Gusu, a childhood friend who came from a family of physicians. Initially, the Duke did not urgently summon me, eagerly awaiting Sheng’s arrival to correct the errors ("cut away the dead and clear the rot"). When Sheng arrived and finished diagnosing, he questioned what formulas had been used. The Duke showed Sheng my prescription. Sheng loudly exclaimed it was a mistake, arguing that in the depth of winter, with such profuse sweating indicating massive Yang Qi depletion, how could Chaihu be used as the Sovereign herb? Furthermore, since phlegm remained in the throat, why not use Jiegeng and Danggui Liuhuang Tang? Disregarding proven prescriptions of past sages is like abandoning military discipline for reckless battle. Sheng then prepared Liu Huang Tang added with Jiegeng for administration. Trusting Sheng implicitly, the Duke complied, and the decoction was taken quickly. Within a short time, the old illness returned, all symptoms worsened, and he could no longer turn his body. From Xu hour until Zi-Chou hours, he suffered unbearable agony.

An attendant told him: Although Sun Jun’s medicine did not fully cure you, it had alleviated the extreme severity. He explicitly warned against these two types of medicines. Why did you recklessly violate this advice and suffer thus? You should immediately take Sun Jun’s medicine. Upon drinking it, he fell into a deep sleep on his pillow, waking only at dawn. The Duke sent for me and asked: People say Chaihu should not be used in winter with sweating, yet you used it as the Sovereign herb. What is your rationale? I replied: The Gallbladder and Liver are exterior-interior pairs. Pain arises from the stagnation and inability to disperse Fire in the Liver and Gallbladder. Extreme pain leads to sweating; the reduction of pain after sweating indicates that Fire exits via sweat. Sweat is the gateway for pathogen expulsion. Hence, I said sweat should not be astringed. Materia Medica states: Chaihu drains Liver-Gallbladder Fire, assisted here by Huanglian. The *Neijing* states: When Wood is stagnant, facilitate its flow; when Fire is stagnant, vent it. This means one should follow their nature to guide them, making the pathological trend easier to overcome. Ancient methods for treating Fire involve direct treatment for mild cases and following the nature to ascend/vent for severe cases. Medicine values adaptability. For instance, in cases of Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity causing sweating, where there are no excess pathogens internally, Liu Huang Tang is used to astringe and descend; this is the standard method. However, now there are excess pathogens internally that have not exited. Hasty astringency and descent would trap the pathogens, inevitably leading to toxicity. Therefore, deviating from the standard to treat according to the nature allows an exit for pathogens. If the nature of Wood and Fire does not rebel, toxicity will not form, and pain will subside.

The Duke said: Excellent! Sun Jun’s formula employs the interplay of orthodox and unorthodox strategies, rivaling Sun Tzu’s Art of War. How could one dismiss it as undisciplined? I wish to administer the medicine and achieve victory. I predicted: In a few days, sores will erupt vigorously, and masses will appear in both groins causing pain. This is a sign of toxin expelling outward. Do not fear. I changed the prescription to Chaihu, Baishao, Gancao, Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), Fuling (Poria), Qumai (Dianthi Herba), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), and Lianqiao. After three days, pain ceased completely, sweating stopped, and mobility returned.

Later, the Duke reported intense itching over his skin, resembling urticaria, asking if sores were emerging and if herbal baths were appropriate. I agreed. Three days later, nodules the size of chess pieces appeared in both groins, accompanied by pain. I had prepared La Fan Wan (Beeswax and Alum Pills) for this occasion and administered them. Sores indeed erupted all over the body, especially on the legs. After more than a month, he recovered. The Duke finally believed my warning about preventing toxicity was correct. We shared sincere friendship, and he wrote a preface commemorating the success, pledging our lifelong professional alliance.