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There was a man surnamed Cao, named Tang. On the Double Ninth Festival in September, due to a feeling of discomfort and lack of smoothness in his chest and diaphragm, he visited Brother Nanxi for treatment. Before the pulse diagnosis was completed, I arrived. Brother Nanxi stood up and said to Cao: "My younger brother is highly skilled; please let him diagnose you." After the diagnosis was finished, I remained silent. Brother Nanxi privately asked me, "How is Cao's pulse?" I replied, "It is incurable." At that time, merchants dealing in goods came frequently, so I took my leave. Indeed, Cao died in February of the following year. Brother Nanxi asked, "Why did you declare it incurable upon seeing the pulse, given that Cao had no other illnesses?" I said, "His pulses at both Cun (inch) positions were surging, slippery, and striking the finger forcefully; the pulses at both Guan (middle) positions were slightly wiry; and the pulses at both Chi (cubit) positions were weak and faint. This is what the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) calls the 'Overflowing Pulse' (Yi Mai). In September, during late autumn when trees wither, a wiry and large pulse is inappropriate. A large pulse indicates excess above and deficiency below. By February, when Wood energy is prosperous, Wood generates Fire. Both Wood and Fire have ascending natures and do not descend. Without True Yin in the lower body to harmonize them, there is Yang without Yin, and ascending without descending. The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) states: 'When entry and exit cease, the Spirit Mechanism perishes; when ascending and descending stop, Qi stands alone and in danger.' Therefore, I predicted that Cao would die from vomiting in February."

Li Shuang, a courtesan in Jiashan, styled Suzqin, although physically stout, possessed a calm and indifferent nature, with an elegant, dignified, and serious demeanor. She was considered the foremost talent in singing and entertainment among courtesans. She had a close relationship with Cheng Qinxu, a fellow townsman of mine. She suffered from gout (Tongfeng), which persisted from February until mid-winter, resisting all treatments. The brothel owner, being stingy and cruel, regarded this as an incurable chronic disease and ceased treatment. Cheng Qinxu earnestly requested my diagnosis. Her six pulses were large but powerless. Her hands, feet, and joints were swollen and painful, and her hips also hurt, making it impossible for her to stand or walk. Her muscles had wasted by half, she consumed only two bowls of porridge daily, and her menstrual cycle occurred only once every two months with scant flow. I said, "This is Xing Bi (Wandering Bi, characterized by wind predominance)." Cheng Qinxu asked, "Can this illness be cured?" I smiled and replied, "If you can marry her, I can cure her." Cheng Qinxu said, "Marriage talk is merely conventional rhetoric in the world of pleasure; you are a gentleman, why speak thus?" I said, "Observing this woman, though fallen into the dust of the profession, she actually possesses the demeanor of a virtuous family lady. Thus, I pity her. Moreover, you are widowed and unmarried, while she has feelings for you; perhaps it is destiny." Cheng Qinxu said, "This is indeed my long-held wish, but I fear the brothel owner will inflate the price, making negotiation difficult." I told him, "Propose marriage while she is ill; it will be easy to accomplish." Cheng Qinxu agreed with my words and begged me to treat her. I prescribed Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) each 3 qian; Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Gui Ban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Cang Er Zi (Xanthii Fructus) each 2 qian; Wan Can Sha (Bombyx Batryticatus), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) each 1 qian; Da Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) each 5 fen. After ten doses, the pain stopped and swelling subsided. The prescription was changed to Gui Shao Liu Jun Zi Tang (Guishao Liujunzi Decoction, consisting of Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Six Gentlemen Decoction), added with Yi Yi Ren, Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Zi Jing Pi (Broussonetiae Cortex). After thirty doses, she recovered completely. Cheng Qinxu married her. She managed the household well, and the entire clan praised her virtue, admiring my ability to discern character.