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The young master of Mr. Wang Zhaonan from Qiankou, Shexian, was fourteen years old when he suffered from Gu Zhang (Ascites/Gu Syndrome), with his abdomen swollen as large as an inverted winnowing basket. More than thirty physicians had treated him; upon seeing the symptoms, all were terrified and fled. Only Wang Yangzhi, a pediatrician in the market, achieved repeated effectiveness through conditioning. However, this boy was indulged in excessive feeding, allowed unrestrained eating and drinking, and did not observe dietary taboos, causing the illness to recur repeatedly. One day, Wang Yangzhi said to Wang Zhaonan: "For the young master's condition, only Sun Shengsheng (Sun Yikui) can achieve success." Wang Zhaonan replied: "I have heard that this gentleman often travels among the gentry in Wu and Zhejiang. How can we summon him within days?" Wang Yangzhi said: "He has returned! My sister is married to the Luo family in Luotian, who is the sister-in-law of Fang Yu Shiqiu. Last year, she suffered from a condition resembling Gu Zhang. Treatment lasted over a year without effect, until Sun Shengsheng's son cured her. My recommendation of Master Sun is not for any ulterior motive, but solely for your young master." Wang Zhaonan then went to Luotian to invite me. Upon my arrival, it was already late afternoon. Observing the patient, the abdominal distension was extreme, with blue veins protruding like earthworms, extending from the chest up to the Zhongwan (CV12) point, fortunately stopping there and not spreading downward. The umbilicus was flat. The limbs and face were edematous and enlarged. Each leg above the tibia had split open, oozing clear fluid profusely; clothes and bedding had to be changed multiple times a day. The scrotum was shiny and swollen like a blister, continuously exuding dampness, accompanied by alternating chills and fever. Due to severe swelling, the pulse could not be taken directly; one had to push aside the swelling to press, revealing a floating pulse at heavy pressure with six beats per respiration. I said: "This condition is extremely critical. The only hope lies in the spirit visible in the pupils; otherwise, the prognosis is perilous. How shall we treat it?" Knowing I had arrived, Wang Yangzhi hurriedly came to accompany me and declared publicly: "There is no need to speak of the severity of the illness; you have been invited here for a long time. Please administer medicine. Whether life or death, I shall have no regrets." I said: "First, let us resolve the exterior syndrome. If the exterior is cleared and slight sweating occurs, allowing the Lung Qi to become slightly unobstructed, then urination may become free." Wang Zhaonan was pleased and urgently requested prescription. Thus, Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Su Zi (Perilla Fruit), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Ma Huang (Ephedra Herb) were each used in 1 qian, Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark) in 8 fen, Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Xing Ren (Apricot Seed) each in 7 fen, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) each in 2 fen, along with three slices of Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), decocted in water and taken orally. At Wugeng (around 3-5 AM), slight sweating occurred. By the next morning, facial edema subsided slightly, and the blue veins on the chest receded. Although other symptoms remained, signs of vitality appeared. The same prescription was continued. The next day, wrinkles appeared on the abdomen and limbs, though urination was still not free. Therefore, the formula was changed to Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria), Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome), Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark), Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean), Gui Xin (Cinnamon Heart), and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root). After two doses, urination became free, indicating renewed vitality. However, due to overeating, diarrhea occurred. The patient was then conditioned with Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit), Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome), Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit), and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), leading to complete recovery. I have encountered dozens of such cases, but never before have I seen blue veins so coarse. While leg edema with oozing has occurred, I have never seen an opening as large as a fish mouth, nor have I ever achieved such rapid results. This is likely because the boy's constitutional essence was intact and not depleted, so although the disease was severe, the response was swift. Among dozens of patients, five or six failed to recover because they indulged in desires and disregarded taboos; this is not the fault of the medicine. When the brothers Wang discussed medical treatment with others, they ranked me first. I smiled and said: "Are you praising me everywhere like 'telling people about Xiang Si'?" In fact, Wang Yangzhi is also a outstanding figure in the medical field, but the final cure failed because the patient did not observe dietary restrictions. What blame can be placed on Wang Yangzhi? Wang Yangzhi did not boast of his own merits, nor did he envy others' achievements. Is this not what is meant by a loyal and honest elder?"