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Mr. Hu Shaoquan of Huaiyin, a magistrate of Lishui County, had a son who, upon reaching adulthood (weak crown), suffered from nocturnal emission. Despite numerous treatments, there was no response. The patient presented with fatigue and weak qi, poor appetite, and profuse sweating; his limbs were sore and soft, he experienced dizziness, and had hot skin. The condition was progressing towards becoming a consumption disease (Zhai Ji). Upon learning that I was serving in the office of Minister Wu, he earnestly requested my treatment. His pulse at both cun positions was short, especially the left cun, while the remaining parts of the pulse were slippery and rapid. I said, "The gentleman's pulse indicates a severe deficiency of Heart Qi. The Heart is the residence of Shen (Spirit); Shen is the master of Jing (Essence). Only when Shen is robust can Jing be secured. Currently, the uncontrollable emissions are due to weak Shen failing to secure and control the Jing, leading to excessive leakage. As we approach the Duanwu Festival, these symptoms cluster together, indicating a concurrent case of Zhu Xia (summer weakness syndrome). The treatment method should focus on nourishing the Heart and calming the Shen, hopefully preventing the development of consumption." The father replied, "Correct. Previous physicians mostly employed methods to nourish yin and descend fire, which yielded little effect and only damaged the Spleen and reduced appetite. Now that you advocate nourishing the Spirit, I am willing to follow your advice." Therefore, Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Shi Lian Zi (Stone Lotus Seed), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), Lian Hua Xin (Lotus Plumule), Shi Chang Pu (Acorus Rhizome), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) were used to tonify the Heart and calm the Shen as the sovereign herbs, thereby securing the Jing and consolidating sweat. As stated in the Classic: "Sweat is the fluid of the Heart." Profuse sweating further depletes Heart Blood; thus, Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit) were added as minister/assistant herbs to concurrently treat Zhu Xia, aiming to increase food intake and strengthen the limbs, proceeding slowly to ensure complete recovery. The medication was well-received, and by continuing this formula for regulation, the Jing was indeed secured, the Shen became whole, and the skin heat completely subsided.

His daughter, having reached her hair-pinning age (15 years old), suffered from headache with slight fever, delayed menstruation, increasing cough, gradually decreasing appetite, emaciation, thirst, restless sleep, a bloody taste in the throat, fatigue in the limbs without exertion, spontaneous sweating without movement, and a wiry and rapid pulse in all six positions, with the left Guan position extending beyond the Cun position. I treated her with Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) modified with Shi Hu (Dendrobium Stem), Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), Shan Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit), and Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber). She recovered after regulation.

Another scholar, a poor gentleman whose surname I have forgotten, was a close friend of Mr. Hu Shaoquan. He suffered from a strange disease: his feet were neither sore nor painful, but every time he attempted to walk, they would not obey his will. Sometimes twisting to the left, he would fall to the left; sometimes twisting to the right, he would still fall to the left. He walked crookedly and could not walk straight step by step. This was a rare sight, unknown in any medical texts. I speculated that it was caused by weak sinews unable to support movement, resulting in deviation, twisting, and falling during action. Since the sinews are governed by the Liver, and the Liver belongs to Wood, if the Wood energy is lax and uncontrolled, one should benefit Metal (Lung) to restrain it. I prescribed Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), and Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root) to tonify Lung Metal; Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), Hu Gu (Tiger Bone - *note: historically used, now prohibited/replaced*), Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell), and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) to strengthen sinews and bones; and Tie Hua Fen (Iron Flower Powder) to specifically subdue Liver Wood. These were processed into pills with refined honey, taken morning and evening. Three years later, my clan nephew Liwen Gong Jingting returned from the south, passing through Huaiyin. Mr. Hu sent word saying: "The disease cured by iron powder was considered very strange by the people of Huaiyin. People far and near copied the prescription and spread it in praise. We regret being poor scholars and unable to offer even a sprig of celery as thanks. Morning and evening, we raise our hands to the Southern Dipper star to express our gratitude and remembrance."