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Li Zhongzi, courtesy name Shicai, was a local *shengyuan* (licentiate). He was famous for his literary works and also mastered medical theories, enjoying great reputation at the time. At that time, Wang Kentang from Jintan (courtesy name Tai) was also proficient in the art of Qi Huang (traditional Chinese medicine), aged eighty, suffering from Pi Xie (chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency). All physicians believed he was old and frail, thus administering tonic prescriptions, which aggravated his condition. Consequently, Wang Kentang invited Li Zhongzi for consultation. After diagnosis, Li said to Wang: "Your physique is obese with excessive phlegm-dampness; further tonification will only cause stagnation. You should use rapid and purgative medicines to cleanse the accumulation. Can you have no doubts?" Wang replied: "Among the living, only we two understand medicine. You prescribe, I take the medicine, what is there to doubt about?" Thus, Radix Crotonis Tiglii Frost (Badou Shuang, 巴豆霜) was used, expelling several sheng (a unit of volume) of phlegm-saliva, and the illness was instantly cured.

A certain prince of the Lu Prince's mansion suffered from a cold syndrome. It was midsummer, yet the sleeping quarters were tightly closed, beds covered with felt curtains, marten fur canopies hung, and three layers of marten fur quilts covered the body, yet he still complained of cold. Li went to diagnose him and said: "This is internal heat (true heat presenting as false cold). In ancient times, there was a method of pouring cold water on the head; now let us adapt it." Therefore, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, 石膏) three jin (a unit of weight) was decocted strongly and taken in three doses. After the first dose, the marten fur quilt was removed; after the second, the marten fur canopy; after the third, all outer coverings were removed. The body began to sweat profusely, he called for porridge, and the illness vanished. His miraculous efficacy was typical of such cases, but he always considered himself noble and could only be summoned by wealthy families.

Tong Shuyuan commented: "He was indeed an outstanding figure of his time, but if he could only be summoned by the wealthy, this differs from Yao Meng in the collection. Although their temperaments differed and cannot be forced to be the same, their moral standing is clearly distinguished here."

Yao Meng, courtesy name Yizheng, resided at Baiqu Port in the county. During the Ming Dynasty, he was famous for his medical skills, especially mastering Taisu Pulse Diagnosis (a diagnostic method inferring fate through pulse). His predictions regarding life, death, fortune, and misfortune were often accurate, but his personality was peculiar. If he liked someone, he would talk tirelessly, even neglecting sleep and food; if not, he would roll his eyes upward, ignoring calls, sometimes speaking not a word all day. At that time, medical fame was prominent nationwide, and seekers filled his door daily. For the poor, Yao Meng often prescribed medicine without accepting payment. If the case was critical, he did not hesitate to visit two or three times a day. However, when the wealthy sought his services, if their manners were not satisfactory, he would often leave disregarding them. When asked why, he said: "These people have silver in their vaults and grain in their granaries; what harm is there if they die? But the poor rely on their own labor, and their wives and children depend on them; how can we let them die?" At that time, Censor-in-Chief Zou Laixue, serving as Governor-General of Jiangnan, summoned Yao Meng to treat an illness. Yao wanted to decline, but the County Magistrate compelled him to go. Upon entering the Governor's office, seeing Zou sitting high without showing respect, Yao stared straight ahead and remained silent. Zou asked: "Do you have an illness too?" Yao replied: "I have Feng Ji (wind disease/neurological disorder)." Zou asked: "Why do you not treat yourself?" Yao said: "It is Tai Feng (congenital disease), incurable." Zou extended his hand for pulse diagnosis, but Yao refused to approach. Zou understood, called him to sit. After diagnosis, Yao said: "My Lord, above your root constitution, there is another aperture that constantly flows foul water, is this so?" Zou was greatly shocked, saying: "This is my hidden ailment, very secret; how did you know?" Yao replied: "Through the pulse. The Guan position of the left hand is slippery and slow; the fourth lobe of the liver likely has a leak, which must drain downwards, hence I knew." Zou then changed his demeanor, apologized, and requested a prescription. Yao said: "No medicine is needed; you will recover upon arriving in Nanjing." Gesturing with his hand, he said: "Today is the seventh; you can arrive by the twelfth." Zou departed, and on the morning of the twelfth, upon reaching Nanjing, he unexpectedly passed away.

Liangcang Shi commented: "Treating the rich and poor differently was common among contemporary virtuous men, but regretfully opposite to Yao Meng. As for discussing medical skill, the gap between them is immeasurable."