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Preface: The scholars of ancient times, whether they hid themselves in the marketplace as diviners and priests, or concealed their talents among butchers and fishermen, did not do so because they despised high official positions and heavy carriages. When disasters and turmoil descended, only those with extraordinary talent could achieve greatness. Thus, there were those who believed that pursuing profit and official rank harmed worthy heroes, while worthy heroes sought neither profit nor rank; consequently, they were content to dwell in valleys and hills, finding joy in reclusion, and detested the sound of worldly footsteps. However, leisure and openness suit one's nature, and clothing and food are necessary for the body. One cannot abandon what sustains life in order to pursue inner delight. Therefore, Yan Junping sold millet to please himself, and Han Kang carried his medicine bag without regret. Mr. Xiaolin is a gentleman hermit. Through medicine, he amassed wealth three times over. Compared to scholar-officials who subjugate their wills to compete for fame and profit, and compared to those who lack the conduct of reclusive oddities yet talk of benevolence and righteousness while remaining poor and lowly all their lives, he is incomparable. Being righteous yet wealthy, Confucius regarded riches as floating clouds; the skillful have surplus, and Sima Qian verified the Way through this. I once sighed at those whose skills were insufficient to support their wives and children, whose wealth was inadequate for sacrifices, who clung to fragmented knowledge, and who claimed to be lofty hermits—what was there to praise? This is precisely what Mr. Xiaolin would feel ashamed of. It is a pity that his medical achievements could not be entrusted to his descendants, and fearing his art would perish, he entrusted his intent to the *Lin Zheng Zhi Nan* (Guide to Clinical Practice), revealing his principles and expressing his insights, which is indeed moving. He once said that people praised him as someone who saves the world. For someone like him, it is the inheritance of the family profession. From these words and this book, we can see his lack of arrogance; he is likely what Sima Qian called "one who is wealthy and loves to practice virtue." Among diseases, none is greater than cold and heat. Ban Gu criticized physicians for treating heat with heat and cold with cold; thus, few physicians can accurately distinguish between cold and heat. Chunyu Yi himself stated that most of his prescriptions failed in trials, making perfect cures difficult. Moreover, texts such as the *Su Wen* (Plain Questions) and *Jiu Ling* (Nine Spirals) have plain and profound language; even learned men find it difficult to parse the sentences. Medicine is a sacred and cautious pursuit, yet now it is viewed as a fallback for those who fail in their studies, akin to learning swordsmanship. How can one then resolve doubts and determine treatability? Furthermore, it has been argued that contemporary teachers of physicians hold power equal to the imperial court and become a detriment to it. Why? Even if a person is sage-like, instruction by vulgar teachers leads to madness; even if a person is long-lived, treatment by mediocre physicians leads to premature death. The court nurtures them, while vulgar teachers destroy them; the court gives life, while mediocre physicians take it away. The literary works of Yang Xiong and Ma Rong, the academic achievements of Zheng Xuan and Kong Yingda, and the meritorious deeds of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi—they merely had the good fortune of not encountering vulgar teachers in their youth or mediocre physicians in their later years. Parents, elders, and grandchildren in the world bow with humble words and rich rituals before vulgar teachers and mediocre physicians. How tragic! I privately admire Mr. Xiaolin for his comprehensive reading of books and history, his strong memory, and broad learning. He ought to enjoy leisure in pavilions and gardens, planning meals and drinks, appearing youthful despite his age, and walking briskly like a young man. His writings will be transmitted to distant generations, his value comparable to that of a marquis with a thousand households. How meaningful this is.

Written by Zhang Xiangling