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In the late spring, I heard that Mr. Ruqiong (Zhu) was traveling between the Xiao River and Qian Mountain. At that time, I was severely ill and urgently wanted to take a boat upstream to visit him, but hesitated and failed to do so. Before long, Inspector Tian sent me two volumes of letters. I read them hastily and gained a thorough understanding of Mr. Zhu's emphasis on "Jing Gong" (Quietude Practice) and the verified cases recorded in *Xin Yi Ji Yan* (Records of Heart Medicine). Rising with a sigh, I said: This is indeed the essential way to preserve one's body and benefit the world; it is what is meant by the benevolent person regarding heaven, earth, and all things as one body. Is it merely the talk of alchemists regarding breathing and exhalation? In summer, when Mr. Zhu passed through Zhangmen, we met by chance and shared mutual aspirations, allowing me to peruse the various collections he gifted me, which further aroused my admiration. I have heard that all things are consumed by movement and born from stillness. Stillness is the dwelling place of spiritual clarity. Among the myriad living beings, all await their destiny here and draw inexhaustible strength from it; only stillness can nourish. Mencius said: "If proper nourishment is obtained, nothing will not grow." How could this be understood by those limited to sensory perception and intellectual comprehension? Zhuge Liang aimed to govern the world, yet stated that without tranquility, one cannot reach far. The Neo-Confucians of the Song Dynasty, continuing the orthodox lineage of sages, also only taught people to observe the demeanor before the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness arise within stillness. In this world, sounds, colors, goods, profits, self versus others, right versus wrong—attacks, acquisitions, and temptations occur in countless forms in a single breath. Only with stillness can one illuminate them, like the bright sun in the sky, sweeping away all mist and haze. This is a great merit spanning from earth to heaven, continuing the past and opening the future. Hence it is called Jing Gong. Mr. Zhu's learning is likely the ultimate return of life nature and moral principles, not the dregs of immortal arts. As for his medical efficacy, being able to see through walls (a metaphor for profound medical insight) and curing chronic diseases instantly with small doses of medicine, Mr. Zhu truly possesses a thought of saving the world and benefiting creatures, as urgent as hunger and thirst, just as those who bear the heavy responsibility of the world consider it their own failure if even a commoner suffers. I firmly believe that this study of benevolence, regarding all things as one body, cannot be participated in by those without utmost sincerity. It is no wonder that during his tenure in Zhang, he pitied the emaciated dying in ditches, visiting homes and diagnosing households. With the seal of the prefecture ahead and the medicine bag behind, he would not regret discarding his official post like worn-out shoes. The world is vast! There are many bearing pain! Ruqiong cannot be omnipresent like wind clouds and chariots driven by mythical beasts, so he collected prescriptions and recorded efficacies, spreading them widely to save the world, and transmitted the mystery of Jing Gong along with it, waiting for those who understand to realize it themselves.
The Grand Marshal Commander-in-Chief, Lord Lang, wrote a preface to facilitate its circulation, and I, though unworthy, added a few words at the end. What I have said remains the Confucian study of prioritizing stillness and the principle of sages achieving oneself and achieving things. Whether immortals exist is too vague. What Mr. Ruqiong personally received from Wu Shengzi (Li Huaqing) was very wondrous, involving both Daoist affinity and medicinal affinity. His synthesis goes deeper and wider. In the future, if I have the opportunity to accompany him around Mount Lu and among the clouds and waters, leaning on a cane, and if Mr. Ruqiong empties his baskets and chests to enlighten my ignorance, I will surely make progress. Compared to what I say now, it would truly be more than just looking at the sky through a tube or measuring the sea with a gourd.
On the 16th day of the 7th month in the autumn of Bing Shen year of the Shunzhi reign, Xiong Wenju of Nanzhou respectfully wrote.