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A woman was eight or nine months pregnant when she suddenly experienced severe lower back pain. Upon diagnosis, all six pulses were fine (Xì), and the two Chi (尺) pulses were choppy (Sè) and wiry (Xián). I harbored doubts, observing that her womb did not appear empty (indicating the fetus was still viable). She delivered a son at term, but the child died before evening. Observing that this woman had always been constitutionally weak and had conceived with difficulty, lacking sufficient nourishment, it was inevitable that such a fatal outcome would occur.

My nephew’s son was just six years old. In March, he suddenly developed a fever lasting three days. A single pock appeared on the right side of his face in the distribution of the Heart and Stomach meridians, the size of a goose eye; another appeared on the eyelid of the right eye but failed to fully erupt and subsided. Several fine red veins appeared elsewhere. By the fifth or sixth day, the pocks had not filled with pus. He suffered from fever, irritability, sleeplessness day and night, abdominal distension, teeth grinding, chills, convulsions, and constant crying and restlessness. His pulses were rapid, beating eight or nine times per breath across all positions. Fortunately, there was no diarrhea. I reasoned: Abdominal distension indicates Spleen and Stomach weakness failing to transport and transform toxic factors; irritability indicates insufficient Kidney Water leading to deficient fire; convulsions and teeth grinding indicate Water failing to generate Wood, resulting in dry Wood generating fire, a sign of Wind-Fire agitation attacking the unconquered (Liver Wood being attacked by Lung Metal or vice versa). The general principle is to first protect the Original Qi, clear Lung Metal, and generate Kidney Water. When Water is abundant and Wood is nourished, Fire will subside spontaneously. Thus, I combined formulas into "Bao Qi Liu San Tang," consisting of seven parts Baoyuan Tang and three parts Liuyun Wan ingredients, adding Dongchong Xiacao (Ophiopogon tuber) and Wuweizi (Schisandra fruit). After one dose, he slept with snoring for half a day, woke up irritable again, slept for another half day, and felt as if bitten by mosquitoes all over his body, very finely. Administering the same dose again, he slept similarly, waking up restless. I said: Snoring sleep indicates a temporary recovery of Original Qi and slight retreat of pathogenic factors due to the medicine; recurring irritability indicates that internal toxins have not yet fully expelled. Therefore, I administered Shensi Yin (Four Saints Drink) with Ginseng for two doses. The pocks filled with pus, turning yellow like wax color, and scabs fell off after another seven or eight days. Ancients said: Three days of fever, three days of eruption, three days of uniformity, three days of pus filling, three days of scabbing—this applies to those with strong Zheng Qi. For those with deficient Zheng Qi and excessive pathogens, these rules do not strictly apply. I have seen cases of teeth grinding and chills abandoned by doctors, and medical texts also deem them difficult to treat. Only Master Lizai had treatment methods that transcended these limits, achieving miraculous results, which mediocre physicians cannot comprehend.

Master Ye Shaochi’s eldest son, aged fifteen, suffered from fever and inability to walk due to pain. Diagnosis revealed all six pulses beating ten times per breath, with the two Chi pulses wiry and fine. This indicated Blood deficiency causing fever, complicated by Dampness and Cold. I prescribed Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with Jiu Bai (Alcohol-processed Phellodendron bark) 3 fen, Cangzhu (Atractylodes rhizome) 1 qian 3 fen, and Wuzhuyu (Evodia fruit) 3 fen. He recovered completely after two doses. I did not expect such swift efficacy. (In recent years, Rong Xiang Wenzhong Gong suffered from this condition and used this formula with miraculous effect, though it did not cure the root cause.)

Ding Huicheng, over forty years old, suddenly experienced pain and numbness on the front of his right leg in spring. Diagnosis showed the three pulses on the right side were surging and rapid, beating five or six times per breath. When asked if he was thirsty, he confirmed it. He recovered after two doses of Shengma Gegen Tang (Kudzu and Cimicifuga Decoction).

In September of the Renyin year, my eldest sister, aged twenty-one, suffering from poverty and worry, suddenly developed breast carbuncle (Ru Yong). Disbelieving in medication, her swelling grew to over a chi in length, extremely alarming. Recalling Mr. Shishan’s subtle principles, most people with sores and carbuncles fear acupuncture and delay draining pus, severely damaging Yang Qi and making recovery difficult later. I immediately administered Shenxiao Gualou San (Miraculous Trichosanthes Powder) for two doses. Pus was discharged immediately. Later, indeed, the wound failed to close, sweating occurred like pearls, and by late afternoon, she became comatose. I said: Although pus was discharged, Yang Qi was ultimately damaged, though not completely depleted. Diagnosis showed the Spleen/Stomach and Mingmen pulses were fine and wiry, while others were floating without sinking, and powerless upon pressure, indicating Yang Qi deficiency. I administered Shiquan Dabu Tang (Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) alternately. After dozens of doses, she recovered. I instructed her to take several jin of Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to prevent recurrence; otherwise, Yang Qi would be hard to restore. Due to her laziness and disobedience, the previous Yang deficiency symptoms recurred in October of the following year, with pearl-like sweating. I said: This is due to insufficient intake of Bawei Wan. I prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Wuzhuyu, Pugu Zhi (Psoralea fruit), and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Symptoms reduced after two to three doses and stabilized after dozens. I taught her to take the previous pill again, but she did not complete the course. In July of the next year, she contracted a wind-cold pattern and sought medication. I said: This is due to Yang deficiency failing to defend the exterior. I prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang for two doses. Because the Middle Qi was extremely cold, the response was poor, lasting twelve to thirteen days. Upon re-examination, she was sweating profusely, face red, tongue protruding and unable to retract, vomiting phlegm and acid, unconscious day and night, purging clear water, mouth ulcers, and chest obstruction. Pulses were rapid, over ten beats per breath, shadowy formless, powerless in all depths, difficult to define. Knowing the prior syndrome was deficiency-cold, I recalled Dongyuan’s *Cishi Nan Zhi* (Difficulties in This Matter): Upper vomiting and lower purging indicate Middle Qi disharmony and Spleen/Stomach deficiency-cold. I immediately administered Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) plus Wuzhuyu and Zhizi (Gardenia fruit) stir-fried with ginger juice. After one dose, upper and lower passages cleared, tongue retracted, panting stopped, phlegm ceased, and she requested soup/water, though still comatose. After another dose, oral ulcers healed. I gave Shiquan Dabu Tang and Jiaban Bawei Wan. After more than twenty doses, small boils appeared on both temples, previous rapid pulses retreated, and she regained consciousness. She stated: Previously, day and night were like dreams; today I finally woke up. At the end of September, upon re-diagnosis, the large indistinct pulse had retreated to fine and wiry, with hiccups and phlegm. I heavily prescribed Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Wuzhuyu, Ganjiang, Sharen (Amomum fruit), and Wei Jiang (Roasted Ginger). Hiccups stopped after one or two doses. Then I used Yigong San (Extraordinary Aid Powder) plus Ganjiang, Wuzhuyu, and the previous two pills.

Qiu Ziming, over fifty, developed a swelling on the left breast. After taking detoxifying herbs, continuing labor, and traveling far, it swelled like a plate, one cun high. I prescribed Jiang (Ginger) and Gui (Cinnamon twig) each 5 fen. After one dose, he slept until dawn, swelling flattened, and vomiting halved. After another dose, vomiting ceased, appetite increased. I then used Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) minus Dihuang, adding Huangqi (Astragalus), Rougui (Cinnamon bark), and Jiang as before. The necrotic tissue resembled melon pulp, indicating Yang Qi could still transform rot, a sign of recoverability. I was away, delaying the removal of dead flesh. The wound edges connected, black as ink, and fever returned. Another doctor cut it open; heat dissipated and cooled, but he continued detoxifying herbs, leading to diarrhea, dozens of times daily, vomiting, extreme thirst, abdominal pain, and purple-black sores. Upon my return, I urgently prescribed Liu Jun Zi Tang plus Huangqi, Jiang, and Gui as before, decocted to send down Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pill) 100 pills. After two doses, diarrhea halved; after three, abdominal pain and diarrhea settled, sore turned red, but thirst persisted, indicating True Yin deficiency. I used Bayu Tang minus Dihuang plus Huangqi and Jiang, sending down Jiaban Bawei Wan over seventy pills. After dozens of doses, he recovered. (This section contains errors.)

A friend, over twenty, suffered from left testicular and lower back pain. The physician gave him Dahuang (Rhubarb) etc. for about six or seven days. Fever and severe pain ensued. This was Cold Qi lodging internally and stagnating. Diagnosis showed Chi pulses deep, weak, and fine; others were surging, rapid, and slippery. I said: Pain indicates impending suppuration. I prescribed Zhenren Huoming Yin (True Man’s Life-Saving Decoction) plus Renshen (Ginseng, 5 fen, missing in text) and Niubangzi (Arctium fruit). Pain reduced after one dose, cured after two.

Jiang Zixian, over forty, suffered from long-distance fatigue and sexual excess. Face was darkened like smoke, orange-yellow with slight blackness. Weakness and anorexia. All six pulses were fine. After thirty doses [of tonification], face became ruddy, but diarrhea persisted. Given Sishen Wan. Cured after three or four doses. However, left testicle felt swollen, indicating Spleen strengthening transforming Damp-Heat flowing downward. Not treated timely, he traveled north, indulged in wine and sex, and suffered anger. Fever and restlessness returned. Given Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Qianghuo (Notopterygium rhizome) and Manjingzi (Vernonia seed). After one dose, fever slightly subsided, but scrotum swelled like a goose egg, left pulse surging. Given Xiao Chaihu Tang combined with Siwu Tang plus Cheqianzi (Plantago seed). No improvement after one dose; urination painful and difficult, dry mouth, fever. Added Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction) plus Niubangzi. After seven or eight doses, fever and dry mouth subsided, urination smooth, testicle soft/swelling reduced. Continued with Huoming Yin plus Niubangzi and Renshen for over ten doses.

Wang Qigang, seventeen, sat reading too long and caught cold, causing left testicular pain. Used Zhenren Huoming Yin plus Niubangzi and Renshen for eight doses.

Lu Qiqian, right axilla swollen and painful. Six pulses surging and rapid, especially Guan position on right. Used Xiaoyao San plus Chuanxiong (Ligusticum rhizome). Cured after two doses. I said: Surging is Heart pulse; rapid indicates Fire excess and Water deficiency; right pulse dominance indicates Qi excess and Blood deficiency. Liver Blood deficiency leads to Liver Wood generating Fire, hence surging/rapid pulse. Right yin area swelling/pain is due to strong right pulse; yin area belongs to Liver. Liver Wood scorched by Fire causes tendon tension, contraction, swelling, and pain. Using the previous decoction to clear Heat, nourish Blood, and cultivate the root yielded swift results. (This is clearing Excess Fire, not nourishing Yin and cultivating the root.)

[Text fragment] ...all six pulses surging, large, forceful, rapid with ten beats. Used Jiaban Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). Cured after four doses. Two months later, hands and feet relapsed. All pulses surging/large upon pressure. Used Siwu Tang plus Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Chenpi (Tangerine peel), Huangqi, Maidong (Ophiopogon), and Wuweizi. Cured after eight doses.

Wu family member, chronic leaking abscess, anus to buttock tip bleeding continuously. Doctor applied Dahuang powder externally, flesh turned black/hard/numb, eyes affected with red veins covering sclera, difficult opening/closing. I observed using Xiaoyao San modified with Taoren (Peach kernel) and Lianqiao (Forsythia). After ten-plus doses, red veins reduced by 60-70%, leakage improved. I ordered removal of Dahuang, moxa moxibustion ten-plus cones daily until pain, then stop. Internally, Tuoli Xiaodu San (Support Interior and Detoxify Powder) plus Pugu Zhi, due to wiry Mingmen pulse. After dozens of doses, adjusting one or two herbs, flesh softened/red/ruddy, cured. Also advised Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia).

Reviewing all cases, adhering strictly to Lizai’s school methods, the logic is upright and correct, but the medicinal strength is too mild, and methods lack variation, insufficient for major diseases, serving mainly to inspire students. For mild Qi/Blood deficiency and fluid insufficiency without chronic meridian blockage, success is natural. But for extreme deficiency critical illnesses, extreme excess acute illnesses, or complex deficiency/excess bizarre illnesses, how can standard formulas control them? Thus, those studying methods must possess the framework of *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue*, combined with the boldness of *Qianjin Yaofang* and *Waitai Miyao*, to handle arduous tasks and adapt to changes endlessly. This book is rigorous in structure, serving as a guide for elderly and deficient persons’ care. The first two volumes contain profound insights, worthy of deep contemplation, compared to contemporary works that exaggerate obscurity and obscure reasoning—a difference as vast as heaven and earth.