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During the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, there was a foot soldier named Wang Chao in Liu Wu's army. Originally from Taiyuan, he later became a bandit in the Dongting Lake region. He once encountered an extraordinary person who taught him the method of using "Huangbai" (a term referring to alchemical or specific moxibustion techniques for longevity) to extend life. At the age of ninety, his spirit was vigorous, and his complexion was ruddy and moist.

In the Xinmao year, the people of Yueyang suffered greatly from him; he could engage in sexual intercourse with ten women daily without showing signs of decline. After being captured, before his execution, the supervising official asked him, "Do you possess extraordinary skills? Is it true?" He replied, "No, I rely solely on fire therapy (moxibustion). Whenever summer and autumn intersect, I perform one thousand moxa cones on the Guanyuan acupoint. Over time, I became immune to cold and heat, and could go several days without food." Until death, a patch below his navel remained as warm as fire. Have you not heard that clay becomes brick and wood becomes charcoal, remaining uncorroded for millennia, all due to the power of fire? After death, the executioner ordered the dissection of the warm area in his abdomen, revealing a substance neither flesh nor bone, solid and hard like stone. This is the effect of moxa fire.

Thus, the *Suwen* states: "At forty years of age, Yang qi declines, leading to fatigue in daily activities; at fifty, the body feels heavy, and hearing and vision become less acute; at sixty, Yang qi severely declines, impotence occurs, the nine orifices are obstructed, there is excess above and deficiency below, and tears and mucus flow freely." The True Yuan (Primordial Origin) of a person is the master of the whole body. When Zhenqi (True Qi) is strong, the person is robust; when Zhenqi is weak, the person falls ill; when Zhenqi escapes, the person dies. Methods for preserving life: Moxibustion is first, Elixir Pills are second, and Aconite Root (Fuzi) is third. Upon reaching thirty years of age, one may undergo moxibustion below the navel every three years, totaling three hundred Zhu (units of moxa cone size); at fifty, every two years, three hundred Zhu; at sixty, annually, three hundred Zhu, enabling longevity.

When I was fifty, I frequently performed five hundred Zhu of moxibustion on the Guanyuan acupoint, while taking Baoming Dan (Life-Preserving Pill) and Yanshou Dan (Longevity-Extending Pill). Gradually, my body became light and healthy, and my appetite improved. At sixty-three, due to worry and anger, I suddenly detected a Si Mai (Death Pulse) in the Cun position of the left hand, characterized by a pause after every nineteen beats. I then performed five hundred Zhu of moxibustion on both Guanyuan and Mingmen acupoints. After fifty days, the Death Pulse disappeared. By performing this annual moxibustion regimen, I achieved health in old age. Thus, I composed a song: "One year's hardship amounts only to three hundred [Zhu]; the merit of moxibusting Guanyuan is vast. It strengthens the body, lightens the form, and prevents illness; how does it compare to the lifespan of Peng Zu?"

(The Master's three methods are indeed the essential secrets for preserving life. However, most people fear the highest method and refuse to practice it; the middle method is despised throughout history and viewed as a dangerous path. If the lowest method is applied early and appropriately, it can save half of those treated. I have followed these practices for many years, with varying results. When effective, people say it was accidental success; when ineffective, slander and criticism arise. This is not the fault of Ginger or Aconite, but rather the consequence of my earnest enthusiasm. My disciples must not retreat because of this, watching others die when they could be saved.)