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Wang Jiezhai, a native of Yin, collected medical prescriptions from renowned physicians of the Ming Dynasty and added his own insights. His noble intention to enlighten the world and benefit all beings was truly great. Xue Weng (Master Xue) Lizhai, from Suzhou, greatly elaborated upon Wang Jiezhai's incomplete points and provided annotations for them. The causes of disease onset and transmission through meridians are visible at a glance, as clear as seeing one's lungs and liver. Occasionally, he modified Wang Jiezhai's views to point directly to the origin and details. Although I am not proficient in medicine, generally speaking, Master Lizhai's words, which have been proven effective through practice, would be regarded by Wang Jiezhai himself, were he alive, as loyal advice from a friend.

I once heard that the transmission of Liu [Wansu] and Zhang [Congzheng]'s medical theories in Gusu began with Ge Yinglei. Since then, Wang Andao, Zhao Liangren, and others each authored books such as *Huitong*, *Yiyun*, and *Yaoyao*, which are treasured by the world. Thus, Suzhou indeed possesses a profound and unique medical lineage. Master Lizhai rose later, with a clear academic origin. Moreover, having served under Emperor Xiaozong (Hongzhi) and the current Emperors (Zhengde, Jiajing) across three reigns, and holding positions in both the Northern and Southern Imperial Medical Bureaus, he must have read rare prescriptions from imperial secrets and widely associated with famous scholars throughout the realm, thereby broadening his knowledge significantly.

When I first obtained my Jinshi degree, I knew that Master Lizhai was dedicated to writing, and I worried that his official duties might hinder him. At that time, after retiring from office, he returned to Wu, wandering among forests and hills, studying past and present, delving deeply into research and contemplation for nearly twenty years. Hence, his ability to observe complexion, inspect qi, and discern pulse patterns allowed his treatments to take immediate effect. Today, many practitioners lack local lineage transmission, have no access to imperial secret formulas, and engage in no deep research or contemplation. Master Lizhai possesses these three qualities, which explains his rich body of work. The annotated *Mingyi Zazhe* currently published consists of prescriptions that have repeatedly proven effective. For instance, my uncle, Mr. Dongxu, aged eighty-two, suffered from a shoulder carbuncle. While others treated it with dispersing methods, Master Xue treated it with kidney-tonifying methods with success. Later, when he suffered from phlegm and wheezing, while others used dispersing treatments, Master Xue used spleen-tonifying methods with success. This is because he formulated prescriptions based on the specific disease rather than adhering rigidly to fixed formulas. Even the prescriptions annotated by Master Lizhai cannot fully cover his practical applications. If one seeks to understand Master Lizhai's medical art solely through his annotated prescriptions, that would be too narrow.

Guo Yu of the Later Han Dynasty said: "Medicine is about expressing intent." The principles reported are extremely subtle; one employs skill according to the flow of Qi, and the divine spirit resides between mind and hand. Intent can be understood but cannot be fully expressed in words. "Intent" refers to flexible application ("living method"), while "annotation" refers to the general principle. By seeking the "living method" that Master Lizhai could not annotate, based on the general principles he did annotate, one can achieve ease and proficiency, attaining a divine state of mind. Perhaps Wang Jiezhai's original *Zazhe* was not exhaustive, and Master Lizhai's annotations now serve a similar purpose!

On the 6th day of the 1st month of the Jiyou year of the Jiajing era, Qian Wei, a native of Haiming, Haiyan, bearing the title of Tong Jinshi Chushen, former Right Censor of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhengshi Lang, respectfully composed this preface.