Library

The way of Heaven and Earth is nothing other than Yin and Yang; the mutual interaction and diffusion of these two Qi (vital energies) allow all things to grow and develop. Humans are but one among all living beings, born by inheriting this Qi and given form. It is inevitable that they suffer from ailments, especially when emotional interactions and material desires conflict with one another. These factors give rise to diseases, often leading to premature death without rescue. Ancient sages arose, worrying for the people, harmonizing the appropriate balance of strength and compliance, and weighing the mutual aid of rigidity and flexibility. They delineated therapeutic principles for summer heat, cold, dryness, and dampness, and recorded them as classics. To this day, reading chapters such as *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), one cannot help but sigh at the profound care of the sages in safeguarding human life. Upon reviewing the "Biographies of Medical Practitioners" (*Fangji Zhuan*) in the Han histories, figures like Cang Gong and Bian Que are recorded for their miraculous cures, yet their prescriptions were not preserved. Later, Zhang Zhongjing, Xue Lizhai, Zhu Danxi, and Li Donggeng emerged, absorbing the essence of previous works and compiling them into books to transmit to posterity. However, subsequent schools followed suit, each venerating their own lineage. Though starting from the same path, they diverged, even contradicting each other. Even those with profound insight found themselves lost without a clear direction when studying these texts, making it difficult to find a unified synthesis.

Zhang Jingyue of Yue, possessing talent for governing the world since his youth, devoted himself to medicine in his later years. He was able to discern the essential tenets of various schools and thus compiled a work of sixty-four volumes, representing the grand synthesis of this art. His nephew, Lin Ruhui, brought the manuscript to Lingnan, where it was appreciated by Governor Lu Qian'an, who then commissioned its printing. All medical practitioners revered it as a standard. Later, the original blocks were lost. A merchant named Qingnan reprinted it in Nanjing, but it was soon taken north, limiting its circulation. My clan relative, Lininan, resided in Guangdong, renowned for his talent and known for his righteousness and benevolence, resembling ancient martyrs. Grieved by the limited spread of this book, he earnestly advocated among like-minded gentlemen, pooling funds to commission woodblock printing. Coinciding with my appointment as Chief Examiner for the Guangdong provincial examination, after the duties were concluded, Lininan accompanied me and presented the book, requesting a preface. I read his collection, which is divided into Eight Arrays (Ba Zhen), categorizing various specialties by array, listing formulas under each specialty, and linking formulas to treatments. Its principles are concise, its methods comprehensive, and its efficacy pure and miraculous. It serves as the orthodox path among the hundred schools. Furthermore, his exploration of the logic of fullness and emptiness, and his analysis of conformity and deviation, align with the *I Ching* (Book of Changes), thereby completing the doctrine of Yin and Yang. If students grasp its substance and function and apply them appropriately, they can benefit the masses and prevent premature death. Moreover, as the current Sage Emperor achieves benevolence and longevity, preserving the Great Harmony, and his grace nourishes all, enabling the world to enter an age of long life, the widespread dissemination of this book and its techniques would greatly assist the creative intent of Heaven and the sage's benevolent transformation of the people. The merit of Mr. Lininan and others in promoting goodness will be immortalized along with this collection.

Written by Cha Si, Chief Examiner of the Guisi Ke Examination in Guangdong and Compiler of the Hanlin Academy.