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Translation:

I say: Every time I read about Bian Que entering the State of Guo to diagnose the Crown Prince's corpse-like fainting (Shijue), and observe the accounts of diagnosing diseases by observing the complexion of the Duke of Qi, I cannot help but sigh with emotion at their outstanding talent.

I find it strange that scholars of the current world do not pay attention to studying the prescriptions and medical techniques of divine physicians, nor do they meticulously investigate medical arts. They fail to treat the illnesses of rulers and parents above, save the poor and lowly from distress below, or preserve their own bodies for long-term health and nourish their lives within. Instead, they compete in pursuing glory and power, standing on tiptoes to admire powerful nobles, diligently and anxiously striving, solely devoted to fame and profit. They emphasize superficial adornments while neglecting and abandoning the root; they are gorgeous on the outside but emaciated on the inside. If the skin does not exist, where can the hair attach?

Suddenly encountering the invasion of pathogenic wind (Xiefeng), one contracts severe and unusual diseases. When disaster strikes, only then do they tremble in shock, lowering their will and submitting, reverently hoping for the prayers of shamans and diviners. With no options left, they resign themselves to heaven, helpless and awaiting defeat. Entrusting a century-long lifespan and the precious vessel of the body to mediocre physicians, leaving them to act as they please. Alas! The body perishes, the spirit (Shenming) vanishes, turning into an object, buried deep underground, leaving only tears and weeping. How painful! The whole world is in a coma, unable to awaken, disregarding their lives. In such a manner of slighting life, what talk is there of glory and power? Advancing, they cannot love and understand others; retreating, they cannot love and understand themselves. Encountering disasters and misfortunes, they dwell in dire straits, ignorant and dim-witted, foolish as wandering souls. How sorrowful! Scholars following the world gallop and compete in vanity, failing to consolidate the root, forgetting their bodies to pursue external things, precarious as walking in a valley of ice, reaching this very state.

My clan was originally numerous, nearing two hundred persons. Since the first year of Jian'an, less than ten years have passed. Of those who died, two-thirds perished, seven out of ten due to Shanghan (Cold Damage). Grieving the loss of the past, mourning the untimely deaths that could not be saved, I diligently sought ancient teachings and widely collected various prescriptions. Utilizing the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), *Jiujuan* (Nine Volumes, i.e., *Lingshu*), *Bayishinan* (Eighty-One Difficulties, i.e., *Nanjing*), *Yinyang Dalun* (Great Treatise on Yin and Yang), and *Tailu Yaolu* (Records of Fetal Development and Materia Medica), combined with pulse assessment and syndrome differentiation (Maibianzheng), I compiled the *Shanghan Zabing Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) into sixteen volumes. Although unable to cure all diseases completely, it may allow one to see the disease and know its source. If one explores the collection I have assembled, half of the understanding will be attained.

Heaven distributes the Five Elements (Wuxing) to operate all categories of beings. Humans receive the Five Constants (Wuchang) to possess the Five Zang Organs. The meridians (Jingluo) and fu-shu points, the convergence and communication of Yin and Yang, are profound, subtle, and difficult to exhaust in change. Unless one possesses high talent and exquisite insight, how can one explore its principles and implications?

In ancient times, there were Shennong, Huangdi, Qibo, Bogao, Leigong, Shaoyu, Shaoshi, and Zhongwen. In the middle ages, there were Changsang Jun and Bian Que. In the Han Dynasty, there were Gongcheng Yangqing and Canggong (Chunyu Yi). Since then, none have been heard of.

Observing today's physicians, they do not think to ponder the essence of the classics to expand their knowledge. Each inherits family skills, continuously following old methods. In examining illnesses and asking about diseases, they strive for verbal fluency. After a brief conversation, they immediately prescribe decoctions (Tangyao). They palpate the Cun position but not the Chi position, hold the hand but not the foot, do not compare the Renying and Duzhong pulses across the three positions, count breaths against pulse beats without reaching fifty, and lack short-term prognostic judgment. The nine pulses show no resemblance, and the Mingtang, Que, and Ting (facial diagnostic areas) are not observed at all. This is merely looking through a tube. To distinguish death from life is truly difficult.

Confucius said, "Those who know from birth are superior; those who learn are next best; those who hear much and see much but have shallow knowledge are inferior." I have long esteemed medical arts and request to practice these words.