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The concern of people lies in the multitude of diseases, while the concern of physicians lies in the scarcity of medical principles. With scarce principles to address numerous diseases, one may regard cure as a burden and life as death; incompetent physicians lose their rationale yet remain complacent. Thus, the *Book of Changes* (Yi Jing) states: "Taking no medicine brings auspiciousness." The *Book of Rites* (Li Ji) states: "If the physician is not from a lineage of three generations, do not take his medicine." This indeed reflects caution.

It is well said by Mr. Du: A physician does not rely solely on herbs, but without herbs, the art of medicine cannot be fully realized; herbal treatment need not strictly adhere to fixed formulas, but without formulas, herbal therapy cannot be constituted. Examining the *Bibliography of the Book of Han* (*Hanshu · Yiwen Zhi*), there were eleven schools of classical prescriptions, including twenty-three volumes attributed to Qin Shi Huang, Bian Que, and Yu Fu. Qin Shi Huang was not known for medical skill; rather, he likely ordered the compilation of prescriptions from Yu Fu and Bian Que into books, similar to later works such as the *Taiping Shenghui Fang* and the *Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang*. Sima Qian's biography of Chunyu Yi became the prototype for subsequent medical case records, which history subsequently recorded. Hua Tuo (courtesy name Yuanhua), associated with the story of the pancake maker Ping, also dealt with prescriptions; unfortunately, he produced only one volume, claiming it could save lives, but officials refused to accept it and even burned it. His skills were miraculous, yet his mindset was narrow.

I once intended to follow the examples of the *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* and the *Jisheng Baci Fang*, collecting medical cases from Yuan and Ming dynasty practitioners to elucidate their reasoning in syndrome differentiation and prescription formulation. I aimed to align these with the works of the Yellow Emperor, Bian Que, Zhang Zhongjing, and Li Dongyuan, and to complement Wang Yinglin's *Zhunsheng*, Xue Ji's *Medical Cases*, Zhang Jiebin's *Leijing*, and Sun Yiqi's *Yuzhuyuan* (referring to Sun's works). However, upon entering official service, this endeavor was abandoned. Last year, while managing provincial affairs in Henan, I incidentally cured the chronic illness of Grand Secretary Zhao Gong with a single prescription. This spring, upon receiving the appointment to govern Guizhou, I encountered the imperial procession during the Empress Dowager's southern tour. At the temporary capital, I received instructions and was praised by the Emperor for my knowledge of medicine. All the high-ranking officials accompanying the procession consulted me for pulse diagnosis. Meanwhile, Mr. Gu Lianjiang from Wuhu presented his forty-volume work, *Yangyi Daquan* (Complete Collection of Surgeon Medicine), requesting a preface.

According to the *Rites of Zhou* (*Zhou Li*), the duties of physicians are overseen by the Minister of State (Tianguan Zaiji), while surgeons (Yangyi) manage wound treatments using five toxic substances to attack pathogens, five qi energies to nourish, five types of medicine to treat, and five flavors to regulate. Sour flavors nourish bones, pungent flavors nourish sinews, salty flavors nourish vessels, bitter flavors nourish flesh, and slippery properties open orifices. Unless one masters the arts of decoction, pulse-taking, and observing spirit (Shen), how can one lightly undertake such tasks? Moreover, ancients could diagnose headache and predict vomiting of pus, or recognize internal carbuncles by facial redness. Those who excelled in these areas were hailed as renowned masters.

Mr. Gu has inherited medical knowledge through three generations and is proficient in both internal and external specialties, saving many lives. His book traces origins from the *Ling Shu*, *Su Wen*, pulse diagnostics, physiological cycles (Yunqi), and meridians, to clear theories and treatments for carbuncles and sores. It is thorough and systematically organized. He publicly shares secret recipes passed down from his father and grandfather. From head to toe, each syndrome is accompanied by an illustration, almost revealing the entanglements of the five zang organs. The addition of the section on "Women's Podagra" (Hong Kong Foot/Gout) likely reflects the intent of Bian Que (Qin Yue-ren) as a gynecologist. The five methods for cold syndromes further contribute to the legacy of Zhang Zhongjing. Readers of this book need not worry about the scarcity of medical principles nor the multitude of diseases. Recently, some individuals have been summoned for their medical expertise, presenting folded manuscripts for imperial review, which they consider an honor. Now, Mr. Gu possesses benevolent skills and a benevolent heart, distinguished like a jade gui. I place great hope in this book and inscribe the following words as a testament.

Written by bowing in respect by Qiao Guanglie, Year-brother and dependent, born in the Year of Jinshi, conferred as Grand Master of Instruction and Vice-Director of the Ministry of War, Governor-General of Guizhou, Commander-in-Chief of Sichuan and Guizhou Military Affairs, with four additional ranks and twelve records of merit, in the month of Zhonglu (6th lunar month) of the Ren-Shen year, 27th year of the Qianlong reign.