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I have discussed that the transformation of the primal Qi (Vital Energy) of the universe rises to become Heaven and condenses to become Earth. Humans live within this, and their Dao aligns with the Three Powers (Heaven, Earth, and Humanity). It is precisely because humans can assist in what Heaven and Earth cannot accomplish. Therefore, whether it is grand matters such as military affairs, agriculture, rituals, and music, or minor matters such as butchery, fishing, craftsmanship, and commerce, none can be dispensed with. How much more so is Shennong (Yandi, the Flame Emperor), who pioneered the creation of agriculture and tasted herbs to treat diseases, which is particularly critical to human life and death?

Throughout history, following the traditions, divine physicians emerged one after another, and records were abundant, all aimed at relieving suffering. Who would have thought that for the syndrome of Sha Zhang (Sha Distension), where life hangs by a thread for an instant and signs change in a moment, it was completely ignored? For instance, Mr. Gong Yunlin, whose books have been circulated for years and are still studied and revered today by many, only mentioned "green veins," which refers to Sha. Alas, since ancient times, no one had ever specifically discussed it, so this disease was often incurable. I privately believe that life and death are major concerns; patients look upon doctors as one looks upon saviors from drowning. How could we allow people to suffer from this disease without striving to save them?

My great-grandfather and grandfather established our family through the study of Confucian Classics, and our family tradition continued for generations. In my youth, I entered the Imperial Academy, studying ancient texts on how sages cared for and protected the people. I felt a strong resolve to compassionately relieve the suffering of the common people, hoping to solve the distress of the worried and revive the lives of the critically ill. Thus, I extensively read the works of Mr. Zhang Zhongjing, Li Dongyuan, and Zhu Danxi. However, constrained by the requirements of the Eight-Legged Essay for imperial examinations, my ambitions remained unfulfilled. After the dynastic transition (from Ming to Qing), I wandered aimlessly, sometimes staying in Wushui, other times trekking across Qinxi. Whenever I recalled those past years of searching for phrases and sentences, I realized it only led to personal frustration and contributed nothing to the world. Later, while traveling and living in Jianghuai and wandering in Wu and Yue, the epidemic Sha Zhang prevailed everywhere, causing much harm. My heart felt sorrowful, and I sought a method to help them, fearing that people might encounter this disease without recognizing it, leading to many deaths by neglect. Therefore, whenever I met senior figures in the medical field (Apricot Grove), I did not fail to visit and ask them; when I saw reclusive masters and unusual persons, I did not fail to approach and seek advice. Even regarding records in books, I took every opportunity during meetings to cross-reference and verify. Yet, regarding Sha, I still failed to grasp the essential principle.

Later, returning home by boat to Li, I searched for secret manuscripts left by my ancestors and former sages. These contained difficult-to-treat strange syndromes with rapid transformations, some determined by great scholars of the Lian-Luo school, others discussed by high scholars from Chu and Yue. Although the pages were scattered and varied, they all penetrated the classics *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), and *Jia Yi Jing* (The A-B Classic), to extend the intent of Mr. Zhang Zhongjing. Unfortunately, no dedicated monograph survived, lying buried for a long time, and the profound secrets of the ancients had not yet emerged. Day and night, I devoted myself to research, finally comprehending the variations of Sha Zhang, summarizing its general outline, and extracting its key points. Consequently, I could implement measures clearly and systematically, achieving immediate and effective results. I particularly feared that if this disease were not distinguished, it would cause endless disaster. Therefore, I traced its origins and investigated its conclusions in detail, deeply mourning the harm caused by this disease, and could not bear not to compile this collection.

Nevertheless, treating diseases is like artisans handling tasks: one holds a compass, another a square. There are fixed principles, but no fixed applications. Thus, although I obtained these遗言 (legacy words/teachings), I must still weigh every minute detail and apply the treatment methods with spiritual flexibility. This does not mean that previous generations did not have this disease while current ones do; nor does it imply that diseases of the past can be treated briefly while those of the present require detailed attention. My constant concern and daily diligence in writing are solely for the purpose of saving lives. This essentially stems from the heart of empathy, enabling everyone under heaven to fulfill their wish to care for others. As the ancients said, "The truth of the Dao is used to cultivate oneself; its remnants are used to govern the world." I dare not claim that cultivating oneself and governing the world are two separate things. The way of medicine requires viewing others as oneself to practice effectively. Regarding the strength of local customs, the number of years lived, and the density of vitality, one must judge based on oneself. Then, by investigating the disease and measuring the dosage, penetrating subtle and obscure principles, adjusting to solar terms and monitoring warmth and coolness, combining pulse analysis with severity assessment, one can achieve miraculous results as quickly as a drumbeat's echo. Otherwise, acting rashly is like driving south while intending to go north; how can this succeed?

In the fourteenth year of the Kangxi reign of the Great Qing Dynasty, in the year Yimao, during the Lantern Month (the twelfth lunar month), Li Guo Zhisui (You Tao Shi) wrote this preface at Yuxian Hall.