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The book *Mu Jing* (Classic of the Eyes) was compiled and authored by Huang Tingjing, younger brother of Qiu Tongmu. When Tingjing was just a child, he possessed an extraordinary demeanor and his brilliance and agility surpassed others. His father loved him dearly, sharing daily life with him and instructing him in all matters so that he could understand them thoroughly. Upon reaching adulthood, he extensively studied ancient learning. At that time, his father had a fondness for wine, and all social correspondence and writing tasks were handled by the younger brother, leading to even greater affection. The father often told the mother, "Our eldest son (Qiu) starts his work at cockcrow and is the first to act, but it is ultimately our second son (Jing) who will inherit my aspirations. Otherwise, the family profession would fall to Qiu, allowing him to barely qualify as a Shengyuan (licentiate), and I would soon pass away into dust." After failing in the civil service examinations and facing major bereavement, Tingjing grieved excessively, damaging his health and impairing his vision. He then adopted a free-spirited lifestyle, spending times of flowers and moonlight with two or three close friends, sometimes in small boats, famous gardens, or mountain temples by streams. Everywhere they went, there were wine cups, musical instruments, tea sets, and writing tools, amidst which he would howl and sing, almost forgetting his worldly existence; his family could not guess his whereabouts. Later, he took erudition as his teacher and personally engaged in the practice of medicine and alchemy. His illness suddenly healed, and he switched from Confucianism to medicine, no longer concerning himself with imperial examinations. In recent years, he traveled widely across lakes and seas, poor but indifferent to profit. Those indebted to his virtue introduced him to one another, and carriages and horses visited without a day's rest. Although his reputation was great for a time, his private wealth was significantly depleted, largely because extensive socializing incurred huge expenses, while his indolence made it difficult to manage various affairs. Moreover, at thirty-four years old, with eight sons and even grandchildren, if he did not cherish fortune and conserve wealth, how could he plan for posterity? One day, when Xu Ji mentioned his father's words, Tingjing blushed and felt uneasy, but then said, "Adversity and ease are common occurrences. If this allows me to have no internal worries and achieve something, I need not compete with [my brother] for present fame." The next morning, he packed up, informed his mother of his intention to engage in commerce, traveling from Henan to Jiangsu, and returned home five years later. His demeanor, appearance, speech, and laughter were completely different from before. Soon after, he presented this book for review and approval. Careful study reveals its subtle principles lie in what ancients omitted or overemphasized. With witty remarks interspersed in the narrative and new insights expressed through thematic elaboration, his deep foundation naturally elevated his perspective, making this work vastly superior to commercial editions—like heaven and earth apart. It became clear that his previous melancholy departure was due to anticipating this very situation. Alas! The hibiscus blooms in the morning and dies in the evening; scholars do not remain poor forever. Did not Dongfang Shuo say so? Having such talent yet remaining unrecognized is precisely Heaven guiding his inner heart to perfect this academic pursuit. Keeping it secret and not teaching it to others allows his descendants to reap benefits for generations. Like the eldest son, who reads books all year round in poverty without surpassing his peers, let alone worrying about posthumous or present fame. Thus, we sigh at the father's wisdom in knowing his son, commend the brother's far-reaching ambition, and rejoice that the mother (symbolized by the North Hall) enjoys filial piety and happiness as before. I respectfully state these details to inspire the heir to inherit the profession well and not let it fall into decline, and to inform physicians within the seas that there is one like Tingjing who draws from antiquity with insight. Through observation and mutual encouragement, they too may be inspired to rise.
Preface by my elder brother, Yezi Qiu