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Mr. Zhang Jingyue (Zhang Jiebin) extensively studied the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, compiling them into the *Jingyue Quanshu* (Complete Works of Jingyue). He categorized diseases and treatments meticulously, which can be described as thorough and detailed. His writing style was also extremely fluent and accessible, making him a versatile scholar in medicine, far surpassing the superficiality and negligence of figures like Wu Keyou. It is a pity that he leaned heavily towards warming and tonifying methods, often leading to medical errors. Heaven and Earth generate all things through Yin and Yang; the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) states, "When Yin is peaceful and Yang is secure, spirit and vitality are regulated." This clearly indicates that Yin and Yang cannot be neglected. However, his book specifically emphasizes tonifying Yang, even citing Tao Hongjing's saying, "If not a single bit of Yang energy remains, one will not die," as theoretical support. He failed to realize that this was Tao's theory on achieving immortality through Daoist cultivation, not a medical principle. Tao's couplet continues: "If not a single bit of Yin energy remains, one will not become an immortal." If so, could humans exist with absolutely no Yin energy? Yin generates Yang, and Yang generates Yin; isolated Yin cannot grow, and solitary Yang cannot flourish. This is the constant law of nature. How can such heterodox theories be used to benefit the world? Moreover, if Tao's theory were truly credible, having cultivated in the mountains where heavy Yin should have been eliminated and light Yang preserved alone, he should have ascended to immortality. Yet, the *Book of Liang* records that he died at the age of eighty-one. Many people today who do not cultivate live longer than Tao. Is his statement still believable? And yet Jingyue wished to follow this theory to benefit future generations, prescribing medications biased towards warmth. Is this not confusing?

Even more strange is that Jingyue referred to Yang-tonifying herbs as "gentlemen" and Yin-nourishing herbs as "villains." When Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, categorizing them into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades totaling about three hundred species, Yin herbs outnumbered Yang herbs. Did Shennong value villains? Furthermore, in his *New Formulas Eight Arrays*, he frequently used Yin herbs. For instance, *Wuyin Jian* (Five Yin Decoction) relies entirely on Yin herbs as the sovereign ingredients; in other formulas, *Danggui* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) are commonly used. Does Jingyue also love using villains? Regarding the symptom of hematemesis (vomiting blood), he exclusively endorsed Xue's view, claiming that drinking child's urine ensures survival in almost all cases, while taking cooling medicines leads to death in almost all cases. When fire nature flares upward, causing bright red hematemesis that flows incessantly, persisting with the theory of "guiding fire back to its source" by administering *Guizhi* (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and *Fuzi* (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) would only be adding oil to the fire. I once witnessed a Mr. Wang from the South Gate suffering from hematemesis. A certain physician applied Jingyue's method, resulting in uncontrollable violent vomiting until he bled to death. I also saw a son of the Zhang family suffer from hematemesis; another physician used Jingyue's method, and after just one dose, severe vomiting continued. Seeing that emergency rescue was still possible, I administered a large dose of *Xijiao Dihuang Tang* (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction). After four doses, he recovered. Twenty years have passed since then, and the condition has never recurred. Is it true that those who take cooling medicines rarely survive? Even for a master like Jingyue, mistakes might occur, but he could likely correct his own biases. However, modern physicians who rigidly adhere to his views rarely avoid causing harm or death!

Regarding Jingyue's criticism of predecessors, he specifically refuted Liu Wansu and Zhu Danxi. Liu Wansu's *Yuanbing Shi* (Treatise on the Origin of Diseases) exclusively advocated cold-natured medicines, which was indeed somewhat biased. Zhu Danxi's assertion that "one water can overcome two fires" emphasized nourishing Yin; those who did not learn wisely fell into the trap of excessive bias. Jingyue's critique of them was justified. However, he failed to recognize his own bias towards warming and tonifying. In discussing any syndrome, he invariably concluded with warming and tonifying. Even in cases of definite Yin deficiency with fever and rapid pulse, he dismissed them as false heat and false rapidity, or stubbornly adhered to the idea that sweet-warm herbs can reduce high fever, citing Li Dongyuan as authority. He manipulated arguments to force learners to adopt his warming-tonifying approach. The harm caused by this bias is arguably greater than that of Liu and Zhu.

I once observed practitioners who revered Jingyue relying on *Shenfu Liyin Jian* (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction to Nourish Yin), believing it utilized mutual interaction between Yin and Yang and tonified both Qi and Blood. They added *Mahuang* (Ephedrae Herba) and *Guizhi* (Cinnamomi Ramulus) for exterior conditions, combining attack and tonification, and treated it as a secret formula. Upon passing an examination in Jinhe, he cured one patient with this formula, leading to rumors that a famous doctor had emerged from the Shi family. Consequently, he began practicing medicine. Whenever encountering difficult cases, he invariably prescribed this formula. Gradually, it became ineffective and even caused harm. He switched to mild fruit-based remedies. When criticized for not using strong agents, he reverted to *Shenfu Liyin Jian*, yet achieved no results comparable to his earlier success in Jinhe. His eccentricity remained unchanged throughout his life. Later, when a family member suffered from a seasonal pathogen, he prescribed this formula, leading to jaundice and death. Did Jingyue not cause significant harm? Although, this was not solely Jingyue's fault, but also the practitioner's failure to study properly, leading to self-harm. *Shenfu Liyin Jian* is indeed a renowned formula; when used correctly, it yields great effects. I treated Mr. Li Yaoxi's son with over ten doses, nearly bringing him back from the brink of death, as documented in *Yuyi Cao*.

Medicines should not be used rigidly according to fixed formulas but adapted to suitability. Warm, cool, attacking, and tonifying methods, when used appropriately, save lives; when misused, they kill. Jingyue focused exclusively on warming and tonifying, suggesting that mastering this makes one a complete physician. This is the flaw of *Jingyue Quanshu*. My family owned this book. Knowing its merits but lamenting its bias, I reviewed and critiqued it, but it was lost during turmoil. Future students of medicine must read it. One must know Jingyue but also understand the dangers of his bias towards warming and tonifying. I am old and cannot revise it further. Readers should first consult this critique before reading the *Quanshu*, so they may appreciate its strengths without suffering its harms, thus approaching mastery of medicine.

Someone asked: "False heat syndromes do exist. I have seen patients presenting with external fever. Physicians focusing on clearing heat repeatedly used cold medicines without success,反而 causing bad taste and reduced appetite. Using mild herbs to support Stomach Qi increased appetite and resolved external fever. Isn't this a false heat syndrome suitable for warming and tonifying? Doesn't this validate Jingyue?" I replied: "This is true. However, there are also cases of external chills with internal heat; where external chills worsen as internal heat intensifies; and where taking hot herbs exacerbates external chills. These are 'syndromes of seeking similar qi.' I have seen many such cases, yet Jingyue did not address them, likely aiming to establish his own school biased towards warming and tonifying. For example, in the first month of 1843 (Daoguang 23), due to cold weather, Brother Li Chusheng suffered from severe chills. A physician repeatedly prescribed warm-dispersing and acrid-hot herbs, worsening the chills and preventing intake of fluids. I diagnosed a non-floating, extremely rapid pulse, identifying heat stagnation in the chest and Stomach. I prescribed *Xijiao Dihuang Tang*. After one dose, chills stopped; after two, body temperature normalized and appetite returned. Wasn't this false cold, requiring cooling medicines to resolve? If Jingyue had distinguished false heat and false cold equally, teaching students to differentiate both, learners would not be biased. By only mentioning false heat and ignoring false cold, isn't he biased towards warming and tonifying?"

Furthermore, regarding acid regurgitation, Liu Wansu attributed it to Heat, while Jingyue attributed it to Cold. Liu stated: "Acid is the flavor of Wood. Excessive Fire controls Metal, preventing Metal from subduing Wood, causing Liver Wood to excess, resulting in acidity. Hot food easily becomes acidic. Attributing acid regurgitation to Cold is erroneous." Jingyue, following Li Dongyuan, argued: "Acid regurgitation relates to the Qi of收敛 (receiving/gathering), associated with prosperous Lung Metal in the West. Cold Water is the child of Metal; the child strengthens the mother. Therefore, use salty-hot herbs to drain the child (Water) and acrid-hot herbs to assist in draining Lung excess. Treating it as Heat is a mistake." Liu cited summer heat making food sour as evidence. Jingyue countered: "Food in a pot cooks quickly due to strong fire without becoming sour. Placed in a vessel, it sours slowly due to stagnation, not heat." The two masters' views differ like water and fire. Students do not know whom to follow. Acid regurgitation can be Heat or Cold. Sudden Wind-Cold causing immediate acid/tasting implies insufficient transformation into Heat, hence Cold. Liver Fire invading the Stomach causes acid regurgitation, hence Heat. Generally, originating from the Stomach suggests Cold; from Liver invading Stomach suggests Heat. Cold presents with deep/slow pulses; Heat with wiry/rapid pulses. Neither master differentiated Liver/Stomach origins or pulse qualities, leading to rigid biases. In my forty years of practice, most acid regurgitation cases were Heat, especially in women ("ten women, nine Liver Qi issues"). The Classics state: "Wood bending produces acid." *Suwen* says: "All vomiting and acid regurgitation belong to Heat." Liu's theory has basis. Jingyue's repeated refutation seems driven by establishing a warming-tonifying dogma rather than the Golden Mean.

Someone asked: "Given Jingyue's extreme bias, should his book be discarded?" I said: "What nonsense! Jingyue was a seasoned expert ('three broken arms'), hence able to compile the *Quanshu*. Although his discussions sometimes favored warming and tonifying, the book does not exclusively focus on it. Observe *Xinfang Bazhen*: it contains many cold-cooling formulas like *Yunü Jian* (Jade Maiden Decoction) and *Zhibai Bawei Wan* (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Eight-Ingredient Pill), which remain immortalized in use. His warming-tonifying formulas, such as *Liuhui Yangyin* (Six-Ingredient Return-Yang Drink) and *Shenfu Liyin Jian*, are effective when used correctly, capable of reviving the dying. His ingenuity is evident in modifying *Lizhong Tang* to *Liyin Jian* and *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* to *Buyin Yiqi Tang*. Diligent students can benefit greatly. Unfortunately, mediocre doctors haven't read the whole book, fail to integrate methods, and blindly use one or two warming formulas as treasures, causing harm and blaming warming-tonifying methods, thus deeming the book unreadable. This is unjust. Overall, medical books vary. Except for *Neijing* and *Shanghan Lun*, few are unbiased. Proper reading is key. Jingyue's bias is less severe than Zhang Zihe's.

Zihe (courtesy name Dairen) wrote *Rumen Shiqin* (Confucian Care for Parents), biased towards cooling and opposing tonification, relying solely on sweating, vomiting, and purging methods. He published case studies to prove efficacy. He ignored the Classic: "Great toxicity removes six-tenths of disease; moderate toxicity seven-tenths; slight toxicity eight-tenths; non-toxic nine-tenths." Huangdi and Qibo were cautious; why was Dairen reckless? Comparing his book with Jingyue's reveals a vast difference. Where should students turn? Fairly speaking, *Jingyue Quanshu* must not be discarded. *Rumen Shiqin* should discard everything except *Yuzhu San* (Jade Candle Powder). Someone asked: "Zihe was a famous doctor; why is his book so biased?" Zihe was Yuan dynasty. The Yuan originated in the far North, where the climate is harsh and people are robust. During Song times, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun were occupied by Liao to the north; Song feared Liao. Jin rose north of Liao; Liao feared Jin. Yuan rose north of Jin; Jin feared Yuan. Eventually, Yuan destroyed Jin and Song effortlessly. Their diet consisted of beef, mutton, and milk, making them exceptionally strong. Diseases were mostly Heat and Excess. Zihe lived in this era, rarely seeing Deficiency-Cold. Thus, he avoided tonification, using cold and attacking herbs, achieving success, and spreading his book. By the Ming Dynasty, climate and constitutions changed. Mediocre doctors stuck to old habits, following Dairen's methods, inevitably harming patients. Hence, Wang, Xue, Zhang, and Feng advocated warming and tonifying. Jingyue emphasized warming and tonifying to correct previous biases. But prolonged adherence to Jingyue's views brings new harms. Ultimately, Dairen's book is now useless, while Jingyue's should be used judiciously. Regional climates differ significantly between North and South. Northerns tolerate large doses of *Dahuang* (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 1-2 liang); Southerns suffer with 5-7 qian. Southerners living in the North eating wheat/meat and using coal fire may need *Dahuang* for purgation, but small doses fail. Northerners living in the South with different diets may not tolerate excessive *Dahuang*. Physicians must inquire carefully to avoid errors. Formulas like *Yugong San*, *Junchuan San*, and *Hupo San* using *Qianniu*, *Gansui*, *Yuanhua*, and *Daji* should never be used recklessly!