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In the final years of the Xianfeng reign, I sought refuge at sea to escape bandits and rebels. During that time, epidemics prevailed, and refugees died in succession; having no means to save them, I came to realize the urgent necessity of medicine for humanity. Having studied medicine for many years, I compiled various theories, examined texts, and analyzed their meanings, producing a collated and annotated edition of *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases) and *Jingui Fanglun* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet). Subsequently, I wrote an outline of the *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), collecting various symptoms, explaining their names and manifestations, establishing principles, and writing chapters on the origin of diseases (*Zhengyuan*) and pulse diagnosis methods. Further, recognizing that treating disease lies in prescribing formulas, I elucidated classical prescriptions by writing *Shili* (Explanation of Examples). Again, recognizing that prescribing lies in distinguishing herbs, I produced a collated and annotated edition of *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Other works interpreting classics were discarded as they were completed; retaining only those preserved, I obtained over one hundred essays, arranged into four volumes, titled *Yanjingyan* (Reflections on Classical Studies). I submitted these to learned scholars, hoping they would serve as a mirror for my future self-reflection. Being unwise, I dare not deliberately pursue profundity or claim novelty. I only strive for practicality and plainness, seeking to align with the principles found in ancient texts. As the classic says, "Acquiring knowledge lies in investigating things." Books are also things; by reading and investigating them, we acquire knowledge, which will thereby expand the field of medicine. If this contributes to this art, let it await those who are capable.

Autobiographical Preface by You Su of Tiaochuan

The causes of a hundred diseases are eight: first, pathogenic factors (Xieqi); second, water and dampness (Shuishi); third, ghosts and spirits (Guishen); fourth, insects and beasts (Chongshou); fifth, utensils and objects (Qiwu); sixth, diet and food (Yinshi); seventh, drugs and minerals (Yaoshi); eighth, human affairs (Renshi). The first five are external to the body, while the last three are internal. Within the Eight Principles (Bagang), each category has specific sub-numbers. Those belonging to pathogenic factors include wind, sun, fog, miasma, cold, and heat. Those belonging to water and dampness include dew, rain, and standing water. Those belonging to ghosts and spirits include shock/impact, zombie possession, spirit enchantment, and disaster curses. Those belonging to insects and beasts include bites and stings, shadow influence, residual poison, and toxic air contact. Those belonging to utensils and objects include metal arrowheads, crushing pressure, blunt trauma, and scalds/fire burns. Those belonging to diet include dietary taboos, excessive intake, injury from the Five Flavors (Wuwei), and poisoning. Those belonging to drugs and minerals include overdose of medication, medicinal errors, mineral toxicity, and opium toxicity. Those belonging to human affairs include emotional states such as joy, worry, desire, resentment, and fear; postures and movements such as walking, standing, sitting, and lying down; strain from lifting heavy objects leading to sprains; and falls, drops, and tumbles. In total, there are more than twenty categories. I intended to cite ancient discourses and expand this into a volume, but did not have the leisure to do so; thus, I briefly record this preface here.