Library

In my earlier years, while in the capital, I learned that Bao Juesheng, a Shidu (Attendant Scholar), had suffered from a strange disease and was saved by Dr. Cheng Xuanxuan. Twenty years later, when Bao Juesheng presided over education in Zhongzhou, he fell ill with the same condition, and Dr. Cheng Xuanxuan cured him again. I marveled at his person but regretted not having met him personally. In the spring of Dingmao during the Jiaqing reign, I returned south while afflicted with illness and encountered Dr. Cheng Xuanxuan at the Daliang Envoy's Office. I sought his medical skills, and for over ten years, I hardly knew that illness existed within my body.

In the summer of Dingchou, I visited Xin'an again, and Dr. Cheng Xuanxuan had also returned from his travels. We were delighted to meet, conversing for ten days. He showed me several books he had authored, tracing back to Huangdi and Qibo (Xuanqi), extending to Bian Que (Yueren) and Zhang Zhongjing, and reaching down to Liu Wansu, Li Dongyuan, Zhu Danxi, and other schools. He thoroughly investigated their subtleties and expanded upon their core principles. Among them, the "Continued Records of Medical Cases" offered precise and appropriate reasoning, surpassing the previously printed "First Collection." I advised him to have it printed, but Dr. Cheng declined, saying he lacked the time. I said, "Do not say so. I have seen many practitioners in this world who, after reading one volume of *Tangtou Geku* (Song Formulas for Decoctions) and reciting one chapter of *Yaoxing Fu* (Ode to Drug Properties), hang a sign saying 'Medical Room' and call themselves 'Physicians.' Patients, unaware of the truth, follow them for diagnosis and prescriptions. If they luckily gain wealth, they become even more deceitful, riding sturdy carriages and fierce horses, galloping through streets to show off. Those who revere them grow daily, as do those killed by their incompetence. Those who cannot bear such behavior are either intellectually enlightened yet timid, or inarticulate and poor in writing, despised by the world, causing medical principles to remain obscure globally. Now, you raise the banner of Lu Yi (Bian Que) and Qin Bian, entering the ranks of Sun Simiao and Ge Hong. If this book spreads without legs, becoming popular throughout the land, and people worldwide look up to it and strive to follow it, bringing the populace to benevolence and longevity, it would be a magnificent endeavor. Even if mountains and rivers are distant and acupuncture and herbs cannot reach, physicians can take this book as a standard to achieve efficacy quickly. Those skilled in health preservation, by grasping its residual wisdom, can also dispel disease and prolong life, preserving much more than just physical health. The occupation of scholars and the establishment of government offices are all planned for the nourishment of people. You studied Confucianism in your youth and medical texts in your maturity, often regretting not being able to apply your learning to the world. From what is recorded in this compilation, you discern right from wrong in the minutest details and observe deficiency and excess in the subtlest aspects. Is this not like a virtuous official cautiously adjudicating cases? By tonifying and nourishing to cultivate Yuan Qi (Primary Qi), and using harmonizing methods to prevent stagnation, is this not like a virtuous official treating the people with warmth and kindness? When the method requires attack, it is like a fierce eagle chasing birds; when the method requires cooling, it is like pouring spring water to extinguish a prairie fire. Is this not like a virtuous official removing tyranny and comforting the good, showing no leniency? I wish that those in your profession learn from your scholarship, and those outside your profession adopt your mindset, so that all suffering in the commanderies may cease. How can your manuscript be kept secret?" Dr. Cheng replied, "Yes, yes." However, he still kept it in his chest, adding dozens of new cases since then. This spring, he mailed the book to request a preface. Upon reading it, I recalled our conversation in a single room in Xin'an years ago, and thus wrote this account as the preface.
Spring of the third month in the year Jiashen, Guangxu 4th Year, Wu Gengmei of Tongcheng