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The patient, an elderly gentleman (Feng Weng), was over seventy years old and suffered from chronic diarrhea. His son, Brother Mailun, was proficient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and had repeatedly administered various formulas to warm and tonify the Spleen and Kidney. The illness dragged on for a long time, yet the diarrhea persisted without cessation.

I was invited to examine him. I said to Brother Mai: "Your father's condition is characterized by intestinal and gastric slippage due to prolonged diarrhea. The *Shi Ji* (Ten Categories of Medicinals) states: 'Tonification can remove weakness, and astringency can treat slippage.' Prolonged diarrhea inevitably depletes Yuan Qi (Original Qi); however, simple tonification can only address the deficiency but cannot secure the slippage. Zhang Zhongjing stated: 'Li Zhong Tang regulates the Middle Jiao; this case of dysentery/diarrhea lies in the Lower Jiao, so Chishizhi Yuyuliang Wan should be used.' Li Xianzhi said: 'Diseases of the Lower Jiao are difficult to comprehend; one must use Yuliang and Chishizhi.' Moreover, when the intestines and stomach are empty, these substances are needed to fill them; when the intestinal mucus has been lost, they are required to restore its adhesive nature. Yu Chang (Yu Xichang) treated Chen Yanzhi and Pu Junyi with persistent diarrhea using this formula and achieved miraculous results. Therefore, I added Chishizhi and Yuyuliang to the original prescription, which proved effective."

An Bo's commentary: This demonstrates skillful application of ancient methods.

In the spring of Xinwei year of the Jiaqing era, I suffered from vertigo and did not leave my house for months. My friend, Brother Zhang Rugong, visited and reported that Old Man Hong Meizhu was critically ill. He described the symptoms: initially, there was pain in the lower abdomen and vomiting. Physicians diagnosed it as Cold congealing in the Jueyin channel and prescribed Nuogan Jian (Warm Liver Decoction), which exacerbated the pain and vomiting. Others attributed it to Kidney Qi rushing upward and prescribed Liyin Jian combined with Liujunzi Tang, adding Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) to every dose. The condition worsened further, presenting with epigastric fullness, aversion to food, groaning day and night, and yellowing of the face and eyes. Physicians claimed his constitution was depleted and the disease severe, noting that tonification was ineffective and fearing collapse, causing panic throughout the household. Another physician diagnosed it as Jaundice (Dan Zheng) and proposed Yinchen Hao Tang. They asked me to diagnose and decide. I declined due to my own illness, but Brother Zhang insisted, so I went while being supported. After examining the pulse, I smiled and told the patient: "The illness is harmless. You only need medicine costing a few coins per dose; do not waste resources." I prescribed Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with additions of Yujin (Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome), Chenpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium), Guya (Setaria Italica Germinatio), and Lanye (Mentha Haplocalyx). His brother, Bingfeng Weng, said: "My elder brother is nearing sixty, has been ill for many days, suffers from pain, vomiting, and inability to eat, with empty Stomach Qi. Light and bland herbs may be insufficient." I replied: "This is not a deficiency syndrome. The previous medications were inappropriate, causing the worsening. The *Classic* states: 'All pain belongs to the Liver.' This disease arises from Liver Qi stagnation and suppression. The lower abdomen is the territory of the Jueyin channel, hence the pain. Liver Qi rebelling upward attacks the Stomach, causing vomiting. Excessive warming and tonification caused Wood stagnation leading to Fire stagnation. All rebellious Qi rushing upward belongs to Fire. Inability to ingest food indicates the presence of Fire. As for the yellow complexion, it is also caused by Liver stagnation, not Jaundice. Xiaoyao San treats Wood stagnation, resolving all other stagnations. This theory comes from Zhao Xianke's *Yi Guan*, which I recorded in my collection *Yi Shu*. Please check the book." The patient agreed. After the first dose, all symptoms decreased. After four doses, pain and vomiting ceased, and the yellow color completely faded. After twelve doses in total, his diet returned to normal. During this episode, Brother Zhang invited me on behalf of the patient. He told me: "Before, your father took Ginseng without effect and thought he was dying. Your medicine was so light, yet the effect was so rapid. We are deeply grateful and impressed. He asks me to convey his regards and promises to thank you properly." I said: "Curing disease is the physician's duty. It is amusing that I, who am sick myself, am treating others while walking unsteadily. The patient showed great kindness. When my book is published, including his name in the acknowledgments is a good deed, far surpassing material rewards." During our meeting, the patient asked: "Has your book been compiled?" I said: "Not yet." He said: "Wait until it is finished; I will provide modest assistance for printing." Twenty years later, the book was completed, but the patient had passed away. I respectfully listed his name among the readers at the beginning of the book, honoring his words.

An Bo's commentary: The treatment of Liver diseases primarily involves acrid dispersing, sour astringing, and sweet moderating, which is the essence of the ancient Xiaoyao San. However, since Liver disease persists for a long time, it inevitably drains the Qi of the Mother organ (Water/Kidney). Thus, ancient sages advocated warming the Liver and Kidney and recognizing the common origin of Yi (Liver/Wood) and Gui (Kidney/Water). If Kidney Yin is damaged, allowing Wood-Fire to burn internally, nourishing Kidney Yin to soften the Liver is one method. However, the Liver is most obstructed by tonification; this approach is only suitable if the disease has lasted long or if there is a pre-existing Kidney condition. Generally, treating the Liver relies mostly on acrid dispersing and sour astringing, while tonifying and collecting approaches account for only one or two out of ten cases.