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The Gonghan (an official title, referring to the Academician of the Hanlin Academy) returned home from Piling with an illness in the winter of the Dingwei year of the Qianlong reign. His condition resembled Yige (dysphagia and inability to swallow food), and he was on the verge of death. I treated him and cured him. In the Yichou year of the Jiaqing reign, while serving as the Education Commissioner in Zhongzhou, his illness recurred, and he summoned me for consultation; I cured him again. The case records are contained in *Chuji* and *Jilu*.

In the autumn of the Yiyou year of the Daoguang reign, the Gonghan was in the capital when his former illness recurred. Initially, it was relatively mild. Upon reading his letter describing the symptoms, I became worried. I feared that since he had passed the age of sixty, his Qi and Blood were declining, which could not be compared to his vigorous state in his youth. At the end of the letter, he wrote: "Fortunately, I have obtained leave to return south, so I may plan to seek medical treatment." I was greatly pleased by this. However, by the end of the twelfth lunar month, a report from his household detailed the condition, which was more severe than the previous two episodes. His body was exhausted and unable to support itself, and the situation was critical. His nephew, Brother Shuo, urgently wanted to invite me to the capital to provide medical care. Although I am old and frail, moral obligation did not allow me to refuse.

However, it was near the end of the year, with severe ice and snow freezing everything. Both water and land transport were difficult to initiate. The road was obstructed and long, and I feared his illness would not wait. Brother Shuo hesitated without a solution. After repeated discussions, I decided to prescribe a formula, sent it via a special courier, hoping for success as before, so that he could return to his native place for recuperation. I also sent another letter expressing my regards, advising him to return quickly. His reply stated: "Your handwritten letters have been received again; my gratitude penetrates to the marrow. The miraculous medicine has taken effect, but not as swiftly as in past years, likely due to prolonged decline and exhaustion. I wish to return but cannot; I am in a dilemma,进退维谷 (between advance and retreat). I feel I have failed my good friend. How can I face being a human? My mental state is indescribable. The sorrow of eternal parting is too tragic to speak of. Yet, sudden death is preferable to living in dementia. I have specially engraved this to express my respectful thanks. I cannot write much, nor do I know when I might repay this kindness (referencing the idiom 'knotting grass' to repay a favor). Looking south towards my hometown, I am only filled with melancholy and knot-like distress." Shortly thereafter, he passed away.

How sorrowful! The Gonghan's self-compiled genealogy was unfinished. His younger brother, who was then serving in Ganzhou, completed it. At the end of the genealogy, it is recorded: "During his illness, my brother once told others: 'I have suffered from this disease throughout my life, and it has now occurred three times. In the Dingwei and Yichou years, both times I was on the verge of death, yet I recovered thanks to Cheng Xingxuan. Now, without Xingxuan, my illness is likely incurable.'" Upon reading this, I could not help but shed tears.

An Bo commented: Conditions such as Guzhang (abdominal distension/ascites) and Yige (dysphagia) are more perilous than Tanhuan (paralysis) and Laobing (consumption/tuberculosis). It is generally believed that even if Cang Gong or Bian Que were reborn, they would find no remedy.