Library

The Way of Medicine requires that the practitioner possess virtues of centrality, harmony, benevolence, and wisdom, while having a profound understanding of the principles of Yin and Yang (Yin-Yang), the source of life and nature (Xingming), the reasons why different climates (cold and heat) require different treatments, and why people in different regions (north and south) have different constitutions. By delving deeply to observe subtleties and repeatedly exploring to exhaust variations, one can eliminate epidemics and pestilences, benefit the weak and frail, and thus remedy the perceived imperfections of Nature. This is the way of treating diseases, which is why the ancients said it parallels the governance of a state.

Mr. Lin Yunhe from Danyang took the provincial examination with me in the Wuchen year, and we formed a friendship in the capital. Afterward, we parted and did not inquire about each other for over thirty years. In the winter of the Dingwei year, Mr. Lin's son, Zhiben, brought the medical book compiled by his father, titled *Lei Zheng Zhi Cai* (Classified Treatments Adapted to Symptoms), and requested a preface from me. It was then that I learned Mr. Lin had passed away eight years prior. Mr. Lin was upright in character and solid in scholarship. After failing the Ministry of Rites examination in the Jisi year, he retired to study medicine, saving many lives, and his skills became increasingly refined. Concerned that contemporary practitioners were often shallow and unlearned, or rigidly adhered to established methods leading to biased and imbalanced errors, he collected ancient prescriptions and selectively adapted the most appropriate ones, hoping to make them clear to everyone. Alas! With such dedication, can he not be considered a gentleman of centrality, harmony, benevolence, and wisdom? I am inherently ignorant of medicine and have gained little in the arts of self-cultivation and benefiting the world. Although I successively passed the civil service examinations and obtained an official post, aging quickly set in. Now, serving in Suzhou, Jiangsu, among my fellow examinees from that year, such as Mr. Gu Gengshi, all have long since passed away, leaving no one with whom to converse. Reflecting on the past and present, I am more convinced that adversity and prosperity are consistent; being busy with official duties and abandoning one's profession is not as good as living in seclusion and writing, as Mr. Lin did, thereby gaining fame through a specialized skill. This is why, when writing this preface for his book, I cannot help but feel emotional. As for the essence of this book, which explores Yin and Yang and entrusts the mystery of life and nature, future readers will understand it themselves. Moreover, it has been detailed in the preface written by Mr. Lin himself, so I shall not add further.

Written respectfully by Gui Chaowan, Junior Brother and Fellow Townsman, Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture, Jiangsu, in the tenth month of the Dingwei year of the Daoguang reign.

My ancestor, Grand Silver Tablet Official (a high-ranking title), upon being appointed to oversee the compilation of the *Siku Quanshu* (Complete Library of Four Treasuries) during the Qianlong reign, saw that medical texts recorded in the Wenyuan Pavilion numbered 96 works comprising 1,813 volumes, with an additional 94 works totaling 681 volumes listed for preservation. He once told me: "In old histories, medical experts were often placed at the end. In the *Siku Quanshu*, under the 'Zi' (Masters) section, there are fourteen categories: Confucianism first, Military second, Legalism third, Agriculture fourth, and Medicine fifth. Although medicine is merely a skill, it concerns the lives of the people, and its elevation above other arts is justified." My ancestor extensively studied Yin-Yang, numerology, Liu Ren divination, and prosody, copying many manuscripts, but left no definitive version of medical texts. The only family inheritance was the annotated edition of Ye Tianshi's *Linzheng Zhinan* (Guide to Clinical Practice) by my late father, Lord Dansong. The handwriting remains fresh, yet I never managed to read it. Mr. Lin Xitong, who topped the provincial examination in the Wuchen year of the Jiaqing reign, had essays that were widely admired and was particularly proficient in the teachings of Qi Bo and Huang Di (Qi-Huang). He integrated the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), *Suwen* (Basic Questions), and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), adapting them creatively without being bound by antiquity. In his spare time, he focused on alleviating the suffering of the times, and scholars respected him greatly. I had long heard of his name. In the Bingxu year, after completing my mourning period, I went to the capital to report to the ministry. Mr. Lin was traveling north by carriage, and we met at the city gate, where I had the opportunity to hear his preliminary theories. A gentleman of great virtue, evident at first glance. In the spring of the Xinhai year, Mr. Lin's successor, Scholar Junshi, planned to publish Mr. Lin's work *Lei Zheng Zhi Cai* and asked me to write the preface. The book consists of eight volumes, with surgery appended. It categorizes diseases and separates sections, presenting theoretical discussions first followed by prescriptions. Its structure is somewhat similar to Shen's *Zunsheng*, but it excels in editing and condensing details. Upon opening, it is clear; the language is concise, yet the methods are comprehensive. This allows intelligent students to find their boundaries, while those of average ability can follow the path. Scholars should indeed view it with discernment. The ancients commented on Hua Shou's *Nanjing Benyi*, stating that because Hua Shou was a scholar who mastered medicine, his writings yielded more insights than others. I say the same about Mr. Lin: Junshi inherited his father's profession, applying constant principles with immediate efficacy. Inquiring into his learning, he derived much from the established methods in this book. Yet, he refused to keep it as a private family secret, instead publishing it for enthusiasts. This embodies Mr. Lin's heart to benefit the world. Mr. Lin also authored over 500 essays in *Laiyan Caotang Si Shu Wen*, two volumes of *Laiyan Caotang Guwen*, two volumes of *Pianti Wen*, two volumes of *Gaowolou Gujinti Shi*, one volume of *Bainiao Shi*, and one volume of *Shiyu*, all of which I deeply admire. If Junshi can sequentially carve and print these to illuminate his ancestors' grace, it would be my deepest hope.

Respectfully written by Ji Zhongying, Junior Brother and Fellow Townsman, Jinshi Graduate, Conferring Direct Official Rank of the Fifth Grade, Prefect of Huili Zhou, Sichuan, in the first month of the Xinhai year of the Xianfeng reign, aged eighty-five.