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In the human body, Yin is often insufficient while Yang is often in excess. Therefore, Zhu Danxi repeatedly urged people to nourish Yin to harmonize with Yang; this was truly not intended to supplement Yin to overcome Yang. I recently saw Zhao Jizong's book *Ruyi Jingyao* (Essentials for Confucian Physicians), which refutes Zhu Danxi's supposed intention to exclusively supplement Yin and suppress Yang, arguing that this violates the constant principles of Yin and Yang and that there is absolutely no rationale for merely supplementing Yin. The book also refutes Wang Shuhe's error regarding the Mingmen (Gate of Life) belonging to Fire; refutes Zhang Zhongjing's methods for treating Taiyang syndrome without sweating, vomiting, or purgation; refutes Zhang Jiegu's failure to distinguish between heatstroke (Zhongshu) and intense heat (Zhongre); refutes the theory that stroke (Fengzhong) is caused by Fire, Qi, and Dampness; and refutes errors in the descriptions of the Twelve Meridians' pulses. Mr. Zhao adhered rigidly to his own views, arbitrarily established heretical theories to deceive people, violated the intent of the classics, and committed many offenses against moral orthodoxy. Alas! Zhang Zhongjing and Wang Shuhe are sages of medicine and teachers for a hundred generations. Who is Zhao Jizong to dare discuss such matters so lightly? This only shows his lack of self-awareness.

The *Heji Jufang* (Prescriptions from the Bureau of Harmonized Medicines) was compiled by famous physicians and can be considered exquisite. However, it also contains errors and omissions. For instance, the Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Calf Bezoar Clearing Heart Pill) uses twenty-nine ingredients, with cold and hot properties intermixed, which is truly incomprehensible. I once heard an old physician say that this prescription actually consists of only nine herbs: Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shexiang (Moschus), Longnao (Borneolum Syntheticum), Lingyangjiao (Capricornis Cornu), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Xionghuang (Realgar), Puhuang (Pollinis Typhae), and Jinbo (Lamina Aurii). The twenty-one ingredients following Gan Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma Dryum) were originally from the Shanyao Wan (Dioscorea Pill) in the deficiency-supplementing section of the *Jufang*, but were mistakenly combined into one formula at some unknown time. This account is recorded in Zhou Mi's *Guixin Zazhi*. When I first obtained this explanation, I did not fully believe it, but after consulting various medical texts, I confirmed that two formulas had indeed been merged into one. I record this here for scholars to verify.

Li Dongyuan's *Neiwai Shang Bian* (Differentiation of Internal and External Injury) prioritizes regulating the Spleen and Stomach, which is a fundamental argument. However, his prescriptions are inevitably mixed and complex. Predecessors commented that his use of medicines was like Han Xin leading troops: the more, the better, perhaps as a defense. Zhu Yanshou applied Confucian thought to medicine, and his insights were quite superior, yet he may not have excelled in the principles of miscellaneous diseases and Cold Damage (Shanghan). Among the renowned masters of our dynasty, apart from Dai Yuanli and Zhao Liangren, others are largely obscure. In recent times, Wang Ruyan seemed to glimpse the inner chambers of previous masters, obtaining their dregs. Some say his reputation exceeds his actual ability; ultimately, achieving success would be difficult. (From Liu Gui's Medical Discourses from Shimen)

Imperial Physician Sheng Qidong, during the Yongle era, treated Consort Zhang of the Eastern Palace who had not menstruated for ten months. Most physicians believed she was pregnant and experiencing distension. One day, the Emperor said to him, "The Consort of the Eastern Palace is ill; go examine her." The Crown Prince instructed him accordingly, guiding him with great caution. After examining her pulse and reporting back, he said, "If the illness had appeared earlier, what would have happened? If later, what then?" He acted as if he could see the Consort directly. Upon hearing this, the Consort said, "Does the court have such a physician? Why was I not consulted sooner?" He then prescribed a formula consisting entirely of blood-breaking agents. The Crown Prince viewed this with great anger, saying, "What a good imperial physician! We should soon have a royal grandson, yet you prescribe such a formula!" Consequently, the prescription was not used. A few days later, the condition became critical, and he was summoned again. He stated, "If you wait three more days, I will not dare to administer medicine." He still wrote out the previous prescription and was locked inside the forbidden palace. His family was terrified; some said, "He is dead," others said, "His property will be confiscated." After three days, a red-stick messenger (herald) called out ahead, bestowing lavish rewards. It turned out that after taking the medicine, the Consort expelled several dou of blood, and the illness subsided. Subsequently, the Emperor also bestowed gifts upon him, stating, "This is not to thank the physician, but to calm the nerves." (From Wang Wenke's Notes)