Library

Song Lian said: Ancient physicians must be proficient in the "Three Generations" of books. By "Three Generations," it is meant: first, *Zhenjiu* (Acupuncture and Moxibustion); second, *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica); third, *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and *Maijing* (Pulse Classic). *Suwen* is used to observe syndromes; *Bencao Jing* is used to distinguish medicinal properties; *Zhenjiu* is used to dispel diseases. Without these three, one cannot claim to be a physician. Therefore, *Liji* (Book of Rites) states: "If a physician has not practiced for three generations, do not take their medicine." However, those who transmit scriptures mistakenly equate father-to-son succession with "three generations," which is highly confusing. Alas, heroes of antiquity who stood on their own feet cannot all be listed. Figures such as Li Dongyuan, Zhu Danxi, and Hua Bolin were not products of hereditary family lineages, yet they achieved profound mastery in medical arts, repeatedly saving critical patients, and established writings that served as models for later learners. It was never heard that they passed knowledge solely from father to son. Thus, it is evident that medicine lies in reading and learning, not merely in adhering to the "three generations" of family tradition.

Lord Wang Zhongwen stated: Most disciples of Li Mingzhi (Li Gao) were located in the Central Plains. Only the teachings of Liu Shouzhen (Liu Wansu) were transmitted master-to-master from Jing Shan Futu to Jiangnan, and then passed to Luo Zhitie. Physicians in the south all revered his school. In our dynasty, anyone discussing medicine without mentioning the Liu school was considered incomplete. Although the methods of Liu Wansu (emphasizing clearing heat/purging) and Li Dongyuan (emphasizing tonifying) differ in approach—attacking versus supplementing—if one integrates them and applies them according to symptoms, there will be no error. As for the good physicians praised in our Wu region today, those who skillfully employ the Dongyuan method are called "Wang" (referring to successors like Wang Haogu), and those who employ the Zhang-Liu methods are called "Bo." Alas, Yao and Shun ruled by abdication, while Tang and Wu conquered by warfare; as long as one aligns with the Dao and saves the world, why insist on identical methods? I have criticized those in the world who specialize in attacking pathogens: before the evil qi recedes, the healthy qi may already be depleted. Those who specialize in nourishing and tonifying may cause qi stagnation and blockage, resulting in significant harm; the healthy qi fails to recover while the evil qi becomes more rampant. The ancients said: Medicines should be appropriate, and methods should adapt to changes. Clinging to conventions, even Ginseng (*Ren Shen*) can kill; understanding flexibility, even Aconite (*Wu Tou*) can save lives. Sun Simiao’s statement that "dosages should increase or decrease according to the times, and things have no fixed formulas" truly reflects deep understanding.

Ge Zhenfu said: Practicing medicine requires observing the prosperity or decline of the times. Liu Wansu and Zhang Zihe lived during the rise of the Jin Dynasty, when people were robust and their constitutions strong; thus, they frequently used purgative and dispersing methods. When the Jin Dynasty declined, following wars and continuous famines, the people were exhausted and suffering; therefore, Zhang Jiegu and Li Dongyuan focused heavily on tonification and supplementation. By the late Song Dynasty, physicians mostly aimed to protect the primordial qi, lacking knowledge of attack-and-purge techniques; they could sustain patients but not cure diseases. Their failure lay in not knowing how to adapt. Wang Haogu stated: During the Dading era, the use of *Fangfeng Tongsheng San* (Saposhnikia Decoction for Unblocking the Supreme) was prevalent and effective. Why? Because commoners had sufficient food and clothing, their minds were at ease, and their bodies were not afflicted, leading to high efficacy and few errors. However, in turbulent times or years of famine, when even coarse grains are scarce, let alone facing the harsh influences of heaven and earth, how can one uniformly apply cold-cooling medicines as in peaceful, abundant years? One must realize that Zhang Zhongjing used *Guizhi Tang* (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) at the end of the Han Dynasty, whereas Han Zhihe warned against using *Guizhi Tang* during the peak of the Song Dynasty. This illustrates prescribing medications according to the times.