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Grand Historian Sima Qian, in writing the biography of Chunyu Yi (Cang Gong) in the *Records of the Grand Historian* (*Shiji*), meticulously recorded his verified cases of treating diseases and determining life and death, including the names of attending physicians, disease manifestations, diagnostic signs, prescriptions, and medicines, leaving nothing out. Historical records must concern themselves with matters of state; thus, much is omitted in biographies and annals. Why, then, is this particular art treated with such detail? Alas! People worry about the multitude of diseases, while physicians worry about the scarcity of medical knowledge. If there are clear efficacies and reliable verifications, as evident here, should they not be widely transmitted? The purpose seems to be to analyze similarities and differences, exhaust changes, resolve doubts, and determine curability, thereby aligning with the Way of the Sages of old to establish standards for ten thousand generations. Thus, the empty words of Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor), Qibo, and Bian Que are not distorted, and their contributions are far from insignificant.

My friend, Mr. Yu Zirong, loves medicine and enjoys reading. He has personally achieved cures in dozens of cases, which he has already documented and highlighted. Furthermore, he has selected essays and miscellaneous records by famous scholars of recent times that benefit medical practice, along with observations and discussions on gains and losses from his own experiences, appending them to the work. He named it *Xu Yishuo* (Continued Sayings on Medicine) and requested me to write a preface. I believe that since the Han Dynasty, capable physicians have been numerous, appearing in every generation. In discussing acupuncture and moxibustion, they revere the *Suwen* (Plain Questions) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues); regarding materia medica, they follow the principles of decoctions; in pulse diagnosis, they推崇 Wang Shuhe; in formula theory, they praise Zhang Zhongjing. Although their approaches differ, all are beneficial. However, students often regard these as minor technical arts, fearing they cannot lead to profound understanding; literati and officials rarely discuss them. Only Cang Gong relied on Sima Qian’s writings to remain known among scholars today. This shows that even if medical skills are exquisite, results are frequent, and case records are detailed, without literary transmission, they cannot endure. Now, in Mr. ZiRong’s compilation, the major aspects include retrieving the remnants of the "Four Masters," exploring the mysteries of the "Three Sages," analyzing differences, exhausting variations, resolving doubts, and determining curability. Moreover, he does not focus exclusively on the minutiae of single formulas or theories but draws from the great works of former sages, revealing his noble aspirations. Compared to mere medical casebooks, pulse guides, rhymed texts, or diagrammatic explanations, how do they compare? Its transmission is assured.

On the sixteenth day of the third month of spring in the Dingyou year of the Jiajing era,
Lu Shidao, Jinshi degree holder, Chengdelang, Principal Staff Member of the Ritual System Bureau of the Ministry of Rites, managing the drafting of imperial edicts, wrote the preface.

People of the Qi and Liang dynasties said, "One who does not understand medical arts cannot be called a filial son." This is an extreme view. Neo-Confucians stated, "Entrusting treatment to incompetent physicians is akin to being unfilial and unkind." Those who serve their parents must know medicine; this statement holds deep meaning. Ancient renowned physicians such as Zhen Quan, Xu Zhiang, Li Mingzhi, and Zhu Yanxiu all studied medicine because their mothers were ill, researching deeply and thinking profoundly until they grasped the subtleties. Indeed, the gentleman applies his mind to everything without exception. I, Bian, though not intelligent, have a passion for discussing medicine. Whether after hearing friends and teachers talk or browsing histories and various schools of thought, whenever I had insights, I copied them down to prevent forgetting. Accumulated over time, this formed ten volumes named *Xu Yishuo*. I dare not compete with the ancients, but hope future enthusiasts will share it.

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Renwu year, Preface.