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In the Lingnan region, a wealthy merchant suffered from malaria, experiencing chest fullness and oppression, irritability, and unconsciousness. He desired cool-natured medicines to clear and drain the upper jiao (upper burner). However, his symptoms presented as heat above and cold below, with a deep and faint pulse. The physician prepared a decoction of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), cooled it, and administered it. After taking it, the patient soon regained consciousness, reporting that his chest and diaphragm felt open and comfortable, though he was unaware that Fuzi had actually been used. If mediocre physicians, seeing his chest fullness, were to administer cool medicines to purge downwards, ten out of ten would likely die. Nevertheless, this method is only suitable for patients suffering from mountain miasma who have deficiency-cold in the lower body; for cases of summerheat malaria or phlegm-malaria, different treatments should be applied.

Wang Sheng from Wuzhong used "Yuxian Dan" (Immortal-Encounter Pill) to treat limb diseases caused by wind pathogenic factors. Since the four limbs are referred to as the "four extremities," and the Spleen governs the limbs, when wind pathogens lodge in the Liver, they overact on the Spleen (Wood overacting on Earth); thus, the disease manifests in the extremities. In cases of Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness leading to qi stagnation and obstruction, or presenting with numbness, pain, and insensitivity of the hands and feet, these are excess syndromes (syndromes of surplus). The treatment principle should be to promote qi circulation and overcome dampness, and taking this pill will yield merit. However, Wei-Bi (flaccidity and obstruction) syndromes often result from blood deficiency; if mistaken for excess and treated accordingly, death is not far off. Someone asked me: This formula was transmitted by Chunyang Zhenren (Pure Yang True Person). Why does it work well for people in the Northwest but nearly endanger those in the Southeast? The rationale seems inexplicable. I replied: In the Northwest, waters are deep and soils thick; people possess robust constitutional qi. Therefore, warm and hot agents such as Wutou (Aconiti Radix), Fuzi, Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) can effectively treat their conditions. The Spleen dislikes dampness and recovers upon receiving dryness/heat. People in the South have weaker constitutions; Wood qi moves easily, Fire qi shines brightly, and yang qi ascends readily. Administering such [warm/hot] agents there causes great harm. Thus it is said: Heaven has four seasons, alternating cold and heat; Earth has five directions, varying in elevation. Medication must suit the locality—this is what is meant.

In July of the Dingyou year of the Chenghua era (1477), Zhang Jingfang, an astronomer official from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, led a mission to Xingping Prince's residence in Shaanxi. On the way, Zhang suddenly developed abdominal distension, which physicians could not cure. He lodged at Wolong Temple, awaiting death. At night, an old man with long eyebrows visited him unexpectedly, claiming he could cure this ailment. Zhang invited him to examine his pulse. After palpating both wrists, the old man orally prescribed a formula: equal parts of Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Haipiaoxiao (Sepiae Endoconcha) ground into fine powder, supplemented with seven leaves each of Sangye (Mori Folium), Huaishu Ye (Sophorae Tonkinensis Folium), and Taozhi (Persicae Ramulus). The next day at noon, five buckets of water were drawn and boiled for three or four boils, then boiled once more when stars appeared. The patient took a bath in this water, while strong men massaged the area above and below his umbilicus hundreds of times in the water. After a short while, the patient passed flatus, and the illness subsided. Zhang followed the instructions exactly. At dawn, the old man reappeared; by then, seventy to eighty percent of the illness had vanished. Zhang offered gifts in gratitude, but the old man refused even a hair's breadth. That night, the swelling completely resolved, and the old man never appeared again. Some say this story concerns Zhang Jingfang meeting an immortal. (From *Kezuo Xinwen*)