Library

Mr. Li Qishu from Yunjian was knowledgeable and versatile in all fields; medicine was merely a byproduct of his extensive learning. There are abundant writings in the field of medicine, and *Huibian* (Comprehensive Analysis) is but one fragment of them. I recall that several years ago, when *Huibian* was about to be completed, my father intended to have it printed. Mr. Li said, "Please wait for a while." Afterwards, Mr. Li resided successively at Xiangjiang, Tianzhong, and Jishang, vanishing like a wild goose flying far away, leaving his admirers with no way to find him. Those who studied the teachings of Qi Huang (Traditional Chinese Medicine), knowing of the close relationship between my father and me and Mr. Li, came in crowds to request *Huibian*. Unable to obtain it, they left, mistakenly believing that Mr. Li was hoarding it out of selfishness. It was not until the spring of the Gengxu year that Mr. Li finally returned south. Upon hearing this, I was overjoyed, welcomed him to my humble residence, and invited various literati and wine lovers to drink heartily day and night. I observed that Mr. Li's appearance had become more plump, his aura more restrained, and he appeared so modest that he seemed unable to speak. My father-in-law, Mr. Peng Zhmou, told others: "I have met Qishu several times. Whenever he filled his cup, he would speak generously and confidently, his words flowing directly from his heart, always adhering to righteous conduct. Even old scholars and seasoned Confucians could not help but listen attentively with hands folded. As for books recording strange tales such as *Shizhou Ji*, *Dongming Ji*, *Duyang Zabian*, and *Nuogao Guangzhi*, he created new worlds beyond common knowledge. Why is he now so completely different? This must be due to further spiritual advancement." On a leisure day, Mr. Li occasionally showed us several volumes of his poetry and prose. My father-in-law praised every word and subsequently wrote a preface, keeping the manuscripts. Finally, we obtained the ten-volume manuscript of *Huibian*, revealing even more the diligence of a benevolent mind. Since the rise of the spurious *Maijue* (Pulse Instructions) attributed to Gaoyang, men of average talent did not know of Wang Shuhe, let alone the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions), causing pulse diagnosis to become unmanageable. Mr. Li thus collected and organized ancient and modern debates and refutations on pulse diagnosis, classifying them into this compilation. He reconciled everything under one principle, writing tens of thousands of words. Reading it feels like entering a labyrinth of thousands of doors and arrays; beginners may feel startled and dazzled, but upon careful examination, the order becomes clear. By eliminating erroneous doctrines, he enabled future generations to see again the intent of the sages. Is his merit not great? Alas! The skill of Lu Ban and the strategy of Sun Wu and Wu Qi are not fundamentally different; it lies only in whether one practices or not. Mr. Li possessed imperial-gifted books in his home, never letting go of his scrolls, and combined with extraordinary aptitude, his travels covered almost the entire country. It took long years to complete this specialized book before publishing it. His deep engagement with the true Dao and his inheritance of the sage's lineage are indeed beyond the comprehension of shallow people; it is certainly not just gathering scattered fragments and compiling them casually according to the times. My father often supported this book, and Guangxia (the author, Liu Guangxia) finally witnessed its completion. How could I not encourage its dissemination among those who share this interest? Soon, works of literary brilliance like those of Yang Xiong will remain valuable as a thousand gold pieces. I briefly record these few words at the beginning of the volume, both to comfort the sincerity of the gentlemen who previously sought the book and to fulfill my father's unfinished wish.
On the Bamboo Drunken Day of the Bingwu Year of the Kangxi Reign, Liu Guangxia of Wuyuan bowed and inscribed at Yanlü Ju.