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The human body is akin to Heaven and Earth. When Heaven and Earth lose harmony, the universe suffers calamities; when the human body loses harmony, the four limbs fall ill. The entity that governs this is the Sovereign in Heaven and Earth, and the Heart in the human body.

Therefore, the Heart serves as the Sovereign Ruler. If the Sovereign fails in governance, disasters and distress befall the universe; if the Heart lacks nourishment, diseases afflict the four limbs. To mitigate the disasters of the universe, one relies on the harmonization and coordination (Xielie) of the Prime Minister; to treat diseases of the body, one relies on the harmonization and coordination of the physician. Thus it is said: "If one cannot be a virtuous Prime Minister, one should be a skilled physician." However, if a Prime Minister misgoverns, he harms the people; if a physician treats incorrectly, he harms life. Can the roles of Prime Minister and Physician be taken lightly?

Consider that the Nine Provinces of Heaven and Earth correspond to the Nine Orifices of the human body; the Nine Fields of Heaven and Earth correspond to the Nine Zang Organs. Stones form the bones, earth forms the flesh, rivers and lakes become blood, grass and trees become hair and bristles, roads become meridians, wind becomes Qi, rain becomes sweat, and thunder becomes voice. All these demonstrate that the human body is in accordance with Heaven and Earth. Calamities in Heaven and Earth are inevitably reported via roads; diseases in the human body inevitably manifest through meridians. Therefore, treating disease hinges crucially on pulse diagnosis.

When I was governing the county in Jiangcheng, many strange diseases occurred within the yamen. There I met Mr. Zhang Luyu. His examination of pulses and differentiation of syndromes, his support of deficiency and expulsion of excess, were responsive and accurate like the immediate sound of a drum struck by a mallet. I asked him, "The human body has numerous meridians; why do you solely decide illness through the two wrists?" He replied, "The Cun positions of both wrists are the passes of the Heart and Lung, the masters of the whole body, just as the capitals of the Sovereign and Minister, or the central hub of the world. Hence, disasters in the world invariably originate from the capital, and diseases in the body invariably manifest at the two wrists."

The six pulses of a person are like the Six Ministries of the court. Punishments, rewards, and penalties in the world all stem from here. Yet, with his dignified bearing and upright character, and his outstanding theories on pulse analysis that far exceed common knowledge, he could manipulate the timing of Heaven and Earth under his fingertips and determine life and death in an instant. This is not something that can be understood by ordinary people. One who does not possess the talent to organize Heaven and Earth cannot discuss medicine with him. To make him a virtuous Prime Minister, who would say no? Later, he requested a preface for his book on pulse studies, titled *Zhen Zong San Mei* (Three Profound Secrets of Pulse Diagnosis). Although I do not understand medicine, observing his discussion on the constancy and variation of Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth, and the pulse principles of mountains, rivers, grass, and trees, I saw his spiritual insight emerge uniquely, penetrating the creative forces of nature. My statement about being a virtuous Prime Minister is indeed confirmed. At that time, I was summoned to the capital for duty and was too busy to agree. Now, exhausted by official duties, my chronic cough has returned. Thinking that I cannot find a good physician, I write these few words and mail them to express my admiration.

Written by Guo, junior kinsman from Jimo, in the Ji Si year of the Kangxi reign (1689)