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Medicine has no fixed methods, but it possesses constant principles. If the principle is beyond doubt, even the occasional correct insight of a mediocre practitioner shall not be discarded due to the person's status; if the principle is questionable, even the grandmasters of previous generations, who are revered as models for successive dynasties, will not shield their shortcomings, but will certainly point out even one ten-thousandth part of error, to raise questions for the world and future generations. Since medicine deals with life and death, it is imperative to elucidate its subtleties and deeply explore its underlying meanings. This is the reason why Mr. Zhang Jingyue of Kuaiji authored the book *Zhiyi Lu* (Record of Questions and Doubts).

Looking back, the two sages, Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, nurtured the human body in accordance with Heaven and Earth, made vows of compassion, and wrote classics such as *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), establishing the medical way, thereby enabling the people to enter the realm of benevolence and longevity; their virtue was indeed extensive. During the Spring and Autumn period, Qin Yueren (Bian Que) further authored *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), and there were several exchanges between Emperor Wen of Han and Chunyu Yi regarding the interior and exterior, Yin and Yang of the Zang-Fu organs, and the cold, heat, deficiency, and excess of diseases; their statements hit the mark clearly, like looking at one's palm. Was this not the origin of questioning in later generations? Subsequently, four masters—Zhang Zhongjing, Liu Hejian, Li Dongyuan, and Zhu Danxi—rose successively, producing abundant writings. Some were proficient in *Shanghan* (Cold Damage), others skilled in miscellaneous diseases, each establishing their own school of thought, uncovering what predecessors had not yet revealed, greatly promoting the orthodox tradition. Thus, the path of medicine became like the sun and moon illuminating the sky, or rivers and lakes adorning the earth, shining throughout the universe, fresh from ancient times to the present. What could practitioners of medicine have to question thereafter?

Nevertheless, though the fool may ponder a thousand times, can he not have one gain? Though the wise man may ponder a thousand times, can he not have one loss? Moreover, medicine is like warfare: strategies of odd and regular change, applied freely, adhere to principles but do not rigidly stick to them. How can one be buried by the commentaries of former sages, living under another's roof, without thinking of how to adapt and innovate? Mr. Zhang possessed outstanding natural talent and devoted himself to scholarly effort. Regarding the art of Qi and Huang, he was experienced through repeated practice, saving thousands of lives in Zhejiang alone. He took the classics of the ancient sages to辨析 (analyze and distinguish) the errors of former experts. For instance, in cases of *Shanghan*, one must differentiate deficiency and excess, combining purgation and tonification, rather than adhering strictly to the saying "there is no tonification method for Shanghan"; in stroke (*Zhong Feng*), one must identify manifestations across the twelve meridians, rather than treating it with methods for *Shanghan*; in blood disorders, one must first clear external pathogens and then address internal injury, rather than blindly following Jiegu's (Zhang Yuansu) statement "see blood, exclude cold." Such doubtful points were meticulously searched and eliminated by the Mr., truly demonstrating proficiency in reading the books of ancients.

I, Kai, being born late, did not have the privilege of personally studying under Mr.'s door, yet since reading his posthumous works, although I cannot fully attain his level, I secretly admire him. Reading by lamplight, I raise these questions to Xuanyuan and Qibo, to the Four Great Masters, and even to Heaven, Earth, and spirits, all of which are acceptable. From this, I realize that Mr.'s merit is great for the world and future ages, and practitioners of medicine may thus be free from doubt. Therefore, I first arranged for the printing of these texts to share them with the world. As for other works in Mr.'s complete collection, such as *Zazheng Mo* (Discourse on Miscellaneous Diseases), *Shanghan Dian* (Canon of Cold Damage), *Furen Gui* (Regulations for Women), *Chuanzhong Lu* (Record of Passing On Loyalty/Truth), and *Bencao Leikao* (Classified Studies of Materia Medica), I intend to consult with like-minded gentlemen to print them sequentially for common appreciation.

Recorded respectfully by Shi Kai of Donghai, in the fifth month of the Dingmao year of the Kangxi reign.