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As the saying goes, "If a physician has not practiced medicine for three generations, one should not take their medicine," which indeed reflects the high regard for medicine. It has also been said, "Those who can read the books of the 'Three Schools' are also considered part of the hereditary medical lineage." This statement is particularly far-fetched and forced. The term "hereditary" (Shi) used to describe physicians refers to the inheritance of medical skills through generations, where the transmission is most refined; thus, they are able to gain fame in their contemporary era. Moreover, medical texts from ancient times to the present are so numerous that they fill warehouses and oxen carry them (a metaphor for an immense number of books). How could it be limited to just three schools sufficient for gaining knowledge and mastering this art? Based on this argument, it can be seen that among those engaged in medicine today, many merely memorize Gao Yangsheng's *Mai Jue* (Pulse Formula) and Wang Zongxian's *Kuaijie Fangshi* (Quick Methods). In daily life, they barely remember dozens of formula verses; when encountering diseases, they recite several song-rhymes. They either rigidly adhere to Liu Hejian's (Liu Wansu's) methods or are biased towards Zhu Danxi's writings. They ridicule Li Dongyuan for focusing solely on regulating the Spleen and Stomach, and bark at Xue Lizhai for always emphasizing the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Some claim specialization in Shanghan (Cold Damage), while others boast of expertise in miscellaneous diseases. To find someone who initially grasps the whole picture and proceeds from the broad to the concise is non-existent. Even after a hundred generations, what would there be worth observing? Therefore, Pang Anchang of the Song Dynasty, although he neglected the pulse formulas inherited from his father and grandfather, independently adopted the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), exploring their profound subtleties, analyzing and explaining them in ten thousand words, leaving teachings for a thousand autumns. He was truly an outstanding hero. Thus, like a plow-ox with patterned horns (a metaphor for someone of humble origin or flawed appearance but useful talent), not shining for the world but becoming a burden to it—how can such a person be called a hereditary physician?

Who says that among those drifting like duckweed and waves, there are no lofty and outstanding figures? As for the healing intent of physicians, the depth of their academic study, and the height of their character, I am truly unable to trace their origins completely. Only by testing them through practice can one explore even one-tenth of their true nature. If they are indeed excellent talents, one would only regret meeting them too late, and then discuss with them how to support righteous teachings and jointly save the people. Would this not be a great wish? I often see one or two practitioners of the vulgar school who can roughly discuss classical formulas, but mostly use clichés without discernment. When they prescribe medicines, they mix attacking and tonifying methods indiscriminately. Their insight, courage, and strength leave nothing commendable. I know that those who have left their hometowns do so with the sole ambition of seeking food. Most commoners, hearing rumors, compete for novelty without examining their own ignorance, abandoning the near for the distant. Occasionally, there are gentry (officials/scholars) who also follow this trend. Precisely because they follow this trend, both the prominent families and commoners come to believe that those approved by the gentry are fine scholars, and thus they also imitate the gentry's habits, mixing together mutually. This merely leads to self-deception. Although so, does it mean that talented people are entirely lacking? For instance, Tang Zhanyi had abundant learning and clear understanding of the deficiency and excess of all diseases; Cheng Fengshan could distinguish Yin-Yang Cold Damage. And Tang Zhanyi is one whom I have cross-referenced and verified; yet among thousands, there are only two or three such individuals.