Library

According to the *Shangyuan County Annals*: Dai Tianzhang, courtesy name Linjiao, was a student (Xiangsheng) of the county school. In his youth, he studied under Lin Qinglei, pursuing the scholarly curriculum for imperial examinations. He was diligent in learning and had an excellent memory; he could recite entire chapters of the classics and histories backwards, as smoothly as water pouring from a bottle. As an adult, writing essays alone was insufficient for seeking official rank (Ganlu), so he sought practical knowledge. From astronomy, geography, mathematics, archery, and hunting, to calligraphy, painting, the lute, and chess, he explored every subtlety and essential point. He was especially proficient in medical principles, reading extensively and thinking deeply, saving countless lives. He refused monetary rewards. When elegant scholars from all over arrived, they would stay overnight to consult him. He taught his children, urging them to study diligently and hard. In his later years, he styled himself Beishan, and scholars referred to him as Mr. Beishan. His eldest son, Dai Han, courtesy name Juchuan, ranked second in the first class (Bangyan) in the Gui Mao year of the first year of the Yongzheng reign. By imperial grace, he was posthumously conferred the title of Wenlin Lang and Compiler at the Hanlin Academy. In the Xinmao year of the Qianlong reign, his grandson, Dai Yizi, served as a Censor. Upon encountering imperial grace again, he was granted a title equivalent to his office. His great-grandson, Jianyi Gong Zuqi, stated: "My grandfather, Mr. Beishan, was a Confucian scholar profound in medicine. The books he discussed and wrote regarding Cold Damage (Shanghan), miscellaneous diseases, as well as the *Annotations on Cough*, *Annotations on Malaria*, and *Guang Wenyi Lun* (Expanded Treatise on Plague-Warmth), numbered more than ten kinds. All were copied by my late uncle, Mr. Xuecun, in fine running-script characters and preserved at home. Recently, a four-volume work titled *Wenyi Mingbian* (Clear Distinction of Plague) appeared in the book markets. I purchased and read it, and found it to be exactly my grandfather's *Guang Wenyi Lun* stored in the Cun Cun Study. Although the title was changed, the text was not altered. It is unknown why it was mistakenly printed as the work of a certain Zheng from Shexian County. While my grandfather certainly did not contend for this, seeing it as descendants, we cannot allow it to remain uncorrected. Therefore, I produced the original version from the Cun Cun Study, collated it, and had it printed to correct false transmissions and propagate our ancestor's virtue." Observing these two records, one can imagine his character. It is a pity that I could not see his complete works and finish reading them!

In the spring of the Jiyou year, Mr. Pu Fengsheng from Nanjing mailed me a manuscript copy of *Guang Wenre Lun* (Expanded Treatise on Warm-Heat), requesting that I collate and print it. Because I was busy with clinical duties and held many positions, lacking sufficient time each day, I temporarily placed it on a high shelf. Later, due to repeated urgent letters from Mr. Pu, I reluctantly agreed to take on the task. After browsing through the original book one by one, I realized that this book was indeed Dai's *Guang Wenyi Lun*, which had been edited and revised by Lu Jiuzhi, who changed its title to *Guang Wenre Lun*. I saw that its discussion of Warm-Heat syndromes (Wenre Zheng) was very refined, and its explanation of various symptoms appearing in Warm-Heat diseases was extremely clear. It is truly the most practical book of the current era.

Therefore, in Lu Jiuzhi's original preface, it states: "Mr. Beishan's book distinguishes between Warm-Heat and Cold Damage, analyzing them clearly item by item and clarifying each disease. The treatment of Cold Damage is not confused with Warm-Heat; the treatment of Warm-Heat is not confused with Cold Damage. This truly draws a boundary between 'Hot Diseases' and 'Warm Diseases' (as described by Qin Yue Ren) and 'Cold Damage', without allowing any transgression. However, although the book clearly discusses Warm-Heat, its title is *Guang Wenyi Lun*. In the text, it sometimes refers to Yi Li (plague pathogens), sometimes Shi Yi (seasonal plague), and sometimes simply Yi (plague), as if forgetting that it is discussing Warm-Heat. Thus, while Mr. Beishan could distinguish Cold Damage from Warm-Heat, he confused Warm-Heat with Plague. I admired the precision of his arguments but regretted the error in the title. Therefore, I changed all references to seasonal epidemics to 'Warm-Heat' or 'Latent Pathogens'. The opening sentence, 'Those who treat Cold Damage often mistakenly use Warm-Heat methods, and those who treat Warm-Heat often mistakenly use Cold Damage methods,' was added by me. With this prompt, the intention of writing the book is clarified at the beginning. Thus, I retitled it *Guang Wenre Lun*. This book is indeed worthy of being the orthodox canon for Warm-Heat diseases!" Such were his words.

However, upon careful study of the original book, I found that its discussion of Damp-Warmth (Shi Wen) and Dry-Heat (Zao Re) syndromes was very brief, lacking further elucidation. Moreover, the selection of herbs and formulas was not entirely perfect. This is not merely my personal bias. Let me quote Lu Jiuzhi's original critique: "This book clearly distinguishes Warm-Heat from Cold Damage, as clear as listing eyebrows, truly worthy of being a golden needle for saving the world. However, Warm-Heat and Plague are still conflated without distinction, so I corrected the text. I ordered my son Runxiang to hand-copy it, but despite multiple revisions, it never fully satisfied me." Next, let me quote Bing Weiqing's original critique: "The discussions in this book contain profound truths. Even selecting formulas from the *Treatise on Cold Damage* (*Shanghan Lun*) reveals the style of a master. Unfortunately, it adopts too many mixed formulas from later generations, which somewhat contradicts the essence of the classics. Furthermore, since it knows that acrid-warm methods should not be used, yet remains within the scope of Qianghuo Tang and Baidu San, abandoning the acrid-cool methods of classic formulas, Mr. Beishan may have been too inclined to follow trends." Again, let me quote Li Hefang's new critique: "This book fails to clarify Wind-Warmth, Damp-Warmth, Spring-Warmth, and Winter-Warmth, instead generally calling them 'seasonal occurrences,' which is vague. Listing Da Qing Long Tang and Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, following ancient formulas for treating Warm diseases, is even more negligent. Warm-Heat diseases involve heat originating from within; how can one use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) from Da Qing Long Tang to induce violent sweating? As for Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it consists entirely of acrid-dry and potent herbs. Adding Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shu Dihuang) here draws pathogens into the Yin level. It is truly a mixed and imprecise formula."

Considering these three critiques, although Mr. Beishan's book has been edited by Mr. Lu, the fact that it ultimately fails to satisfy completely is acknowledged by Mr. Jiuzhi himself. The issue of mixing pure and impure formulas has been pointed out by Messrs. Bing and Li. Therefore, I, presumptuously and humbly, have carefully re-edited it. I supplemented missing parts, deleted errors, and selected excellent formulas from famous physicians of past and present dynasties that I have personally verified to be effective, adding them to the text. My goal is to ensure that future readers know this book is specifically designed for Latent Warm-Heat (Fu Qi Wenre), not for newly contracted Warmth and Summer-Heat (Xin Gan Wen Shu). With precise syndrome differentiation and appropriate medication usage, it will resonate with the meticulous effort of Dai's composition and Lu's editorial diligence, lasting forever, thereby satisfying my heart. Alas! Without a predecessor, beauty does not shine; without a successor, prosperity does not spread. I hope learned gentlemen of the world will understand my bitter intentions.

On the 15th day of the 10th month of the 4609th year of the Yellow Emperor's Era, He Bingyuan Lianchen recorded at Xuanhua Fang in Yuezhong.