Library

(From the Zhao Kaimi edition.)

The Sages established the Way of Medicine to rescue those who suffered premature death, enabling people throughout the world and for ten thousand generations to fulfill their natural lifespan. To bestow benefits widely and assist the multitude, there is no benevolence greater than this. Later, those who inherited the Sage's will and opened up learning reached the pinnacle of subtlety and excellence. Among those who left their names in history after him, besides He Huan, Bian Que, and Cang Gong, few are seen indeed. Truly, this Way is difficult to comprehend. Zhang Zhongjing, Grand Administrator of Changsha during the Han Dynasty, with exceptional talent, directly penetrated the profound mysteries [of medicine]. Thus, he collected various books and compiled the *Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases* (Shanghan Zubi Bing Lun) into sixteen volumes, to benefit future scholars. Following and using it, the distressed are revived, the disabled rise again; none fail to respond with efficacy like a divine miracle. His merit lies within the world, just as indispensable as water, fire, grain, and millet. This book can exist but must not be absent. Alas, later transmitters only obtained ten volumes, while six volumes were lost. Wang Zhu, Hanlin Academician of the Song Dynasty, accidentally found three volumes of miscellaneous disease prescriptions among worm-eaten bamboo slips, naming it *Jingui Fanglun* (Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), which is this very book. Like the sword of Fengcheng that was not ultimately buried, how fortunate! Lin Yi and others, by imperial decree, corrected and collated it, and published it for the world. The currently transmitted version has lost another three volumes. Is it not because there is no Bian He in the world, causing the supreme treasure to be mistaken for a stone from Mount Jing? I loved medical books since childhood, extensively exploring their hidden principles, and finally obtained them from the Qiu family in Xuzhou. Thus, I could see the first ten volumes, which corroborate each other internally and externally, so that learners are often saved from being hindered. Alas! Zhang Hua (courtesy name Maoxian) once said: "Divine objects will eventually reunite." How do we know this book is not waiting for its time to manifest in the present? Therefore, I dare not keep it secret, but merely have it carved on woodblocks to share with scholars everywhere. Through this, Zhang's learning is not lost, and the Way of Xuanyuan and Qibo becomes manifest. All living beings may attain the realm of longevity; how can this be called a mere small supplement? Later, in the Gengchen year of the Yuan Dynasty, Deng Zhen of Yupei, Qiaochuan, respectfully wrote the preface.

Ming Dynasty, Ying Tian Prefecture, Xu Rong respectfully notes: In Volume 222 of *Wenxian Tongkao*, under the entry for *Jingui Yuhuan Jing* (Classic of the Jade Cabinet) eight volumes, Mr. Chao says: Written by Zhang Zhongjing of the Han Dynasty, collected and arranged by Wang Shuhe of the Jin Dynasty. It contains questions and answers, discussing the forms, syndromes, and pulse principles of miscellaneous diseases, supplemented with treatment prescriptions. During the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song, Wang Zhu obtained it in the library, and its use was very effective, totaling 262 prescriptions. (Note: According to Chen Zhen Sun's *Shulu Jieti* cited in Zhao Xibian's appendix to Chai Gongwu's *Junzhai Dushu Zhi*, it states three volumes.) Based on this and the preceding preface by Lin Yi stating it was still named *Jingui Fanglun*, what Wang Zhu obtained in the library was named *Jingui Yuhuan Yaolue Fang* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Jade Cabinet). This renaming occurred during the Five Dynasties period. Hence, *Wenxian Tongkao* only refers to it as *Jingui Yuhuan Jing*. This indicates that *Jingui Yuhuan Jing* had already disappeared by the Yuan Dynasty. The eight-volume *Jingui Yuhuan Jing* is the ancestral title of Zhang Zhongjing from the Eastern Han. The three-volume *Jingui Fanglun* and ten-volume *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) seem to be titles popularly transmitted after being selected and compiled by Wang Shuhe of the Western Jin. (Note: During the transition between Yuan and Ming, the eight-volume *Yuhuan Jing* was obscure and untransmitted; Xu Rong had not seen it, hence this statement, which should not be followed.) As for *Jingui Yuhuan Yaolue Fang*, it was the title used continuously through the Five Dynasties and Song. Now, simply named *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), dropping the characters "Yuhuan," the further removed it gets, the more its authenticity is lost. Furthermore, according to Huangfu Mi's *Jia Yi Jing* of the Jin Dynasty: "Zhang Zhongjing expanded upon Yi Yin's *Tangye* (Decoctions), and its use proved highly effective. Wang Shuhe's compilation of Zhang Zhongjing's selected treatises is very precise, indicating applications clearly; these are now commonly divided into *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue*." Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Gold Formulas) states: "Teachers in Jiangnan kept Zhang Zhongjing's methods for treating cold damage secret and did not transmit them." This implies Wang Shuhe's compilation was also not thoroughly studied by Sun Simiao. Only Wen Yanbo's *Yao Zhun* (Standard of Medicines) states: "Zhang Zhongjing is the ancestor of all prescriptions." Zhu Gong's *Huo Ren Shu* (Book That Revives People) states: "Ancients had methods for treating cold damage and prescriptions for treating miscellaneous diseases." Ge Hong wrote *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions Kept in the Sleeve for Emergencies), Sun Simiao wrote *Qianjin Fang*, Tao Hongjing wrote *Jiyan Fang* (Collected Effective Prescriptions), and Huangfu Mi wrote *Jia Yi Jing*. Among those discussing cold damage treatments, there is only one person, the Grand Administrator of Changsha. Hua Tuo referred to Zhang Changsha's *Shanghan Lun* as the *Huo Ren Shu*. In ancient times, it was also named *Jingui Yuhuan*, showing how highly regarded it was by the world. However, its language is elegant and profound; without mastering meridians and collaterals, one cannot understand it. Figures like Sun Simiao failed to fully grasp Zhang Zhongjing's intent. It was only in the Song Dynasty that *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue* were separated into two books. Cheng Wuji's *Ming Li Lun* (Theory Clarified) states: "Since ancient times, various prescriptions have become difficult to evaluate due to the passage of years. Only Zhang Zhongjing's prescriptions are the ancestors of all prescriptions. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing followed Yi Yin's method, Yi Yin followed Shennong's classic. Among medical texts, it serves as a pivotal key. Referencing ancient laws with modern practices, deviating not by a hair's breadth, it is the work of a Great Sage." Liu Wansu's *Yuan Bing Shi* (Original Treatise on Disease Causes) states: "Over two thousand five hundred years after the Yellow Emperor, there appeared Zhang Zhongjing's sixteen volumes of prescriptions and treatises, providing subsequent learners with a basis. The text is profound and subtle, making it still difficult for contemporary learners. Therefore, what people nowadays are familiar with are merely modern prescriptions. They investigate the branches but do not seek the root. Only Zhu Gong in recent times grasped its essence, basing his *Huo Ren Shu* on Zhang Zhongjing's theory while incorporating views from other books. Its statements are direct, its classifications clear, making it easy for later learners to find and apply. Hence, many use it today." According to Liu Wansu's mention of sixteen volumes, at that time, Zhang Zhongjing's works had not yet been divided into cold damage and miscellaneous diseases. Or perhaps the eight-volume *Jingui Yuhuan Jing* was divided into sixteen volumes by publishers, which is also possible. (Note: Liu Wansu was referring to Zhang Zhongjing's own preface. There certainly were no sixteen volumes in the Jin Dynasty.) Therefore, Li Dongyuan's *Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun* (Treatise on Differentiating Internal and External Injury) states: "Mr. Yi (Zhang Yuansu) said: Zhang Zhongjing's medicines are the law for all generations, hailed as the ancestor of all prescriptions, treating miscellaneous diseases as if by magic. Physicians of later generations who follow the *Neijing* and learn Zhang Zhongjing's mind can serve as teachers." Wang Haizang's *Ci Nan Zhi* (Difficult Matters Explained) states: "I have read medical books for decades. What I admire most is Zhang Zhongjing's work. However, it is not easy to penetrate its meaning. Seeking a teacher to guide me, I found none in the country. Thus, in *Yi Lei Yuan Rong*, I stated: To mediate the eternal laws of Tangye, one must take Zhang Zhongjing as the ancestor. Also: *Jingui Yuhuan Yaolue* and *Shanghan Lun* were both composed by Zhang Zhongjing, following Shennong, emulating Yi Yin, and embodying the wisdom of Ji Zi." Since the Tang and Song dynasties, figures such as Sun Simiao, Ge Hong, Zhu Gong, and Wang Haogu, along with numerous other famous physicians, did not go beyond Zhang Zhongjing's works. Additionally, *Tangye Bencao* adds Wang Shuhe, Fan Wang, Hu Qia, Qian Zhongyang, Cheng Wuji, and Chen Wuzhe to Sun, Ge, Zhu, and Wang. Their discussions on formulas, modifications, and changes are myriad, yet nothing departs even slightly from Zhang Zhongjing. Jiegu Zhang Yuansu, his son Zhang Bi, and Dongyuan Li Mingzhi all revered Zhang Zhongjing's Tangye. Regrettably, few in the world understand this. He also stated: "Zhang Zhongjing expanded Tangye into great laws. Since the Jin and Song dynasties, those hailed as famous physicians all emerged from this." Furthermore, according to Zhu Danxi's *Ju Fang Fa Hui*: A question arises: "Zhang Zhongjing treats cold damage with 113 prescriptions and miscellaneous diseases in *Jingui Yaolue* with 28 categories. Why?" The answer is: "Zhang Zhongjing's prescriptions are truly the rules and standards of the medical gate for all generations. Those wishing to form squares, circles, levels, and straight lines must take precedent here." Another question: "Are the prescriptions in *Yaolue* sufficient?" Answer: "The qi transformation of heaven and earth is infinite; diseases of the human body are also infinitely variable. Zhang Zhongjing's book records the Dao. Excellent physicians, by analogy and inference, can achieve infinite application. Even with slight modifications, they rarely exceed the boundaries." Another point: "Flexible methods are detailed in the *Neijing*; those consistent with the classic's intent are found in Zhang Zhongjing's book. Zhang Zhongjing formulated prescriptions based on disease, whereas the Bureau Formulary prepared medicines awaiting disease." Based on these several accounts, it was at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of our dynasty that physicians began dividing cold damage and miscellaneous diseases into two schools. This is solely because Cheng Wuji, at age 78, completed *Ming Li Lun*, and at age 80, finished annotating *Shanghan Lun*, leaving no time to annotate *Jingui Lun*. Consequently, common physicians split them into two categories, leading to the current consensus mocking Zhang Zhongjing for treating cold damage but not miscellaneous syndromes. How unjust! I have long lamented that *Jingui Fanglun* and *Shanghan Lun* stood isolated and separate, and that annotations to *Shanghan Lun* and *Ming Li Lun* were scattered and lost for nearly five hundred years. Therefore, I sought Master Wu of Xin'an to collate and print this edition, aiming to reunite what was separated, hoping practitioners would not lose one part while gaining another, nor specialize narrowly into crudeness. I also hoped for the reunion of the Hua Sword and the re-rounding of the Chang Mirror. This is a match made in heaven. On an auspicious day in the first month of the Wuxu year of the Wanli era, a hermit hiding in the marketplace carefully recorded this.