Library

Shishan Jushi (Layman of Stone Mountain) collated and collected various medical texts at the Puxu Jing She (Puxu Refined Study). Nanjianzi visited him and presented a copy of *Zhenjiu Wendu* (Questions and Answers on Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Nanjianzi received it, read it, rose, and said: "Alas! Regarding this collection, I am once again deeply moved. It is ready for printing."

The Dao is Ren (Benevolence/Humaneness). Medicine is a benevolent art. Among medical arts, none is more miraculous and swift than acupuncture. Generally speaking, humans are born from the Qi (Vital Energy) of Heaven and Earth, which is originally flowing and abundant. When there is obstruction or stagnation leading to emaciation or chronic illness, disease arises. Therefore, the theories of needling by Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor), Qibo, Cangong (Chunyu Yi), and Bianque flourished. When they achieved mental comprehension and spiritual encounter, their movements aligned with the critical points (Kenqing - tendons and muscles junctions), moving with ease and leaving gaps, seeing no whole ox (indicating mastery where one perceives internal structures clearly). This was merely their ability to smoothly connect with the single Qi of Heaven and Earth, not something bestowed from outside. Thus, their writings were profound yet refined, subtle yet principled, and their intent deep and mysterious. Later generations of learners lacked fundamental essentials, found them too obscure, and neglected them without study. They merely boasted about minor techniques such as manipulation and point selection. As for contemporary acupuncturists, when asked about the underlying principles, they stare blankly without an answer. No wonder their treatments often fail.

This collection compiles questions and answers, distilling the profound into essence, making the subtle manifest, and using the mysterious to penetrate the deep. It enables those who were proficient in antiquity to be proficient today, preserving natural harmony and widely disseminating benevolent medicine, providing infinite resources. By extending and connecting insights, treating oneself with Ren (Benevolence) means nurturing one's heart with Ren. By frequently obscuring selfish desires and applying acupuncture, recognizing this as part of one's innate nature allows the Qi to flow freely and continuously, with every breath embodying Ren. The effort to seek Ren in the Confucian tradition does not require changing paths. Thus, this collection advances from technique to approach the Dao. Those who are fragmented and superficially seek Ren are truly insensitive; how can they discuss this? Alas! Regarding this collection, I am once again deeply moved. It is ready for printing.

The Layman's surname is Wang, given name Ji, courtesy name Shengzhi, pseudonym Shishan. He formerly practiced Confucianism, regarding medicine as a secondary pursuit. Other medical texts have already been printed.

Written by Cheng Bin (Nanjianzi), courtesy name Li, in the ninth month (Osmanthus Month) of the Renchen year of the Jiajing era.

A guest visited me, and during our conversation, we discussed acupuncture and moxibustion. He highly praised Ling Hanzhang from Gusu and Li Qianhu from Liuhe, stating that both were famous in the two capitals and renowned across several commanderies. Aside from them, he knew nothing else. I said: "There is a merchant from Xiuning who traded there; he also studied under them and learned their skills, so I heard the details." Regarding Ling, he said: "He was familiar with point methods. For any point selected, he did not need to palpate or press; even needling through clothing, he would hit the point accurately." Regarding Li, he said: "His focus was precise and dedicated. For any point used, he had to measure carefully, mark it with ink, and only then dare to insert the needle." I once commented: Ling favored simplicity and brevity, while Li favored caution and detail. In terms of point selection, the simple method ultimately cannot match the accuracy of the cautious method. However, the classics (*Suwen*, *Lingshu*) state that acupuncture and moxibustion must involve pulse diagnosis to determine if the pathogen is in the meridians or collaterals, and one must wait for the Qi arrival to observe if the pathogen has arrived or not. I wondered if the techniques of these two masters were also based on the *Suwen* and *Lingshu*. The guest replied: "These are not within my knowledge." Consequently, I was moved, took out the *Lingshu*, *Suwen*, *Nanjing*, and various other acupuncture books, searched extensively, and recorded daily notes on acupuncture discussions until a box was full. Reluctant to discard them, I reorganized the content, set up questions and answers to clarify them, bound them into a booklet, named it *Zhenjiu Wendu* (Questions and Answers on Acupuncture and Moxibustion), for my own review in old age. Perhaps it will offer some slight benefit to acupuncture. May future experts correct it; this would be fortunate.

Preface written by Wang Ji (Shengzhi) of Puxu, Qimen, on the Winter Solstice day of the Gengyin year of the Jiajing era.