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Human beings exist between heaven and earth, and the Qi of Yin and Yang that endows their life is such that illness also does not go beyond this principle. Medical practitioners examine symptoms and palpate pulses, which must be based on Yin and Yang; since Qibo (岐伯), various texts can attest to this. When Zhang Zhongjing (张仲景) of Changsha in the Han Dynasty wrote the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), his discussions were comprehensive. His methods all originated from Yi Yin's *Tangye Jing* (Decoction Classic), just as the *I Ching* (Book of Changes) relates to numbers and the *Spring and Autumn Annals* relates to laws; these are principles unchangeable for ten thousand generations. In discussing Qi, pulse, form, and sound to infer the subtleties of human Zang-Fu organs and meridians, he merely stated: "Thus is Yang, thus is Yin; thus is Cold, thus is Heat; thus is Excess, thus is Deficiency," thereby determining changes in life and death before signs appear, so that students may know by following these guidelines. If one can distinguish them in detail without error, then more than half of medical understanding is achieved! However, amidst chaos and ambiguity, within the minute differences of a hair's breadth, unless one thinks deeply to reach a divine state and merges with creation, it cannot be done. Therefore, those who spoke of medicine in ancient times were all intelligent and virtuous scholars, such as Sun Simiao (孙思邈), Tao Hongjing (陶隐居), and Ge Hong (葛洪)—what kind of people they were. By the late eras and declining trends, many doctors emerged from vulgar and mediocre ranks, wearing loose robes and tall hats, carrying small medicine pouches, and calling themselves medical artisans. Yet if one tries to read their books, they do not even know pronunciation (phonetic reading), let alone explore principles in subtle realms! This is like Zhao Kuo using troops; he could only recite his father's book and immediately suffered destruction. If one cannot even recite the book, how much worse would their failure be!

Regarding the two types of syndromes, Yin and Yang, the use of Cold and Warm flavored herbs is also twofold. Their main indications and preferences differ greatly; severely, each side dominates a bias and mutually disparages the other. Little do they know that if Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Chengqi Tang (Descending the Qi Decoction) are reversed, the danger of death will appear immediately. In later peaceful times, illnesses in people were all like this. Regarding heat syndromes rejecting Yin presentations without inquiry, is this reasonable? Moreover, since the wind and soil of the four directions differ, and human constitutions vary, can one apply a uniform standard? It seems one should only seek the most appropriate method. Alas! Since the middle antiquity, few live long lives while many die prematurely; is this truly bad luck? Probably because the bias in a doctor's mindset leads inevitably to killing; similarly, the bias in a Confucian scholar's mindset leads inevitably to misleading the world, as was the case with Wang Anshi (王安石) of the Song Dynasty. The harm caused by bias is so fierce. I have often said that one must receive the nature of Heaven and Earth's Harmony and Neutrality, acquire the learning of Sages' fairness and tolerance, and allow no trace of profit or desire into one's heart, before one can become a Confucian or a doctor. Heaven and Earth and all things share one principle; the Way of the Sages is simply "The Mean" (Zhong). The *Zhongyong* (Doctrine of the Mean) says: "Achieving Harmony and Neutrality, Heaven and Earth take their proper places, and all things are nurtured." How much more so in medicine!

Mr. Wang Jinzhi, the Master Haicang (Sea Storehouse), was of Zhao ancestry. Early on, he passed the Jinshi examination due to his mastery of classics. Later, he exclusively enjoyed discussing medicine. Initially, he followed Li Dongyuan (Li Mingzhi) of Dongyuan, inheriting all his learning. Afterwards, he meticulously studied and pondered the works of various schools since Xuanyuan and Qibo, traversing thousands of years as easily as pointing at his palm. While I was in Daliang, I heard his fame was great among the nobles, regretting only that I had not met him. This autumn, upon arriving in Jinzhou, I finally had the opportunity to visit the Master at his residence. Observing him, his Qi was harmonious yet condensed, his will single and settled; he was a man of the Way. Associating with him was very leisurely. One day, he presented a manuscript to me and said: "Cold damage is a major disease of humans; its presentation is most urgent, and the toxicity of Yin syndromes is particularly cruel. Yang syndromes are easy to identify and treat, but Yin syndromes are difficult to identify and treat. As for Yang syndromes, deep heat with cold extremities is not hard to identify. Yin presentations involve severe internal cold but external heat, which is not as easy to identify as the Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) pattern where the pulse is deep, fine, and nearly absent. However, when the pulse beats forcefully, several times stronger than Yang pulses, with internal concealment in the Taiyin meridian, manifesting as irritability and a desire to sit in a well, this is something the world has not understood. Fearing misdiagnosis, I accumulated thoughts for over ten years, examining from Qibo up to the Elder Jiegu (Jiegu Laoren), extracting their essentials, adding my own comments, organizing them into thirty-plus articles, containing symptoms, herbs, discussions, and distinctions. I named it *Yin Zheng Lue Li* (Brief Examples of Yin Syndromes). I intend to print it to transmit it, instructing future learners, and sharing it with gentlemen of the world who care for health. Would you write an introduction for me?"

Retreating, I read it carefully and praised it, saying: "How extraordinary! Such a book did not exist before." His intention to save beings and benefit life is profound! Regarding his discussion that Yang syndromes presenting with Yin pulses indicate death, stating that there is external injury with internal Yin, and if given Yang-promoting herbs, survival is possible. If involving Yin-Yang exchange distinguishing Cold and Heat, or treating according to the Three Meridians of Zhongjing, these all transcend the literal words and meanings of the ancients, yet learners do not think deeply and savor them. Alas! There are many authors writing books today; some are too high-minded and impractical, or vague and empty. However, the emergence of this book: those who understand will surely see it as the result of profound thought and wonderful application, transmitting symptoms through ancient and modern times, undeniable; those who do not understand will be茫然 (at a loss) without basis, dismissing it as remote, high-minded, and impractical talk. I believe gaining the understanding of one wise person is better than the ignorance of a thousand fools. Thus, this book can undoubtedly be transmitted and circulated in the world! Therefore, Hanlin Academician Wang Congzhi once titled it "Unheard of in the World," which is truly insightful speech!

Later, the Master passed through Shangdang and stayed at the home of my old friend Wenzhi. He treated several Yin diseases with remarkable accuracy, all of which could be inferred from the book. Wenzhi was initially startled and dared not use it. After trying it himself, he rejoiced, saying: "So many people have been misled!" In the past, Taicanggong's (Chunyu Yi) verified treatments were listed at the end of the biography by the Grand Historian; in recent times, Qian Boyang's (Qian Yi) treated cases were recorded by Yan Xiaozhong after the discussions. Now, obtaining the sequence of main treatments written by the Master, I have carefully compiled the following cases, which suffice to prove the ignorance of the foolish. Wenzhi's surname is Song, given name Tinggui, from Changping. His family has also been known for medical skill.

On the middle ten-day period of the eleventh month in the winter of the Gui-Mao year, Ma Ge Xinzhi of Wangguan respectfully inscribed.