Library

Mr. Zhang Xiaxi, whose given name was Lian and courtesy name Tongyuan, was a distinguished Gongsheng (a scholar who passed the provincial examination) from our county. He possessed superior natural intelligence and a nature deeply devoted to the Classics and History, extending also to various arts and skills. However, he experienced repeated frustration in the official career arena.

Regarding measles, no work is more orthodox than the *Yizong Jinjian* (Imperial Collection of Medical Formulas). Although Mr. Zhao had already compiled and supplemented it, and Mr. Xie had written the book on "Seventy-Two Syndromes," an annotation for the *Jinjian* seemed unnecessary. Nevertheless, due to the characteristics of being concise, cumbersome, and variable in the original text, it was necessary to elucidate and integrate them, and first to demonstrate methods for reading books. The Master had profound intentions here.

I, a humble junior from this village, styled myself as a physician. Whenever diseases came to my door, regardless of whether the syndrome was mild or critical, I was unwilling to decline by saying "I do not know." However, regarding the medical theories of Qihuang (the Yellow Emperor and Shennong), sometimes I had not seen all of them; even if I had seen them, I could not expand upon the concise contents, could not carefully select from the cumbersome contents, and could not organize the variable contents. Thus, I still relied on erroneous hearsay accumulated over my life, treating patients recklessly and crudely, causing people's lives to be treated like grass and mustard seeds. The creation of this *Annotation* is intended to teach people how to read medical books, not merely speaking for those specializing in measles. Moreover, the precision and detail of the measles specialty are ultimately beyond the reach of other books.

This book had never been printed on hard woodblocks. Mr. Li Fei had previously proofread it with the intention of printing it, but it did not come to fruition. In previous years, during spring and summer, many cases of measles were critical. His nephew Hui Po, while in Yue, conveyed words from his clan cousin Jiyuan regarding Mr. Xia. Thus, the manuscript was sent from home via postal service. It was jointly reviewed by his father, Uncle Ziting, and his younger brother Chonggao, and then published (printed on pear and jujube woodblocks). They requested me to write a few words to record the beginning and end of this matter.

In the first month of the year Wushen (1848), Xu Jiankui, a junior learner, wrote this at his lodging in the examination hall of Licity.

Master Zhang was a senior figure in Zhuji. He was well-versed in the Classics and History, skilled in the eight-legged essay and classical prose. Those who received his oral instruction and calligraphy guidance at that time all became famous. Every year, some would achieve high ranks in the imperial examinations and depart. His collected writings piled up to a height of three or four chi, all discussing the clarification of Neo-Confucianism, the distinction between right and wrong, the discussion of order and chaos, and matters concerning physical and mental life as well as the state and nation. He also extended to minor arts and skills, thoroughly understanding their purports. Dai Dongshan, a Taishi (Grand Secretary) from Puyang, inscribed his *Ganxiao Village Chronicle*, saying: "If Master Zhang did not have a solid accumulation of learning and careful, resolute effort, who could accomplish this?" Zhao Yaoxu inscribed his *Commentary on Zhang's Book of the Late Han Dynasty*, saying: "Master Zhang was only familiar with the works of Suchang, Hao Jing, and Xie Shaolian, therefore he knew that Zhang's book was uniquely excellent. However, without the three virtues of talent, insight, and learning, even if familiar with these three men's books, one could not know why they are good, nor could one explain why they are good. When Zhu Xi obtained Zhang's book, its principles became more manifest; when Zhang's book obtained Master Zhang's commentary, its meaning began to appear." Si Gong inscribed his *Explanation of the Spring and Autumn Annals*, saying: "The discussions on comprehensive penetration and open-mindedness flow down from heaven like a spring containing ten thousand hu of water, splashing droplets onto clothes, making people dare not look directly. After the event at Juehe in the tenth year of Duke Wen, there is a tendency to favor Chu and oppose Jin; this is where the Master possesses unique vision." Jiang Jinchuan, a Xiaolian (filial and incorrupt candidate), inscribed his literary collection, saying: "Master Zhang's learning follows the Xinjian school (Wang Yangming's philosophy), and his literature emulates Old Su (Su Shi); both allow him to enter the inner chambers of mastery. Therefore, what he says can mostly be used by the world." These several individuals deeply understood Master Zhang. People say that Master Zhang was unfortunate in his poverty, which led him to write books; they do not know that without such misfortune, writing books would not be sufficient. Master Zhang's misfortune is the fortune of later generations.

In recent years, measles erupted severely in our Zhuji. Various physicians held back their hands [were helpless], refusing to treat. When asked about this, Master Zhang cured them upon contact. People regarded him as divine and requested his secret prescriptions. Master Zhang said: "Prescriptions have no secrets, yet prescriptions have secrets. The limit of prescriptions lies in presenting the *Annotated Imperial Collection of Medical Formulas on Measles* to them, instructing them: 'Read the book, grasp its intent, forget its words, and perhaps there will be hope.' People treasured it like an arch-shaped jade bi, fearing that over time it would decay and not be transmitted. Even if transmitted, copying was not widespread, limiting the benefit. Since I am quite knowledgeable in Qihuang medicine and am an old friend of Master Zhang, he instructed me to recount the origins and details, to be printed and made public to the world. Upon reading it, I put down the scroll and sighed: 'This is merely the surplus of Master Zhang's work; how could it be precious? Nevertheless, since the surplus is effective, it further confirms that his other works are indeed useful to the world.' Who is Master Zhang? It is Shuixia, Lian, Tongyuan, Xiaxi."

Written in the tenth month of the second year of Daoguang (1822) by fellow student Shouchun Huaiyu.