典藏书目

When I first met Mr. Huaiyuan (Baoqi), he was studying for the imperial examinations. Afterwards, warfare plagued the world, and half of the population suffered from wounds and injuries. I felt ashamed that, having entered officialdom, I failed to alleviate the people's suffering from disease or relieve their poverty and distress. Later, upon retiring to my hometown, I learned that Mr. Huaiyuan had hidden himself in medicine to preserve his life, saving countless people. Alas! One may either serve as a Grand Councilor or become a physician. A gentleman who benefits all things and aids the people should aspire to this.

However, according to the *Rites of Zhou* (*Zhou Li*), physicians were subject to annual assessments and monthly inspections, with grades of upper, middle, and lower determined by the efficacy and frequency of their treatments. This differs from later generations who, considering themselves reincarnations of Changsang Jun (a legendary healer), lack any standard measure. Throughout history, there have been many arts and skills, but only medicine concerns matters of life and death, where benefits and harms are critical. Some say, "I am skilled in military strategy." Yet, even without being Sun Wu or Wu Qi, victories are few and defeats numerous. Others say, "I am skilled in pharmacology." Yet, even without being Lu Qian or Bian Que, three out of ten patients survive while seven die. The Yellow Emperor's battle at Zhuolu initiated the origins of military strategy, yet the *Suwen* (*Basic Questions*) is truly the eternal scripture for sustaining life across millennia. The Way of Heaven favors life and abhors killing; sages used medicine to compensate for the limitations of military force. Fools, however, experiment recklessly, turning medicinal tools into instruments of ill omen. The cost and risk of learning medicine should indeed be chilling.

It is said, "Study formulas for three years, and you find no diseases to treat; practice medicine for three years, and you find no formulas to use." This implies that excellent physicians possess unique insights, not merely adhering to stale theories on paper. Mr. Huaiyuan states: The great masters of Changsha (referring to Zhang Zhongjing) and Yishui (referring to Zhang Yuansu and his school) wrote books and established doctrines, expounding upon previously unarticulated principles to instruct future generations. These are like the compassionate words of a Great Physician King. Formulas should not be rigidly adhered to, nor methods discarded. The distinction between what to follow and what to deviate lies in the finest details; one must directly trace the underlying principles and explain their rationale, thereby avoiding Sima Qian's criticism of "much technique but little theory." Furthermore, among complex conditions, none are more difficult to manage than Cold Damage (*Shanghan*). Thus, it is often considered arduous. Mr. Huaiyuan, however, simplifies these complexities, making them concise and accessible. Regarding miscellaneous diseases and gynecology, he comprehensively lists methods he has previously verified, presenting them earnestly and in detail in his work *Yi Che* (*Thorough Understanding of Medicine*). I believe that in the way of preserving life, he can truly declare himself blameless before the world. It is akin to a local governor who possesses a reliable manual for governance, deserving the title of "Mother of the People" without shame.

Inscribed by Wang Chang of Qingpu, Shu'an, in the third month of the Wuchen year of the Jiaqing reign.