稿甫成，客有过而诮曰∶“子何人斯，积何学问，敢抗颜着书以问世，真所谓不知惭者矣！”丰笑而谢
曰∶“吾乃一介布衣，未尝学问，成书数卷，聊以课徒，若云问世，则吾岂敢。”客曰∶“既云课徒，自仲
景以前有羲、农、轩、伯，以后有刘、李、朱、张及诸大家之书，不下数千百种，就中堪为后学法程者，何
可胜道，子必 焉着《时病论》以授受，尽子之道，亦不过一时医也，何许子之不惮烦耶？丰曰∶“由
子之言，固非大谬，而以时医为轻，则又不然，丰请陈其说焉，子姑听之。夫春时病温，夏时病热，秋时病
凉，冬时病寒，何者为正气，何者为不正气，既胜气复气，正化对化，从本从标，必按四时五运六气而分
治之，名为时医。是为时医必识时令，因时令而治时病，治时病而用时方，且防其何时而变，决其何时而解，
随时斟酌，此丰时病一书所由作也。若夫以时运称时医，则是时至而药石收功，时去而方术罔验，病者之命，
寄乎医者之运，将不得乎时者，即不得为医，而欲求医者，必先观行运，有是理乎？然则丰
于斯道，业有二十余年，诚恐不克副时医之名也，子亦何病乎时医？”言未毕，客蹙然改容，恍然大悟，作
而言曰∶“鄙人固陋，幸聆子言，昭然若发蒙矣。”客既退，因述问答之辞弁诸简
端，并质之世之识时者，未知河汉丰言否也？
少逸山人识于养鹤山房
书稿刚刚完成，有位客人来访，讥讽我说：“你是什么人，积累了什么学问，竟敢厚着脸皮著书立说来问世，这真是不知羞耻啊！”我笑着道歉说：“我只是个平民百姓，未曾做过学问，写成这几卷书，姑且用来教导学生，如果说要问世流传，那我怎么敢呢。”客人说：“既然说是用来教导学生，那么在张仲景之前有伏羲、神农、黄帝、岐伯，之后有刘完素、李东垣、朱丹溪、张从正以及各位大家的著作，不下几千几百种，其中可以作为后人学习典范的，哪里说得完？你必定是想要著《时病论》来传授给后学，即使穷尽你的道术，也不过是个‘时医’（顺应时令诊治疾病的医生）罢了，为什么你不嫌麻烦呢？”我说：“按照您的话来说，确实没有大错，但认为‘时医’低人一等，那就不对了。请允许我陈述我的观点，请您暂且听我说。春天发生的温病，夏天发生的热病，秋天发生的凉病，冬天发生的寒病，什么是正气，什么是不正气，既是胜气又是复气，既有正化又有对化，既要从本治也要从标治，必须按照四季和五运六气的规律来分别治疗，这才被称为时医。既然是时医，就必须认识时令，根据时令来治疗时令疾病，治疗时令疾病就要使用针对时令的方剂，并且要预防病情在何时发生变化，判断病情在何时解除，随时斟酌处理，这就是我撰写《时病论》的原因。如果因为顺应时令就轻视时医，那么就是时令到了药石才见效，时令过了方术就没用验，病人的性命寄托在医生的运气上，难道不懂时令的人就不能做医生吗？想要求医的人，必须先观察行运，有这样的道理吗？然而我在这一领域已经钻研了二十多年，实在担心不能胜任‘时医’这个名号，您又何必嫌弃‘时医’呢？”话还没说完，客人皱起眉头改变了脸色，恍然大悟，站起来说道：“鄙人见识浅陋，有幸聆听您的高见，如同揭开蒙蔽一样豁然开朗了。”客人退下后，我便记录下这段问答的话放在书的前面，并向世上通晓时务的人请教，不知道我的话是否会被视为荒诞不经呢？
少逸山人记于养鹤山房
The manuscript was just completed when a guest visited and reproached me, saying, "Who are you, and what learning have you accumulated, to dare to shamelessly write a book for publication? This is truly what is called being unaware of shame!" I smiled and apologized, saying, "I am merely a commoner who has never studied deeply. Having written these few volumes, I use them merely to teach students. As for publishing them for the world, how would I dare?" The guest said, "Since you say they are for teaching students, then before Zhang Zhongjing there were Xi (Fuxi), Nong (Shennong), Xuan (Yellow Emperor), and Bo (Bo Gao); after him, there were Liu (Liu Wansu), Li (Li Dongyuan), Zhu (Zhu Danxi), Zhang (Zhang Congzheng), and other great masters. Their works number in the thousands and hundreds. Among them, those suitable as models for later learners are countless. Why must you definitely write *Shi Bing Lun* (Treatise on Seasonal Diseases) to transmit knowledge? Even if you exhaust your Dao, you would only be a 'Shi Yi' (Seasonal Physician, i.e., a physician treating diseases according to seasons). Why are you so unwilling to avoid trouble?" I said, "Your words are not entirely wrong, but to look down upon 'Shi Yi' is incorrect. Please allow me to explain my view; please listen."
"Diseases occurring in spring are warm diseases; in summer, heat diseases; in autumn, cool diseases; in winter, cold diseases. What constitutes Zheng Qi (Upright Qi/Normal Pathogenic Factors) and what constitutes Bu Zheng Qi (Abnormal Pathogenic Factors)? Both Sheng Qi (Victorious Qi) and Fu Qi (Rebounding Qi) exist; both Zheng Hua (Orthodox Transformation) and Dui Hua (Opposite Transformation) occur. Treatment must follow either the Ben (Root) or the Biao (Branch), and must be differentiated and treated according to the Four Seasons, Five Movements, and Six Qi. This is called Shi Yi. Therefore, a Shi Yi must understand the seasonal timing, treat seasonal diseases based on this timing, use seasonal prescriptions for these diseases, prevent changes at specific times, and determine resolution at specific times, adjusting carefully as circumstances change. This is the reason for my writing this book on seasonal diseases. If one considers Shi Yi inferior because they follow seasonal movements, it implies that medicine works only when the season arrives and fails when the season passes, placing the patient's life in the hands of the doctor's luck. Does this mean that one who does not understand time cannot be a doctor? And does seeking a doctor require first observing the movement of fortune/time? Is there such logic? However, I have practiced this art for over twenty years. I sincerely fear I may not live up to the name of 'Shi Yi.' Why do you disdain the term 'Shi Yi'?"
Before I finished speaking, the guest frowned, changed his expression, and suddenly realized the truth. He stood up and said, "My views were narrow and ignorant. Hearing your words has enlightened me as if removing a blindfold." After the guest left, I recorded this dialogue and placed it at the beginning of the text, submitting it to those in the world who understand the times, wondering whether my words will be considered as absurd as the Milky Way (i.e., nonsense).
Recorded by Shaoyi Shanren at Yanghe Study House.