典藏书目

Mr. Ma Yuncong was from the Ziqing region of Shandong. His ancestors had intermarried with the imperial clan of the Ming Dynasty (Shengguo), and his family had a long history of prominence. In his childhood, Yuncong was exceptionally intelligent, surpassing other boys; when reading, he could read several lines at a glance. Among his neighbors, everyone respected and feared him, predicting he would become a remarkable person. As he grew up, he became a *Xiucai* (student of the local school) and gained fame in the academic circles; people believed his official success could be achieved easily. Even Yuncong himself was quite proud.

Soon after, due to excessive hard study, he frequently suffered from eye diseases. Quack doctors used increasingly harsh medicines, nearly causing blindness. He prayed to the gods for a gift. Upon waking, he recorded this in his heart. Subsequently, while in Jiangnan, he coincidentally met Mr. Wang Fwan. By chance, Mr. Wang handed him a book titled *Ophthalmological Secrets* by Sun Simiao (Sun Zhenren). It felt as if he had received it in a dream. Following the methods in the book, his treatments were invariably effective. Over time, his vision recovered, thus saving his eyesight.

However, Yuncong faced social turmoil and his family's decline, preventing him from entering high officialdom. He often felt depressed but eventually consoled himself, saying, "A great man in the world, if not a good chancellor, must be a good physician. Since I was taught by spirits and men, why not use this to help the world?" Thus, he treated others according to these methods, enabling many blind people to see the light again and curing countless cases of cataracts and other visual obstructions.

Fearing that his skills might die with him as he aged, he selected Sun Zhenren's book, sorted through it, and conducted repeated investigations and detailed explanations, intending to publish it via woodblock printing, though he lacked the resources. He encountered Mr. Sui Kun Tie from Feng. Yuncong explained his situation, and Mr. Sui generously donated funds to pay for the carving and printing to benefit the world.

Alas! For Sun Zhenren's ophthalmological book, Yuncong revealed its secrets, which was a great merit; and Mr. Kun Tie further spread its transmission, a merit no less than Yuncong's. During my travels in Jiaoxi, I had the opportunity to know Yuncong personally. He was honest, upright, simple, and robust; his demeanor was refined, and his speech was amiable. Having traveled widely and met many people, I find that someone like Yuncong is rare today.

Having received and read his book, I found it extracted the essence and unveiled profound mysteries, offering insights beyond what Sun Zhenren had originally expressed, thereby enlightening the ignorant. This is indeed an immortal masterpiece, comparable to statecraft. As the saying goes, "The words of a benevolent person bring immense benefits!" Although Yuncong did not achieve political success in his time, his merits have already benefited the world and future generations. It is certain that his descendants will flourish and expand upon this legacy, and Yuncong can take comfort in this.

Prefaced with bowed head by Wang Yongji (Courtesy name: Changru) from Huating, during the early days of the second month of spring in the Xin Si year of the Kangxi reign.