典藏书目

The Wang family was a prominent clan in Yanguan County. Mr. Bingheng, the ancestor, initially relocated to Hangzhou. He maintained a strict household management with no casual visitors at his gate. Although proficient in numerous arts and skills, he kept a low profile and concealed his talents. His successor, Mr. Yongjia, possessed a nature of pure filial piety, renowned among relatives and neighbors. His eldest grandson, Wang Cang, was my sister's husband. In his youth, he inherited his grandfather's demeanor, being particularly courageous in doing good deeds but overly severe in detesting evil, which caused others to fear him. My late father witnessed their conduct across three generations and admired their virtue, thus marrying my fourth sister to Wang Cang. This occurred in the year Bingchen of the Jiaqing era. A year later, on the occasion of his grandfather's seventieth birthday and his father's fortieth (the age of knowing destiny), during the banquet, my sister gave birth to a son. The grandparents were overjoyed, hence naming the hall "Chongqing" (Double Happiness/Longevity). However, all three sons born to my sister subsequently died young. On March 5th of the Wuchen year, another son was born. Mr. Bingheng rejoiced, saying, "This child shares the same sexagenary cycle as his grandfather; he will surely attain his grandfather's longevity." Thus, he was given the childhood name Long. It was in this same year that he authored the medical work *Suibi* (Random Notes). Whether expressing personal insights or collecting famous sayings, these writings revealed truths previously unexplored, truly serving as an excellent legacy for posterity. Two years later, before the manuscript was finalized, Mr. Bingheng passed away. Mr. Yongjia, with white hair, observed the mourning period, his longing for his parents remaining intense. Having not completed the compilation and annotation, he fell ill and died two years after the mourning period ended. While studying the *Book of Rites*, my brother-in-law collated the遗稿 (posthumous manuscripts) and intended to have them printed. Alas, Heaven took his life early, and he died at the age of forty-nine. The workings of Heaven's retribution are unfathomable. At that time, Long was only fourteen years old. Weeping, he said to me, "My late father's instruction was that I should be useful to the world. Moreover, my great-grandfather began writing a medical book on the day of my birth. There is nothing more useful to the world than medicine. How dare I not devote myself wholeheartedly to exploring its principles? However, the theories are profound and subtle. If I were to bury my head in study for ten years, would it be right to burden my uncle with family affairs?" Hearing this, I replied, "With such ambition, your father lives on. How could I refuse?" Thus, I agreed. Recalling my nephew's exceptional talent, he stood out from a young age. Both Mr. Wang Qinquan and Mr. Wang Jizhou valued him highly. Later, encountering senior figures such as Jin Pao'an, Xie Yutian, Sun Tieya, and Xie Jintang, they all regarded him as extraordinary. Yet, due to his free-spirited and unconventional nature, his encounters were often peculiar. In the blink of an eye, ten years passed, and his ambitions remained unfulfilled. Nevertheless, he applied himself diligently in clinical practice, frequently curing severe cases, thereby gaining fame. One could say he did not fail his late father's instructions. Regrettably, I am aging prematurely and fear I may not live to see the peak of his achievements. I hereby append a few words to *Suibi* to record the virtue of the Wang family's succession and ensure its immortality through printing. This is the responsibility of those who continue the family learning. Nephew, strive hard!
Written with bowed hands by Yin Zainzhi Renhe Yu Shigui Guiting, late autumn of the Gengyin year, Daoguang Decade.