My fellow townsman from Guoxian County, Shanxi. As an imperial examination graduate (Jinshi), he served as a county magistrate in central Shaanxi with outstanding governance. In the summer of 1856 (Bingchen year in the Chinese calendar), he organized rain-prayer rituals during a severe drought, working tirelessly day and night. The mountainous terrain of Shangzhou made these rituals physically grueling.
By late autumn, Zhao fell ill. Due to Shangzhou’s remoteness and lack of proper medical care, he sent an aide to the provincial capital to summon me. As a government official awaiting assignment, I couldn’t leave without permission. My fellow townsman Wu Zhitian, a provincial official, petitioned Governor Wu Zhongrong on my behalf. Only then did I pack my medical supplies and cross the Qinling Mountains to treat him.
Upon arrival, Zhao sat upright discussing affairs despite his condition. When asked about his symptoms, he replied: “I haven’t slept for 20 consecutive nights.” His complaints included chest tightness, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. After tea, I performed pulse diagnosis ( Maizhen):
- All six pulse positions showed ”deep and rapid pulses” ( Chen Shuo Mai)
- The right guan pulse (corresponding to spleen/stomach) was alarmingly weak, fluctuating irregularly
- Occasional skipped heartbeats
Recognizing the critical prognosis but avoiding direct mention, I explained: “This is caused by excessive heart fire disrupting heart-kidney balance. We must urgently nourish yin and suppress fire to restore sleep.” He demanded a prescription. I prescribed Rehmannia Decoction (地黄汤 Dihuang Tang) with added raw rehmannia root (生地黃 Sheng Dihuang) and platycodon root (桔梗 Jugeng). Within 30 minutes of taking the decoction, he fell into deep sleep until dawn.
Zhao exclaimed: “This is miraculous! I’d taken Heavenly King Heart-Nourishing Pill (天王補心丹 Tianwang Buxin Dan) repeatedly without effect. Now I sleep soundly!” A follow-up pulse check showed slight improvement in main pulses, but the right guan pulse remained abnormal. I prescribed Seven-Ingredient Qi-Guiding Decoction (七味都气汤 Qiwei Duqi Tang) and added Six Gentlemen Decoction with Aucklandia and Amomum (香砂六君汤 Xiangsha Liujun Tang) for digestive support. Though eager to return to the provincial capital, I stayed three extra days at Zhao’s insistence.
At departure, Zhao showed improved appetite and mobility. He requested written medical advice. I wrote:
“Metal (lung) and water (kidney) fail to nourish, spleen/stomach exhaustion—abstain from excess, conserve essence, eat plainly. When yang energy renews, illness shall perish.”
Zhao treated this as a sacred instruction.
During my return journey, I whimsically drafted a funeral couplet:
“Crossing Qinling to see you, ashamed of my limited skill.
Governing Shangshan while reminiscing sages, may you ascend as an immortal.”
Back in the provincial capital, Wu Zhitian inquired about Zhao’s prognosis. I declared: “He will not survive—his pulses show death signs.” Colleagues laughed when I showed the prewritten couplet, but Wu secretly prepared funeral arrangements. True to prediction, Zhao died in office on November 24. When his brother came to settle affairs, I shared the couplet and diagnosis. His brother marveled: “You’re prophetic!” before escorting the coffin home.
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