🌿 Folk Prescriptions

During the Republic of China era, a wealthy Shanghai merchant fell seriously ill. Numerous physicians were helpless, declaring him incurable. Only one traditional Chinese physician believed he could be saved. After a few prescriptions, the merchant recovered. Deeply grateful, he offered a thousand yuan to Zhang Taiyan to inscribe a plaque, hoping to elevate the physician’s fame. Zhang Taiyan wrote four characters: “Third Bianque.” The merchant was puzzled and consulted others, who believed “Third Bianque” implied criticism—possibly a typo for “Second Bianque.” The merchant politely asked Zhang to change it. Zhang flew into a rage: “The inscription is correct. There is no higher praise for a physician. If he is truly a renowned doctor, he will understand its meaning.” He added the signature “Zhang Binglin” (Taiyan’s real name) to affirm authenticity. Reluctantly, the merchant had the plaque made and presented it. The physician received it with joy and hung it proudly in his hall. The reason? In *Records of the Grand Historian*, Bianque’s real name was Qin Yue-ren. *Shiji Zhengyi* cites *Huangdi Bashi Nanzhong Xu* stating: “Qin Yue-ren resembled the Bianque of the Yellow Emperor’s time, hence still called Bianque”—already the “Second Bianque.” Therefore, calling someone the “Third Bianque” was perfectly accurate. Zhang Taiyan, a man of profound learning, certainly knew this. This is a delightful anecdote illustrating the stories behind plaques and famous physicians.
Plaques, or plaques, are horizontal inscriptions bearing commendatory or naming texts, typically hung in halls or gate pavilions. They represent a distinctive feature of traditional Chinese culture. Indeed, plaques and famous physicians share a deep connection. When a physician successfully treats a serious or life-threatening illness, patients often express gratitude with the most solemn gesture: presenting a golden plaque. This tradition has persisted throughout history. Phrases like “Skillful Hands Restore Spring,” “Hanging the Gourd to Save Lives,” and “Warm Apricot Grove” can truly illuminate a hall. If the plaque is penned by a renowned figure or a high-ranking official, its significance is magnified—often carrying historical weight and glorifying the physician’s reputation.
Gong Tingxian (1522–1619), from Jinxi County, Jiangxi Province, served as a clerk in the Imperial Medical Bureau. In the 21st year of Wanli’s reign, the wife of Prince Zhu Shouzeng of Lu, Lady Zhang, suffered from severe abdominal distension resembling a drum, sharp pain in the left rib area, restless sitting and lying, sleepless nights, coughing, shortness of breath, and inability to eat. All physicians failed. Gong Tingxian was summoned and treated her with over a hundred prescriptions, relieving her suffering completely. The prince was delighted, hailing him a national expert and awarding him a plaque inscribed “Top Physician in the Medical World.” This made Gong the first physician in medical history to receive the “Top Scholar” title. His tomb is located in Jinxi County, Fuzhou City, marked with the inscription: “Tomb of Gong Tingxian, Imperial Physician of the Ming Dynasty, Top Physician in the Medical World.”
In 1916, Sun Yat-sen visited Shaoxing. Accompanying him, Hu Hanmin fell ill and was cured by the local physician Qiu Jisheng after a single dose of medicine. Sun Yat-sen personally inscribed “Rescuing the People from Suffering” as a gift. Shaoxing scholar Liu Dabai also composed a couplet: “No need to turn disaster into fortune; How could one revive the dead?” With the horizontal banner “Gathering Fur into a Coat,” combining the words “Qiu Jisheng” implicitly. In 1929, the nationwide Chinese medical community rose up against Wang Jingwei’s “Abolish Traditional Medicine” proposal. Sun Yat-sen’s inscription was prominently displayed at the protest venue and in newspapers, leaving a profound impact.
Sun Yat-sen also inscribed a plaque for the Shanghai famous physician Ding Ganren. Ding Ganren was passionate about public welfare, helping the poor and needy, earning widespread acclaim. He founded two Guangyi Chinese Hospitals—one in southern and one in northern Shanghai—primarily to benefit impoverished patients. Ding charged only one jiao per visit (typically 1–2 yuan), providing free medicine. His charitable acts inspired other physicians to contribute generously, establishing institutions like Renji Charity Hall and Lianyi Benevolent Society, bringing aid to the masses and spreading enduring benefits. Moved by his sincerity, Sun Yat-sen personally inscribed the plaque “Generous Giving for the Benefit of All,” which hung centrally in Ding’s clinic, truly illuminating the hall.
Zhang Jianzai (1880–1950), the “Chief Physician of the South” during the Republic of China era, was paired with Shi Jinmo of the North in the saying “South Zhang, North Shi”—both national masters. Nationalist Government Chairman Lin Sen personally inscribed “Living Medical Master” for Zhang Jianzai—truly deserved.
After the July 7 Incident in 1937, Yunnan’s 58th and 60th Armies marched north to fight Japan. Qu Huanzhang, inventor of Yunnan Baiyao, donated 30,000 bottles of Baibao Dan (Baiyao) to the troops with patriotic fervor. Li Zongren led 400,000 soldiers in bloody battles at Taierzhuang. Yunnan Baiyao’s miraculous “stop bleeding and heal wounds” properties saved countless soldiers, contributing significantly to the victory. Chiang Kai-shek was pleased and personally inscribed the plaque “Perfect Efficacy,” sending envoys to present it to Qu Huanzhang. Overnight, Baibao Dan’s fame spread across China alongside the anti-Japanese fervor. Yunnan Provincial Governor Tang Jiyao also awarded a plaque: “Best Medicine in Southern Yunnan.”
In 1929, Wang Jingwei proposed the infamous “Abolish Traditional Medicine” bill, sparking outrage across the Chinese medical community. Famous physicians like Shi Jinmo organized the North China Medical Delegation, uniting physicians from various provinces to petition in Nanjing. Providentially, Wang Jingwei’s mother-in-law suffered from dysentery. Despite numerous Western doctors, her condition worsened. Someone suggested consulting Shi Jinmo. Reluctantly, Wang agreed. Shi Jinmo diagnosed accurately by pulse, each prediction spot-on. His mother-in-law was convinced and nodded repeatedly. When prescribing, Shi said: “Stay calm and take the medicine. One visit will suffice—no need for follow-up.” At such a critical stage, one visit curing the illness? Everyone doubted. Yet after just a few doses, she indeed recovered. She wanted to give a plaque, but Shi declined: “No need for a plaque—just see if traditional medicine can cure illness.” Wang Jingwei finally relented and inscribed “Good Intentions Prolong Life” (from Xunzi) for Shi Jinmo. “Good intentions” means goodwill; “Prolong Life” implies longevity through peace of mind—common blessings.
Presenting a plaque to a physician usually signifies praise and gratitude—but exceptions exist. Fan Zhongyan’s saying “Rather be a good physician than a great statesman” is an encouragement for physicians. “Equal to a great statesman” is often used in plaques to praise. But comparing a good physician to a “great general” carries no praise at all. Before liberation, a Shanghai physician might have mishandled a patient’s family member’s illness—or for other reasons—someone gifted him a plaque reading “Equal to a Great General.” This was clearly not praise. As Tang poet Cao Song wrote: “Do not speak of titles and honors; a general’s glory is built on ten thousand bones.” Thus, calling a physician “equal to a great general” is a scathing mockery. Physicians must always beware of becoming “great generals” in medicine.
Receiving a plaque from a patient is undoubtedly prestigious. But everything has limits. Hanging plaques everywhere like an art exhibition borders on boasting. Many famous physicians disdain this, viewing plaques lightly—showing a noble detachment. For example, one of Beijing’s Four Famous Physicians, Wang Fengchun (1884–1949), lived a life of simplicity and indifference to fame. He named his study “Bo Lu,” meaning “detachment from fame and fortune.” He once said: “A physician’s skill is judged by patients—why boast oneself?” “Physicians aim to heal and save lives. Only by adhering to Zhang Zhongjing’s teachings, diligently studying ancient texts, and broadly collecting prescriptions can one truly help others. Plaques are merely promotional tools—what do they add to scholarship?” Whenever patients offered plaques, he politely declined. If refused, he never hung them. Another physician, Xiao Longyou (1870–1960), shared the same attitude. Despite his high prestige, he never displayed the airs of a famous doctor. His front door bore only a small wooden sign, about one foot long and three inches wide, engraved with “Xiao Longyou’s Medical Residence”—merely to help patients identify his address. Many prominent cured patients gifted him plaques with elegant calligraphy and decoration, but he hung none. Accumulated ones were even removed and repurposed as furniture wood—his lofty integrity commands admiration.