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Sun Yi-kui, styled Wen Yuan, known as Dong Su, and also by the sobriquet Sheng Sheng Zi, was a native of Xiuning County, Anhui. He lived during the Ming Dynasty from the Jiajing to the Wanli eras (1522–1619 AD) and was a renowned physician of his time.

After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the brutal rule of the Mongolian nobility ended, easing ethnic tensions and bringing relative social stability. Agriculture quickly developed, and handicrafts and commerce flourished as well. By the mid-Ming period, the commodity economy had developed significantly, and the sprouts of capitalism were widespread. This new situation inevitably propelled the advancement of medicine. The Ming Dynasty holds a glorious chapter in the history of Chinese medicine, with numerous distinguished physicians and a wealth of medical literature. Among these works, the "Chishui Xuanzhu Quanji" stands out, authored by Sun Yi-kui, who was celebrated across regions for his effective decoctions.

Sun Yi-kui was naturally gifted and exceptionally intelligent from a young age. When he studied the "Book of Changes," he grasped its profound meanings with minimal guidance, astonishing his tutor. Later, he achieved much in Confucian studies. However, after the Jiajing era, corrupt officials dominated the court, blocking the path for virtuous scholars. The corruption in the imperial court led many to abandon official careers for medicine. Sun Yi-kui also observed the physical toll that relentless study took on his elders and the hardships of official life, which inspired him to adopt the motto, "If not a good minister, then a good doctor." Once, while visiting his brother in Kuocang (southeast of present-day Lishui, Zhejiang), he encountered an immortal who imparted a mysterious medical text. Reading it, he gained profound insights and achieved remarkable results in his medical practice, thus deciding to forsake Confucianism for medicine.

When Sun Yi-kui began studying medicine, he immersed himself in medical texts, regardless of the season, with great dedication. He studied everything from the "Lingshu," "Suwen," and "Nan Jing" to the works of ancient and contemporary masters, leaving no stone unturned. He also explored medical-related sections in the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. After three years of study, he felt confined by the limited perspective of his small hometown and decided to travel far and wide to seek knowledge and broaden his horizons. He traveled extensively across Jiangnan, practicing medicine while seeking out knowledgeable individuals, learning from various schools without prejudice. He approached every skilled practitioner with humility and respect, discussing medical theories with them. Later, he studied under Mr. Huang Gutang from Yi County, Huizhou. Mr. Huang often had unconventional insights into treating diseases, and Sun Yi-kui would consult him on difficult cases, never letting go of any clinical uncertainty. Once, Sun Yi-kui's brother, while traveling, suffered from heatstroke and overexertion, leading to sudden left hypochondriac pain with red skin and blisters. Doctors diagnosed it as liver channel stagnation and prescribed common liver-purging formulas, which worsened the condition. Puzzled, Sun Yi-kui took his brother to consult Master Huang Gutang, who explained the medical rationale, avoiding bitter-cold ingredients to prevent dryness and instead using sweet-cold herbs, heavily relying on Trichosanthis Fruit, along with Licorice and Carthamus, curing the ailment in one dose. Master Huang's exceptional medical skills greatly benefited Sun Yi-kui in both medical theory and clinical practice.

After thirty years of diligent pursuit and extensive study, Sun Yi-kui gradually broadened his horizons and enriched his experience, finally reaching a state where his theories were "as clear as a mirror" and his practices "immediately effective." His medical skills had reached an extraordinary level, and his judgments on life and death were often accurate. His treatments often cured stubborn diseases, and thus his medical reputation became illustrious, with renowned scholars and high officials vying to associate with him. During his spare time from clinical practice, he successively authored the 30-volume "Chishui Xuanzhu," the 2-volume "Medical Principles and Remaining Thoughts," and the 5-volume "Sun Wen-yuan's Medical Cases," which were later collectively referred to as the "Chishui Xuanzhu Complete Collection." The name "Chishui Xuanzhu" is derived from the story of Xiangwang finding the pearl. The "Zhuangzi: Heaven and Earth" records that Huangdi traveled to the north of the Chishui River, ascended Mount Kunlun (BL60), and upon returning, discovered that his mysterious pearl was lost. He then sent Zhi, Li Zhu, and Chi Gou to search for it, but none succeeded. Huangdi then assigned Xiangwang, who found it. Xiangwang is a fictional character, also known as Wangxiang, meaning something that seems to exist but does not, or something that is not consciously sought. Because he was not consciously seeking it, he alone could find the mysterious pearl. The "Chishui Xuanzhu Complete Collection" has had a significant impact on the medical community of later generations and has left a valuable legacy for future medical practitioners.

Sun Yi-kui academically integrated the theories of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, deeply studied the "Nei Jing" and "Nan Jing," and incorporated the strengths of previous scholars. He made significant achievements in the research of Mingmen (GV4), triple energizer, and ministerial fire, especially using the theory of Taiji to elaborate medical principles. He was the first to propose the "Mingmen (GV4) motive qi between kidneys theory," opening a new chapter in the in-depth study of kidney and life theories. His statement that "the triple energizer is the mother of qi, having meridians but no form, and is ultimately one" also received praise from later physicians. Sun Yi-kui clearly distinguished between "righteous fire" and "evil fire," strictly differentiating ministerial fire from the excessive fire of the five emotions, thereby correcting and supplementing the treatment principles for various deficiency diseases. He offered sincere criticism of his master Zhu Dan-xi's theory that "yin is often insufficient while yang is excessive," demonstrating a commendable scientific attitude. Sun Yi-kui was meticulous and precise in clinical diagnosis, advocating for flexible treatment methods and often achieving remarkable results. His outstanding achievements in medical theory and clinical practice had a profound impact on later generations. A comprehensive review of his "Chishui Xuanzhu Quanji" shows that Sun Yi-kui not only gathered the essence of previous scholars but also excelled in applying their strengths in clinical practice. From his academic characteristics, it is difficult to categorize him into any specific school. He was a scholar who actively opposed sectarianism. In his "Biographies of Six Masters: Zhang, Liu, Li, Zhu, and Hua," he correctly evaluated their contributions based on their different social environments, stating: "Zhang Zhongjing is not only skilled in cold-damage diseases; Liu Wansu is not solely renowned for treating fire; Zhang Congzheng should not be criticized for his aggressive methods; Li Dongyuan is not only known for internal injuries; the theory of 'yang excess and yin deficiency' should not be used to fault Zhu Danxi; and the skills of Yingningsheng will also be immortalized alongside these masters." This shows that Sun Yi-kui excelled in adopting the strengths of various schools, opposed sectarianism, and adhered to a single doctrine. His academic views encompassed the essence of previous scholars, truly embodying the idea that "all vessels come from the same origin."

However, the era in which Sun Yi-kui lived was one where everyone, from emperors to commoners, was deeply immersed in Taoism, so Taoism had the deepest influence on him. His medical works inevitably included some absurd content, such as the "Fang Wai Huan Dan" and "Huan Dan Mi Yao Lun" mentioned in the "Chishui Xuanzhu: Pulmonary Tuberculosis Section," as well as methods like extracting "red lead" and "plum seeds," which are actually Taoist fallacies used to deceive people. The "Siku Quanshu Zongmu Tiyao" criticized: "Focusing on human-based supplementation and refining methods is not the right path," and "this becomes a major flaw in the entire book." Additionally, there are several questionable points in the "Sun's Medical Cases." The "Siku Quanshu Zongmu Tiyao" stated: "There is more tangential text than substantive discussion, making it verbose. The main intent seems to be promoting medical fame rather than elaborating medical principles." These inappropriate aspects, when viewed in the context of the entire book, are merely minor issues and do not detract from Sun Yi-kui's stature as a great master of miscellaneous diseases.