Library

Ben (Root/Origin). It is unknown where Shen Wei was from. The thirty-two volumes mentioned by Chao Gongwu were likely calculated including the catalog, and the Zhenghe edition has not been seen. However, according to Zhao Yu-shi's *Bin Tui Lu* (*Records of Retiring in Leisure*), Tang Shenwei was a native of Jinyuan, Shuzhou. His biographical details differ slightly. Did Xuzhong see it in his childhood and only knew he was residing there? The Dagde edition of *Daguan Bencao* (*Great View Materia Medica*) printed during the Dade era consists of thirty-one volumes, consistent with Ai Sheng's statement. The Zhenghe edition printed during the Taihe era moved the thirty-first volume before the thirtieth, merging them into one volume, which no longer reflects the original form of *Daguan*. There are also postscripts by Ma Ge and Liu Qi dated to the Jiyou year of the Dading era, stating that Zhang Cunhui of Pingyang added Kou Zongshi's *Bencao Yan Yi* (*Elucidations on Materia Medica*). Thus, it is even less the original work of Shenwei. However, examining the Dagde edition of *Daguan*, it also includes *Yan Yi*, same as the Taihe edition. This is likely because the Yuan dynasty reprint incorporated content from Jin editions. Comparing these two editions, the Dagde edition clearly distinguishes the Zhu Shu Mo Gai (Red Ink and Black Ink Covers, a printing mark used by Tang Shenwei for supplementary notes, formatted like the fish-tail marks used by later printers), making the Taihe edition superior. Therefore, the Taihe edition is recorded here, with the Dagde edition listed as an appendix under its name, without a separate entry.

Yin Yuzai stated: "The radical 'person' (ren) in the character 'guo' was written as 'person' in all materia medica, prescriptions, poetry, and records before the Song and Yuan dynasties. Since the Chenghua era of the Ming dynasty, it was entirely changed to 'benevolence' (ren), which is illogical. All Bencao printed during the Taihe period of the Jin dynasty used 'person'. These are collected by Yuan Tingtao." (From *Shuowen Jiezi Zhu*)

Note: My family possesses the Daguan Bencao (*Great View Materia Medica*) printed by the Zongshu Academy in Renyin year of the Dade era (Yuan dynasty). The paper and carving are exquisite, comparable to Song editions. It avoids the taboo name of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, indicating it is a reprint of a Southern Song edition. However, it does not include *Yan Yi*. Vulgar Ming editions took the colophon from the Dagde edition and prefixed it to the work of Wei Zhiqing (Zi Qing), which is highly erroneous. The statement in the *Siku Quanshu Tiyao* (*Synopsis of the Complete Library of Four Treasuries*) that "the Yuan dynasty reprinted it and incorporated content from Jin editions" is likely due to the compilers not having seen the original Dagde edition.

[Shaoxing Revised Jing Shi Zheng Lei Bei Ji Bencao (*Comprehensive Illustrated Emergency Materia Medica Based on Classics and History, Revised in the Shaoxing Era*) by Wang (Jixian)] *Shu Lu Jie Ti* (*Bibliographic Notes*) records 22 volumes (Yu Hai states 32 volumes). Missing.

Preface states: I have heard that Bencao (*Materia Medica*) is the work of Shennong. Later generations revered and practiced it as a grand canon. This was out of compassion for the epidemics and disasters afflicting living beings, seeking to save them with medicinal herbs and stones, achieving great merit. For thousands of years, no one dared to let it be lost. When Qin Shi Huang burned the classics of previous dynasties, this classic survived mixed among medical texts, which was fortunate. In the late Han and Jin dynasties, literature was scattered; only three volumes of Shennong's transmitted classics remained, containing only 365 types of drugs. Thus, later generations could not see the complete classic of the Sage, what a pity! Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty, living in seclusion with noble integrity, followed the old Shennong classic, appended the *Bielu of Famous Doctors*, distinguished them with red and black ink, established new categories, and added annotations. However, relying on solitary wisdom and limited vision, gains and losses were equal. When the Tang Dynasty rose, Su Gong petitioned for revision. Although many additions were made, some interpolations caused confusion, failing to distinguish between additions and deletions, and blurring cold and hot properties. Greatly, in the Longxing era of our august Song Dynasty, the True Person emerged bringing peace, his grace reaching the four seas, his benevolence like heaven. During the Kaibao era, Lu Duoxun and others were ordered to revise; during the Jiayou era, Zhang Yuxi was ordered to supplement and annotate; Chen Cheng established new theories; during the Daguan era, Tang Shenwei compiled the *Zheng Lei* (*Verified Categories*). Carefully examining ancient and modern annotations and various discussions, opinions were chaotic with many similarities and differences. Although Tang annotations criticized Tao Hongjing's errors, they themselves had omissions. Current annotations point out Tang errors but sometimes fail to clarify right and wrong, leading to contradictions. Examining Zhang Yuxi's supplements and Tang Shenwei's *Zheng Lei*, they merely record various differences without judging right or wrong. Some cold-natured drugs are said to treat cold conditions; some hot-natured drugs are said to treat heat conditions; some tonifying drugs are described as purgative, some purgative drugs as tonifying. The distinction of winter/summer tonification/purgation properties is logically inverted. Regarding toxic substances, some are called non-toxic; non-toxic substances are called toxic. The distinction of toxicity is semantically opposite. Furthermore, efficacy commonly verified in many formulas is unrecorded in previous annotations; suitability for external use versus internal administration is not properly judged. After long transmission, red and black ink became mixed, impossible to list all. Adhering to them causes great error. Where can future generations find a standard? Correcting this is urgent today. Reverently relying on the Holy Sovereign's restoration, his virtue of cherishing life, cessation of war, and suspension of punishment, which suffices to bring people to an age of longevity and prevent premature death. Yet, the Imperial Mind deeply worries about the discrepancies in Bencao annotations and erroneous treatment theories. Thus, following the precedents of Kaibao and Jiayou, He commanded us to revise. This demonstrates the utmost benevolence of the Sage. How dare we not study meticulously, think deeply, collect methods widely, compare various schools, and distinguish differences? Regarding drug properties (cold/hot, tonifying/purgative, toxic/non-toxic) that are logically inverted or semantically opposite, we must clarify their intent and ensure appropriateness. Images follow old drawings with general outlines; knowledge claims are based on evidence, not speculation. We examined over 300 famous prescriptions and corrected over 8,000 characters of errors, so users will not be confused and treatments will be effective, promoting longevity and perfect healing. This contributes slightly to the Holy Government's policies and transmits to posterity. Is this not a small benefit? We, your subjects, tremble with fear and respect, bowing our heads to speak. Presented in the second month of the 29th year of Shaoxing.

Zhang Zhongwen said: During the Shaoxing era, Medical Officer Wang Jixian, because Empress Dowager Xianren had just moved to Cining Palace and was advanced in age, often suffering from illness, recovered immediately after taking his medicine. Relying on this, she enjoyed leisure and health in the Eastern Court for nearly twenty years, fulfilling Emperor Gaozong's filial piety in serving her. This was Wang Jixian's merit. Thus, he received special favors and promotions, reaching the rank of Zhengren Chengxuan. Later, relying on favor and power, Wang engaged in acts displeasing to the public, yet the court flattered him excessively, with some calling themselves his disciples. After the Empress Dowager passed away, Wang's favor declined daily, and he was eventually dismissed to Fuzhou, where he died. (From *Bai Ta Sui*)

Chen Zhensun said: *Shaoxing Revised Bencao* (*Materia Medica Revised in Shaoxing*), 22 volumes, written by Medical Officer Wang Jixian and others by imperial decree, presented in the 29th year of Shaoxing. Printed at Xiuneisi. Each drug has only a few sentences of explanation, shallow and vulgar, lacking profound theory.

Wang Yinglin said: On August 15, the 27th year of Shaoxing, Wang Jixian submitted the revised *Daguan Zheng Lei Bencao* (*Great View Verified Categories Materia Medica*), 32 volumes, and *Shi Yin* (*Pronunciation Explanation*), 1 volume. An edict ordered the Secretariat to polish it and deliver it to the Guozijian (*Imperial Academy*) for woodblock printing and distribution.