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(It is) cold in nature and non-toxic. Another view states: slightly warm, with slight toxicity. Yet another view states: warm in nature, non-toxic. Regarding Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), it is said that retaining the white pith tonifies the stomach and harmonizes the middle jiao, while removing the white pith resolves phlegm and directs qi downward. It is also stated to benefit qi and strengthen the stomach. Regarding Xiangfu Zi (Cyperus Rhizome), it is said to relieve abdominal distension and promote digestion. It is also stated to benefit qi and regulate the stomach. There are such similar records that they cannot be enumerated one by one. For instance, Mutong (Akebia Stem) is mistaken for Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), and Shizhi (Kaolinite) is taken as Kongqing (Azurite). Although these are two distinct substances, they are identified as one, leaving future students without a basis for reference. I have selected various texts, cross-referenced and corrected them, naming this work *Yaoxing Yaolüe* (Essentials of Drug Properties). I dare not present this to experts, but it may serve as a reference for future practitioners when prescribing. Written by Zheng Ning of Qitan, Fengyang North, Shexian, after the full moon of the winter season in the Jisi year of the Jiajing reign.

[Shen Hao-wen's *Bencao Lei Yao* (Classified Essentials of Materia Medica)] Not seen.

Note: The above is recorded in the *Zhejiang Tongzhi* (General Gazetteer of Zhejiang).

[Xu Xizhou's *Yaoxing Cuping* (Rough Evaluation of Drug Properties)] *Yicang Mulù* (Catalogue of Medical Treasures), 4 volumes. Extant.

The preface roughly states: One cannot be without knowledge of medicine, and drugs cannot be without understanding their properties. Before the burning of books in the Qin dynasty, Qibo and Peng Huan were famous as divine physicians; after the burning, Li Hua and Zhang Wu were famous as enlightened physicians. Diseases rely on physicians because one must understand their origins; physicians rely on drugs because one must penetrate their natures. Therefore, works on drug properties include *Bencao* (Materia Medica), *Tujing* (Illustrated Classics), *Shiyi* (Supplementary Records), *Sisheng* (Four Tones), the detailed determinations of the Kaibao era, and the additions of the Jiatai era. Spanning Han, Wei, Tang, and Song dynasties, figures such as the Recluse Master (Chen Yilong) and Dongyuan Master (Li Gao) eagerly devoted themselves to this. Is it not because they valued it highly? My late father, Wozhai, knew medicine from a young age, and people from near and far relied on him. When he passed the imperial examinations and served as an official in the Court of Judicature and Revision, he was once misdiagnosed by a mediocre physician due to an illness, which remains a regret to this day. When Xizhou succeeded in Confucian studies, he also studied the arts of Huangdi and Qibo in his leisure. Later, he passed the provincial examination but failed the metropolitan examination in the spring of the Wuxu year of Jiajing. Returning to his boat, he studied various Bencao texts, deeply troubled by their vastness and difficulty to memorize. However, lacking both detail and summary, this was also a form of arrogance. Thus, he gathered various drugs, paired those with contrasting meanings, connected them with poetic verses, highlighted their strengths, and noted their uses. He composed parallel prose to facilitate recitation. The entire volume is titled *Yaoxing Cuping*. To cover multiple uses of a single drug by focusing on its primary strength is a simplification. With over a thousand drug types but only five hundred entries recorded, this is a simplification. Recording seasonal months obscures annual efficacy; recording production regions obscures authentic geographical origins. This is a simplification in selection. Classifying plants and stones without distinguishing size or weight, birds and insects without distinguishing aquatic or terrestrial habits, and precious items without distinguishing hierarchy, represents a simplification in organization. Calling it a "Rough Evaluation" is indeed appropriate. Upon completion, during his journey north in the Xin-chou year, he realized he had left the boat too early and felt regret over the omissions. He thus re-examined various Bencao texts, detailing growth, origin, and functions, adding notes to each entry, including introductory essays, and briefly recording simple prescriptions, aiming to create a complete book. The final work was divided into four volumes, retaining the name *Cuping*, believing that even humble insights might aid beginners. He generously shared it with scholars everywhere. In our dynasty, Danxi Xiansheng is renowned for medical skill. Scholars learn pulse diagnosis through drug properties, observe interactions to understand disease mechanisms, aiming for the perfection described in the Zhouli and the victory rate of Sun Tzu, without needing the experience of breaking one's arm three times. This applies not only to Danxi's disciples.

[Zhao Xingnan's *Shangyi Bencao* (Materia Medica of the Superior Physician)] 4 volumes. Not seen.

[He Yue's *Yaoxing Zhunsheng* (Standard Rules of Drug Properties)] Not seen.

The *Haiyan County Gazetteer* states: He Yue, courtesy name Ruzhan, initially purchased all books on Qi-Huang (Yellow Emperor and Shennong) due to his mother's illness and studied with master physicians from various regions, thereby mastering medical skills. Patients experienced immediate effects upon taking his remedies. Provincial officials invited him with great honor. His works, including *Minghui Huiyao*, *Yijing Dazhi*, *Zhenmai Jiabao*, and *Yaoxing Zhunsheng*, are revered by medical practitioners.

[Yu Ru-yan's *Bencao Zhaoyao* (Essential Summary of Materia Medica)] Not seen.

Note: The above is recorded in the *Jingji Bu* (Section on Bibliography) of the *Zhejiang Tongzhi*.

[Xue Ji's *Bencao Yuoyan* (Brief Words on Materia Medica)] 4 volumes. Extant.

The preface states: A person traveling by cart over walls or boating on calm waters feels comfortable. But when facing dangerous paths like Mengmen Mountain or the Yan-yu Shoal in Qutang Gorge, one becomes terrified, fearing broken axles, loose reins, broken oars, and torn sails. In such cases, cries for help are doubled, and rescue efforts are intensified. Why? Because safety and danger differ. Thus, ancient sages focused on Houji teaching agriculture and Xie clarifying ethics. Only Shennong, in the primordial era, tasted all grasses, trees, insects, fish, jade, and stones to demonstrate them. Did he abandon education for such urgent matters? Observing the world where people lived in barbarism, dying without contact, and postponing civilization, why did he focus solely on wind, cold, heat, dampness, and the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, shock) that cause sudden death among the ignorant masses? Must he not strive to save them as urgently as one cries out for help? Thus, medicine is more urgent than teaching, and its merit equals that of Houji and Xie. The ancient praise for Tao Hongjing as the "Prime Minister in the Mountains" is well-founded. Since Tao Hongjing, numerous supplements appeared, including Tang and Shu editions, totaling sixteen families, with expanding theories. Born late, I fortunately accessed secret collections, allowing me to study there for years. I compiled daily essential drugs from Bencao, categorizing them for brevity. After extensive study, considering Shennong's enduring grace and the unwieldiness of complete texts, this concise volume offers a quick path, saving effort and spirit. Opening it fills one with vital energy. Hence named *Yuoyan*, published for all, so it can be carried at hand, preventing neglect due to bulk. It aids in studying *Suwen* and *Lingshu*. Otherwise, facing danger ahead and waves behind, abandoning one's tools leads to disaster. Can one hope to turn danger into safety this way? Today, officials managing agriculture and education are plentiful, but the duty of Shennomb is critical. Saving lives and assisting the merits of Houji and Xie depend on this. Do not dismiss it for lack of breadth. Written by Li-zhai Fu of Guwu, Xue Ji.

The *Suzhou Prefecture Gazetteer* states: Xue Ji, courtesy name Xin-fu, pseudonym Li-zhai, was intelligent and could memorize what he read. He specialized in medical formulas and mastered all medical arts. Selected as Imperial Physician during the Zhengde reign, promoted to Vice President of the Nanjing Medical Bureau, and advanced to President during the Jiajing reign. His *Jiaju Yilu* (16 volumes) is widely followed by physicians.

[Cheng Yifang's *Shiyao* (Explanation of Drugs)] *Yicang Mulù*, 4 volumes. Not seen.

[Chen Jiamo's *Bencao Mengquan* (Primer of Materia Medica)] *Yicang Mulù*, 12 volumes. Extant.

The preface roughly states: Old Bencao editions vary. *Daguan* is dense but lacks key points; *Jiyao* is concise but incomplete. Wang Shishan's compilation is detailed and precise but mixes sources without clear criteria, failing to be a complete work. While residing in the prefecture, as students increased, I sought to correct this text to guide learners and avoid these flaws. I consulted old editions, synthesized them, and organized them by flavor, ascending/descending movements, toxicity, origin, harvest time, meridian affinity, and Seven Emotions. I detailed processing, storage, therapeutic indications, and verified prescriptions from sages. Occasionally citing old texts and adding personal insights, I expanded on unresolved points. To avoid clutter, I structured chapters with rhythmic couplets, deleting redundancies, supplementing omissions, and discarding errors. Common drugs are listed in the upper section with detailed explanations; rare drugs in the lower section are also clarified. Though I dare not claim to grasp the profound mysteries of Fuxi and Shennong, this clarifies classic principles, aiding clinical practice. Compiled in the Jiwu year of Jiajing, revised five times over seven years, titled *Bencao Mengquan* for my disciples. They praised my dedication to educating the young and urged publication. Thus, I record the history. Written by Chen Jiamo, aged eighty, in Xin'an, on an auspicious day in February of the Yichou year of Jiajing.

Li Shizhen states: *Bencao Mengquan* consists of twelve volumes, written by Chen Jiamo, a physician from Qimen. Courtesy name Tingcai. In the late Jiajing period, based on Wang's *Jiyao*, he organized and integrated it. Each drug includes flavor, origin, harvest, and treatment methods, presented in couplets for easy memorization. Personal comments are added, offering innovations beneficial to beginners. The title *Mengquan* (Primer) is apt.

[Cai Chengzhi's *Bencao Mengquan Cuoyao* (Essentials of Bencao Mengquan)] *Yicang Mulù*, 1 volume. Not seen.

[Fang Gu's *Bencao Jiyao* (Collected Essentials of Materia Medica)] *Mingshi* (History of Ming), 12 volumes. Not seen.

[Yao Neng's *Yaoxing Bianyi* (Differentiating Doubts in Drug Properties)] Not seen.

The *Zhejiang Tongzhi* states: Yao Neng, courtesy name Maoliang, pseudonym Jingshan, from Haiyan. He was eloquent, loved poetry, and excelled in medical theory. He authored *Shanghan Jia Mixinfafa*, *Xiao'er Zhengmeng*, and *Yaoxing Bianyi*.

[Li [Name Missing]'s *Tangye Bencao* (Decoction Materia Medica)] Not seen.

Note: The above is recorded in the *Yiwen Bu* (Section on Literature) of the *Songjiang Prefecture Gazetteer*.

[Li Zhong's *Bencao Bianzheng* (Corrective Analysis of Materia Medica)] 3 volumes. Not seen.

[Huang Yuan's *Benkao Zhengkao* (Textual Research on Materia Medica)] 2 volumes. Not seen.

[Yan Cui's *Yaoxing Fu* (Ode to Drug Properties)] Not seen.

Note: The above three are recorded in the *Jingji Bu* of the *Zhejiang Tongzhi*.

[Feng Shusha's *Bencao Bingyin* (Etiology of Materia Medica)] *Yicang Mulù*, 1 volume. Not seen.

[Zhang Zi's *Yaoxing Leiming* (Classified Clarity of Drug Properties)] (*Tongxingben* makes it *Yaozheng Leiming*.) *Yicang Mulù*, 2 volumes. Extant.

[Wu Weizhen's *Yaoxing Fu Daquan* (Complete Ode to Drug Properties)] *Yicang Mulù*, 12 volumes. Extant.

[Huangfu Song's *Bencao Faming* (Invention/Elucidation of Materia Medica)] *Yicang Mulù*, 6 volumes. Extant.

The preface states: The most crucial aspect of medicine is knowing drug properties. Understanding properties allows prescribing to match diseases, like using measures to weigh objects accurately. *Bencao* details drug flavors and properties, making it a lifesaving text. However, previous compilations mixed observations, listing many symptoms per drug without specific guidance, confusing prescribers. Modern practitioners simplified this by relying on rhymed mnemonics like *Yaoxing Fu*, ignoring rare drugs in the classics, leading to superficial and incomplete treatments. Errors arose from improper use and preparation. Inheriting my grandfather's legacy, I studied medicine alongside Confucianism, consulting *Neijing*, various Bencaos, Dongyuan's *Tangye*, and Danxi's works. I extracted key points to write *Bencao Faming* in six volumes. Upper sections list common drugs with detailed indications; lower sections list rare drugs. I specify primary treatments, supervisory relationships between drugs, and roles of sovereign/minister assistants. Though I do not claim to reach the depths of ancient wisdom, this clarifies principles for clinicians. Written in summer of the Wuyin year of Wanli, by Huangfu Song of Wulin.

[Wang Wenjie's *Taiyi Xianzhi Bencao Yaoxing Daquan* (Great Collection of Taiyi Immortal Processed Drug Properties)] 8 volumes. Extant.

[Li Zhongli's *Bencao Yuanshi* (Original Source of Materia Medica)] *Yicang Mulù*, 8 volumes. Extant.

Ma Yinglong's preface states: Medicine is a technical art but embodies profound principles and broad utility, hence called the "Benevolent Art." Shennong tasted herbs to know drugs; Xuanyuan consulted Qibo etc. to know pulses. Human organs and meridians mirror heaven and earth, requiring deep meditation and study to master. Superficial views are insufficient. I was prone to illness and studied medicine for over twenty years. Meeting Li Zhongli, who was talented and skilled, though not equal to ancients, had unique merits. His *Bencao Yuanshi* is the crux of medicine, determining life and death. Li verified names, tested properties, described appearances, and defined treatments, innovating within tradition and illustrating manually. The book was sent to the capital for my endorsement. I recall that without expert taste like Yi Ya or hearing like Shi Kuang, one cannot distinguish pure water or identify burnt wood. Thus, one must break one's arm thrice to become a good doctor. I share this warning for future generations.

Zhu Yizun's *Epitaph for the Learned Gentleman Mr. Li* states: His ancestors Shanggun and Zhongli passed the imperial exams. Shanggun held no office; Zhongli served as Right Assessor in the Court of Judicature and Revision.

[Jia Suoxue's *Pinhua Huayi* (Transformative Meaning of Medicinal Substances)] 13 volumes. Extant.

Li Yan's preface states: Using medicine to save lives is like using soldiers to quell chaos—urgent and righteous. Prescribing is like battle formations; drugs are weapons. Blunt weapons lead to defeat. Misordering usage leads to failure. Readers often find old Bencaos cumbersome. In Jiashen year, I found Jia Jiuru's *Pinhua Huayi*. Its clarity is a guide for the era. Locals didn't know his name, perhaps due to humility or modest fame. I kept the book long. In Wuwu year, while drying books in Zhejiang, I rediscovered it. I ordered my son Hanzheng to collate and reprint it. May readers find it refreshing when prescribing. Note: The book is attributed to Zhao Jun Li Yanshu, and Zhu Yizun's epitaph mentions supplementary writings. However, based on Li's preface, the work is entirely by Jia.