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In the past, Master Cheng said: "An official who keeps in mind the salvation of all things can achieve merit anywhere." Lu Xuan Gong, in his later years at home, paid special attention to medicine. He delved deeply into medical studies and compiled *Yi Fang Jian Yi* (Simple Meaning of Medical Prescriptions) in six volumes. Weighing every detail and discarding preconceptions, he held Zhang Zhongjing in particularly high esteem. Zhang Zhongjing had no other extraordinary qualities; his insights were thorough, his arguments balanced, and he sought efficacy based on his learning, ensuring that each prescription was understood in its true intent. His prescriptions are as indispensable as the *Classic of Poetry* and the *Analects*. He also lamented that gynecology rarely had specialists since ancient times. Although recently Zhang's *Yi Tong* (General Treatise on Medicine) has been regarded as the golden rule, while that book is indeed excellent, there is still a fear that those who do not learn it properly may easily fall into harmful practices. Therefore, he was especially cautious in collecting omissions and filling gaps, detailing what should be detailed and summarizing what should be summarized, truly inspiring what predecessors had not reached. In essence, the main idea draws from Yuan Liaofan's words: "It can support parents, it can establish oneself," returning to the principle of "do not deceive oneself." Thus, his learning would not be excessive, his insight would not be confined to narrow views, and his clinical practice would not be rash. Compared to those in the world who clamor for fame and profit, the difference is vast. Therefore, I write these few words and place them at the beginning of the book. Whether it becomes a remedy for cracked hands or a great method for governing the country depends on the user.

Xu Zhixiang, Academician of the Grand Secretariat and Vice Minister of Rites (Jihe), inscribed this. The time is the mid-winter of the Guiwei year, the ninth year of Guangxu.

I once read the *Analects* and learned that a person without constancy cannot serve as a shaman or physician. Therefore, the Way of Medicine is by no means easy. Just as Confucianism has its classics, Medicine has the *Neijing* (Inner Canon). [The text implies:] Without mastering these foundations, one cannot master medical techniques. Physicians hold life and death in their hands. Without a heart of benevolence, one cannot be a physician; without clear intelligence and talent, one cannot be a physician. Knowing only the superficial but not the profound, knowing only the partial but not the whole, neither qualifies one to be a physician. Thus, I studied with determination the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), *Suwen* (Basic Questions), and *Neijing* (Inner Canon), as well as Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yufan Jing* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), reading them day and night, handling them through wind and rain. Subsequently, I extensively collected medical texts such as Wang Shuhe's *Maijing* (Pulse Classic), Wang Ang's *Bencao Beiyao* (Compendium of Materia Medica Essentials), Li Shicai's *Yizong Bidu* (Must Read for Medical Practitioners), Ye Tianshi's *Zhinan* (Guide), and Zhang Luyu's *Shanghan Dacheng* (Great Completion of Treatise on Cold Damage), studying them diligently until, within a few years, I grasped their essence intuitively. However, gynecology is particularly difficult to master profoundly. Why? Because internal injuries may not be fully understood, and hidden ailments cannot be detailed. Therefore, regarding menstruation regulation, prenatal care, and postpartum conditions, I examined them more carefully. The myriad variations of disease rely on the subtle application of the mind. One must embody the heaven and earth's virtue of nurturing life and fulfill the common principles of human nature and physical laws. One must carefully examine the pathology, establish treatment methods, and prescribe formulas, combining all three, operating with meticulous care and practicing with empathy. Thus, the mind becomes upright and the treatment methods become clear. Since ancient times to the present, famous physicians have emerged generation after generation, and medical prescriptions have become increasingly complex. Those who hesitate lack basis; those who are ignorant find no way. Partial knowledge causes much harm. Therefore, I applied the principle of managing complexity with simplicity, collected effective prescriptions, compiled them into a book, and named it *Yi Fang Jian Yi* (Simple Meaning of Medical Prescriptions). "Jian" (Simple) means not cumbersome; "Yi" (Meaning) means appropriateness to the time. [Original note:] Having practiced medicine for decades, I have always meditated day and night on the phrase "Do not deceive yourself" from the *Great Learning*. Thus, I do not disdain my own obscurity and have this printed to share with colleagues as an aid in clinical practice.

Written by Wang Qingyuan of Fuyuan, Shanyin, Ancient Yue, at the beginning of mid-winter in the Guiwei year, ninth year of Guangxu, at Meixi Xiaoyin Shanfang.