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Human beings are not made of metal or stone; moreover, they are exposed to cold, heat, fog, and dew. If one does not regulate one's lifestyle, diseases and epidemics will inevitably arise. Therefore, it is advisable to take medicine regularly to dispel external pathogenic factors and harmonize the Zang-Fu organs (internal organs). In daily life, one may take Wubu Qixuan Wan (Five Tonics and Seven Ventilation Pills) or Zhuru Wan (Cloudite Pills), selecting appropriate formulas based on one's constitution—whether cold, hot, deficient, or excess—and taking them long-term. Formulas such as Hongxue Sanhuang Wan (Red Snow Three Yellows Pills), Qingmuxiang Wan (Blue Muskwood Pills), Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pills), Shenming Gao (Divine Clarity Ointment), Chenyuan Gao (Chenyuan Ointment), Chunchu Shuijie San (Early Spring Water-Resolving Powder), Tianxing Yinchen Wan/San (Epidemic Artemisia Capillaris Pills/Powder), etc., should be stored in advance to prevent sudden onset of illness, where immediate preparation would be difficult. On the last day of the lunar year (Lar Day), prepare a batch of Wugao Qiuye Gao (Black Ointment with Catalpa Leaves Ointment) to prevent carbuncles and sores. Those who can practice dietary therapy are considered superior. However, those who merely dabble in alchemy without true mastery, or those whose hearts are bound by fame and profit despite holding official positions, are hardly worth mentioning. As for recluses, do they hope for immortality? No, they merely seek to avoid external pressures and preserve their natural lifespan. Nevertheless, regarding minor mineral drugs, one must understand Shenjing Dan (Spirit Nourishing Elixir); it is indispensable for preventing danger and emergency rescue. Fuhuo Dansha (Processed Cinnabar) preserves essence and nourishes the soul, making it suitable for long-term use; Fuhuo Shiliuhuang (Processed Sulfur) treats Hongxiangjiao (Beriberi/Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-like symptoms), removes cold accumulations, regulates the waist and knees, increases appetite, and boosts strength; Xiaohuan Dan (Small Return Pill) cures diseases and expels wind; Fuhuo Cishi (Processed Magnetite) brightens the eyes and strengthens bones; Huolian Bai Shiyinzi (Fire-refined White Quartz) and Zi Shiyinzi (Purple Quartz) treat qi stagnation and masses, strengthen muscles and bones; Fuhuo Shuiyin (Processed Mercury) suppresses heat and calms the heart; Jinyin Gao (Gold and Silver Ointment) nourishes spirit and expels evil qi. These prescriptions require careful attention to their efficacy, following the *Bencao* (Materia Medica). Other alchemical processes rely on divine assistance and cannot be achieved hastily. Practitioners must be sincere and earnest to encounter the true teachings.

Living in rural areas, one must be well-prepared and understand the concepts of merit and demerit, never harming life for the sake of food. Sustenance relies primarily on medicinal herbs and vegetables. Properly prepared, they greatly benefit health. Gouqi (Lycium Fruit), Ganju (Chrysanthemum Flower), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Muxu (Medicago Sativa), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), Baihao (Artemisia argyi), and Wujiapi (Acanthopanacis Cortex) should not be consumed by those taking mineral drugs (Shiyao). The aforementioned herbs, especially Shanglu, should be harvested when tender before the third month. They can be boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or blanched (KT likely refers to blanching/scalding), seasoned with Tusuxianchi juice (Earth-soil fermented soybean sauce) and rice, making an excellent side dish. Manjing (Vitex Fruit) is best steamed. For those who do not abstain from Wuxin (Five Pungent Vegetables: garlic, chives, leeks, wild onions, and asafoetida), young chives in spring and autumn, and Xie (Allium macrostemon) throughout the four seasons, are very beneficial. Qu (Fermented grain starter) is warming but strongly tonifies qi; however, it should not be overconsumed to avoid chest stuffiness and confusion. Preparation requires method and moderation. Methods for Baifei Zhou (Boiling Porridge), Zhengbing (Steamed Buns), and Gaosuobing (Cake Noodles) are found in the *Shijing* (Classic of Food). White Jingmi (Oryza sativa var. japonica), Bailiang (White Foxtail Millet), Huangliang (Yellow Foxtail Millet), and Qingliang (Green Foxtail Millet) should be stockpiled for a year's supply. Cooking methods for rice and porridge are also detailed in the *Shijing*. Lvdou (Mung Bean), Zisu (Perilla Leaf), and Wuma (Black Sesame Seed) should be stored as they all direct qi downward. Fermented bean curd and sauces are essential dietary items and must be stocked. Meat eaters must never kill living beings; buying meat is better than killing. The first precept is strictly no killing. If meat is obtained, it must be fresh; if it has an odor, it is unsuitable. After morning snacks and mid-morning meals, massage the abdomen with warm hands. Walk 50–60 steps in the courtyard, moving gently. After lunch, massage the abdomen again with warm hands and walk 100–200 steps slowly, avoiding breathlessness. Return to bed, lie supine with limbs extended, do not sleep, wait until qi stabilizes, then sit up straight. Eat 5–6 fried dates, drink half a sheng or less of Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Fuling (Poria), Gan Cao (Licorice Root) tea. If feeling slightly hot, drink Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf), Maogen (Imperata Rhizome) tea. Regulate according to constitution; do not walk quickly after full meals. When hungry, do not shout loudly or call out to others angrily. Prefer lying down to rest. After eating, engage in one's work. Do not strain mind or body. When feeling empty-stomached, eat immediately; do not endure hunger. Never consume raw, hard, sticky, or slippery foods, as these often cause Huoluan (Cholera-like acute gastroenteritis). In autumn and winter, keep the abdomen warm. If the abdomen feels slightly uncomfortable, take Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) tea. Such care ensures freedom from sudden illnesses.