盖闻德施群生而不以为惠，道济四海而不以为功。此古昔圣贤之用心，降及后世，鲜或
有闻，而予何幸于今见之。昔我太宗文皇帝，尝命礼部侍郎胡公源洁，遍游天下名山，俾以
御编性理大全为喜，阴骘孝顺，事实诸书，劝励士庶。而又俾其广求奇方妙药，修合良剂，
以扶植疲癃。德至溥也，曷尝以为惠；道至隆也，曷尝以为功。惟公克推先帝天地生物之心，
周览四方，遇名医异人，辄就而咨询之。由是所得奇方，日增月益，不可胜计。遂编录为卷
十二，名曰《卫生易简方》。表进于朝，伏蒙圣览，嘉叹再三，将以刊布中外，而利济于天
下后世。未果，龙驾上宾，万方哀悼，及今又四、三年。公乃居宗伯之任，一旦慨然怀先帝
之深恩，念是编之弗传，而以大岳太和山所录副本锓梓，以传于世，且属予言识其后。予惟
天地之德曰生，为斯民立命而生，其生者圣道之大也。上古圣神，盖虑夫斯民之札瘥夭阏，
弗克遂其生，于是为之医药以济之。自时厥后，名医相继，学益显，术益精，神功妙剂，不
可殚述。公家世业医，活人之功，匪一朝夕至。公乃以科第发身，而尤克究其家学，用以济
人，多有奇效。是编也虽本于先帝博施济众之心，亦惟公克相成而有以赞 夫天地生生之德
者也。将见是编播之海内，传于后世，使疮痍为之苏息，枯朽为之发生，熙熙然不自知其跻
于寿域矣！公之德不既多乎！予故乐为书之。
宣德二年岁次丁未夏五月既望资善大夫太子少傅工部尚
书谨身殿大学士兼修国史总裁建安杨荣书
I have heard that virtue is bestowed upon all living beings without claiming it as a favor, and the Dao (Way) rescues the four seas without claiming merit for oneself. This was the mindset of ancient sages and worthies. In later generations, few have heard of or practiced this, yet I am fortunate to witness it today.
In the past, our late Emperor Taizong Wen ordered Hu Yuanjie, Vice Minister of Rites, to travel extensively through famous mountains across the country. He was instructed to promote the virtues of hidden merit (Yinzhi, accumulating good deeds secretly) and filial piety based on the imperial compilation *Xingli Dquan* (Complete Collection of Principles of Nature and Life), along with various records encouraging scholars and commoners. Furthermore, he was commanded to widely seek out miraculous prescriptions and rare medicines, compound them into effective remedies, and support those who were frail, disabled, or chronically ill. His virtue was so extensive; did he ever consider it a favor? His Dao was so profound; did he ever claim merit?
Master Hu faithfully extended the heart of the late Emperor, which mirrors Heaven and Earth in nurturing all things. He traveled widely, consulting renowned physicians and extraordinary individuals whenever he met them. Consequently, the miraculous prescriptions he acquired increased day by day and month by month, beyond count. He compiled these into twelve volumes, naming the work *Weisheng Yijian Fang* (Simple and Easy Prescriptions for Hygiene and Health). He presented it to the court. The Sovereign reviewed it, sighed with admiration repeatedly, and intended to have it printed and distributed throughout the empire to benefit the world and future generations. However, before this could be realized, the Emperor passed away, causing mourning across all realms. Four or five years have now passed.
At this time, Master Hu held the position of Minister of Rites. One day, moved by the deep grace of the late Emperor and concerned that this compilation might not be transmitted, he took the copy recorded at Mount Taihe (in the Danyue region) and had it carved onto woodblocks for printing, thereby transmitting it to the world. He also requested me to write a postscript to record this event.
I reflect that the virtue of Heaven and Earth is "Life" (Sheng). Establishing life for the people and enabling their survival constitutes the great Dao of the sages. The ancient sages and divine rulers, fearing that the people would suffer from plagues, diseases, premature death, and truncated lifespans, unable to fulfill their natural lives, thus provided medicine and healthcare to rescue them. Since then, renowned physicians have appeared successively; their learning has become more prominent, and their techniques more refined. Their miraculous efficacy and wonderful remedies cannot be exhaustively described.
Master Hu’s family has practiced medicine for generations; his merit in saving lives was accumulated over a long period, not just overnight. Although Master Hu entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, he particularly devoted himself to studying his family’s medical heritage, applying it to save others, often achieving remarkable effects. This compilation, while rooted in the late Emperor’s intention to bestow benefits widely and rescue the masses, was ultimately made possible only by Master Hu’s efforts, thereby assisting and praising the generative virtue of Heaven and Earth.
It is foreseeable that this book will spread throughout the land and be transmitted to posterity. It will enable the wounded and sick to recover, and the withered and dying to revive. People will live in harmony and joy, unaware that they have attained an age of longevity. Is Master Hu’s virtue not abundant? Therefore, I am pleased to write this.
On the 16th day of the fifth month of summer in the year Dingwei (2nd Year of Xuande), Zishan Daifu (Grand Master of Benevolence), Taizi Shaofu (Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince), Gongbu Shangshu (Minister of Works), Jinshen Dian Daxueshi (Grand Scholar of the Jinshen Hall), and President of the History Compilation Bureau, Yang Rong of Jian’an, wrote this.