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The ancient saying goes: "If one cannot be an excellent Prime Minister, then one should become an excellent physician." I often feel ashamed by this statement. My tenure in officialdom was indeed short of talent, thus bearing the blame for receiving salary without merit; my practice of medicine also failed to gain the desired affection, thereby falling short of the merit in recording medical deeds. I merely strove diligently, seeking even a fraction of benefit to remedy the times, yet had no way to exert my efforts. Coincidentally, in the Dinghai year of the Yongle era, I respectfully received the Imperial decree to tour the four quarters of the realm. In the southeast, I traversed the coastal corners; in the northwest, I rotated through the deserts. There was no commandery or county within the seas that I did not visit. Whenever I had spare time from public duties, I would extensively seek medical arts and collect effective prescriptions. Whenever I encountered persons suffering from illness, I would immediately administer medicine and treatment according to the prescriptions, achieving many successes. Day by day and month by month, after seventeen years, arriving at the Guimao year of the Yongle era, I compiled my accumulated prescriptions, refined them meticulously, and eliminated redundancies, compiling them into a book named *Weisheng Yijian* (Hygiene Easy and Simple). I have already submitted a memorial presenting the remaining drafts, how could I dare to keep them secret? If these were merely my trivial personal views, how could they suffice to be made public to others? These are all formulations established by past sages and former worthies, spread among the people through experiential use. Now, I merely gather scattered and lost prescriptions from various sources, categorizing and classifying them for the convenience of benevolent individuals to consult and use. The idea is that providing prescriptions is better than providing medicines directly; how could I dare to claim even a ten-thousandth part of being an excellent physician?

Recorded with respect by Hu Ying of Piling on the birthday of Tathagata in the first month of summer during the Jiachen year of the Yongle era.

The Way of Medicine concerns life and death, and cannot be regarded merely as a craft. In ancient times, when Shennong (Divine Farmer) ruled the world, he first tasted hundreds of herbs to save the people from disease and suffering, enduring poison repeatedly without pity for himself. When Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) succeeded him, he engaged in repeated discussions and debates with Qibo to elucidate the secrets of the Heaven-Earth Five Movements and Six Qi (climatic patterns), and to clarify the causes of the Zang-Fu organs (internal organs). By conforming to the appropriateness of Yin-Yang, cold, and heat, methods of cooling, warming, tonifying, and purging were formulated. This was none other than to desire that people restore their internal harmony to align with the natural harmony of Heaven and Earth, preventing deviation and evil from harming life. How ultimate is the benevolence of sages towards the people and love for all things! Subsequently, worthy figures such as He (Bian Que), Bian (Bian Que), Sun (Sun Simiao), and Dong (Dong Feng), as well as modern figures like Liu (Liu Wansu), Zhang (Zhang Congzheng), Zhu (Zhu Zhenheng), and Li (Li Dongyuan), inherited the hearts of past sages, expanded upon unexpressed mysteries, observed silently and investigated deeply, employing clever treatments and unique attacks. Thus, their techniques became more refined, and their Dao more prominent. Those in the world who were weary, disabled, or in distress without recourse were often able to fulfill their natural lifespan, avoiding premature or unjust death. Alas! Can the Way of Medicine really be regarded merely as a craft? Ancient sages are far gone and cannot be seen. Observing the *Weisheng Yijian Fang* (Hygiene Easy and Simple Prescriptions) compiled by Minister Hu of Piling this spring, one knows that his intention is the same benevolent heart of saving the world and benefiting the people found in ancient gentlemen. Moreover, the diseases listed therein are those commonly suffered by people and require urgent treatment; the medicines used are those commonly available in the world and easy to obtain. Having tested it with one or two cases, there was no instance where it was not miraculously effective; it is truly simple, easy, and effective. It is something that households of nobles, officials, scholars, and commoners should treasure and cannot do without. To carve and print it for circulation in the world, is it not appropriate?

Although the ancients said, "If one cannot be an excellent Prime Minister, then one should become an excellent physician," this was likely the words of someone who bore ambition but could not achieve great things in their time. However, Minister Hu is different. Possessing bright, agile, and outstanding talent, living in an era of prosperity and harmony, he was recognized by the Son of Heaven and promoted to the position of Spring Palace (Crown Prince's Office) official. He managed state rituals to harmonize spirits and humans, assisted the imperial grand design, and promoted moral transformation. Scholars praised him mutually, and his fame spread near and far. He is able to achieve great things in his time, and his excellence as a minister is evident. Furthermore, regarding the arts of Xuanyuan and Qibo, he studied extensively. In syndrome differentiation and prescription administration, he sought to elevate the people to the realm of benevolence and longevity. How excellent is his mastery of the Medical Way? This is why I appreciate his ability, love his virtue, forget my own crudeness, and specially highlight his beauty, attaching this to the end of the compiled prescription book. If future gentlemen are inspired by this to expand his art of benevolence and heart of benefitting others, then it will truly contribute to the state's way of pacifying and nurturing its subjects. Is it merely so? Is it merely so?

Written by Xia Yuanji of Changsha, Grand Master of Glory and Virtue, Junior Guardian, Concurrent Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of Revenue, and Supervisor of the History of the State, in the middle month of autumn during the Dingwei year of the Xuande era.