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The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: "To diagnose by observation is called 'Shen' (Divine); to diagnose by listening and smelling is called 'Sheng' (Sage)." The profound essence of this divine and sage-like diagnostic ability cannot be directly transmitted. However, the way of medicine is complete in the laws of Yin-Yang and Qi transformation; by exhausting the nature of all things, one exhausts the nature of humanity, and the most manifest expression of this lies in formula books. Alas, since secret medical texts were not transmitted and the emergency manual *Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang* was not obtained, the ancient formulas circulating in the world have also been difficult to elucidate in their essence. Yet, one must not say that there is no essence to be elucidated. Furthermore, superior drugs nourish life, medium drugs nourish character, and inferior drugs treat disease. If drugs used to treat disease do not understand the principles of life and spirit (*Xing Ming*), how can diseases be cured? Therefore, the treatment of disease is conducted through formulas, and the nourishing of life and character constitutes the true essence of these formulas. Oh! The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) are not without extensive records that people love to praise; yet there is a fear that one may obtain only the coarse aspects while losing the refined ones, so that the excellent methods and noble intentions of the ancients cannot be verified face-to-face across thousands of years. This would be like the piece *Guangling San* being lost and never played again. Only by grasping its essence can one achieve refinement: even the most extraordinary and unconventional formulas achieve refinement through their essence, and the most plain and simple formulas achieve refinement precisely by not seeking the unusual. Moreover, by referencing various formulas and seeking out good editions, one combines the essence of the ancients to attain refinement, and merges with the ancients' essence to become more refined. This is what is meant by "Hui Jing" (Collecting Refinements). In the past, Sun Simiao wrote *Qian Jin Yi Fang* (Supplement to the Thousand Golden Formulas), and Tao Hongjing wrote *Ji Yan Fang* (Collected Verified Formulas) in five volumes; both were passed down to later generations, benefiting many. The merit of distributing medicinal herbs is not as great as the merit of printing and disseminating formulas to aid the world. This compilation is titled *Hui Jing*. It was printed and distributed by the Zun Ren Tang of Jingjiang in the third month of the Jiazi year, the ninth year of the Jiaqing reign.

Item 1: Ancient and modern formula books are numerous enough to make oxen sweat and fill houses with books. Experience-based formulas have also been published frequently. Here, from various sources, we select those that have proven effective repeatedly, categorizing them into Internal Medicine, External Medicine, Gynecology, and Pediatrics.

Item 2: Formulas for internal and external conditions are generally applicable to gynecology and pediatrics. Those specifically dedicated to women and children are listed as specialized sections. Among these, pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal care are particularly important.

Item 3: The section on rare and acute conditions addresses symptoms that are not common; in sudden emergencies, the condition is peculiar and dangerous, and delay makes rescue difficult. Therefore, we extensively collect various formulas to fulfill the purpose of emergency relief.

Item 4: Observation, listening/smelling, inquiry, and palpation (pulse-taking) are indispensable. This book details physical signs and symptoms under each formula but omits pulse theory. This is because pulse theory is difficult to articulate, whereas physical signs and symptoms are easier to understand.

Item 5: The primordial Qi (*Yuan Qi*) of people in ancient and modern times differs, a point detailed by various schools of medical thought. The formulas compiled here primarily focus on consolidating and nourishing primordial Qi. For conditions caused by exogenous pathogens, the treatment should involve attacking/expelling the pathogen.

Item 6: The formulas recorded in this book are selected from various references, choosing the best editions and carefully collating them to avoid errors. Users must not arbitrarily discuss or modify the prescriptions.

Item 7: Formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), and Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) are commonly seen in other books and originally did not need to be reprinted. However, due to their frequent clinical use, they are included here for convenience of reference... [Text fragment]

Item 8: The book has a defined table of contents and numbered entries. For cases where one formula treats multiple symptoms, or one symptom is treated by referring to multiple formulas, cross-references are noted under the decoction instructions.

Item 9: The volume is small, containing only experience-proven formulas. They are suitable for those living in remote rural areas where doctors are hard to find, or for travelers carrying them on boats and carts, providing significant assistance.

Item 10: Besides the decoctions for clinical use, other categories such as pastes, pills, powders, and elixirs are included. Some single formulas treat multiple conditions, offering high efficacy at low cost, with accessible ingredients... [Text cuts off]