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Since ancient times, miraculous remedies have mostly originated from immortal transmissions, such as the *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Gold Formulas), which are the most renowned. I have long suffered from phlegm disorders, and later developed cold pain in my left knee. For twenty years, despite numerous treatments, it did not heal. In the Wushen year, I respectfully established a spirit-writing altar (Ji Tan) to seek treatment from Patriarch Ge Xianweng. The spirit-writing message indicated: "This knee pain is caused by accumulated phlegm. Fortunately, I bestow upon you a prescription, and your chronic illness is instantly cured." Since then, whenever my family members fell ill, I devoutly prayed for immortal prescriptions, all of which took effect immediately. However, since the Patriarch treated patients according to their specific conditions, I dared not widely disseminate the spirit-written prescriptions. Instead, I made a vow to visit and collect experienced and effective prescriptions from the world, regardless of whether they had been printed or not, compiling them into a book for public dissemination. Fearing that among these established formulas, some might only work occasionally at a given time and could not serve as permanent standards, I respectfully requested the Patriarch to select them. He provided over four hundred prescriptions and added a spirit-written commentary: "I possess a heart dedicated to saving the world, so whenever there is a request, I reveal it through the spirit-writing platform. You now have established formulas; please ask me to select them, and I am pleased to do so. However, diseases vary in deficiency (Xu), excess (Shi), cold (Han), and heat (Re); medicines differ in warming (Wen), cooling (Liang), tonifying (Bu), and purging (Fa). Deficiency should be treated with warming and tonification; excess should be treated with draining and dispersing. If the symptoms are not clearly understood and incorrect medicines are administered, the harm will be significant. Now, use those that are certain to hit the mark, and there will surely be no ineffectiveness. This book shall be titled *Huisheng Ji* (Collection for Reviving the Dead)." I respectfully write this preface to the volume to express the Patriarch's compassionate heart for universal salvation.

Written by Chen Jie, styled Letian Sou from Gubei, at the official residence of Duzhong Hall in Yunjian, during the mid-month of the first month of summer in the Jiyi year of the Qianlong reign.

During the provincial examinations in the Dingyou year, while residing on Nanyang Street, Zhou Caixuan happened to reprint *Chen Letiansou Huisheng Ji*. Caixuan, knowing that I had a rudimentary understanding of medicinal properties, asked me to write a preface. I read his original preface. It seems to be what is called "using religious beliefs to establish moral education" (Shendao Shejiao). The aspects worth appreciating in it are merely the two words: "experienced" (jingyan) and "saving the world" (jishi). However, when I read the Imperial Compilation *Yizong Jinjian* (Golden Mirror of Medical Tradition), I found that the so-called Buxin Dan (Heart-Nourishing Pill) is prefixed with "Tianwang" (Heavenly King), and the so-called Huoming Yin (Life-Saving Decoction) is prefixed with "Xianfang" (Immortal Formula). Thus, how can the statement in the original preface about the Patriarch's selection be entirely dismissed as absurd? Generally speaking, medicine relies on mental perception ("Yi"). The character "Yi" has misled many people. The *Analects* states: "Do not act subjectively." The *Great Learning* states: "Sincerity of Will." The concept of "Yi" lies between public/private, right/wrong, and orthodoxy/heresy in the blink of an eye. Practitioners of medicine must humbly and carefully study the mental principles of the Four Diagnostic Methods (Si Zhen: Inspection, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, Palpation). Whether inspecting complexion, listening to voice/smell, asking about symptoms, or feeling the pulse, one should be able to, as Mencius said regarding poetry, "use one's mind to infer the poet's intent." Only then can the use of "Yi" be free from fault. Students of medicine, if they truly understand the principle of applying mental perception, and also collect established formulas as standards for primary treatment, will find that experienced formulas are invariably effective, and world-saving formulas achieve their purpose. Therefore, with the publication of Caixuan's book, much good merit is accumulated. Caixuan obtained this book from merchant ships in Suzhou and Wu regions. He had the intention to print and distribute it for nearly twenty years. Now, having consulted with like-minded friends, he has realized his original wish. He especially hopes that those with surplus funds will widely print and distribute it, so that every household may keep a copy and every person may hold a volume. Even in remote rural areas where famous doctors are scarce, one can seek prescriptions based on symptoms without needing to seek out physicians.

Respectfully prefaced by Chun, Zhenyangzi from Dongling.