Library

Written by Wang Tao, Silver-Qing Guanglu Daifu (Grand Master of Silver and Green Light), Holder of the Jie (Imperial Credential) for Military Affairs of Ye Commandery, Acting Prefect, Shangzhuguo (Highest Noble Title), Duke of Qingyuan County, Opened State.

In ancient times, when Shennong (Divine Farmer) governed the world, he tasted hundreds of herbs, established the Nine Pulse Diagnoses (Jiu Hou), to rectify the diagnosis of Yin-Yang changes, thereby saving lives from confusion and peril, enabling the people's lands and dwellings to be healthy and peaceful. How vast this was! When the Zhou Dynasty reigned, there were also High Ministers (Zhongqing) who mastered the Way of Medicine, managed its administrative orders, gathered toxic substances to supply their duties. At the end of each year, they conducted assessments to determine their salaries: ten cures out of ten were considered superior, while four failures out of ten were considered inferior. Our Tang Dynasty follows these classics, acting with moderation, establishing medical institutions, and promulgating excellent prescriptions, which is also a means to achieve the harmony of Primordial Qi (Yuan Qi). How could the virtue of sages exceed this? Thus, the constant way of the Three Dynasties has not changed among hundred kings, having originated from a distant past. Since the works of Lei Gong, Qibo, Cang Gong, and Huan Gong appeared, and Peng Zu, Bian Que, Hua Tuo, and Zhang Zhongjing rose up, until thereafter, benevolent and worthy figures emerged intermittently over thousands of years, with prescriptions exceeding ten thousand volumes, so numerous that even large carts could not hold them and grand halls could not contain them. However, as time passed, bamboo slips and books were lost or damaged; although detailed records were extensive, profound aspects might have been overlooked. Exploring old texts requires double effort for half the result; in selection, one prefers sweet theories and fears bitter ones. For a long time, I desired to edit and compile, but lacked the leisure to take charge.

I suffered from frequent illnesses in my childhood and loved medicine in my adulthood. Encountering an era of Dao, I entered the path of success, passing the imperial examinations seven times at the Southern Palace (Nangong), and serving twice at the Eastern Porch (Dongye - referring to court service). For over twenty years, amidst the busy affairs of the government offices, I became well-acquainted with the collections and medical books in the Hongwen Academy. Thus, I penetrated the profound mysteries and entered the hall, exploring their secrets. Due to marriage circumstances, I was demoted to guard Fangling, later transferred to Daning Commandery. Carrying my family along the river, braving the steaming heat, traveling from south to north, in a remote and humble place, I contracted miasma and fell ill; six or seven out of ten died or survived in separation, unable to question Heaven. Fortunately, surviving classical prescriptions remained. Their divine efficacy and wondrous uses are hard to describe. Thus, I resolved to publish and edit, hoping to present a corner of this knowledge. I compiled about fifty-six schools of ancient prescriptions and nearly thousands of volumes of new compilations. I studied their general principles and verified their intentions. Recent masters such as Monk Shenshen, Minister Cui, Retired Scholar Sun, Zhang Wenzhong, Meng Tongzhou, Xu Renze, Wu Sheng, and more than ten others, all had compilations circulating in their times. They were beautiful, yet not perfect. Why? Each excelled in different styles, contradicting one another; some chapters were repetitive and complex, others verbose and messy. Now, I taste the essence, control the key points, working day and night, managing the compilation, discarding the gravel of many sages, picking the emerald feathers of talents. After repeated deliberation and pondering for a year, covering from Yan Di and Huang Di down to the Holy Tang, gathering omissions, verifying secrets, I feel no shame in having done my utmost.

A guest seeing this prescription book said: "Ha! How erudite! Has learning reached such a height?" I replied: "What I love is longevity, not merely advancing in learning. As for escaping nature, doubling emotions, and having premonitions like untying a hanging suspension, I have heard of it." "Does administering medicine to treat diseases perhaps bring recovery?" The guest added: "Receiving life and forming shape, all have fixed destinies. What can herbs and stones do against fate?" I strongly disagree with this view and wish to discuss the points. If anger and joy are unregulated, hunger and fullness irregular, desires attack the center, and cold/heat injure the exterior, are such ailments caused by Heaven? As a subject or a son, transforming the family to govern the state, extending from near to far, how easy is it to talk about? Then why did Sages not open the Golden Cabinet (Jinteng)? Why did worthies not list the Jade Slabs (Yuban)? This stain in speech, I privately feel ashamed on your behalf. The guest said: "Yes, yes." Alas! Between Qi and Liang dynasties, those who did not understand medicine could not be called filial sons. The conduct of Min Ziqian in Lu should be earnestly followed. If one cannot meticulously investigate the source of disease and deeply explore prescription theories, even if a hundred doctors guard the illness and medicines gather at the door, it only increases doubt and cannot cure a single disease. The Emperor respects the worthy and values the Dao, nurturing life and praying for longevity. Thus, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wang, Mr. Li, and other predecessors entered the court successively. Everyone admired their demeanor and sought improvement, honoring and following them. Therefore, precious books like Hongbao Jinkui and Qingnang Luzhi often exist. Thus we know that where the sun and moon shine is far, and what the Sage influences is deep. Regarding preserving spirit, nourishing harmony, retiring the elderly, and supplementing illness, these can be heard and seen. I dare to collect and record them. This is unprecedented in antiquity; now I compile them, and my task is complete. As for distinguishing the ultimate numbers of Heaven and Earth, differentiating the ultimate signs of Yin and Yang, if Qi is excessive, harmonize Jingqu (Excessive Point of Lung Meridian) to calm it; if Will (Zhi) is deficient, tonify Fuliu (Water Point of Kidney Meridian) to nourish it. Dissolving fluids, adjusting upper and lower. I have heard these words, but have not met such a person. Not deceiving the future, I await coming philosophers.

This collection consists of forty volumes, named *Waitai Miyao Fang* (Secret Essentials from the Imperial Library). I do not dare to spread it in the capital cities, but intend to benefit future worthies. If anyone consults me, I will not hide anything. This year is Tianbao 11th Year, the year of Zhexu (Snake), when the moon begins to brighten.