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I have heard that ancient kings governed the world, taking comfort and care for the people as their foundation. They emulated Heaven and Earth in covering and bearing all things, just as the Sun and Moon shine upon the world; they practiced morality to harmonize joy and anger, and followed the changes of cold and heat to understand waxing and waning; they obeyed the will of Heaven above and conformed to the sentiments of the masses below, not fearing toil and anxiety, to fulfill the desires of the people—this is my wish! Moreover, humans are endowed with the Five Constants (Wuchang), and medicines can treat a hundred diseases. Those who can know whether an illness is curable and investigate the efficacy and response of medicines are the good physicians of the world. As for labor caused by unregulated wind and rain, or disasters resulting from irrational anger and joy, illnesses arise from this, stemming from human emotions and desires. If one does not thoroughly explore their source and probe their mysteries, merely troubling oneself with food intake to nourish longevity, and adjusting diet to preserve long life—as was done since ancient times—most would deviate from proper regimens and treatments. Illnesses would arise intermittently, accumulating from trivialities. When the signs of disease have already formed, one seeks remedies through ingestion. If the prescription is not good, how can the medicine save? The Book of Documents says: "If the medicine does not cause dizziness (indicating it is ineffective or mismatched), the disease will not be cured." Indeed, these words are true! Furthermore, the way of human health is such that meridians flow like springs. One may indulge passions, causing the body to become perverse and damaged, unaware of the injury, thereby shortening lifespan. This is due to the flourishing or withering of blood vessels, the robustness or weakness of skin and flesh, greed for sensual desires, and hindrance to joint movements. By the time one becomes emaciated and weak, one cannot guard against other causes. The four seasons follow or violate natural order, and the Six Qi (Six Excesses) contend with each other; the wise know this themselves, while the foolish do not comprehend. Therefore, the sages widely propagated benevolence and righteousness, with deep roots in universal love. Thus, the Yellow Emperor fully understood Qibo's teachings, and the Duke of Guo trusted Bian Que's medical skills. Those who practice *Kuidu* (pulse diagnosis) are clear in palpating pulses; those who grasp the *Zhigui* (principles) probe the profound and mysterious. In discourse, the five tones naturally harmonize; in listening, the eight winds respond to the musical pitches, like shadow following form or echo following sound, nothing fails to comply. Seeking the subtle and discarding the complex, everything is prepared in books; exploring essentials, explanations are comprehensive; interpreting texts, probing depths reveals perfection, leaving no secret unexamined or hidden detail unsought. Great indeed is scholarship reaching such heights! Thus we know that Heaven does not withhold its Dao, but the Dao resides within; Earth does not withhold its treasures, but the treasures are stored inside. Physicians are men of intent. Diseases arise internally, and medicines regulate externally. If the physician understands the principles, the medicinal effect is miraculous. Drawing analogies, analyzing changes, the subtle ways require careful deliberation. Stubborn and mediocre physicians find syndromes difficult to discern. In my past days at the Hidden Residence, I collected famous prescriptions, esoteric techniques, and acupuncture methods, grasping their essentials, and gathered over a thousand excellent prescriptions, all personally verified and possessing standards. The value lies in saving the people and removing suffering. We directed the Academy of Medical Officers to collect family-prescribed effective formulas, totaling over ten thousand. I ordered Wang Huaiyin, Imperial Physician Attendant, and three others to collate and compile them. All discussions on syndromes are included therein; evaluations of medicinal efficacies are fully recorded. Whenever observing the depth of illness, first differentiate deficiency and excess, then examine exterior and interior, and finally apply medication according to the prescription, there will be no case that is not cured. May this make Heaven high and Earth thick, manifesting the transformation of the Kingly Way; as spring goes and autumn comes, distributing great benefits to the common people. In ancient times, Shennong, the Yan Emperor, grew up by the Jiang River, taught people to sow crops to reduce killing, tasted hundreds of herbs to distinguish their properties, saved lives lost to premature death or injury, and extended the lives of the old and sick. The people used them daily without knowing, which is the supreme virtue of a sage. The difficulty of the medical path was even a concern for former sages. Suppose one recites but cannot understand, understands but cannot distinguish, distinguishes but cannot clarify, clarifies but cannot exhaustively master; those who exhaustively study this path must be diligent and wise individuals! I, residing nobly above the millions, always keep the people in my heart, worrying that the Five Qi might deviate, fearing that any thing might be misplaced, and lamenting that natural life is not fully preserved! Therefore, I personally reviewed medical texts, ordering their compilation, hoping that under the vast sky, everyone may preserve long life, joining our people in entering the realm of longevity. Now compiled into one hundred volumes, named *Taiping Shenghui Fang* (Tai Ping Holy Benefit Prescriptions), I command woodblocks to be carved and printed, disseminating them throughout China and foreign lands. All living beings should know my intention.