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People generally do not trust (these records), entrusting their lives to empty reputations, which is truly pitiable. The people in the capital city all value fame and reputation rather than seeking true records.

Since my grandfather's generation, we have been dedicated to promoting prescriptions and medicines. Originally, there was one volume of *Fan Wang Fang* (Prescriptions of Fan Wang) authored by Fan Wang. After careful consideration and detailed application, it yielded many effective results, benefiting our family internally and extending to relatives externally. For those who sincerely requested treatment, regardless of status or wealth, we went to save them continuously. The number of people saved by us amounted to several hundreds or thousands. Even after retiring to Zhai Ling, I never forgot this matter; day and night I studied and pondered it, always feeling joyful.

Now, I have compiled these three volumes, along with five volumes of verified effective prescriptions, and supplemented three volumes from Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up the Sleeve). This is likely to perpetuate good deeds, ensuring that descendants and nephews dare not let them be lost, serving as methods for self-cultivation and aiding the world. What could be more primary than this?

Regarding the current methods of collecting and processing various drugs, since we rely on ready-made materials and cannot dig them up ourselves, I will not elaborate on those matters further. Instead, I will list the necessary measures and regulations for compounding medicines as follows:

The growing areas of various herbal medicines have definite boundaries. Before the Qin and Han dynasties, these regions were referred to as separate states. The current names of commanderies and counties are alterations made by later generations. Since the development of the Jiangdong region, many minor miscellaneous drugs mostly come from nearby areas. Their medicinal potency, nature, and principles are inferior to those of their original habitats. If Jingzhou and Yizhou were inaccessible, and one had to use solely Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) from Liyang, or San Jian (Tian Xiong, Fu Zi, Wu Tou) from Qiantang, how could they be comparable? Thus, the therapeutic effect is inferior to that of predecessors, also due to this reason. Medicines from Shu and the North, although circulated, are not necessarily the finest.

Moreover, market vendors do not understand drug properties but only focus on appearance. Ginseng from Shangdang is hardly sold anymore. Xi Xin (Asarum) from Huayin is discarded like weeds. Furthermore, everyone competes according to local customs, following prescription needs without being able to stockpile much, leading to frequent omissions among various families. What remains today is only about two hundred species. Doctors often encounter unfamiliar drugs and rely solely on market vendors; vendors, in turn, do not investigate or distinguish, delegating everything to collectors and suppliers. Collectors and suppliers pass down preparation methods, making the authenticity and quality unpredictable. For instance, Zhong Ru (Stalactite) is boiled in vinegar to turn white; Xi Xin is soaked in water to straighten it; Huang Jing (Polygonatum) is steamed with honey to make it sweet; Dang Gui is sprinkled with wine to make it moist; Piao Xiao (Cuttlefish bone) is glued to mulberry branches; and Wu Gong (Centipede) has its legs painted red with cinnabar. All such practices are not factual. However, since they have been used by custom for a long time, they have become established methods and cannot be changed, leaving no recourse.

Additionally, when dividing medicines according to prescriptions, the loss from peeling and cleaning is not accounted for. For example, Yuan Zhi (Polygala root) and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan bark) yield less than half upon collection; Di Huang (Rehmannia root) and Men Dong (Ophiopogon tuber) lose one-third. For herbs requiring skin removal or heart extraction, the weight no longer corresponds accurately. Patients use them as is, unaware that they should weigh additional amounts to compensate. Moreover, when nobles and high officials compound medicines, they hand the task entirely to subordinates. Those fond of fine drugs and precious minerals steal them secretly. It is even claimed that Zi Shi Ying (Fluorite) and Dan Sha (Cinnabar) are swallowed and then washed out for resale, with a single piece changing hands dozens of times. Such examples reveal endless cunning and fraud, none of which are factual. Even with supervision and inspection, these cannot be detected. Using such drugs for treatment makes immediate efficacy unlikely. These issues stem from the profit margins of drug merchants and should not be blamed on the incompetence of physicians.

The months recorded in *Ben Cao* (Materia Medica) begin with the month of Jian Yin (the first lunar month), indicating records made after the Taichu calendar reform of the Han Dynasty. Root medicines are mostly collected in February or August because in early spring, sap is moist and sprouting begins before affecting branches and leaves, resulting in rich and potent energy. By autumn, branches and leaves wither, and nutrients flow back to the roots. Current practical experience confirms that spring collection should be early, and autumn collection late. Flowers, fruits, stems, and leaves are harvested according to their respective maturation times. Years may vary in timing, so one need not strictly follow the original text. Scriptures mention "drying in shade," referring to drying using the yin energy of the Six Jia cycles. According to Dunjia (Divination) methods, the yin position for Jia Zi is Gui You, implying placing medicine in the You direction (west/shadowed area). I believe this is not necessarily so; it simply means drying in the shade without direct sun exposure. Hence, some texts say "sun-dried." If both methods are acceptable, it would be better.