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Ancient magistrates were close to the people. When they were hungry, they provided food; when cold, clothing; in cases of floods, droughts, diseases, and epidemics, they provided medical treatment and regulated care. Thus, they could achieve outstanding merits and have their reputation for benevolence spread far. Chen Xiuyuan (Chen Nianzu), a *xiaolian* (recommended talent) from Changle, was proficient in the arts of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo. While serving as a magistrate in the "Three Fu" region, a great flood occurred, and he was ordered to inspect the disaster relief efforts at Hengshan. He produced his prescriptions, which proved effective upon trial. Later, after returning home to mourn his parents' deaths, during his leisure time reading ritual texts while observing the mourning period, he published two books: *Shifang Ge Kuo* (Rhymed Mnemonics of Contemporary Prescriptions) and *Shifang Miaoyong* (Subtle Applications of Contemporary Prescriptions).

It is said that "the superior physician treats the state." Former sages such as Di Huaiying and Lu Jingyu, while living at home, typically compiled verified effective prescriptions for their own amusement, but also to save the world. The *Wulun* states: "A physician cannot be entrusted with lives unless they are benevolent and loving; they cannot be appointed unless they are intelligent and perceptive; they cannot be trusted unless they are incorruptible, pure, and virtuous." Chen Xiuyuan is about to expand his path to deeply investigate the afflictions of the people, hoping to follow in the footsteps of ancient exemplary officials. Would he merely sell his skills for profit?

Preface by Zhao Zaitian on the Winter Solstice of the Guihai Year of Jiaqing.

Physicians can be divided into three categories: those who penetrate the principles of the *Ling Shu*, *Su Wen*, and the classics of Zhang Zhongjing, achieving cures where the medicine reaches the disease, are called Famous Physicians (*Ming Yi*); those who study prescription books from the Tang and Song dynaies onwards, treat according to syndromes, and have more merit than fault, are called Contemporary Physicians (*Shi Yi*); those who plagiarize previous physicians, copy ambiguous formulas to cover up their mistakes, and cater to public opinion to gain fame, are called Market Physicians (*Shi Yi*). The differences among physicians are thus so great. My friend Chen Xiuyuan is well-versed in medical theory. He closed his door to annotate classics, correcting errors inherited over millennia. Considering that Famous Physicians are rare today and Market Physicians are not worth discussing with, he harbors a heart for guiding Contemporary Physicians. While serving in Baoyang, in his spare time from official duties, he wrote two volumes of *Shifang Ge Kuo* and four volumes of *Shifang Miaoyong*, showing them to me. Upon reading them, I found that some passages were lengthy yet not redundant, while others were brief yet comprehensive. Every word and sentence reflects the mind-method of ancient sages. Following contemporary prescriptions is following ancient methods. Therefore, I reviewed and punctuated them, titled them *Gongyu Yilu* (Medical Records from Leisure Time), encouraged their printing, and made them public throughout the land.

In the Xinyou year, I took the imperial examination in Nangong and, by imperial grace, was appointed as a magistrate in the Three Fu region. A summer flood occurred, and I was ordered to inspect the disaster at Hengshan. Due to overwork, I fell ill with Cold Jue Syndrome (*Han Jue Zheng*), nearly dying. After recovering, I prescribed a decoction for myself, taking two doses resulted in a cure. At that time, the northeast of Hengshan was suffering greatly from Warm Malaria (*Wen Nüe*), with many dying due to incorrect medication. Pitying them, I collected 108 contemporary prescriptions during my spare time, arranged them into rhymed mnemonics, copied them, and gave them to doctors to treat according to the methods. Many lives were saved. The following year, Governor Xiong Qianshan saw them and approved, saying, "Your intention is good. However, having prescriptions without understanding their application is insufficient to save people and may even kill them. You should clarify the meaning of the prescriptions and promote them widely." Unfortunately, I encountered my mother's death and did not succeed in doing so. This year, while observing mourning rites at home, respecting Mr. Xiong's wish to benefit the world and save people, I continued and completed four volumes. The origin of these poems lies within the 108 prescriptions. Furthermore, I read the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, revering Zhang Zhongjing, and had previously annotated classical prescriptions (*Jing Fang*), but few responded. Accidentally publishing contemporary prescriptions (*Shi Fang*) led to high demand (paper becoming expensive temporarily), catering to contemporary tastes. Since this is what is liked, why not guide people through this? Contemporary prescriptions certainly do not match Classical prescriptions in completeness, but if practiced with ancient methods, they stand in mutual relationship with Classical prescriptions. It all depends on the subtlety of application. Hence, I titled it *Shifang Miaoyong*.

Postscript by Chen Xiuyuan (Chen Nianzu) on the second day after the Start of Spring in the Guihai Year of Jiaqing.