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Tu Shuo [He] (Illustrated Commentary [Verification])

Since the Yan Emperor tasted herbs, the forms and qualities of substances began to be clearly understood; due to the differences in their moral and punitive natures (referring to the beneficial or harmful properties), their shapes and characteristics were thereby distinguished. Former sages composed illustrated commentaries, which occasionally contained differing descriptions. Generally following three lineages, as the customs of the times changed and cultural influence spread further, the intrinsic nature of substances also shifted; some herbs produced in ancient times are no longer utilized today. If one relies solely on old illustrations, new therapeutic effects cannot be achieved. I have carefully added辨析 (analysis and verification) within the categories and names narrated by former sages. Occasionally selecting dozens of species, I personally cultivated them in my study garden, seeking to understand the timing of their gestation and completion (甲孕癸终 refers to the cyclical stages of growth), daring not claim to comprehend all connections. Indeed, medical art aims to benefit humanity, which is distinct from the art of judging horses; although the formulas remain the same, administering them may sometimes yield no results because the differentiation of syndromes was incomplete. Removing complexity for simplicity, mostly retaining original texts. As the saying goes, seeing the color reveals the mind; if one can follow the order of generation from this point and return to explore the origin of generation, it would be like a capable general using troops: ensuring the soldiers understand the general's intent and the general understands the soldiers' conditions, so that no action would be ineffective. Thus, *Tu Shuo [He]* was composed.

Ben Jing [ ]

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) is concise in language yet exhaustive in meaning, with profound principles entering the realm of the divine. Its subtlety in encompassing and completing all things—how could those who are not anciently wise, intelligent, and sacred participate in this? Former sages grasped its essence but did not fully expound it; later narrow-minded scholars saw the exterior while neglecting the interior, taking the coarse while discarding the refined, or adhering to one corner while deviating from the whole, thus fragmenting the profound principles. In my early years, I had the fortune to hear the preliminary theories of my elders, but felt blocked with little understanding. After a long time, through examining individual items and sections, I began to see a glimpse of the whole. Therefore, I traced the intent behind the naming conventions in the *Ben Jing*, and the reasons why later generations used different names for the same matters according to circumstances. I explored the unique differences in their virtues, flavors, and functions; the variations in warming, cooling, cold, hot, dry, and moist properties; and the mutual application of rigid/flexible, ascending/descending, opening/closing, releasing/consolidating attributes. These indeed form the basis for the division of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Courier roles in formula composition. However, the subtlety of tension and relaxation, like a skilled soldier adapting to the enemy, allows one to manipulate the spirit of division and combination. Thus, both abundance and scarcity can lead to victory; movement and stillness can both lead to victory. If one cannot directly penetrate the profound mystery of the ancient sages' divine principles, even if claiming to understand clearly, I know there will inevitably be confusion. Being foolish and shallow, I have been confused for years, yet occasionally gaining insights, I recklessly recall and speak them. I hope that brilliant minds within the seas may find inspiration in my humble words. Thus, *Ben Jing [ ]* was composed.