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The Clerk of the Imperial Medical Bureau (Subject) Wang Daochun and Physician (Subject) Jiang Zhaoyuan respectfully
memorialize regarding the matter of obeying the
Imperial Edict. On July 26, the 39th year of Kangxi,
He Shiheng (Subject) and Zhang Changzhu (Subject), Supervisors of Wuying Hall, received the
Sacred Decree to reprint a copy of the forty-two volumes of *Bencao Huihui Jingyao* (Essential Collection of Materia Medica with Illustrations) from the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty, which included illustrations.
They ordered Subjects Wang Daochun and Jiang Zhaoyun to check, compare, and correct any disordered characters and erroneous annotations. Subjects Wang Daochun and Jiang Zhaoyun submitted a separate list for
Imperial instruction, all of which were graciously reviewed and revised by the
Sovereign's discernment. The content recorded in *Bencao Huihui Jingyao* was found to be lacking over four hundred and eighty entries compared to *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica). Consequently, we were
ordered to supplement these deficiencies for reference. So commanded. We examined and collated *Bencao Gangmu*, and strictly following old conventions, compiled ten volumes. Additionally, we attached annotations to *Maijue Siyan Juyao* (Four-Character Summary of Pulse Diagnosis) and presented them for
Imperial inspection. We respectfully submit this
Memorial stating that we are
presenting [the work].

We reflect that
in the garden of Lingzhi mushrooms, clouds condense, and immortal herbs are offered, displaying the auspiciousness of mountains and rivers;
dew from the Xuan source moistens spiritual branches, spreading fragrance through the valleys.
Virtue reaches the earth, and no place is without spring;
Benevolence extends to all things, and all creatures attain longevity. Yet, teachings passed heart-to-heart are as distant as red script and green characters; and bearing the heavy responsibility of healing the state through healing the people, we once again don the green records and blue bags, forever preserving the model of a thousand years. Rejoicing in receiving an encounter unparalleled in history, we, your subjects, tremble with fear and reverence, bowing our heads to the ground, and speak thus: Privately, we consider that *Suwen* (Basic Questions), transmitted from the Yellow Emperor, contains subtle words and great principles equal to those of the *Yijing* (Book of Changes); knowledge of drug properties traces back to Shennong, utilizing analogical classification; *Erya* is more comprehensive, with Tao Hongjing providing annotations during the Liang Dynasty, a work valued by the world and reprinted in the Tang Dynasty. Sages such as Guo Pu and Su Geng corroborated each other, while Shen Wei and Liu Han successively made revisions. By the time of the previous Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen integrated various merits to compile his masterpiece. Until the current dynasty, Zhang Chao collected scattered volumes to pass down to posterity. All these works are fundamentally pure but have minor flaws, causing golden cases and jade-like uncarved stones to remain hidden. This is due to encountering Your Majesty, the Emperor, whose
merits rival creation itself,
and whose Way harmonizes with the shaping and completion of heaven and earth.
Smooth qi can mend the sky, without waiting for Nüwa's colored stones;
Wind blowing can subdue the earth, without troubling the Yan Di (Flame Emperor) to whip the grasses. Because you harbor concern for the drowning people, whenever the intense heat accumulates, you inquire about their suffering as if it were your own pain, often administering medicines to relieve the orphaned and weak. You state that although the Six Channels (Liu Jing) are the framework for governing the world, the hundred herbs are also the auspicious signs of human life. Moreover, good physicians must rely on good medicines, and miraculous prescriptions indeed depend on miraculous books. Therefore, you issued the Langhan (jade-bound book), repaired the good editions, and proclaimed the Jade Edict, indicating multiple methods. Since the various parts of the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) had been printed in previous dynasties, but the compilation *Huihui* was only completed with illustrations in the Hongzhi era, comparing it with *Gangmu* revealed omissions equivalent to worm-eaten texts, and verifying its phonetic errors showed more mistakes than the confusion between "Hai" and "Shi". We endeavored to investigate detailed meanings diligently, adding careful proofreading. Continuing this work allows cyan to surpass indigo, enhancing its brilliance without letting vermilion overshadow purple. Frequently troubling the Sacred Mind with planning, we have thus achieved the splendor of this
Treasured Record. Opening the Shanglin Park allows birds and fish to leap and fly; entering the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers brings brocade-like diversity. From now on, the elixir spring for extending life can be viewed carefully in diagrams, and long-life medicines need not be sought far across the seas. Our talents are meager; like the herb Xu Duan (Dipsacus, metaphorically meaning to continue what is broken), we hold our positions calmly but find it difficult to offer the maxims of the Chief Physicians or distinguish the records of Tong Jun (an ancient herbalist/deity). Looking up to receive
Imperial favor, not discarding the ignorance of grasses and trees, and joyfully accepting the
Edict, we feel as harmonious as birds and beasts. How dare we not strive to use our slight strengths to achieve even a small gain? Thus, thinking that although *Maijue* has the Four Examinations, *Siyan Juyao* further presents four-character verses. Cui Jiayan wrote it first, and Li Yanwen supplemented it later. However, the intent is constrained by rhyme, and the sentences resemble songs. Seeking clarity leads to confusion, like filling earth to level it yet remaining obscure, akin to facing a wall. Only when profound meanings are clear as in a mirror can Yangchun (spring-like healing arts) arise under the fingers. Therefore, we cross-referenced numerous books and added annotations, daring to say that like an old horse knowing the way, perhaps the faint light of fireflies illuminates the wall. We humbly pray for
Imperial selection of our humble opinions.
The sea accommodates tributaries; this trivial profession of proofreading (Qianhuang) has gained entry into the collection of the Golden Cabinet and Stone Chamber. A name as tiny as a mustard seed rises to the brightness of the sun and moon; common grasses vainly soak up rain and dew, and Yuan Zhi (Polygala, metaphorically meaning lofty ambition) cannot contribute a drop of dust. We merely reside in the time of Great Harmony, celebrating all things ascending to the realm of longevity, roaming in the prosperous age, observing the joyful spring terrace of myriad species. With no other way to repay, we only increase our trepidation. Your subjects, unable to bear the intense feeling of looking up to Heaven and the Sacred, respectfully submit this
Memorial stating that we are
presenting [it] for
Your Awareness.

On the day of November, the 40th year of Kangxi, Subjects Wang Daochun and Jiang Zhaoyun