Library

In ancient times, Shennong (Divine Farmer) tasted the flavors of hundreds of herbs to save the people from diseases and hardships. Later generations took him as their ancestor, and thus the study of Materia Medica (Bencao) arose. Since the Han and Wei dynasties, famous physicians succeeded one another; those who transmitted their works included Wu Pu and Li Dangzhi with their *Yao Lu* (Record of Medicinals), and Tao Hongjing and Su Gong with their annotations. At the beginning of our dynasty, two imperial edicts ordered close ministers to lead chief physicians and compile theories from various schools, resulting in the *Kaibao Revised Materia Medica*. Its discussions on the efficacy and toxicity of drugs, their cold and warm natures, and sweet and bitter tastes were indeed comprehensive and detailed. However, products vary by region, and climatic conditions differ; drug names are numerous, making it difficult to distinguish authentic from counterfeit ones. Using *Cnidii Fructus* (Shechuangzi) instead of *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Miwu), or confusing *Capsellae Fructus* (Jicai) with *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Renshen), was a concern even for ancients. How much more so now, when physicians' supplies come from merchants, whose sources are mountain dwellers gathering seasonally without investigating origins? To treat illnesses with such materials and expect them to hit the mark is surely far off.

During the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty, besides revising the Materia Medica, an illustrated manual (*Tujing*) was produced alongside it. The illustrations recorded shapes and colors, while the text explained similarities and differences. Emperor Xuanzong personally authored the *Tianbao Single Prescriptions Drug Illustrations*. Both served to clarify true versus fake substances, aiding diagnosis and prescription. These two books have been lost for a long time, scattered almost entirely; even the imperial secret library lacks originals. Only one volume of the Tianbao prescriptions remains, showing rough categories and traceable details. It is fitting that wise rulers and ministers pay attention to collecting and compiling these texts. Previously, an edict ordered Confucian scholars to re-collate eight books including the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Officials including Yu Xi, Yi, Song, Jian, and Baoheng were selected successively, along with medical officers Qin Zonggu and Zhu Youzhang. After years of compilation, the *Supplemented and Annotated Materia Medica* (*Buzhu Bencao*) was completed and presented to the throne. Another edict commanded all prefectures and counties to submit drawings of local medicinal plants, following the Yonghui precedent, to restart compilation.

Official Yu Xi argued that correcting books relies on collective knowledge for efficiency, but varying authors produce inconsistent styles. With thousands of items depicted today, explanations based on physicians' observations varied in detail and often used vulgar language. Without dedicated editing and literary refinement, the work would be disjointed and hard to read. Therefore, he proposed that I, Su Song, having previously studied this subject intensively, should take charge of the writing. Upon receiving the decree, I collected various accounts, categorized and arranged them, establishing basic structure. For minerals like jade, stone, metal, and earth, and biological distinctions among plants, trees, insects, and fish: where one substance appeared in multiple commanderies, or where identical names referred to completely different forms, I consulted both ancient and modern theories to illuminate each other. Regarding stem thickness, flower blooming, and fruit ripening, even if contradicting old records, I preserved them all. Where summaries were incomplete, I supplemented them with old annotations; if those were insufficient, I drew from classics, histories, medical formulas, and novels to trace origins. For instance, identifying *Achyranthis Bidentatae Caulis* (Luying) as the flower of *Achyranthes bidentata* (*Shuodai*), I cited the *Erya*; regarding aromatic herbs sharing roots, I used the *Lingbiao Luyi* for verification.

For production locations, priority was given to the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, followed by current sources. For example, *Cuscutae Semen* (Tusizi) originally from Chaoxian is now found in Yuanju; *Xidu* from Shaoshi Mountain now comes from San Shu. When harvesting times differed, both views were kept. For *Atractylodis Rhizoma* (Chijian), the *Bencao Jing* mentioned only root collection, whereas now stems and leaves are also gathered. For foreign imports, current rumors or written records were used. For Jade Chips (*Yuxie*) and Jade Spring (*Yuquan*), since people only know they come from Khotan without knowing why, I used Ping Juhui's *Travel Records* as evidence. Drugs were classified into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades according to the *Bencao Jing*. Substances with similar properties but indistinguishable forms, or those from distant regions, were appended to previous entries (e.g., *Dipsaci Radix* (Soushu) attached to *Lycii Cortex* (Gouqi); *Amber* (Hupo) attached to *Poria* (Fuling)).

Prescriptions from ancient texts that were concise, effective, and still in use, as well as effective drugs reported by local physicians, were recorded with their formulas, following the Tianbao example. Items not found in texts and unknown to current doctors were omitted rather than speculated upon. New drugs used by physicians but absent from old canons were added at the end under "External Categories of the Original Canon." Prominent new drugs near old names were listed sequentially (e.g., *Akebiae Caulis* (Tongtuo) after *Akebiae Caulis* (Mutong); *Shishe* after *Shixie*). The work totals twenty volumes plus one volume of contents. Upon completion, it was prepared for imperial inspection.

We reverently consider that Your Majesty, possessing supreme benevolence and virtue, cares for all living things; if any creature suffers, You feel sorrow. You recognize that epidemics occur in every season, requiring relief measures, with medicine being paramount. In your early years, you frequently ordered ministers to collate the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), redefine acupuncture points, and create bronze statues or woodblock prints. Pitying the harmful sorcery in the South, you issued the *Qingli Shanjiu Fang* (Good Rescue Formulas of Qingli). Concerned about the lack of resources for the common people, you issued the *Jianyao Jizhong Fang* (Simple and Effective Formulas for Saving the Masses). Now, you further expand the incomplete pharmacopoeia and illustrate local products. With diverse substances visible at a glance, harmonizers will achieve perfect cures, and consumers will have no doubts. This brings people to health and longevity, summons harmony to remote lands, and aids the attainment of peace. My learning is limited, yet I participated in this compilation. Receiving the imperial mandate, I deeply regret my ignorance.

On the [Day] of the Ninth Month, in the Sixth Year of Jiayou, Su Song, Gentleman of Chao Feng, Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Compiler at the Library of Worthies, Newly Appointed Prefect of [Prefecture Name], Supervisor of Agriculture within the jurisdiction, Manager of Ditch and Canal Construction, Cavalry General, Borrowed Purple Robe, respectfully submits this.