医学始于《内经》，药品始于《本经》，药性之于医，特其一端耳，而生杀反掌匪细，
故也同雷。而下考其性，正其用，广其数，详其义，历数十百家，宜亦无余蕴矣，然皆偏有
所长。求其词句雅炼、意旨赅明、不简不繁、体裁合节者，则未之数见也。
汪子 庵，予之至交也。少长宫墙，逾壮厌薄制举，遂自逸以老，然经史百家靡不殚
究，而于岐黄之书为尤嗜，盖以刀圭家鲜能探注，而养生者又不可以不知也。
予交 庵久，尊酒论文之暇，辄及医旨，殆于其间有玄解乎？近以本草一帙示予，盖
会蕞诸家，而手自裁定者也，名曰备要，征序于予，予知非以予言为重，以予稍解此中意旨
耳。
夫本草，大者莫如《纲目》，谓其类多而难穷也；小本莫如《汤液》，又未免失之稍略
。即余小刻医学五种，其一为《本草十剂》，盖推徐氏之说而扩充之，但与《方解》相表里
，而于婴儿、疡科药则未之及。兹本精于搜逸，严于树裁，于《汤液》则补其阙略，于《纲
目》则汰其繁芜，益以《经疏》诸书。使义类昭着，文约而指博，以云备要， 其然乎。是
书行世，则从来诸家别刻，皆可废览矣。嗟乎，使 庵得行其志，将跻民生于仁寿，其见诸
事功者，曷止如是。今伏处衡茅，仅着方书以寄意，然其 博济之心，则一也，是 庵之
为庵也夫。
眷同学弟陈丰拜撰
Medicine originated from the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), and materia medica originated from the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). The properties of herbs are merely one aspect of medicine, yet life and death often hinge on subtle differences in their application, making their importance as significant as thunder. Later generations have investigated herb properties, corrected their uses, expanded their numbers, and detailed their meanings; after dozens of schools of thought, it might be assumed there were no remaining secrets. However, each school tended to excel only in specific areas. It is rare to find a work that features elegant and concise language, comprehensive and clear intent, neither too brief nor too verbose, and adheres strictly to proper format.
Wang Zi (courtesy name An) was my closest friend. He grew up immersed in Confucian studies but, upon reaching adulthood, despised the imperial examination system. Consequently, he chose a leisurely life until his old age, yet he thoroughly studied classics, history, and various schools of thought, showing particular fondness for texts on Qihuang (Traditional Chinese Medicine). This is likely because few practitioners deeply explore medical theories, while those interested in health preservation must understand them.
Having known Wang An for a long time, our conversations over wine and literature often turned to medical principles, suggesting he possessed profound insights into them. Recently, he showed me a volume on materia medica, which synthesized views from numerous scholars and was personally edited by him. Titled *Beiyao* (Essential Preparations), he asked me for a preface. I know he does not value my words highly, but rather believes I somewhat understand the underlying principles.
Regarding materia medica compilations, the most comprehensive is the *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), noted for its extensive classification which is hard to exhaust. The most concise is the *Tangye Bencao* (Materia Medica of Decoctions), though it is arguably too brief. Among my own previously published five medical works, one was the *Bencao Shiji* (Ten Categories of Materia Medica), which expanded upon Xu’s theories but served as a companion to *Fangjie* (Explanation of Formulas) and omitted drugs for infants and surgery. This new book, however, excels in retrieving lost information and rigorously establishing its structure. It supplements the omissions of the *Tangye Bencao*, eliminates the redundancy of the *Bencao Gangmu*, and incorporates texts like *Bencao Jingshu* (Substantiation of the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Thus, the categories become clear, the text concise yet broad in meaning. If this is what "Essential Preparations" means, then indeed it fits. Once this book circulates, previous individual editions of materia medica can be discarded. Alas! Had Wang An been able to realize his ambitions, he would have brought benevolence and longevity to the people, and his achievements would have far exceeded these writings. Now, living in seclusion in a humble cottage, he expresses his intent only through medical texts, yet his heart for universal salvation remains unchanged. This is why Wang An is called "An."
Respectfully written by your junior fellow student, Chen Feng.