呜呼。浣早失怙。不及趋庭闻诗礼之训。稍长。永思哀恸。惟从太母及母氏得先人遗书
而读
之。揽其丹铅之富有。纂述之鸿多。自惟愚陋。如涉重溟。不胜望洋向若而叹也。久而稍得
其要领。感先人博雅冠当世。生平闭户自精。不求闻达。读书务在抉 理奥。阐微发异。有
当于心而后已。自经史外尤留意河雒轩岐之旨。谓可以穷性命。可以前民用。可以导长年。
手泽存焉。一展卷而泪涔涔不能终篇矣。此本草择要纲目上下二卷。乃其精神所寄。通内外
之学。适行藏之用。果熟此而民无夭札。物无疵疠。可操券得矣。请之父执同人。皆谓宜
先
梓以公世。亦稍见先人学有实用。利济为心。而予小子徒读父书。不能无愧也。不肖男浣百
拜识。
时康熙己未花朝日。
Alas! I, Jiang Huan, lost my father at an early age and was unable to listen to his teachings on the *Classic of Poetry* (Shijing) and the *Classic of Rites* (Lijing) in the courtyard. As I grew slightly older, I constantly missed him with deep sorrow, and could only read the books left behind by my ancestors under the guidance of my grandmother and mother. Perusing their rich annotations and voluminous compilations, I felt myself ignorant and shallow, like someone crossing a vast ocean, sighing helplessly like He Bo facing the North Sea Deity. After a long period of study, I gradually grasped the essentials. I am moved by my ancestor's erudition and elegance, which surpassed his contemporaries; throughout his life, he secluded himself to refine his scholarship, seeking no fame or recognition. His reading focused on uncovering profound principles and elucidating subtle, unique insights, stopping only when his heart was truly satisfied. Beyond the Classics and History, he paid special attention to the principles of Hetu, Luoshu, and the *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* (Huangdi Neijing), believing that these studies could exhaust the nature of life and destiny, benefit the common people, and guide longevity. The traces of his hand remain; whenever I unroll the scrolls, tears flow incessantly, making it impossible to finish reading. This two-volume work, *Bencao Zeyao Gangmu* (Outline of Essential Materia Medica Selections), is where his spirit resides, integrating internal and external learning, and adapting to both public service and private retreat. If one masters this book, it is certain that the people will not suffer premature death or sudden calamities, and living things will be free from disease and pestilence. I consulted my father's peers and colleagues, who all agreed that it should first be woodblock printed for public dissemination. This also allows me to see somewhat clearly that my ancestor's scholarship had practical utility, centered on benefiting and relieving others. Yet, as his son, merely reading my father's books, I cannot but feel ashamed. Your unworthy son, Jiang Huan, bows a hundred times to record this.
On the Flower Morning Day (15th day of the 2nd lunar month) of the Jiwei year of the Kangxi reign.