Library

Since the time of Shennong, the *Bencao* (Compendium of Materia Medica) has undergone numerous wars and fires, and suffered the destruction during the Qin dynasty. The transmitted texts are mostly lost or scattered, with characters often confused (e.g., "Lu" mistaken for "Yu", "Hai" mistaken for "Shi"), leading to inevitable errors. A single character error can lead to fatal consequences. I, Chen Shiduo, personally encountered the Heavenly Master Qibo in the Yan market and heard the Dao of Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor). Regarding the *Bencao*, I earnestly sought clarification and corrected all errors found.

This book deletes繁杂 (complex/prolix) content and retains simplicity. Anything irrelevant to medical practice is excluded. Even if some herbs have pungent and strong flavors, causing more harm than good, or are common and minor substances with little efficacy, they are also discarded.

Among the excellent editions of *Bencao*, we first follow Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), followed by Miao Xiyong's *Jing Shu* (Commentary on the Classic of Materia Medica). I have studied these two works extensively and made many discoveries; this is not to disparage these two masters, but to reveal their hidden profound truths.

Most other *Bencao* books list items such as origin, harvesting, and processing at the beginning. I do not list these because predecessors have examined them in detail, leaving no need for further discussion. However, the meanings of the "Seven Forms" (Qi Fang) and "Ten Categories" (Shi Ji) of prescriptions are still lacking, so I elaborate on them extensively and append questions and doubts afterwards, making medical principles clear and assisting in medication.

I deleted three-tenths of the original *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) and adopted two-tenths from *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians). My total intention is to save lives, not to arbitrarily select or discard.

As Qi Yun (the movement of vital energy/astrological influences) changes daily, people's constitutions have become weaker. The reason ancient formulas cannot treat modern diseases is not that tonifying agents are ineffective, but that attacking/expelling agents are unsuitable. Therefore, among the substances recorded in this book, tonifying ones outnumber attacking ones.

The *Bencao* requires a thorough understanding of Buddhist and Daoist classics, as well as Confucian books, to achieve integration and elucidate its secret principles. My knowledge is limited, and my nature is dull; I easily forget what I read, suffering from the ridicule of "remembering one but losing ten thousand." I especially hope for instruction from contemporary scholars.

*Bencao* values discussion to uncover subtle truths, rather than boasting about novel methods. I describe efficacy first and offer commentary later, hoping that future generations will fully understand the profundity of herbal properties and the mysteries of animal, human, mineral, and metallic substances, thereby preventing medication errors.

This book benefits from divine assistance, featuring strange ideas and wondrous thoughts. When writing, I acted unconsciously. Those who understand me will recognize its value; I dare not boast.

I have always studied medicine (Dao Gui) and wished to promote medical classics. In recent years, I had no time for scholarly debate. In the autumn of the Jiazi year, I met Lü Dongbin (Pure Yang) at Duxiu Mountain, where we discussed and revised this book. He permitted it, and later, through the help of mysterious figures, he endowed me with what I lacked.

Five-tenths of this book comes from Heavenly Master Qibo, two-tenths from Zhang Zhongjing (Prefect of Changsha), and three-tenths from Bian Que (Qin Bo). My own humble views account for none of it.

In my youth, I loved wandering. Whenever I visited famous mountains, I tirelessly explored wonders. While climbing and viewing, I often met mysterious figures, debating medical arts with them, which truly broadened my mind and enhanced my wisdom. Any gains were recorded in my book chest. Entering deep mountains, seeing rare flowers, jade-like grasses, exotic beasts, and insects/shells different from ordinary species, I consulted locals and verified endlessly. If I obtained strange news, I recorded it meticulously. Now, all are included in this compilation.

Practicing medicine without reading *Bencao* means failing to recognize Yin and Yang, being confused about attacking and tonifying methods, and knowing not how to prescribe for unusual symptoms. Moreover, printed books in the market lack good editions; they are either too verbose or too brief. I balanced these two extremes, ensuring appropriate complexity and simplicity for easy reading.

This book contains few drug types but detailed principles. It does not hide merits or faults, and clearly states preferences and taboos, allowing attacking and tonifying methods to be used together, and cold and hot drugs to be applied appropriately.

If you accuse me of meddling, trying to outdo predecessors, or lacking literary grace while challenging contemporaries, I would not dare.

Writing a book requires a prestigious location to broaden one's vision. Fortunately, I was traveling by boat, witnessing surging river waves and layered clouds, which inspired my grand aspirations, allowing me to express unique insights freely without constraint. However, like-minded people are few, and verification is not extensive, so I feel confined to one corner, unable to discuss the six directions (the whole world).

In my old age, I met a mysterious figure in the Yan market who taught me much. His writings were abundant, elucidating the secrets of *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions), rejecting shallow secular sounds beneficial for treating diseases profoundly. Regrettably, due to poverty, I could not afford printing. If anyone has a sincere heart to save lives and is willing to fund the printing, I will give everything I have, never hesitating, to fulfill the trust of the mysterious figure.

Chen Shiduo of Shanyin, courtesy name Yuangong, pseudonym Zhu Huazi, records this.