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A guest asked me, "Have I heard that you have a work titled *Bencao Gangmu Shiyi* (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica)?" I replied, "Yes." The guest said, "Li Shizhen (courtesy name Binhu) extensively consulted numerous books, encompassing a hundred generations. He cited documents and examined offerings, from philosophical works and histories to minor records and unofficial histories, collecting them in detail to form his own school of thought. Moreover, he spared no expense or effort, inviting medical practitioners from across the country to inquire widely about local customs. He explored far-off remote regions for their produce; ventured into dangerous immortal mountains to gather their flora. For instance, *Yabulou* recorded in *Guixin Zashi* and *Munaiyi Fang* recorded in *Zhegeng Lu*, Li Shizhen still adopted them all. So what is there left to be supplemented? Looking at your work, is it not merely like a superfluous wart on a finger?"

I replied, "Indeed and not indeed. Li Shizhen's book was certainly extensive! However, as living things exist longer, their varieties become more numerous. As popular trends favor novelty, rare items are gathered together. Thus, *Dingteng* and *Chenyao* do not appear in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica); *Jili* and *Jinu* are only transmitted in later generations. Birds and insects were comprehensively documented by Sun Simiao; decoctions (herbal formulas) were supplemented by Haicang (referring to later medical schools). Without successors, who could expand their utility? Take *Shihu* (Dendrobium) as an example: those produced in Huoshan now are small in shape but sweet in taste; take *Baizhu* (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) as an example: those produced in Qianxian now have spotted roots and greater potency. These are changes in production due to recent times. If these are not recorded, when time passes, people will not know how to distinguish them. How will they identify the substances described in *Baiyue Ji* for treating swelling and toxins with *Yuanhuangji*, or *Shui Meihua* (Water Plum Blossom) used by Master Sun in *Tanpu* for treating dysentery? How can one discern their color and taste? Furthermore, *Tobacco* was discussed by Jingfu, and *Bird's Nest* was corrected by Shipan. Reading Mi Xiyong's *Bencao Jingshu* (Elucidation of the Classic of Materia Medica), one knows that correcting errors was truly a merit of Mr. Li. Therefore, does my *Shiyi* (Supplement) work have any fear of being like adding legs to a snake or making feet larger (superfluous additions)? The guest responded, "Very well." He then instructed me to place these words at the beginning as a preface.

Written in the eighth month of the Yichou year of the Qianlong reign, Zhao Xuemin, courtesy name Shuxuan, inscribed at Shuangyan Caotang in Qiantang.

(Comprising twenty-four species)

*Nanzhao Zhi* (Chronicles of Nanzhao) states: There are three types of Spring Water, all located in Heqing Prefecture. One is at Shibei Ping, twenty li southeast of the city; one is at the foot of Longzhu Mountain, thirty li south of the city; one is at the foot of Wulao Mountain, thirty li northeast of the city. When the Spring Water is abundant, it has a sulfur smell. Locals drink it mixed with salt, plum, and pepper powder between the second and third lunar months, which can dispel diseases.

*Zhifang Kao* (Examination of Regional Administration) states: Heqing Prefecture in Yunnan produces Spring Water, located north of Lianhua Village on Guanyin Mountain. It appears three days before Start of Summer and stops seven days after appearing. The water source has no fixed location. Whenever it appears, there is a gurgling sound from the ground. Locals dig along the sound, and the water emerges. It can cure a hundred diseases. Villagers from near and far compete to drink it. Traveling physicians drink it and do not contract miasma; patients suffering from pestilence recover immediately upon drinking it. Outsiders find it particularly effective. Within a few days, hundreds of flocks of green pigeons fly in, drink the water, and leave once it dries up.

The water tastes sweet and is neutral in nature. It eliminates stubborn diseases, thickens the intestines and stomach, cures deficiency consumption, and removes miasma.

Xuemin notes: Earth is the mother of all things. Any substance that obtains the essence of earth enters the Spleen and Stomach and can support righteous Qi (vital energy). When righteous Qi is sufficient, a hundred diseases naturally disappear. This water makes sounds underground and has no fixed emergence point because the river veins have obtained primordial Qi and release it through earthly power, thus possessing the function of thickening the stomach and eliminating diseases. It dries up seven days after emerging, demonstrating the mechanism of return and renewal. Heqing is on the border of Yunnan, with dense mountains and rivers, and many people suffer from miasma. The prefectural gazetteer records that there is also hot spring water southeast of the city. Every year in the third lunar month, locals bathe in it, and those suffering from痞疾 (痞疾, a type of abdominal mass or stagnation disease) often recover. This shows that it is not just Spring Water that emerges in this area. Heaven loves humanity; for every harm generated, it creates something to save us. For example, where green pigeons emerge, there are often rhinos. Observing this Spring Water, one can comprehend the principles of nature.