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(Mu, pronounced like "Mu". Listed as Superior Grade in *Bie Lu* [Additional Records of Materia Medica])

**[Names]** Duck (*Ya*, from *Shuo Wen Jie Zi*; Shufu [Slow Goose/Duck])

Li Shizhen states: It is commonly written as "Mu" (Wood). This is because the duck's nature is docile ("wood-like") and lacks ulterior motives, hence commoners used it as a gift for meeting. The *Book of Rites* (*Qu Li*) states: "Commoners present paired birds." "Pi" means a pair. Since commoners were considered lowly, ... (The original text here has an omission, likely referencing *Guang Ya* or similar texts to explain their humble status).

The *Qin Jing* (*Classic of Birds*) states: The duck calls "gaga"; its name is derived from its own cry. The wild duck (*Fu*) can fly high, whereas the domestic duck moves slowly and cannot fly, hence it is called "Shufu" (Slow Duck).

**[Correction of Errors]** Tao Hongjing states: It is the duck. There are domestic ducks and wild ducks.

Su Gong states: The *Shi Zi* says: Wild ducks are called *Fu*, while domestic ducks are called [Character missing in source, typically *Wu*]. Domestic ducks cannot fly, just as commoners only know how to farm.

Han Baosheng states: The *Erya* says: Wild *Fu* is called [Character missing]. However, the duck fat mentioned in the *Ben Cao* refers to domestic ducks.

Kou Zongshi states: Based on these various accounts, both *Fu* and [Character missing] are ducks. Wang Bo wrote in his *Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng*: "Falling clouds fly together with a lone [duck/wild duck]." Thus, it is clear that [Character missing] refers to wild ducks. Wang Bo was a renowned scholar and must have had evidence.

Li Shizhen states: Among these four scholars, only Su Gong is correct. Tao Hongjing confused *Fu* and [Character missing]; Kou Zongshi identified [Character missing] as wild ducks; Han Baosheng misinterpreted "Shufu" as "wild Fu" when citing the *Erya*. All are erroneous, and this is now corrected. Essentially, [Character missing] bears the name "Shufu," while *Fu* carries the title of "wild [Character missing]," so Wang Bo could use them interchangeably, yet the meaning remains clear.

Examination: In the *Rites of Zhou*, it says "commoners present [Character missing]," does this refer to wild ducks? In the *Book of Songs* (*Guo Feng*), it mentions shooting *Fu* and geese, does this refer to domestic ducks? Qu Yuan wrote in the *Li Sao*: "Would I rather yoke myself with a steed of a thousand li? Or compete for food with chickens? Would I stand proud like a colt of a thousand li? Or float aimlessly in the water like a wild *Fu*?" Here, *Fu* and [Character missing] are contrasted, making it even clearer which is domestic and which is wild.

**[Collected Explanations]** Li Shizhen states: According to the *Gewu Lun* (*Investigation of Things*), male ducks have green heads and patterned wings, while female ducks have yellow spots. There are also white ducks with black bones, which are superior for medicinal and dietary use. Male ducks are mute, while females quack. They become fat and delicious after the Double Yang Festival (Chongyang). Eggs laid after the Qingming Festival are not fully developed. If the sound of grain grinding is heard during incubation, the embryos will scatter and fail to hatch. If there is no hen to brood, they can be hatched using cow dung for warmth; this is... (The original text here appears incomplete, likely describing an artificial incubation method).