Library

Li Jianyuan, an enlarged student of the Confucian School in Huangzhou Prefecture, Huguang Province, respectfully memorializes: In accordance with established precedents to seek out books, I submit the *Bencao* (Compendium of Materia Medica) for selection and adoption.

I have reverently read the regulations of the Bureau of Ceremonial of the Ministry of Rites regarding the verification documents, which earnestly requests the Emperor's wise decree to establish a bureau for Confucian scholars to compile and revise the Official Histories, and to transmit this order throughout the realm. Any works by renowned authors that concern state institutions and rituals, record the deeds of rulers and ministers, or cover subjects such as astronomy, music theory, medical arts, and various skills, provided they constitute a unique school of thought capable of being passed down to future generations, are to be sought after and submitted for potential inclusion in the *Yiwen Zhi* (Treatise on Literature). If already printed, one copy is to be sent to the Ministry. If the author's family wishes to submit it voluntarily, they are permitted to do so. Having received this instruction...

My late father, Li Shizhen, formerly served as the Director of Sacrifices at the Chu Prince's Mansion and was conferred the title of Wenlin Lang (Scholar of Literary Excellence) and Magistrate of Pengxi County, Sichuan Province, by imperial edict. He was devoted to learning throughout his life and dedicated himself to compilation and revision. He authored a work titled *Bencao* (Compendium of Materia Medica), which had just been completed for printing when he unexpectedly passed away. He left a final testament instructing me to present it on his behalf. I pondered deeply: If a father leaves a dying wish and the son does not obey, how can he inherit his father's aspirations? If a father leaves a written legacy and the son does not present it, how can he respond to the imperial mandate? Moreover, since we are currently in the period of compiling histories and gathering books, I, disregarding my own shallowness and ignorance, and fearing no punishment, respectfully recount my late father's testament.

My father, Shizhen, suffered from frail health in his childhood and considered himself dull-witted in adulthood, yet he was deeply engrossed in classics and texts, finding them as sweet as cane sugar and malt syrup. He investigated ancient records and verified contemporary facts, working diligently to compile and edit, striving to resolve doubts and correct errors, and paying close attention to the compilation of various books. I believe the *Bencao* is of significant importance; however, among the annotations by various schools, there are many errors. From the age of thirty, I exerted myself in collation and proofreading; after seventy years of effort, the work was finally accomplished. Even a commoner sunning his back while eating celery wishes to offer it to the Son of Heaven; how much more should I, having gathered pearls and jade, dare not present them to the enlightened ruler?

In antiquity, Yan Di (Flame Emperor) and Huang Di (Yellow Emperor) distinguished hundreds of grains and tasted hundreds of herbs to differentiate their flavors and toxicities; Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) took Qibo as his teacher and followed Bogao to analyze the origins and branches of the meridians. Thus, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) of three volumes was created, recorded in the *Yiwen Zhi* as a classic text for physicians. By the end of the Han Dynasty, Li Dang began to revise it; by the end of the Liang Dynasty, Tao Hongjing added annotations, listing 365 ancient medicinal substances corresponding to the hexagrams of the *I Ching*. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Sikong Li Ji was ordered to revise it, and Changshi Su Gong requested approval to finalize it, adding 114 medicinal substances. Under Emperor Taizu of Song, Imperial Physician Liu Han was ordered to carefully collate; under Emperor Renzong of Song, another edict supplemented the annotations, adding 100 substances. Imperial Physician Tang Shenwei was summoned to combine these into the *Zhenglei Bencao* (Classified Materia Medica), revising and supplementing over 500 previous materia medica works. Since then, people have referred to it as the complete work, and physicians regard it as an profound classic.

Upon careful examination, however, there are numerous flaws. Some items that should be analyzed separately were conflated, such as *Weirui* (Polygonatum odoratum) and *Nuweirui*, two different substances merged into one entry; some items that should be merged were separated, such as *Nanxing* (Arisaema erubescens) and *Huzhang* (Arisaema consanguineum), one substance divided into two types. *Shengjiang* (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and *Shuyu* (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) are vegetables but listed under herbs; *Binglang* (Arecae Semen) and *Longyan* (Dimocarpus longan) are fruits but listed under trees. The Eight Grains, the foundation of people's livelihood, could not be clearly distinguished by type; the Three *Song* (Chinese cabbages), daily vegetables, could not be accurately named. *Heidou* (Phaseoli Vulgaris Semen Nigrum) and *Chishu* (Phaseoli Vulgaris Semen Rubrum) were grouped together despite size differences; *Xiaoshi* (Natrii Sulfas) and *Mangxiao* (Natrii Sulfas Desiccatus) were confused regarding their water and fire properties. Mistaking *Lanhua* (Orchidaceae) for *Lancao* (Agastache rugosa), and *Juandan* (Lilium lancifolium) for *Baihe* (Lilii Bulbus), are errors in Kou Zongshi's *Yanyi*; claiming *Huangjing* (Polygonati Rhizoma) is *Gougen* (Gelsemium elegans), and *Xuanhua* (Ipomoea batatas) is *Shanjiang* (Alpinia officinarum), are mistakes in Tao Hongjing's *Bielu*. *Suanjiang* (Physalis alkekengi) and *Kudan* (Oxalis corniculata) appearing repeatedly as herbs and vegetables reflect Zhang's lack of scrutiny; depicting *Tianhua* and *Gualou* (Trichosanthis Fructus) in two places shows Su's lack of clarity. *Wubeizi* (Galla Chinensis) is a gall formed by insects, yet treated as a fruit; *Da Piao* (Pistia stratiotes) is a field weed, yet identified as floating duckweed. Such errors are too numerous to list individually; I cite only a few to illustrate the mistakes. Without proper classification and categorization, how can doubts be resolved?

Disregarding my own clumsiness and stupidity, I presumptuously edited and revised, removing duplicates and supplementing omissions. Substances such as *Modaoshui* (Water used for sharpening knives), *Laoshui* (Rainwater collected during floods), *Sangchaihuo* (Firewood from mulberry trees), *Ai Huo* (Moxa fire), *Suoyang* (Cynomorii Herba), *Shannai* (Kaempferiae Rhizoma), *Tufuling* (Smilax Glabrae Rhizoma), *Fan Mubie* (Strychnos nux-vomica), *Jingan* (Fortunella margarita), *Zhangnao* (Borneolum Syntheticum), *Xiehu* (Gekko gecko), *Gouying* (Dog flea), *Baila* (Beeswax), *Shuishe* (Aquatic snake), *Goubao* (Dog bezoar), and *Qiuchong* (Autumn insect) are all used in current prescriptions but absent in ancient texts; *Sanqi* (Notoginseng), *Diluo* (Earthworm), *Jiu Xianzi* (Nine Immortal Seeds), *Zhizhuxiang* (Valeriana jatamansi), *Zhuyaazi* (Porcine kidney), and *Goujinpi* (Bark of Cudrania tricuspidata) are local specialties or coarse materials not recorded in unofficial histories. I have now added 374 new medicinal substances, classified and analyzed the old text into sixteen sections. Although not a comprehensive synthesis, it is roughly complete. Where names vary or appear in multiple sections, the primary name is designated as the main heading (Gang), with others attached as sub-headings (Mu) to establish orthodoxy; next come *Jijie* (Collected Explanations), *Bianyi* (Resolving Doubts), and *Zhengwu* (Correcting Errors) to detail origins and shapes; next come *Qiwu* (Flavors and Properties), *Zhuzhi* (Main Indications), and *Fufang* (Attached Prescriptions) to elucidate functions and applications. From ancient canonical texts to folk legends, anything relevant has been collected. Though titled a medical book, it actually encompasses natural philosophy.

Our founding emperor, Taizu Gao Huangdi, first established hospitals and emphasized medical education, spreading benevolence and skill throughout the Nine Provinces; Emperor Shizong Suhuangdi compiled and printed the *Yifang Xuanya* (Selected Essentials of Medical Formulas) and *Weisheng Yijian* (Easy Simplicity for Health Preservation), extending benevolent governance and reputation to distant lands. I humbly pray that Your Majesty embodies the Dao, maintains the achievements, and follows ancestral wills; occupying the position of Li Ming (Brightness), you hold the great authority of cultural examination. May you care for the people's ailments and recompile the books of life-saving arts; may you specially appoint virtuous ministers to compile the standards of this enlightened era. Cultivating the body to govern the world, this book shall shine alongside the sun and moon; preserving the nation to prolong the lives of millions, I shall not rot with grass and trees. I am overwhelmed with hope and trepidation.

I, Li Jianyuan, offer this humble insight for your imperial consideration. It may be approved for the Ministry of Rites to forward to the History Bureau for selection, or for the Hospital to undertake a revision. Father and son, living and deceased, shall both bear gratitude. I remain utterly respectful and awestruck before Heaven and the Sage Emperor.

Submitted on the [Day] of the 11th Month, 24th Year of Wanli. On the 18th Day, the Imperial Decree was received: "The book is retained for review. Let the Ministry of Rites be informed." So ordered.