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Therefore, Liu Gong (Mr. Liu) of Yunmi, Qianjiang, who held the position of Sikou (Minister of Justice), had his moral virtue widely known and was famous throughout the country for his upright integrity. Having reached the age of eighty, he was revered as a venerable elder. Throughout his life, he read all kinds of books, with a particular devotion to the medical learning of Xuānqí (referring to Huangdi and Qibo). He explored profound mysteries and returned to simplicity, exhausting thirty years of effort to complete the *Bencao Shu* (Record of Materia Medica). The term "Shu" (Expounding) refers to elaborating on the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) combined with theoretical discussions, extending meanings comprehensively to clarify the attitude of not claiming authorship credit. I, having long been eligible for the staff of honor (indicating old age), was humbly addressed by Mr. Liu as a "little friend." In the tenth month of the Jiachen year, I visited him at home. His spirit remained sharp and undiminished; we talked deeply until late into the night. As the wine ran out and the candles burned low, he said, "In my youth, I suffered from many illnesses and relied on medicine to assist my body. Reading prescriptions and formulating remedies was indeed a source of entertainment." Although it may not equal the ancient pleasure of wearing wooden clogs (a reference to Xie Lingyun), it is certainly a unique joy. He wrote down his insights, which fortunately came to completion, and entrusted me with the task of writing a preface. I accepted this responsibility solemnly and took my leave.

A year later, in the Yisi year, Mr. Liu passed away (his star position fell). Another year passed before I could finally write the preface. The preface states: The *Bencao* is one of the ancient Three Fens (ancient classics) and survived the burning of books during the Qin dynasty. Emperor Ping of Han summoned individuals across the realm who were proficient in lost classics, ancient records, astronomy, calendar calculations, bell tuning, local histories, arts of healing, materia medica, and those who taught the *Classic of Filial Piety* and *Erya*. They were provided with covered carriages and dispatched to the capital, marking the first time the name "Bencao" became prominent. The *Qilu* (Seven Catalogs) of the Liang Dynasty recorded three volumes of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Zhang Ji and Hua Tuo of the Han Dynasty wrote commentaries on it; Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty added annotations; Su Jing and Chen Cangqi of the Tang Dynasty supplemented its omissions; Liu Han of the Song Dynasty consolidated its achievements; and Wang Haogu, Li Shizhen, and Miao Xiyong of the Ming Dynasty expanded its entries, thus making the *Bencao* texts complete. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* serves as the classic text itself, while the additions by various schools are like commentaries and exegeses interwoven with red and black ink.

The way of medicine involves the mutual overcoming and dominance of the Five Movements and Six Qi, which is inherent in humans and should also apply to things. Tingli (Descurainiae Semen Lepidii seu Lepidii Semen) dies in midsummer, while Kuandonghua (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus) thrives in frost and snow; this is due to differences in cold and heat. Chickens turn black after crossing mountains, while Quyu (Sturnus vulgaris) turns white after crossing mountains; this is due to differences in mountains and rivers. Some can drink a stone of wine without disorder, while others become dizzy upon slight dampness; this is due to differences in constitution. Contacting lacquer all day causes no harm to some, while others suffer from sores upon contact; this is also due to constitutional differences. Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) and Gouwen (Gelsemium elegans) have different natures despite being similar items; Wutou (Aconiti Radix) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) grow in the same place but have different uses. Medicines must be carefully distinguished to achieve their efficacy. Lingnan has many toxins, but Jin She Bai Yao (Golden Snake White Medicine) can treat them; Hunan has much miasma, but Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Juhua (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Zhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) can regulate qi. Yu, Bie, Luo, and Xian live in water and treat dampness; She Xiang (Moschus) and Ling Yang Jiao (Antilopis Cornu) live in mountains and treat stone toxicity. Medicines function through the principle of mutual overcoming. By analogy and extension, adhering strictly to principles, delving deeply, analyzing and understanding, refuting later erroneous theories, and entering the profound secrets of the sages, Mr. Liu's virtue is far-reaching.

I have privately formed an opinion on this. Initially, when I read the *Bencao*, I found discrepancies. Later, when I read the *Neijing* (Inner Canon), I found no discrepancies. Finally, when I read the *Yijing* (Book of Changes), I found even fewer discrepancies. The *Neijing* correlates the human body with the 360 degrees of the celestial sphere, representing the numbers of Heaven and Earth. The *Bencao* covers heaven and earth generation, water, fire, earth, stones, flying creatures, walking beasts, plants, and trees, representing the number of all things, specifically the 12,150 counts. Illuminating this spiritually and observing its convergence, grasping the meaning while forgetting the words, and discarding the tools (getting the fish and forgetting the trap), Mr. Liu's *Bencao Shu* lies precisely here. Precisely here! Since the Tang and Song dynasties, among famous ministers who paid attention to medical arts, I have identified three: Di Renjie (Lord Liang of Di) had merit to the state and peerless achievements, yet possessed techniques of needling the chest and back and removing warts from the nose tip; Lu Zhi (Lord Xuan of Lu) had profound economic wisdom and authored the *Tang Guijian* (Mirror of Tang), yet while exiled to remote areas, he collected and recorded ancient prescriptions; Fan Zhongyan (Lord Zheng of Fan) served as general and chancellor, worried before others and rejoiced after, yet harbored the wish to be a renowned physician if not a chancellor. Mr. Liu shared the heart of these three dukes, studied their learning, retired in his old age, and sought to distinguish himself merely through medical skills. I have revised my draft ten times. Future gentlemen, by reading his book and discussing his era, will know what kind of person he was. As for me, I gather Qiju (Lycium and Chrysanthemum) from Tian Sui Zi (Lu Guimeng), prepare pills using precise measurements, borrow from Mr. Liu's residual insights, and attach them to the meaning of Ying Qu's *Baiyi Shi* (Poem of One Percent). This is but a trivial contribution. I merely rely on this text to entrust Mr. Liu's book to immortality.

Preface respectfully written by Wu Ji of Jingling in the middle winter month of the Bingwu year of the Kangxi reign.