Library

Since last winter, while traveling in Guangdong Province, I met Mr. Zhang Bolong. He possessed a brilliant and agile intellect, was well-versed in literature and history, cared about worldly affairs but did not engage in the imperial examinations; he was truly a person of enlightenment. His father, Mr. Moyuan, had been recommended by Marshal Zhang (Zhang Zhidong) to serve as an upright official. Due to the mental strain of political duties, he frequently fell ill. As a son who knew that medicine must be understood, Bolong presented medical texts to his father in the spring of seven years ago. At that time, his father contracted a seasonal epidemic with dangerous symptoms. The assembled physicians had no effective strategy. Bolong exerted himself in treatment, resulting in immediate safety, thereby earning the reputation of a "Guoshou" (National Master Physician), and his fame spread rapidly throughout the region. Consequently, he paid closer attention to medical principles. Upon our chance encounter, he invited me to stay and discuss, stating that although my various Chinese and Western medical books had detailed the sources of diseases and methods of treatment, they lacked a section on *Bencao* (Materia Medica), which was somewhat deficient. I replied: "My writings already imply the properties of medicines, and since *Bencao* works have been selected and enriched, why add more?" Bolong said: "Not so. Various *Bencao* works exaggerate and embellish, almost claiming that one herb can cure a hundred diseases. Yet when actually used, they often fail to cure even one disease, because the annotations are too broad. Or, in striving for extreme precision, they become forced and pedantic, leading to lofty theories that yield little practical effect. Moreover, their interpretations often contradict the works of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), Yandi (Flame Emperor), and Zhang Zhongjing. If not corrected and clarified, it is feared that the intent of the ancient sages will not be manifested to the world. Recently, Western physicians' explanations of drugs often attack Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), effectively hitting upon its weaknesses. However, Chinese physicians fail to expose these Western errors, allowing the drawbacks of Western medicines to become even more severe than the harms caused by flawed Chinese *Bencao*. This is indeed serious! Since the Jin and Tang dynasties, *Bencao* has branched out in countless directions, culminating in the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, leaving people bewildered. The three major commentaries strive for profundity but often result in obscure meanings. Xu Lingtai's work was unparalleled in his time and closely aligned with classical intent. Unfortunately, in his era, there were no Western theories to cross-verify with the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Now, you are proficient in Western medicine and integrate the teachings of Huangdi, Yandi, and Zhang Zhongjing to arrive at the most appropriate conclusions. If you do not elucidate *Bencao*, who will save us from its detrimental trends? Although we cannot fully list all exotic products and newly discovered drugs from foreign countries, if we reveal the general principles and apply them by analogy, then based on this, whether dealing with Chinese or Western medicines, once seen and tasted, their properties can be deduced. I hope you will not keep this knowledge secret. Please teach me clearly. I find Mr. Bolong's words very sincere."

Recorded by Tang Zonghai (Rongchuan) of Tianpeng, Shu, in the second month of the Gui-Si year, the 19th year of Guangxu, Great Qing Dynasty.