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The world knows that *Suwen* (Basic Questions) is the ancestor of medicine, but does not know that the writings of Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo actually originated from *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Yi Yin of the Yin dynasty used *Bencao* to create decoctions, and Zhang Zhongjing of the Han dynasty expanded *Tangye* into a great method; this is the orthodox learning of medical practitioners. Although wise and sagacious individuals in later generations made contributions, none exceeded this scope. In compiling this book, I have reorganized it based on the main entries of *Bencao*, using the twelve meridians of the Three Yin and Three Yang as examples. The herbs treating the primary disease are placed as the Sovereign (Jun), followed by Ministers (Chen), Assistants (Zuo), and Guides (Shi). It is not necessary to follow the classification style of others who first list minerals and stones, then plants, then insects and fish, categorized by the Upper, Middle, and Lower grades. For example, when treating the Taiyang Meridian with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) or Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) must be the Sovereign herbs, with other herbs in the formula attached subsequently. When treating the Yangming Meridian with Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) must be the Sovereign herb, with others attached subsequently. When treating the Shaoyang Meridian with Sanjin Tang (Three Prohibitions Decoction), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) must be the Sovereign herb, with others attached subsequently. For the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin meridians, the use of hot-natured drugs follows these examples. As for the ancestral formulas in *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), those outside *Tangye* are set as standard regulations, and all usable ones are appended together. Some may modify cold-disease prescriptions to treat miscellaneous diseases, or use alternative materials to treat common ailments, changing decoctions into powders, or powders into pills, with endless variations. Adding one or two herbs creates a new name; removing one or two herbs creates a special method. Books such as *Yilei Yuanrong*, *Yinzheng Lueli*, *Lun Cuiying*, and *Qianshi Buyi*, along with methods for peace and health, are all encompassed in *Tangye Bencao*, originating from Zhenzhu Nang (Pearl Pouch) by Elder Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu).

The discussions within present novel ideas within established rules and annotate strange terms beyond logical interest. Through personal observation and experience, long-standing errors are completely corrected. Not only is the precision of medicinal substances clarified, but diseases are also not misdiagnosed. Premature death and sudden calamities will not occur, and the realm of longevity can be expected. This is indeed *Tangye Bencao*.

Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, established the Nine Pulse Diagnoses (Jiu Hou), to rectify the changes of Yin and Yang, to save lives from昏札 (critical peril), setting a simple and essential law for ten thousand generations. Yi Yin of the Yin dynasty inherited this, surpassing Shennong, grasping the essence of establishing laws, thus appropriately termed *Tangye*. Zhang Zhongjing of the Han dynasty expanded upon it, surpassing Yi Yin, grasping the essence of establishing laws, thus appropriately termed definitive theory. Elder Jiegu of the Jin dynasty derived from it, surpassing Zhang Zhongjing, yet also grasping the essence of utilizing laws fully, thus appropriately termed wondrous annotation. Jiegu surpassing Zhang Zhongjing is no different from Zhang Zhongjing surpassing Yi Yin; Zhang Zhongjing surpassing Yi Yin is no different from Yi Yin surpassing Shennong. Alas! Inheriting, expanding, and deriving, although the degrees differ, their grasp of the essence of establishing laws is one and the same. Observing Jiegu’s teachings reveals Zhang Zhongjing’s words; observing Zhang Zhongjing’s words reveals Yi Yin’s intent; all do not depart from Shennong. Therefore, *Bencao* comes first, then *Tangye*, then *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), then *Baoming Shu* (Book of Preserving Life); none can be omitted. Cheng Wuji stated in *Mingli Fangli*: "Since ancient times, various prescriptions have become difficult to verify due to the passage of years; Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions are the ancestors of all prescriptions." This is because Zhang Zhongjing was based on Yi Yin’s methods, and Yi Yin was based on Shennong’s prescriptions. Among medical texts, they are particularly meticulous, integrating ancient laws without deviating by a hair’s breadth, truly the work of a Great Sage. Wen Lugong stated in *Yaozhun*: "Only Zhang Zhongjing is the ancestor of all prescriptions." Since the Tang and Song dynasties, those renowned in medicine, such as Wang Shuhe, Ge Hong, Sun Simiao, Fan Wang, Hu Qia, Zhu Fengyi, Wang Chaofeng, Qian Zhongyang, Cheng Wuji, Chen Wuzhe, etc., discussed prescriptions, determined additions and reductions, and modifications in myriad forms, none lacking even a slight deviation from Zhang Zhongjing. Over a hundred years into the Jin dynasty, Elder Jiegu Zhang Yuansu encountered a superior person who transmitted the secret methods of ancestral formulas. Subsequently, his son Yunqizi Zhang Bi and Mr. Dongyuan Li Gao elucidated them, all regarding Changsha Zhang Zhongjing’s *Tangye* as their ancestor. Unfortunately, few in the world understand this. Having studied under Elder Dongyuan, I dare to write this preface.