按《广州记》云∶出大食国,彼方出金最多,凡是货易,并使金钱。性多寒,生者
有毒,熟者无毒。主癫痫,风热上气咳嗽,伤寒,肺损吐血,骨蒸,劳极渴,主利五脏邪气
,补心,并入薄于丸散服。《异志》云∶金生丽水。《山海经》说∶诸山出金极多,不能备
录。蔡州出瓜子金,云南山出颗块金,在山石间采之。黔南遂府吉州水中并产麸金。又《岭
表录异》云∶广州含 县有金池,彼中居人,忽有养鹅鸭,常于屎中见麸金片,遂多养收屎
淘之,日得一两或半两,因而至富矣。(《大观》卷四页18,《政和》页109,《纲目》页
59
谨按《南越志》云∶出波斯国,有天生药银,波斯国用为试药、指环。大寒,无毒
。主坚筋骨,镇心,明目,风热癫疾等。并入薄于丸散服之。又烧朱粉瓮下多年沉积有银,
号铅银,光软甚好,与波斯银功力相似,只是难得。今时烧炼家,每一斤生铅,只煎得一
二铢。《山海经》云∶东北乐平郡党少山出银甚多。黔中生银,体骨硬,不堪入药。又按《
唐贞观政要》云∶十年有理书御史权万纪奏曰∶宣饶二州诸山极有银坑,采之甚是利益。太
宗曰∶朕贵为天子,无所乏少,何假取乎?是知彼处出银也。(《大观》卷四页20,《政和》
页110,《纲目》页594)
According to the *Guangzhou Ji* (Records of Guangzhou): Gold dust originates from the Dashi Kingdom (Arab Empire), where gold is produced in the greatest quantities; all commercial transactions there utilize gold coins as currency. Its nature is predominantly cold. Raw gold is toxic, whereas processed (cooked) gold is non-toxic. It primarily treats epilepsy, cough due to upward counterflow of wind-heat, shanghan (cold damage syndrome), hemoptysis caused by lung injury, bone-steaming fever, extreme exhaustion accompanied by thirst, and facilitates the expulsion of pathogenic factors from the five zang organs while tonifying the heart. It is ground into thin slices for incorporation into pills or powders. The *Yi Zhi* (Records of Anomalies) states: "Gold is born in Lishui." The *Shan Hai Jing* (Classic of Mountains and Seas) says: Many mountains produce excessive amounts of gold, which cannot be exhaustively recorded. Caizhou produces melon-seed-shaped gold particles; Yunnan mountainous areas produce nugget gold, mined from between rocks. In Sui Prefecture and Jizhou in southern Guizhou, bran-like gold flakes are also produced in the water. Furthermore, the *Lingbiao Lu Yi* (Records of Oddities from the Southern Regions) notes: In Han County, Guangzhou, there is a Gold Pool. Local residents suddenly began raising geese and ducks, frequently finding bran-like gold flakes in their feces. Consequently, they raised large numbers to collect the manure for washing, obtaining one tael or half a tael of gold daily, thereby becoming extremely wealthy. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 4, p. 18; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 109; *Bencao Gangmu*, p. 59)
Respectfully consulting the *Nanyue Zhi* (History of Nanyue): Silver flakes originate from the Persian Kingdom, where naturally occurring medicinal silver exists. Persians use it for testing medicines and making rings. Its nature is severely cold and non-toxic. It primarily strengthens bones and sinews, calms the heart and spirit, improves vision, and treats conditions such as epileptic disorders caused by wind-heat. It is ground into thin slices for use in pills or powders. Additionally, silver accumulated over many years at the bottom of urns used for firing cinnabar powder is known as "Lead Silver" (Qian Yin). It possesses excellent luster and softness, with efficacy similar to Persian silver, though it is difficult to obtain. Contemporary smelters can only refine one or two zhu of silver from every jin of raw lead. The *Shan Hai Jing* states: Dangshao Mountain in Leping Commandery in the northeast produces abundant silver. Silver produced in Qianzhong has a hard texture and is unsuitable for medicinal use. Furthermore, according to the *Tang Zhen Guan Zheng Yao* (Essentials of Governance during the Zhenguan Era of Tang): In the tenth year, Censor Quan Wanji memorialized stating that the mines in Xuan and Rao prefectures contain vast amounts of silver, and mining them yields significant profit. Emperor Taizong said: "As the Son of Heaven, I lack nothing; why should I resort to extraction?" This indicates that those regions indeed produce silver. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 4, p. 20; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 110; *Bencao Gangmu*, p. 594)