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In the past, when I read Fan Zhongyan's words regarding "a good minister is like a good physician," I could not help but adjust my robes in respect and sigh with admiration. Why? Because a capable minister assists the sovereign, governs the world, promotes benefits, eliminates harms, selects the worthy and employs the able, enabling people to find joy in their occupations. Thus, my benevolence manifested in actions is sufficient to bestow grace upon all directions. A skilled physician harmonizes the human body, cures myriad diseases, dispels chronic ailments, revives Yuan Qi (primordial energy), and opens the realm of longevity, allowing people to live in peace. Thus, my benevolence stored in the heart is also sufficient to extend to the common people. Although the paths of entering officialdom and retiring from it may differ, the application of our benevolence remains the same. A gentleman must not forget his benevolence for even a moment; then, his benevolence in the world will be inexhaustible!

Mr. Sha Qianzhai, whose ambition aligns with that of Fan Zhongyan and whose learning follows his example, resigned from office (light carriage and buried wheels) and served as an Investigating Censor (embroidered robe and direct appointment). Wherever he went, he crushed the audacity of the treacherous and greedy, saving the lives of the people. Rising from the Censorate (Cypress Wall) to the Secretariat (Mallow Court), he acted solely with this benevolent mind, and the people were deeply benefited by it. Now serving as the Prefect of Jianchang, he is likely making a preliminary attempt at governance akin to Gong Sui and Huang Ba of the Han Dynasty, laying the foundation to become a great statesman like Yao Chong or Song Jing in the future. The efficacy of a capable minister is indeed conspicuous! Yet, Mr. Sha still felt this was insufficient. He therefore retired to examine and revise medical formularies, selecting those that had proven effective, categorizing them into fifteen volumes, having them printed at the local school, and titling the book *Ruizhutang Jingyan Fang* (Experience Formulas of the Ruizhu Hall) to benefit the world. Alas! Such benevolence as Mr. Sha's can be said to have reached perfection! Therefore, I write this preface at the beginning of the chapters, hoping that everyone who reads this book will know not only that Mr. Sha's heart is more benevolent than a physician's, but also that his ambition is greater than that of a minister. Both stem from the single point of his benevolent heart.

Preface by Wang Duzhong.

There is a common saying: "Three years studying formulas, yet no disease can be treated; three years treating diseases, yet no medicine can cure." What does this mean? It means that finding a formula for a disease is not difficult, but finding a formula that is truly effective is difficult.

Marquis Jiang of Jiangqun served successively as a censorial official and a local administrator. His intention to love people was evident everywhere. He possessed a benevolent heart and a reputation for benevolence; how many thousands and millions have received his grace? In his spare time from official duties, he still paid attention to matters of medicine and formularies. He constantly pondered the origins of diseases and carefully considered the appropriate use of drugs. Whether obtained from noble families or reclusive masters, these unique prescriptions were mostly unrecorded in books such as *Heji Ju*, *Sanyin*, and *Yijian*. Upon receiving a prescription, he would carefully store it; upon encountering a disease, he would carefully test it. Repeated tests yielded repeated effectiveness, and over time, his collection grew richer. During his term of office, he invited one or two physicians to collate and correct them, titling the work *Ruizhutang Jingyan Fang*. He then had them carved onto wood blocks to disseminate widely, all embodying his benevolence rooted in loving others. Having practiced benevolence through good governance, he now practices it through good medicine. Who can match the Marquis in benevolence? Alas! Medical formulas in the world are numerous, but those that yield immediate results are increasingly rare. The ones compiled here have all been verified, so they cannot be compared with other formularies. The Marquis's name is Sa Demishi. The name "Ruizhu Hall" (Auspicious Bamboo Hall) comes from the time when the Marquis planted bamboo to make a fence; the bamboo took root again and grew branches and leaves. People regarded this as auspicious, and the Marquis named his hall accordingly.

Written by Wu Cheng (Courtesy name Youqing) of Linchuan.