Library

Among ancient books designated as "Jing" (Classics), those that have survived to the present day are most notably the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) and the *Da Yu Shan Hai Jing* (Classic of Mountains and Seas attributed to Yu). However, the *Shan Hai Jing* was traditionally recorded by Yu the Great and Bo Yi together, yet it mentions commanderies and counties such as Changsha, Lingling, Guiyang, and Zhuji. Scholars have doubted this. By extension, doubts have also arisen regarding the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, which lists drug origins including Yuzhang, Zhuya, Zhao Guo, Changshan, Fenggao, Zhending, Linzi, and Fengyi. Yet there is no reason for doubt.

The title "Bencao" (Materia Medica) first appears in the *Book of Han*. In an edict of Emperor Ping, Ban Gu's *Treatise on Literature* records seven volumes of *Shennong Huangdi Shi Jin* (Dietary Prohibitions of Shennong and the Yellow Emperor). "Shi Jin" is a textual error for "Shi Yao" (Food and Medicine); Jia Gongyan's commentary on the *Rites of Zhou* cites it correctly as "Shi Yao," clearly referring to materia medica texts. The *Book of Sui: Bibliography* records eight volumes of *Shennong Bencao*, and also notes that during the Liang Dynasty, there were five volumes of *Shennong Bencao*, two volumes of *Shennong Bencao Shuwu* (Classification of Substances in Shennong Bencao), and one volume of *Shennong Mingtang Tu* (Illustrations of the Mingtang). These likely sum up to eight volumes. However, the *Liang Qilu* only records three volumes of *Shennong Bencao*. Examining the content, the 120 superior drugs serve as sovereigns, nourishing life to correspond with Heaven, belonging to the Upper Classic; the 120 medium drugs serve as ministers, nourishing nature to correspond with Humanity, belonging to the Middle Classic; and the 125 inferior drugs serve as assistants, treating diseases to correspond with Earth, belonging to the Lower Classic. Thus, the version consisting of three volumes is likely the original classic. Furthermore, the total of 365 substances corresponds to the 365 degrees of celestial movement, each degree corresponding to a day, thereby completing a year. The status of Bencao as a classic is indeed profound. The mention of commandery names like Yuzhang within the text are interpolations by later authors. The black-and-white printed editions of the *Bencao* from the Daguan era of the Song Dynasty offer the most precise collation. The *Taiping Yulan* (Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era), citing classical histories, states only that drugs grow in mountains, valleys, rivers, or marshes, which serves as particularly solid evidence.

Sun Xingyan, a researcher from Yanghu, and his nephew Sun Fengyi, collaborated to compile this work, truly becoming meritorious servants of Shennong; thus, there is no need to doubt this classic. Mr. Ye Dongqing, titled Grand Commissioner Ye of Hanyang and respectfully referred to as "Fengweng" (a term of respect for another's father), resided at the Guangdong Provincial Administration while being supported by his family. Though old, he remained eager to learn and unceasing in his study of antiquity. He took the *Shennong Bencao Jing* compiled by Mr. Sun and wrote eulogies for each substance. Each eulogy consists of four-character lines in four rhymes, possessing an archaic rhythm beyond verbal description. He also provided his own annotations, which are concise and clear. This allows readers of the materia medica to browse and recite without putting it down, gaining a clear understanding of the inherent properties and therapeutic uses of the drugs, leading to personal insight. Is he not truly a meritorious servant of Shennong?

I, Chucai, having served for over a year in a county-level capacity in Guangdong, happened to be reviewing examination papers for Guangzhou Prefecture with my colleagues when Mr. Ye sent me this book and requested a preface. After reading it several times, I privately harbor a thought: In the past, Guo Pu (courtesy name Jingchun) annotated the *Shan Hai Jing* and created accompanying illustrations and eulogies. Did Mr. Ye intend to emulate Guo Jingchun's ambition in writing these eulogies? Mr. Ye agreed and had this statement appended to the end of the book.

In the fifth month of the Gengxu year (1850) of the Daoguang reign, Wang Chucai of Yin respectfully composed this preface at the Guangzhou Prefectural Study.