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Since the time of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, spanning thousands of years, although there were ancient famous physicians such as Fu Huan, Lu Yi (Bian Que), and Qin Yue Ren before, their medical Dao (Way/Principles) was not effectively transmitted or practiced in later generations. Scholars of medicine thereafter were like blind men holding torches, walking through deep valleys at night, causing the medical Dao to become even more lost.

However, the medical Dao had been obscured for a long time. Heaven indeed gave birth to Liu Wansu, known as Shouzhen, a profound scholar from Hejian. He had always experienced extraordinary encounters, grasping the principles of the unity of Heaven and Humanity, and was able to fully master his art. Consequently, he compiled three works, including *Xuanming Lunfang* (Treatise on Manifestations), totaling over 170,000 characters, to guide future students of medicine. At nearly sixty years old, he encountered another mysterious person who taught him approximately one "xiang dou" (a unit of volume) of "Xuan Yun" (mysterious fermented brew). After falling into a deep sleep, he awoke with sudden enlightenment and comprehension. He then wrote this book, considering that to exhaustively investigate principles and nature, and to capture the subtle and essential truths, nothing surpassed this work.

Essentially, what makes medicine truly medicine is the prior knowledge of the Dao of being human. Humans are one with Heaven and Earth; therefore, one must observe the changes of the four seasons by following the Dao of Heaven, and examine various diseases by utilizing the advantages of geography. The divine efficacy and skillfulness, as well as the philosophy of investigating things to extend knowledge, do not lie merely in the herbs themselves, but rather in how the physician applies them. It has been heard that Confucius said: In the past, Yi Yin governed Yin, Lü Wang (Jiang Ziya) governed Zhou, Xi Sheng governed Qin, Shen Sheng governed Ying, Yuan Ji governed Jin, Tao Zhu Gong (Fan Li) governed Yue, and Guan Zhong governed Qi. Thus, Marquis Wen of Wei stated: When Guan Zhong administered state affairs, he implemented policies based on the medical principles akin to Bian Que's, leading Duke Huan to hegemony. This assertion has its origins.

This current book, regarding methods of preserving life (Yang Sheng) and the ways of self-cultivation and family regulation, shares no divergence in principle and follows the same track of Dao, offering significant benefit to the medical field. If future scholars can thoroughly investigate its principles, scrutinize the sources of diseases, embody the Dao of Heaven, and conform to geographical conditions to treat illnesses, they will surely enter the realm of longevity.

This book was written by Shouzhen in the Bingwu year (26th year of Dading era) of Emperor Shizong of Jin. At that time, it corresponded to the 13th year of Chunxi era under Emperor Xiaozong of Song. Initially, Shouzhen was reluctant to let it circulate. It was not until the Xinhai year (1st year of Yuanyuan era of Hu Yuanzong, corresponding to the 11th year of Chunyou era of Emperor Lizong of Song) that 65 years had passed. Yang Zhengheng from Tailu remarked that treasures of the world should be shared with the world and not kept private. Thus, he had the text carved onto woodblocks for printing. Regrettably, the original wooden blocks were destroyed in military fires long ago, and the book ceased to circulate. Now, having ordered artisans to reprint it completely, I deemed it necessary to write a preface to record the facts. I tentatively place this at the beginning of the volume.

Someone asked: Why does it not use the legitimate calendar of China (Song Dynasty) but instead uses the calendar of the Jin invaders? The answer is: Because during the late Song period, Hejian was occupied and controlled by the Jin forces, hence their calendar was used.

Written by Quxian (Zhu Quan) on the second day of the third month, Bingyin day, in the Xinhai year of Xuande.