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I read in the *Huainanzi* that humans die after consuming alum (Mingfan, 明矾), yet silkworms consume it without feeling hungry; fish die after consuming croton seed (Baddou, 巴豆), yet rats become fat after consuming it. The patterns of things cannot be generalized. In the past, I saw a record by a Song dynasty person stating that Hong Wen'an also trusted quack doctors and mistakenly ingested alum pills, ultimately resulting in the depletion of his essence and fluids, with bleeding from all seven orifices until death. Thus, the words in the *Huainanzi* are indeed verified.

During the Wei and Jin dynasties, people enjoyed taking "Hanshi San" (Cold Food Powder), also known as "Wushi San" (Five-Mineral Powder). Sun Simiao recorded it in the *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold). However, Huangfu Mi tried this medicine and became disabled. In deep winter, he would stand naked and eat ice; in summer heat, he feared the heat, felt sorrowful and resentful, and even desired to kill himself. Alas! Among those who took this powder, none were heard to benefit from it; its harm was severe. Reading the *Book of Jin*, I found a record that Pei Xiu took this powder and died suddenly. Pei Xiu is not worth discussing; however, Huangfu Mi, who understood medicinal properties and authored medical texts, also mistakenly ingested it. Why? Therefore, Yan Zhitui deeply warned his descendants not to lightly take ancient prescriptions, citing Huangfu Mi and Yin Zhongkan as warnings for this very reason (from *Shilin Bushu Luhua*).

Yan Zhitui once warned his children: "Whenever one intends to take medicine, one must be precise and prudent, never acting rashly." Recently, Wang Aizhou in Ye city consumed pine resin (Songzhi, 松脂). Because he did not follow the correct method, his intestines became blocked, leading to his death. Many have been misled by medicines; you must take this warning seriously. I once saw Su Dongpo's *Zhilin*, which detailed the method of taking pine resin, claiming this prescription has the merit of strengthening teeth, preserving youth, and darkening hair. Unfortunately, Master Dongpo did not examine it deeply.

If a room is too large, there is excessive yin; if a terrace is too high, there is excessive yang. Excessive yin leads to impotence; excessive yang also leads to impotence. This is the affliction caused by the disharmony of yin and yang. Therefore, the former kings did not dwell in large rooms nor build high terraces. They did not consume numerous delicacies, nor wore clothes that made them too hot. If clothes make one too hot, the meridians become obstructed; if meridians are obstructed, qi fails to circulate. If one consumes numerous delicacies, the stomach suffers damage; if the stomach is damaged, the central jiao becomes stagnant; if the central jiao is stagnant, qi fails to circulate. By using such methods to seek longevity, how could it be possible? (from *Lüshi Chunqiu*)

The rites stipulate that at seventy years of age, one hangs up the carriage (retires). "Hanging up the carriage" implies that when one is old, like the sun approaching the Yu Yuan (the place where the sun sets) or the sun slanting westward, physical energy is depleted, and spiritual condition is declining. One should no longer labor the body, run about in the wind and dust, or enslave the mind to external objects (from Tao Hongjing's *Zhen Gao*).

Guiding and unblocking the sinews and bones ensures the integrity of the form; cutting off desires ensures the integrity of the spirit; keeping quiet ensures the integrity of fortune (from *Kangcangzi*).

Watering the garden is done to cultivate vegetables; driving away birds is done to protect fruits. Are those who practice health preservation not comparable to those who cultivate vegetables and fruits? How do their principles compare in weight? (from *Maozhi Yushu*)