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(Written by Kong Zhiyue, Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites)

I have heard that the greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth is "Sheng" (Life), which utilizes Yin and Yang to propagate all things; the preservation of "Ming" (Destiny/Life Span) for sentient beings relies on natural nourishment to fulfill their years. Creatures dwelling in holes or nesting have few feelings influenced by external objects; whereas the use of cast metal and shaped wood to pursue desires has gradually increased. However, the Five Flavors sometimes fail, and people often lack understanding of the moderation between Sweet (Gan) and Pungent (Xin) tastes; the Six Qi (Six climatic factors) may deviate, easily violating the appropriateness of Cold (Han) and Warmth (Yu). Internal and external pathogens invade mutually, causing a separation and battle between Form (Xing) and Spirit (Shen). Dietary indiscretions create opportunities for disaster, resulting in diseases of the Intestines and Stomach; Wind-Dampness takes advantage of gaps, constructing calamities in the limbs. Pathogenic factors entangle the skin and interstices (Couli), yet people do not know how to stop them; conditions gradually solidify into the Gao-Huang (deep internal organs), leading to premature death. When the hot sun recorded phenomena, people recognized the merit of medicinal stones; when auspicious clouds named officials, they exhausted the techniques of diagnosis and pulse-taking. Herbs and trees all acquired their natures, and spirits and ghosts could not hide their true states. Opening musk and rhinoceros horn drives out evil and turbidity; refining cinnabar and stones guides in clarity and harmony. They broadly shelter the common people and universally save the populace; their merit equals Creation, and their grace surpasses material formation. People use them daily without knowing it, relying on them today. Qibo, Yu Fu, Peng Zu, and Huan Xiansheng left unparalleled tracks in the past; Li Dongyuan, Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, and Wu Pu raised heroic reputations in the later ages. In the past, during Qin Shi Huang's burning of books, this classic was spared; during the chaos of the Yongjia era, this discipline still survived. Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty had a fondness for health preservation and studied pharmaceutical arts meticulously. He believed that the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) was authored by Shennong and was an unalterable classic. He lamented that due to the passage of time, bamboo slips and books were damaged and worm-eaten, and compared with records from Tong Jun and Lei Gong, there were considerable inconsistencies. Thus, he compiled and edited works to form a unique school, also aiming to refine classical prescriptions and embellish the medical profession. However, at that time, powerful families stood like tripods, lacking knowledge of distant regions, and interpretations were constrained by solitary learning rather than collective discussion. For instance, they reinstated Fangji (Stephania Tetrandra) from Chongping while discarding Banxia (Pinellia Ternata) from Huaili; they collected Yuren (Ulmus Pumila seeds) in autumn and Yunshi (Sargentodoxa Cuneata) in winter. They confused the yellow and white varieties of Liangmi (Setaria Italica), mixed up the male and female forms of Jingzi (Evodiae Fructus); they distinguished Fanlou (Trichosanthes Kirilowii) from Jichang (Polygonum Aviculare), and combined Youba (Arisaema Erubescens) with Yuanwei (Iris Tectorum). Fangkui (Adenophora Stricta) and Yelangdu (Aconitum Kusnezoffii) were falsely claimed to be of the same root; Gouwen (Gelsemium Elegans) and Huangjing (Polygonatum Sibiricum) were cited as similar categories. Lead and tin could not be distinguished, and oranges and pomelos were not differentiated. Such proportional errors were numerous. From then until now, although medical skills diverged and famous doctors followed in succession, mutually inheriting and expounding, few were able to correct these errors. They further collected Duheng (Asarum Sieboldii) as Ji Ji (Asarum Europaeum), sought Rendong (Lonicera Japonica) as Luoshi (Trachelospermum Jasminoides); abandoned Zhili (Bryonia Alba) for using Lvcao (Humulus Lupulus), and set aside Feilian (Saussurea Involucrata) to use Maji (Cirsium Setosum). Following doubts and acting recklessly, no one realized it; diseases became frequent and dangerous, causing deep sighs. Subsequently, Su Gong, holding titles such as Chaoyi Lang, Acting Chief Commandant of the Right Gate Guard, and Knight-Errant, pointed out deviations in Tao's work and辨析 (distinguished) the confusion in popular usage, thus memorializing a request for revision, deeply aligning with the Emperor's will. An edict was issued appointing Li Wuji, Duke of Zhao, Grand Preceptor, Governor-General of Yangzhou, and Supervisor of State History, along with Xu Chong, Grand Master of Civil Office and Acting Imperial Physician, and twenty-two others, to collaborate with Su Gong in detailed compilation. I believe that animals and plants, due to different regions, have varying natures; due to seasonal changes in Spring and Autumn, the efficacy of absorbed Qi differs. If removed from their native land, substances with identical qualities yield different effects; if harvesting times are violated, even if the object is correct, the timing is wrong. Since names and realities are confused, properties of Cold and Warmth are often erroneous. Using them for commoners constitutes severe deception; applying them to rulers and parents entails the greatest sin. Therefore, we received divine guidance and consulted public opinion; we promulgated orders throughout the empire to seek medicines. Birds, beasts, fish, and shellfish arrived from afar; roots, stems, flowers, and fruits gathered together. We thoroughly explored secrets and comprehensively integrated medical arts. Although the *Benjing* (Original Classic) lacked entries, verified items were recorded; although the *Bielu* (Additional Records) existed, unfounded claims were corrected. We examined similarities and differences, selecting what to keep and discard. The writing was clear, judging the merits and faults of various opinions; the illustrations were splendid, depicting the appearances of myriad things. We compiled the *Bencao* (Materia Medica), Tu Jing (Illustrated Classics), and catalogs, totaling fifty-four volumes. (Minister Yu Xi et al. respectfully note: The Preface to the Shu Bencao states fifty-three volumes, and the Tang Yinggong's "Memorial on Presenting the Materia Medica" states: Compiled Materia Medica twenty volumes, Catalog one volume, Medicine Illustrations twenty-five volumes, Illustrated Classics seven volumes, totaling fifty-three volumes. Also, the Yinggong Preface states: Compiled Materia Medica, Illustrated Classics, and catalogs, totaling fifty-three volumes. Based on these three sources, the total is fifty-three volumes. Furthermore, according to Li Hanguang's *Bencao Yinyi*: Main text twenty volumes, Catalog one volume, additionally established Illustrations twenty-five volumes, Catalog one volume, Illustrated Classics seven volumes, totaling fifty-four volumes. The two accounts differ; both are annotated here.) We hope thereby to encompass ancient and modern knowledge, open ears and eyes, exhaust the subtleties of medical formulas, and save the lives of living beings. May it be transmitted for ten thousand generations without obscurity, and hang eternally for hundred kings without decay.