Library

Chengwei Dafu (Attendant Gentleman of the Middle Guard), Kangzhou Defense Commissioner, Director General of Longde Palace Affairs, Medical Supervisor for the Construction of the Mingtang Institute, Inner Court Physician, Supervisor for Compiling the *Shengji Jing*, and Scholar-official of the Imperial Medical Academy, Cao Xiaozhong, writes this preface by imperial decree.

In the "Heavenly Officials" section of the *Rites of Zhou* (Zhouli) from the Zhou Dynasty, a position for physicians was established, gathering poisonous substances to handle medical affairs. Although this pertains to the residual aspects of governance, it embodies the intent of benevolence towards the people and compassion for all living things. This is something sages cannot neglect. Our dynasty has promoted the works of Shennong (Divine Farmer) to benefit the people. During the Jiayou and Yuanfeng reigns, two edicts were issued ordering Confucian scholars to supplement and annotate the *Tujing Bencao* (Illustrated Materia Medica), explain its meanings, and analyze its contents in great detail. However, with prolonged peace and prosperity leading to flourishing culture, scholars' knowledge has broadened, suggesting that previous texts still warrant further refinement and continuation. Tang Shenwei, a man from Shu who recently gained renown for his medical skills, based his work on the ancient *Bencao* classics. He expanded upon them with the *Zhenglei Bencao* (Materia Medica Classified and Verified), included medical prescriptions, and extensively collected materials ranging from classical histories to Daoist scriptures and various schools of thought. By comprehensively collecting and recording these sources, he made the principles clear and the reasoning comprehensive, allowing readers to gain profound understanding. While attending to the emperor during leisure time, I personally received the imperial voice stating that this book is indeed worthy of being preserved to aid the world. Consequently, an edict was issued appointing Jiedushi Yang Jian to oversee the printing and publication, followed by my appointment to correct and polish the text. Reflecting on the Emperor's sagacity and benevolent governance, which revitalized ancient wisdom, extended longevity to the people, established schools to reform customs, and commanded the collection of miraculous remedies for the *Shengji Jing* (Holy Healing Classic) to bless future generations, I, unworthy as I am, hold this office with trepidation, feeling as if standing on the edge of an abyss or walking on thin ice. The *Zhenglei Bencao* is truly a comprehensive summary for treating diseases; to be entrusted with its correction brings me deep honor. Respecting the clear edict, I diligently led my colleagues to study day and night, removing redundancies, organizing chaos, and striving to uncover the underlying truths. For any erroneous citations, judgments were made according to classical texts; for vulgar or incorrect characters, corrections were applied based on the *Zishuo* (Explanation of Characters); other errors, confusions, or improper transcriptions were corrected on the spot, numbering thousands. Thus, the complete work was finalized, comprising over 600,000 characters, and named the *Zhenghe Xinxiu Jingshi Zhenglei Beiyong Bencao* (Imperially Revised Illustrated Materia Medica Classified and Verified for Emergency Use, Newly Revised in the Zhenghe Era). September 1, Zhenghe Year 6. Chengwei Dafu, Kangzhou Defense Commissioner, Director General of Longde Palace Affairs, Medical Supervisor for the Construction of the Mingtang Institute, Inner Court Physician, Supervisor for Compiling the *Shengji Jing*, and Scholar-official of the Imperial Medical Academy, Cao Xiaozhong, respectfully presents this preface.