Library

This book has been in circulation for a long time, and various schools have different revisions and changes. Now, the most excellent version of *Zhenglei Bencao* is selected as the model (base text), supplemented with Kou Shi's *Yanyi*. For prescriptions and theories in other versions that have different names, their common names are annotated under each entry to facilitate reader recognition. For example, "Zaoxiu" is referred to as "Ziheche," and "Jasu" as "Jingjie." Images that have lost accuracy are redrawn based on what the author has personally seen. For instance, bamboo is divided into three types: Danzhu, Kuzhu, and Jinzhu; salt includes two methods from ancient and modern times. Errors in characters and strokes are of significant consequence. There are no less than a thousand such errors, including those involving sheng/dou, ju/dan, shang/xia, qian/shi, wei/mo, etc.; these are verified against other versions and consulted with various books, and all are corrected. Doubtful items are left blank, respectfully awaiting future scholars to supplement them. The spine is widened to facilitate binding, hoping it will last long without damage. The efforts and intricate preparations involved are too numerous to record fully; not a single detail was neglected or simplified, making it quite different from the old version, hence titled "Revised." Scholars throughout the world, comparing the old with the new, will naturally understand.

Recorded cautiously at Hui Ming Xuan on the day of Winter Solstice, the last day of the Jiyou year in the Jiazi cycle of Taihe.

Since ancient times, the methods of acupuncture and stone therapy at acupoints have not been widely transmitted, and few in later generations have mastered their subtleties. Thus, decoctions (Tangye) and pills (Wanli) became the primary means of treating diseases. Miraculous techniques such as evisceration, opening the chest, scraping bones, and reconnecting tendons were considered skills of other schools and ultimately not part of the Shennong school's domain. Only sages carefully diagnose conditions to formulate prescriptions, and through prescriptions, reveal the properties of herbs. Consequently, discussions by prescription experts flourished, yet the classics of Shennong could never be abandoned for even a day. This book generally originates from Shennong. Since Shennong, there have been many works on Materia Medica (Bencao), not limited to one school. There were also so-called Tang Bencao and Shu Bencao. Until the Zhengde era of the Song Dynasty, when the Emperor paid close attention to the lives of the people, he ordered learned Confucians and famous physicians to review and determine the theories of various schools, creating illustrations to help people verify the minute details of roots, stems, flowers, and fruits of plants, as well as the appearances of stones, metals, earth, insects, fish, birds, and beasts, thereby distinguishing genuine medicines from counterfeits easily. Classification examples were established to help distinguish differences in geographical origins and climatic influences, the distinct roles of Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Envoy (Shi) in prescriptions, the different flavors of sweet, pungent, sour, bitter, and salty, and the variations in warming, cooling, cold, hot, mild, urgent, toxic, and non-toxic properties, making them easy to see. The book thus became greatly complete and more detailed. In the Central Plains, the old version by Pang Shi of Xieman existed, but after being scattered by war and fire, very little remained, so few people could freely consult it. Now, Mr. Zhang Weiqing of Pingyang, pitying its gradual obscurity, commissioned craftsmen to carve and print woodblocks. It is indeed based on Pang Shi's version, still attaching Kou Shi's *Yanyi*, making it more complete and detailed than the old version. Upon completion, I was asked to write a preface. I said that what people value most is life; the resources for maintaining health are urgently needed, and among them, medicine is crucial. The verification of medicines prevents confusion between B and C, avoiding errors and reckless administration; this is the work of the Shennong school. Opening the book, everything is visible at a glance, just as still water reflects shapes and a large bell responds to sound; how can one escape perceiving forms and sounds? Families that care for the elderly and nurture the young should certainly keep a copy, let alone those engaged in the medical profession. However, its theoretical writings have already been thoroughly covered by Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty and various figures from the Tang and Song dynasties. Is my speech superfluous? There are indeed useless studies and unprofitable books in the world. I specifically highlight Mr. Zhang's thorough love for all things and his diligent heart, enabling him to create this highly beneficial book for all living beings, aiming for permanence, unlike those...

Preface by Ma Ge, courtesy name Xin Zhi, from Yixi, on the full moon day of the first month of autumn in the You year.