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I am a martial man, unable to read a single character, fond of wielding long spears and broad swords, finding joy in riding horses and drawing bows. At that time, the Central Plains had fallen, Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong were captured northward (Northern Expedition/Capture), Emperor Gaozong crossed the river on a clay horse to establish the Southern Song, and Jiangnan was plagued by turmoil. I therefore responded to the recruitment call of Marshal Yue Fei, who held the title of Shaobao (Vice Grand Master of Military Training), serving as a deputy general. Having repeatedly merited military achievements, I eventually rose to the rank of grand general.

Recalling those past years, when Young Marshal Yue Fei was ordered to lead an expedition and later returned his troops to Ezhou, he suddenly encountered a wandering monk on the way back. The monk had a strange and ancient appearance, resembling an Arhat statue, holding a scroll case. He entered the camp and instructed me to deliver it to the Young Marshal. When asked about the reason, the monk said, "Does the General know that the Young Marshal possesses divine strength?" I replied, "I do not know; I only see that our Young Marshal can draw a bow of one hundred shi weight." The monk said, "Is the Young Marshal's divine strength innate?" I said, "Yes." The monk said, "No, I taught it to him. The Young Marshal once studied under me, and his divine strength was achieved through my instruction. I urged him to follow me into the Dao (Taoism/Buddhist path), but he did not believe [in my words], left, and engaged in worldly affairs of merit and achievement. Although his fame was established, his aspirations could not be fully realized; this is Heaven's will, fortune, and destiny. What can be done? The end is now near! Presenting this scroll case to you, perhaps he may reflect and avoid disaster."

Hearing these words, I was filled with awe and astonishment. I asked for his surname, but he did not answer; when asked where he was going, he said, "Westward to seek Master Bodhidharma." Fearing his spiritual power, I dared not detain him, and he departed gracefully.

Upon receiving the scroll case, the Young Marshal had hardly finished reading before tears streamed down his face. He said, "My teacher is a divine monk; he does not wait for me. I am doomed." He then took a booklet from his inner pocket and handed it to me, instructing me to guard this booklet well, choose a worthy person to transmit it, and ensure that the Dharma gate of advancing toward the Way is not abruptly cut off, thereby failing the divine monk. Not long after, indeed, he was framed by the treacherous minister (Qin Hui). My heart grieved for the Young Marshal; his injustice and indignation could not be vindicated. Viewing military merits as dirt, I no longer harbored any desire to remain in the human realm. Thinking of the Young Marshal's entrustment, I could not bear to leave this regret unfulfilled. As a martial man, I lack great insight and do not know who in this world possesses the aspiration to become a Buddha and is capable of transmitting this booklet. Since choosing a successor is difficult and transmitting it recklessly is of no benefit, I now hide this booklet within the stone walls of Mount Song. Let those with the karmic affinity for the Dao obtain it naturally, so as to perpetuate the Dharma gate of advancement, hopefully avoiding the blame of reckless transmission. In this way, I may repay the Young Marshal in heaven.

Preface by Niu Gao, styled Hejiu, General Hongyi, under the command of Marshal Yue Fei, Vice Grand Master of Military Training and Commander-in-Chief of Ezhou Garrison, in the 12th year of the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty.