Library

The *Yanfang Xinbian* (New Compilation of Verified Prescriptions) compiled by Bao Xiang'ao is comparable in value to the works of Li Shizhen. Patients consulting this book can check chapters, verify symptoms by category, and select medications according to symptoms; it is as accurate and rapid as a magnet attracting iron—both simple/convenient and precise/comprehensive. However, previous editions printed in Mashan were of poor quality. After multiple reprints, textual errors became severe (e.g., "wu" [black] mistaken for "niao" [bird]), and text was even so blurred that it became illegible. I feared this would lead to the scenario described by Ban Gu in the *Yiwen Zhi* (Bibliography of Literature): treating mild illnesses into severe ones, and killing the living, thereby giving ammunition to those who criticize "ancient prescriptions as unsuitable for modern diseases." Therefore, I sought an original, high-quality edition for reprinting, invited various virtuous scholars to assist with collation, and my sons Xi Zhen, Shi Yu, and Shi Heng assisted alongside me, ultimately producing this superior edition. It is hoped that this book will circulate widely, making treatment easier in remote, humble lodgings and desolate, cold villages when addressing illnesses and administering medicine. Thus, the efficacy of this collection of remedies—would it not be inferior to the deeds of ancient times? If there arise in the world those who cherish good prescriptions like master physicians or sages, studying the art of the Green Bag (*Qingnang*), and frequently practicing and learning, they may achieve the medical skills of Cang Gong. Then, should envoys later seek books and imperial physicians collate records, this text might, through the endorsement of wise men, be preserved in secret archives to be passed down to future generations.

In the past, Lu Xuangong wrote fifty articles of *Gujin Jiyan Fang* (Collection of Verified Prescriptions from Ancient and Modern Times) while in the south, but unfortunately, it has not survived. Su Dongpo (Su Duanming) and Shen Kuo (Shen Cunzhong) co-authored the *Su Shen Liangfang* (Good Prescriptions of Su and Shen); later scholars have vigorously argued that this was not written by Su Dongpo himself. Nevertheless, Su Dongpo's miscellaneous writings often discuss medical principles, indicating he indeed paid considerable attention to this matter. Generally, regarding matters of prescriptions and drugs, practitioners/master technicians possess the technique but do not understand the underlying rationale; Confucian scholars can comprehend the principles but often lack practical testing experience. Even if one claims the prescriptions originated from Shen Kuo, Su Dongpo’s contribution through widespread dissemination based on his broad understanding of physical principles—was his merit really inferior to Shen Kuo's! Hence, for thousands of years since then, people have still referred to Su and Shen together. In the Ming Dynasty, Jiao Ruohou also attempted to compile various medicinal prescriptions from ancient miscellaneous records into a single book, but failed to complete it, leaving only dozens of entries recorded in his *Bicheng*. Zhou Liyuan, in his *Shuying*, stated: "Ancients were unlikely to record prescriptions in collections unless they had personally verified them." If one were to expand upon the content recorded in *Bicheng*, categorize them by disease/symptom, and compile them into a single collection, its value would far exceed many vulgar and useless books such as quick-reference guides or informal notes. Such a book is not difficult to produce; one need only pay attention to medical arts and record them. Recently, Mr. Bao from Shan Hua completed the *Yanfang Xinbian* (New Compilation of Verified Prescriptions), which was printed in Western Guangdong. Compared to Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up the Sleeve) and Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), it is unknown how they compare; however, its content is practical and accessible, allowing for humanitarian aid anytime and anywhere. I specifically ordered it to be reprinted again to distribute among gentlemen everywhere, hoping to broaden its circulation further, and aspiring that everyone shares this same heart and principle. May the intention behind formulating prescriptions extend infinitely along with my own wishes. Or, through subsequent reprints, it may circulate from metropolises to remote mountain corners, thereby extending merit boundlessly.