医学始于《内经》，药品始于《本经》，药性之于医，特其一端耳，而生杀反掌匪细，
故也同雷。而下考其性，正其用，广其数，详其义，历数十百家，宜亦无余蕴矣，然皆偏有
所长。求其词句雅炼、意旨赅明、不简不繁、体裁合节者，则未之数见也。
汪子 庵，予之至交也。少长宫墙，逾壮厌薄制举，遂自逸以老，然经史百家靡不殚
究，而于岐黄之书为尤嗜，盖以刀圭家鲜能探注，而养生者又不可以不知也。
予交 庵久，尊酒论文之暇，辄及医旨，殆于其间有玄解乎？近以本草一帙示予，盖
会蕞诸家，而手自裁定者也，名曰备要，征序于予，予知非以予言为重，以予稍解此中意旨
耳。
夫本草，大者莫如《纲目》，谓其类多而难穷也；小本莫如《汤液》，又未免失之稍略
。即余小刻医学五种，其一为《本草十剂》，盖推徐氏之说而扩充之，但与《方解》相表里
，而于婴儿、疡科药则未之及。兹本精于搜逸，严于树裁，于《汤液》则补其阙略，于《纲
目》则汰其繁芜，益以《经疏》诸书。使义类昭着，文约而指博，以云备要， 其然乎。是
书行世，则从来诸家别刻，皆可废览矣。嗟乎，使 庵得行其志，将跻民生于仁寿，其见诸
事功者，曷止如是。今伏处衡茅，仅着方书以寄意，然其 博济之心，则一也，是 庵之
为庵也夫。
眷同学弟陈丰拜撰
医学起源于《黄帝内经》，药物学起源于《神农本草经》。药性对于医学来说，只是其中一个方面罢了，但生死往往取决于用药的细微差别，因此其重要性如同雷霆般巨大。后世考察药物的性质，端正其用法，扩充其数量，阐明其义理，历经数百家之研究，应该已经没有什么遗漏了，然而各家都偏重于某一方面。寻求那些词句典雅精炼、意旨全面明确、不简略也不繁琐、体裁合乎法度的著作，却很少见到。
汪子（名庵）是我的至交。他年少时即在儒家学问中成长，壮年后厌恶科举考试，于是选择闲适自在的生活直至老死，然而他对经史百家无不深入探究，尤其喜爱岐黄（中医）之书。大概是因为精通医术的人很少能深入探求医理，而养生之人又不可以不知道这些道理。
我与他交往已久，在饮酒论文的闲暇之余，常常谈及医学宗旨，他对此似乎有玄妙的理解？最近他将一部关于本草的书籍展示给我，这书汇集了众多学家的观点，并亲自裁定，名为《备要》，向我征序言。我知道他并非认为我的话有多重要，而是因为我稍微懂得其中的意旨罢了。
至于本草著作，大的没有超过《本草纲目》的，说它分类多而难以穷尽；小的没有超过《汤液本草》的，又未免失之过于简略。就是我之前刻印的医学五种书中，有一种是《本草十剂》，这是推演徐氏的说法而加以扩充，但它与《方解》相互参照，而对于婴儿和外科的药物则未涉及。这部《本草备要》精于搜求散逸的内容，严谨地确立裁断，对于《汤液本草》则补充了其缺漏简略之处，对于《本草纲目》则淘汰了其繁杂芜杂的部分，并增加了《本草经疏》等书的内容。使得义理类别显著清晰，文字简约而旨意广博，如果说它是“备要”，确实如此。这本书流行于世，那么以往诸家单独刻印的本草书，都可以废弃不看了。唉！如果汪子能够实现他的志向，将使百姓达到仁爱长寿的境界，他在事功上展现出来的成就，何止于此呢？如今他隐居在简陋的茅屋中，仅通过撰写方书来寄托心意，但他普济众生的心志是一样的，这就是汪子之所以被称为“庵”的原因吧。
受业学弟陈丰敬撰
Medicine originated from the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), and materia medica originated from the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). The properties of herbs are merely one aspect of medicine, yet life and death often hinge on subtle differences in their application, making their importance as significant as thunder. Later generations have investigated herb properties, corrected their uses, expanded their numbers, and detailed their meanings; after dozens of schools of thought, it might be assumed there were no remaining secrets. However, each school tended to excel only in specific areas. It is rare to find a work that features elegant and concise language, comprehensive and clear intent, neither too brief nor too verbose, and adheres strictly to proper format.
Wang Zi (courtesy name An) was my closest friend. He grew up immersed in Confucian studies but, upon reaching adulthood, despised the imperial examination system. Consequently, he chose a leisurely life until his old age, yet he thoroughly studied classics, history, and various schools of thought, showing particular fondness for texts on Qihuang (Traditional Chinese Medicine). This is likely because few practitioners deeply explore medical theories, while those interested in health preservation must understand them.
Having known Wang An for a long time, our conversations over wine and literature often turned to medical principles, suggesting he possessed profound insights into them. Recently, he showed me a volume on materia medica, which synthesized views from numerous scholars and was personally edited by him. Titled *Beiyao* (Essential Preparations), he asked me for a preface. I know he does not value my words highly, but rather believes I somewhat understand the underlying principles.
Regarding materia medica compilations, the most comprehensive is the *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), noted for its extensive classification which is hard to exhaust. The most concise is the *Tangye Bencao* (Materia Medica of Decoctions), though it is arguably too brief. Among my own previously published five medical works, one was the *Bencao Shiji* (Ten Categories of Materia Medica), which expanded upon Xu’s theories but served as a companion to *Fangjie* (Explanation of Formulas) and omitted drugs for infants and surgery. This new book, however, excels in retrieving lost information and rigorously establishing its structure. It supplements the omissions of the *Tangye Bencao*, eliminates the redundancy of the *Bencao Gangmu*, and incorporates texts like *Bencao Jingshu* (Substantiation of the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Thus, the categories become clear, the text concise yet broad in meaning. If this is what "Essential Preparations" means, then indeed it fits. Once this book circulates, previous individual editions of materia medica can be discarded. Alas! Had Wang An been able to realize his ambitions, he would have brought benevolence and longevity to the people, and his achievements would have far exceeded these writings. Now, living in seclusion in a humble cottage, he expresses his intent only through medical texts, yet his heart for universal salvation remains unchanged. This is why Wang An is called "An."
Respectfully written by your junior fellow student, Chen Feng.