The vastness of the heavens and earth encompasses myriad beings, each with its own distinct essence. The intricacies of existence unfold in a complex tapestry, adhering to patterns of natural law, ensuring the manifestation of all phenomena without omission. How could such intricacies be orchestrated solely by human effort?
Given the boundless diversity of worldly phenomena, reliance solely on firsthand accounts or personal observations would afford only a limited understanding. Within the myriad facets of existence, benevolence and malevolence hold equal sway. While the world reveres those endowed with intelligence and thirst for knowledge, they may struggle to distinguish between jujube blossoms and pear blossoms, yet speculate about rare auspicious entities like the "Chu Ping". Despite their renown, akin to the likes of Zi Chan and Zhang Hua, what noteworthy achievements can truly be ascribed to them?
Living in a prosperous era is truly fortunate. Carriages from Yunnan can reach Liaoyang, and officials and merchants south of the Five Ridges can conduct business in Hebei. In this vast expanse of territory, what remains unseen or unheard? If we were to transport ourselves to the early Eastern Jin Dynasty or the late Southern Song Dynasty, the people of that time would have regarded the products of Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and other regions as exotic, treating fur hats purchased from interregional markets as curiosities akin to the arrows offered by the Sushen tribe. As for the aristocrats and royals raised within the depths of the imperial palace, upon catching a whiff of the fragrant rice prepared by the imperial kitchen, they might yearn to understand the form of agricultural tools; witnessing the palace tailor fashioning exquisite silk garments, they may envision the operation of looms and the weaving of threads. At such a time, the discovery of instructional manuscripts of this nature would be akin to unearthing treasures beyond measure.
In recent years, I have authored a book titled "Tiangong Kaiwu". Regrettably, my poverty has hindered me. I yearn to purchase unique and specialized artifacts and scientific books for verification, yet I am constrained by financial limitations. Similarly, my desire to invite fellow researchers to scrutinize and authenticate materials is hampered by the lack of suitable venues to host them. Thus, I am compelled to rely on my own recollections to articulate the rudimentary insights residing in my mind, inevitably resulting in some deficiencies. My dear friend, Mr. Tu Boju, possesses an earnest and admirable demeanor, adept in the study of material things. He diligently collects and compiles any credible statements, ancient or modern, that come his way. Last year, he graciously published my book "Hua Yin Gui Zheng". Therefore, I have chosen to heed his advice once again and publish this book, inspired by the bond of friendship that has flourished between us over the years. The arrangement of volumes within this work follows the principle of "valuing grains over gold and jade". Originally, there were two additional volumes titled "Guanxiang" and "Yuelü". However, as their content delved into intricate principles beyond my expertise, I decided to omit them before the final printing.
May those literati who delight in studying Confucian classics set this book aside upon their desks! For it bears no relevance to the pursuit of officialdom and offers no utility in career advancement. Penned in April of the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign (1637), in the study of Song Yingxing at his residence in Xin County.