典藏书目

According to the *Guangzhou Ji* (Records of Guangzhou): Gold dust originates from the Dashi Kingdom (Arab Empire), where gold is produced in the greatest quantities; all commercial transactions there utilize gold coins as currency. Its nature is predominantly cold. Raw gold is toxic, whereas processed (cooked) gold is non-toxic. It primarily treats epilepsy, cough due to upward counterflow of wind-heat, shanghan (cold damage syndrome), hemoptysis caused by lung injury, bone-steaming fever, extreme exhaustion accompanied by thirst, and facilitates the expulsion of pathogenic factors from the five zang organs while tonifying the heart. It is ground into thin slices for incorporation into pills or powders. The *Yi Zhi* (Records of Anomalies) states: "Gold is born in Lishui." The *Shan Hai Jing* (Classic of Mountains and Seas) says: Many mountains produce excessive amounts of gold, which cannot be exhaustively recorded. Caizhou produces melon-seed-shaped gold particles; Yunnan mountainous areas produce nugget gold, mined from between rocks. In Sui Prefecture and Jizhou in southern Guizhou, bran-like gold flakes are also produced in the water. Furthermore, the *Lingbiao Lu Yi* (Records of Oddities from the Southern Regions) notes: In Han County, Guangzhou, there is a Gold Pool. Local residents suddenly began raising geese and ducks, frequently finding bran-like gold flakes in their feces. Consequently, they raised large numbers to collect the manure for washing, obtaining one tael or half a tael of gold daily, thereby becoming extremely wealthy. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 4, p. 18; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 109; *Bencao Gangmu*, p. 59)

Respectfully consulting the *Nanyue Zhi* (History of Nanyue): Silver flakes originate from the Persian Kingdom, where naturally occurring medicinal silver exists. Persians use it for testing medicines and making rings. Its nature is severely cold and non-toxic. It primarily strengthens bones and sinews, calms the heart and spirit, improves vision, and treats conditions such as epileptic disorders caused by wind-heat. It is ground into thin slices for use in pills or powders. Additionally, silver accumulated over many years at the bottom of urns used for firing cinnabar powder is known as "Lead Silver" (Qian Yin). It possesses excellent luster and softness, with efficacy similar to Persian silver, though it is difficult to obtain. Contemporary smelters can only refine one or two zhu of silver from every jin of raw lead. The *Shan Hai Jing* states: Dangshao Mountain in Leping Commandery in the northeast produces abundant silver. Silver produced in Qianzhong has a hard texture and is unsuitable for medicinal use. Furthermore, according to the *Tang Zhen Guan Zheng Yao* (Essentials of Governance during the Zhenguan Era of Tang): In the tenth year, Censor Quan Wanji memorialized stating that the mines in Xuan and Rao prefectures contain vast amounts of silver, and mining them yields significant profit. Emperor Taizong said: "As the Son of Heaven, I lack nothing; why should I resort to extraction?" This indicates that those regions indeed produce silver. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 4, p. 20; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 110; *Bencao Gangmu*, p. 594)