錢本草
Materia Medica of Money
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by Zhang Yue 張說 [1]
translated by Allen Tsaur, editor of ‘Explanations of Channels and Points’ and translator of the forthcoming ‘The Complete Compendium of [Zhang] Jingyue, Vol.1-3’
錢味甘，大熱有毒，偏能駐顏，彩澤流潤，善療饑寒困戹之患，立驗。能利邦國，汙賢達，畏清廉。貪婪者服之，以均平為良，如不均平，則冷熱相激，令人霍亂。其藥采無時，采至非理則傷神。此既流行，能役神靈，通鬼氣。如積而不散，則有水火盜賊之災生；如散而不積，則有饑寒困厄之患至。一積一散謂之道，不以為珍謂之德，取與合宜謂之義，使無非分謂之禮，博施濟眾謂之仁，出不失期謂之信，入不妨己謂之智，以此七術精煉方可。久而服之，令人長壽；若服之非理，則弱誌傷神，切須忌之。
Money – sweet in flavor, very hot [in nature], toxic.
It can prevent aging, it animates and moistens the complexion; it is adept in treating the issues of cold, hunger, encumbrance, and hardship, it is immediately effective. It can benefit and both the society and the nation. It can corrupt the worthy and successful ones, but it is antagonized by the honest and upright ones. Once the greedy individuals consume this, it is best to keep them in moderation and harmony; [if not,] then they will have simultaneous stimulation of chill and fever, resulting in cholera.
This medicinal does not have a specific harvest season; though, one may injure the spirits if harvesting it without the appropriate principle. If it becomes a social trend, then it can oblige the services by heavenly and earthly spirits, and communes with the ghosts [2].
If it accumulates without dispersing, then there will be disasters of flooding, fire, and robbery. If it disperses without accumulating, then there will be the troubles of cold, hunger, encumbrance, and hardship.
By accumulating and to dispersing it [properly], it is called the Way. By not to regard it as the treasure, it is called the Virtue. By taking and giving it appropriately, it is called the Righteousness. By preventing its overstep of one’s boundary, it is called the Propriety. By giving it widely for the relief of the people, it is called the Benevolence. By borrowing and repaying it on time, it is called the Integrity. By not harming oneself upon taking it, it is called the Wisdom.
It is only after processing the medicinal with the seven mentioned methods, that it can be consumed for a long time, which enables one to live a long life. If one takes it inappropriately, then it will weaken the will and damage the spirit. Do consume it with special caution.
[1] Zhang Yue (663-731 CE) was a well-respected literary figure and perhaps the greatest writer of his time. He served for three stints as the chancellor under two emperors. He wrote this ‘Materia Medica of Money’ after he was indicted of corruption and removed from chancellorship in 726 CE.
[2] When greed becomes the societal norm, people are able to make anything happen as though they are assisted by the forces of spirits and ghosts, but in the long run, they are destined for ruination.
