Preface

跋：族叔星源，為人梗概己見，所著述諸弁言詳之，不復贅。歲戊子，餘館漢皋，叔自湘粵間遊蘇子熙軍門元春戎幕假旋，出所著茲集槁三十八卷攤展，卒讀略識端倪，而未敢一辭贅也。越明年，餘幕游吉林、蒙古、高麗等處，縱覽塞外名山川，日與畸士鉅卿上下乎千古，講論諸經世務，每念叔藳，悔不手鈔一集隨胠篋，相與公同好。癸巳秋，以慶榜歸試，見叔於省垣，精神強健而鬚髮皆白，心竊疑之，索前藳，則已授手民將竣事，並集有歷代道學心傳、皇極經世要旨、範數皇極要旨、小大學程家常必讀及天文輯要。

My cousin uncle Zhu Xingyuan's general character has already been thoroughly described in each of the prefaces, so I will not repeat it. In the year of Wuzi, I was teaching in Hanyang, when my uncle returned from his post in the military office of Su Zixi, the commander in the Hunan-Guangdong region, and showed me the manuscript of his thirty-eight volume book, which he had written. After reading it, I only barely understood the general idea, and dared not say much. The next year, I went to Jilin, Mongolia, and Korea as a military advisor, visited famous mountains and rivers in the northern frontier, and every day discussed ancient history and practical affairs with outstanding scholars and high officials. I often thought of my uncle's manuscript and regretted not having copied it myself to carry in my case to share with like-minded people. In the autumn of the year Guisi, I returned to take the provincial examination, and when I met my uncle in the provincial capital, I was surprised to find him in good health though completely white-haired. I asked him for the manuscript, only to learn that it had already been given to the carver and was nearly completed. At the same time, he had also compiled the works titled "Transmission of the Way of the Dao through the Dynasties," "Essence of the Huangji Jingshi," "Essence of the Fan Shu Huangji," "A Must-Read for the Cheng Family on the Small University," and "Compilation of Astronomical Essentials."

皇朝中外山水道里提鋼等書稿皆脫，陸續付剞劂，然後知吾叔鬚髮之白厥有由也。是書抉風后創制之原，大而行軍經國，小而趨吉避凶，前民利用，有功後世，誠非淺鮮。惜餘飢軀奔走，不獲朝夕相從，親聞微妙，且憾且慚，爰綴數言，以志向往。光緒癸巳冬，侄權謹跋。

The manuscripts of "Outline of Mountains, Rivers, and Distances Within and Beyond the Empire" and other works have all been completed and are being gradually sent for printing. At this point, I finally understood why my uncle's hair turned white. This book excavates the origin of the strange gate system created by Feng Hou. It addresses major matters such as military campaigns and state governance, as well as minor ones like seeking auspiciousness and avoiding misfortune, guiding the people ahead of time on how to utilize these principles. Its contributions to future generations are indeed profound. Unfortunately, I have been traveling around for a living, unable to stay by my uncle's side day and night to listen to his detailed explanations. I feel both regretful and ashamed. Therefore, I have written these few words to express my longing. Winter of the year Guisi of the Guangxu era, the nephew Zhu Quan respectfully inscribes.