Preface

To craft a single instrument is to regulate the heavens and arrange the earth, where the seven luminaries the sun, moon, and five visible planets are all present. It is a work that shall not perish in ten thousand generations. How wonderful it is; there is nothing that can surpass it. Since the Record of Trades original: "考工記", a classic text on craftsmanship appeared, subsequent generations have not lacked for master craftsmen and wise artisans. However, outside of the Qigong a legendary people skilled in mechanics and the wooden ox and flowing horse mythical automated transport devices attributed to Zhuge Liang, such marvelous techniques have not been transmitted. The wooden ox and flowing horse remain an unrivaled legend through the ages. I admire them greatly, and in my idle moments, I have not presumed to hide my humble thoughts.