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Question: What does the shape of the Liver pulse (Gan Mai) from the East resemble? The Master replied: The Liver belongs to Wood and is named Jueyin (Jueyin Meridian). Its pulse is slightly wiry, soft, and long; this is the Liver pulse. If a Liver disease presents with a soft and weak pulse, it indicates recovery.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The Spring pulse is wiry because the Liver belongs to the East and Wood. When all things begin to sprout, they have not yet grown branches and leaves, so the pulse comes in a soft, weak, and long manner; thus it is called "wiry." This is the normal pulse of the Liver. If a Liver disease presents with this pulse, it means the Liver Qi has harmonized.

If a purely wiry pulse (lacking any softness) is obtained, it indicates death. How do we know this? Because such a pulse is straight and rigid like a string, indicating injury to the true essence of the Liver; therefore, it is judged as fatal.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: A purely wiry pulse refers to one that is straight and rigid without softness, indicating the absence of Stomach Qi in the middle jiao; this is a True Zang pulse. The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) says: The dying Liver pulse arrives urgently and forcefully, like a newly drawn bowstring.

Question: What does the shape of the Heart pulse (Xin Mai) from the South resemble? The Master replied: The Heart belongs to Fire and is named Shaoyin (Shaoyin Meridian). Its pulse is surging (Hong), large, and long; this is the Heart pulse. If a Heart disease presents with a surging pulse, it indicates recovery.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: The Heart rules over Summer. In Summer, Yang energy prevails externally, causing blood and Qi to surge and overflow; thus, the pulse arrives surging, large, and long.

If the pulse arrives faintly but departs strongly, it is called "Reverse" (Fan), indicating disease in the interior. If the pulse head is small (superficially small) but the root is large (deeply large), it is called "Covered" (Fu), indicating disease in the exterior. If the upper part of the pulse is faint and the head is small, sweating will occur. If the lower part is faint and the root is large, it is Guan-Ge (Obstruction and Rejection) with blockage, leading to an inability to urinate. If there is no sweat on the head, it is treatable; if there is sweat on the head, it is fatal.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: A Heart pulse that arrives strongly and departs weakly is normal. Arriving faintly and departing strongly is a Reverse pulse. The *Nei Jing* states: A large pulse indicates pathogenic arrival; a small pulse indicates peace; a faint pulse indicates righteous deficiency; a large pulse indicates pathogenic excess. By observing the "arrival," we assess the exterior; arriving faintly indicates the exterior is harmonious. By observing the "departure," we assess the interior; departing strongly indicates interior disease. The *Nei Jing* says: If the Heart pulse does not arrive strongly but departs strongly, this is insufficiency, and the disease is in the center. "Head small, root large" means anterior small and posterior large. Small indicates righteous deficiency; large indicates pathogenic excess. The pathogen was initially in the interior and now returns to the exterior, hence called "Covered." It mentions "arrival" rather than "departure" to indicate the disease is in the exterior. The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: Upper is exterior, lower is interior. Sweat is the fluid of the Heart. Faintness above indicates superficial palpation is faint; small head indicates anterior smallness, suggesting deficiency of Qi in the exterior, hence predicting sweating. Faintness below indicates deep palpation is faint; large root indicates posterior largeness, deep location implies interior, and largeness implies advancing disease. The *Nei Jing* states: The Heart is a Yang organ, and the Small Intestine is its envoy. Now, severe pathogenic qi descends and blocks the Small Intestine, preventing righteous Qi from flowing, resulting in an inability to urinate, named Guan-Ge. The *Mai Jing* states: Yang Qi floats upward, and sweat appears on the head. Now, with Guan-Ge blocking righteous Qi flow, plus sweat on the head, it signifies Yang Qi failing to descend and escaping upward. If there is no sweat, although Guan-Ge exists, Yang Qi has not yet declined, and it is still treatable.

Question: What does the shape of the Lung pulse (Fei Mai) from the West resemble? The Master replied: The Lung belongs to Metal and is named Taiyin (Taiyin Meridian). Its pulse is hair-like and floating (light and floating). If a Lung disease presents with this pulse, or with a slow and delayed pulse, recovery will occur. If a rapid pulse is obtained, the condition will be severe. Why do we know this? A rapid pulse belongs to Southern Fire. Fire controls Western Metal. According to the laws of Five Elements, this should lead to carbuncles and is difficult to treat.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Light, void, and floating is called "Hair," which is the normal pulse of the Lung. Slow and delayed is the Spleen pulse. The Spleen is the Mother of the Lung; due to the mutual generation of mother and child, it is said that both indicate recovery. Rapid is the Heart pulse. Fire controls Metal, representing a "Ghost Thief" (overcoming) relationship, hence severity. The Lung governs skin and hair. Rapid indicates heat. Heat lodging in the skin and remaining causes carbuncles and ulcers. The classic states: If a rapid pulse occurs intermittently, malignant sores will arise.

Question: In the second month (Spring), obtaining a hair-like floating pulse, why is it said that death will occur in Autumn? The Master replied: In the second month, the pulse should be soft and weak. Obtaining a hair-like floating pulse instead indicates death in Autumn. In the second month, Liver Qi is active. The Liver pulse belongs to Wood and should appear soft and weak. Obtaining a hair-like floating pulse instead reveals the Lung pulse. The Lung belongs to Metal, and Metal overcomes Wood; therefore, death in Autumn is predicted. Other seasons follow this pattern.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Seeing an Autumn pulse during Spring indicates Metal Qi overcoming Wood. Lung Metal overcoming Liver Wood deprives the vigorous pulse of its vitality. By Autumn, when Lung Qi is vigorous and Liver Qi is exhausted, death occurs.

The Master said: For obese persons, one must investigate if the pulse is floating when it should be deep. For emaciated persons, one must investigate if the pulse is deep when it should be floating. Obese persons' pulses should be deep; if floating, it is abnormal. Emaciated persons' pulses should be floating; if deep, it is abnormal. These deviations must be investigated.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Obese persons have thick skin and flesh; their pulse should be deep. Emaciated persons have thin skin and flesh; their pulse should be floating. If an obese person's pulse is floating and an emaciated person's pulse is deep, it must be due to pathogenic interference causing abnormal pulsations; thus, investigation is required.

The Master said: If the Cun pulse (inch position) does not extend down to the Guan (bar position), it is called Yang Extinction. If the Chi pulse (cubit position) does not extend up to the Guan position, it is called Yin Extinction. These are untreatable and indicate death. To calculate the remaining lifespan and time of death, one uses the principle of monthly seasonal overcoming.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: The *Mai Jing* states: Yang originates at Cun and moves at Chi; Yin originates at Chi and moves at Cun. If the Cun pulse does not reach Guan, Yang cannot descend to correspond with Chi. If the Chi pulse does not reach Guan, Yin cannot ascend to correspond with Cun. The *Nei Jing* states: When Yin and Yang separate, the essence and Qi perish. This is partial extinction of Yin and Yang, leading to certain death. Determining the time of death by monthly seasonal overcoming means: Yang Extinction leads to death in Spring/Summer; Yin Extinction leads to death in Autumn/Winter.

The Master said: When the pulse shows pathological signs but the patient exhibits no symptoms, it is called "Walking Corpse" (Xing Shi). Due to the lack of vigorous Qi, sudden dizziness, collapse, and loss of consciousness occur, leading to early death. When the patient exhibits symptoms but the pulse shows no pathology, it is called "Internal Deficiency" (Nei Xu). Because the "Grain Spirit" (Stomach Qi/Gu Shen) remains, although the body is distressed, there is no suffering.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: The pulse is the root of human life. Pathological pulse without symptoms means internal root extinction. Although the form may temporarily appear strong, sudden Qi depletion leads to dizziness, stiffness, collapse, and death—hence "Walking Corpse." Symptoms without pathological pulse mean the internal root is solid. Although the form is emaciated, it is merely internal deficiency. "Grain Spirit" refers to Grain Qi. Sufficient Grain Qi ensures natural tranquility. The *Nei Jing* states: Excess Form/Qi with deficient Pulse Qi leads to death; Excess Pulse Qi with deficient Form/Qi leads to survival.

Question: "Xi Yan Chen" is called "Hua" (Slippery). What does this mean? Answer: Chen (Deep) is Pure Yin; Xi (Closing/Combining) is Correct Yang. The harmony of Yin and Yang produces the Slippery pulse. The Guan and Chi positions are balanced. The Yangming pulse is slightly deep, and digestion is normal. The Shaoyin pulse is slightly slippery. Slipperiness is the floating name of Tension (Jin); this is Yin Solidity. The patient will likely experience sweating in the inner thighs and dampness in the genital area.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: A pulse that is large and vigorous, gathering and deepening, is called "Xi Yan Chen." It resembles rolling pearls. Deep represents Zang Qi, hence Pure Yin. Xi represents Fu Qi, hence Correct Yang. Slippery indicates neither Yin nor Yang dominates. Guan and Chi are balanced. A slightly deep Yangming pulse indicates a Yin pulse appearing in a Yang position, meaning Yin dominance and Yang insufficiency. In the Yangming Stomach pulse, excessive Yin allows for normal digestion. A slightly slippery Shaoyin pulse indicates a Yang pulse appearing in a Yin position, meaning Yang dominance and Yin insufficiency. Yang entering the Yin division is called Yin Solidity. The thighs and genitals are the Shaoyin regions. Yang heat invading Yin steams fluids outward, causing thigh sweating and genital dampness.

Xu Shuzhong's Commentary: Deep is Pure Yin, Xi is Correct Yang; their harmony creates the Slippery pulse. Ancients described the Slippery pulse as flowing smoothly back and forth, resembling the Rapid pulse. However, Zhang Zhongjing's three phrases suffice. The terms "Xi Yan Chen" best describe "Slippery." "Xi" means combining; "Yan" means suddenly. When Qi gathers and becomes vigorous, it suddenly sinks away—this is Slippery. Zhongjing feared people would mistake Slippery for Deep, so he added: "Slippery is the floating name of Tension." Saying Deep and Floating seems different but is similar; wisdom is needed to understand. Referring to "Tense like turning cords," the floating here is the floating of turning cords, not the light superficial floating. The deep here is the deep of Xi Yan, not the fixed deep requiring heavy pressure. Zhongjing's wording is precise like historical records; do not read carelessly. Zhao Sizhen said: Modern readers fail to view this as Qin-Han text, missing the essence of reading Zhongjing.

Question: I was once challenged: Where does the Tense (Jin) pulse come from? The Master replied: If there is profuse sweating or vomiting due to Cold in the Lungs, the pulse becomes Tense. If coughing results from drinking cold water, the pulse becomes Tense. If diarrhea results from Deficient-Cold in the Stomach, the pulse becomes Tense.

Yang Qi relaxes, Yin Qi contracts. Yin transforms into Cold, contracting tightly. Blood and Qi become firm; how can the pulse not be urgent/tense? The classic states: The Tense pulse carries speed, like cutting a rope. Or like turning cords. Thus, Cold presents with a Tense pulse.

Cun position: Wei Qi excess is called "Gao" (High).

"Cun" refers to the area above Guan. "Gao" means the pulse arrives floating and forceful. Wei Qi governs the exterior; floating pulse assesses it. Its nature is superior. Currently, superficial and middle palpation are forceful, indicating Wei Qi excess. Being superior, it is called High. It implies rising without descending.

Rong Qi excess is called "Zhang" (Bright/Orderly).

Zhang means bright and orderly. Coming and going clearly with order. The current Slippery pulse diagnoses Blood excess, which is close to this.

Gao and Zhang interacting is called "Gang" (Net/Master).

Gang means total/gathering. Because Rong and Wei are both excess, it is called Total.

Wei Qi deficiency is called... (Text missing character, implied weak pulse). Superficial palpation reveals soft, weak, and vague qualities; hence it is called...

Rong Qi deficiency is called "Bei" (Low/Humble).

Rong governs Blood and is Yin. Palpating deeply reveals a deep and weak pulse; hence it is called Bei.

Bei interacting is called "Sun" (Damage/Loss).

Bei interacting means Yin and Yang are both deficient, collectively called Sun. Both superficial and deep palpation are weak.

Wei Qi harmony is called "Huan" (Slow/Relaxed).

Huan is the Stomach pulse. Stomach combines with Wei Qi. Wei Qi harmony presents as Huan pulse.

Rong Qi harmony is called "Chi" (Delayed/Slow).

Chi is the Spleen pulse. Spleen combines with Rong Qi. Rong Qi harmony presents as Chi pulse.

Huan and Chi interacting is called "Qiang" (Strong).

Rong and Wei are both harmonious; thus Huan and Chi interact, resulting in Strength.

Cun pulse is Huan and Chi. Huan indicates Yang Qi growing; complexion is fresh, face is radiant, voice is metallic (Shang), hair grows long. Chi indicates Yin Qi flourishing; marrow generates, blood fills, muscles are tight, thin, fresh, and hard. Yin and Yang embrace, Rong and Wei travel together, Gang and Rou interact; this is called Strong.

This explains the previous sentence. This is a Normal Pulse, not a Disease Pulse.

Zuyang pulse is Slippery and Tense. Slippery indicates Stomach Qi excess; Tense indicates Spleen Qi strength. Holding excess against strength causes pain, injuring oneself, like holding a blade and creating a wound.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Zuyang pulse assesses Spleen and Stomach. Slippery indicates Grain Qi excess, i.e., Stomach Excess. Tense indicates Yin Qi victory, i.e., Spleen Strength. One excess and one strength clashing cause pain. If one were strong and the other weak, they would not clash to cause pain. Here, both Spleen and Stomach are strong/excessive, clashing and injuring the organs, causing pain. Like holding a blade to create a wound—is this not self-inflicted harm? This corresponds to the Dunfu Daguo (Excessive) pulse.

Cun pulse is Floating and Large. Floating indicates Deficiency; Large indicates Excess. At Chi, it is Guan (Blockage); at Cun, it is Ge (Rejection). Guan prevents urination; Ge causes vomiting and regurgitation.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: The classic states: Floating indicates Deficiency. *Nei Jing* states: Large indicates disease progression. Floating indicates righteous deficiency; Large indicates pathogenic excess. At Chi, pathogen blocks Lower Jiao, preventing interior Qi from descending, causing urinary retention. At Cun, pathogen rejects Upper Jiao, preventing food entry, causing vomiting.

Danbo Yuanjian's Commentary: According to *Nan Jing*, inhalation involves Kidney and Liver. The universe is filled with One Qi. Ascending Qi is Yang; Descending Qi is Yin. Kidney is Foot Shaoyin; Liver is Foot Jueyin. Located inferiorly, they govern inhalation. Inhaled Qi fails to reach Kidney, returning at Liver, indicating Yin weakness. Floating-Large pulses belong to Yang. Appearing at Cun, Yang Qi is excessive, and Yin cannot match it, causing Ge (Rejection) and vomiting ("Vomit without Yin"). Appearing at Chi, Yin Blood is insufficient, and Yang invades, causing Guan (Blockage) and urinary retention. This aligns with Dongyuan's Zishen Wan. Zuyang Stomach pulse: Qi does not circulate, Blood does not moisten, named Guan-Ge, governing undigested food and inability to eat. Also Yang excess and Yin deficiency, having ascent but no descent. Why do commentaries ignore this and speak only of pathogenic Guan-Ge rejection?

Zuyang pulse is Hidden (Fu) and Choppy (Se). Hidden indicates vomiting and regurgitation with undigested food; Choppy indicates inability to eat. This is named Guan-Ge.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Hidden means Stomach Qi is hidden and does not circulate; Middle Jiao Guan-Ge blocks righteous Qi, causing vomiting and undigested food. Choppy means Spleen Qi is stagnant and does not distribute; pathogen rejects Upper Jiao, causing inability to eat. A woman suffered vomiting, urinary/fecal obstruction, restlessness, cold limbs, and gradual loss of pulse. Given two doses of Dachengqi Decoction, she passed stool by midnight, restlessness subsided, pulse returned, and she recovered the next day. This is Guan-Ge. Careful examination is needed.

Pulse is Floating and Large. Floating indicates Wind-Deficiency; Large indicates Qi-Strength. Wind and Qi clash, causing urticaria and itching. Itching is called Xiefeng (Leaking Wind). Long-term, it becomes scabs and leprosy.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Scabs and leprosy involve sparse eyebrows/hair, dry foul-smelling sores. *Nei Jing* states: Pulse-Wind becomes Leprosy.

Cun pulse is Weak and Delayed. Weak indicates Wei Qi deficiency; Delayed indicates Rong Cold. Rong is Blood; Blood Cold causes fever. Wei is Qi; Qi deficiency causes hunger in the heart, fullness despite hunger, and inability to eat.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Wei is Yang, Rong is Yin. Weak means Wei Qi deficiency/Yang insufficiency. Delayed means Rong Cold/external pathogen. Rong hosting Cold pathogen clashes, causing fever. Interior Yang deficiency causes heart hunger and fullness, preventing eating. Confusing Huan-Chi with Weak-Delayed is a major error. Cheng's commentary failed to distinguish them, explaining the inconsistency.

Zuyang pulse is Large and Tense. Large indicates immediate diarrhea; this is difficult to treat.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Large is Deficiency, Tense is Cold. Stomach Deficient-Cold leads to diarrhea. Diarrhea pulse should be minute/small; Tense indicates pathogen victory. Hence, difficult to treat. Classic states: Large pulse in diarrhea means unceasing. Large indicates Excess or Deficiency. Understanding that "Deficiency" refers to righteous deficiency and "Excess" to pathogenic excess is key. Above, pulse diagnoses disease.

Cun pulse is Weak and Huan. Weak indicates Yang Qi insufficiency; Huan indicates Stomach Qi excess. Belching and acid regurgitation, sudden inability to swallow, Qi filling the diaphragm.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Weak means Yang insufficiency; Yang digests grain. Insufficiency prevents digestion. Huan means Stomach Qi excess; undigested grain remains in Stomach. This causes belching, acid regurgitation, food stagnation, and Qi blocking the diaphragm. *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: Middle Jiao disharmony prevents grain digestion, causing belching. Weak-Huan differs from Huan-Chi.

Zuyang pulse is Tense and Floating. Floating indicates Qi; Tense indicates Cold. Floating indicates abdominal fullness; Tense indicates colic. Floating-Tense clash causes intestinal rumbling and movement, moving Qi to the diaphragm, then downward. If Shaoyin pulse does not emerge, the genitals swell and feel empty.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Floating indicates Stomach Qi deficiency; Tense indicates Spleen Cold. Stomach deficiency causes fullness; Spleen cold causes pain. Deficient-Cold clash causes rumbling, pushing Diaphragm Qi downward. If Shaoyin pulse fails to emerge, Deficient-Cold Qi reaches Lower Jiao, knotting at Shaoyin and gathering in the genitals, unable to vent, causing genital swelling and emptiness.

Cun pulse is Micro and Choppy. Micro indicates Wei Qi does not flow; Choppy indicates Rong Qi insufficiency. Rong and Wei cannot support each other; Sanjiao lacks reliance. Body experiences Bi-numbness. Rong insufficiency causes irritability and pain, difficulty speaking. Wei deficiency causes aversion to cold and frequent yawning. Sanjiao fails to return to its sector: Upper Jiao failure causes belching and sour taste; Middle Jiao failure prevents grain digestion and appetite; Lower Jiao failure causes urinary incontinence.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Blood nourishes Sanjiao; Qi protects Sanjiao. Rong and Wei damage prevents mutual support; Sanjiao lacks foundation, causing numbness. *Nei Jing*: Rong deficiency causes numbness. *Zhen Jing*: Wei non-flow causes numbness. Rong is Blood; insufficiency causes pain. Rong belongs to Heart; weakness causes speech difficulty. Wei is Yang; micro causes cold aversion. Qi deficiency causes yawning. Sanjiao, lacking Rong/Wei, cannot return to its sector. *Jin Gui*: Upper Jiao exhaustion causes belching (receiving Middle Jiao Qi; Middle Jiao disharmony prevents digestion). Lower Jiao exhaustion causes incontinence. Upper Jiao is above diaphragm, processing untransformed matter. "Not returning" means not arriving. Upper Qi not arriving prevents transformation, causing belching/sourness. Middle Jiao is Stomach, rotting grain. Transformation creates appetite. Middle Qi not arriving prevents digestion/appetite. Lower Jiao is bladder opening, separating clear/turbid, urinating. Lower Qi not arriving prevents control, causing incontinence. Sanjiao diseases have distinct syndromes and treatments.

Zuyang pulse is Deep and Rapid. Deep indicates Excess; Rapid indicates grain digestion. Tense indicates difficult-to-treat disease.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Deep indicates Interior Excess. Rapid indicates Heat digesting grain. Tense is Liver pulse appearing in Spleen region; Wood overcomes Earth (Ghost Thief), making treatment difficult. Note distinction between Tense and Wiry. Vol 1: Wiry indicates reduction. *Jin Gui*: Tense like turning cords indicates retained food. Analytically, Wiry is Deficiency, Tense is Excess.

Cun pulse is Micro and Choppy. Micro indicates Wei Qi decline; Choppy indicates Rong Qi insufficiency. Wei decline causes yellow complexion; Rong insufficiency causes green complexion. Rong is Root, Wei is Leaf. Both micro means root and leaf wither, causing chills, cough, reverse Qi, bloody saliva, and frothy sputum.

Child makes Mother deficient. Lung governs Qi; Qi deficiency shows Spleen color (yellow) on face. Heart governs Blood; Blood decline shows Liver color (green) on face. Lung odor is fishy; Spleen fluid is saliva. Rong deficiency causes chills; Wei deficiency causes cough/reverse Qi.

Zuyang pulse is Floating and Hollow (Kou). Floating indicates Wei Qi decline; Hollow indicates Rong Qi injury. Body is emaciated; muscles are rough like fish scales. Floating-Hollow clash causes Zong Qi decline and severance of Four Belongings.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Classic: Wei excess is Gao (High), causing mania and fatness. Rong excess is Zhang (Bright), causing luster. Emaciation indicates Wei decline. Rough muscles indicate Rong injury. Zong Qi is Sanjiao returning Qi. Four Belongings are skin, flesh, fat, marrow. Rong/Wei injury causes Zong Qi decline and Four Belongings starvation/severance.

Cun pulse is Micro and Huan. Micro indicates Wei Qi laxity, causing empty skin. Huan indicates Stomach Qi excess, digesting grain and transforming water. Grain enters Stomach, pulse channels flow. Entering meridians, Blood forms. Rong excess with Wei laxity causes skin emptiness, Sanjiao meridian severance, named Blood Collapse.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Wei is Yang; Micro is Yang loss. Micro pulse means Wei Qi laxity. Wei warms flesh and pores. Laxity prevents warming/fleshing, causing emptiness. Classic: Huan means Stomach Qi excess/existence. *Nei Jing*: Food enters Stomach, floods meridians; grain enters, pulse flows. *Zhen Jing*: Drink seeps into collaterals, mixes with Blood; water enters, Blood forms. Stomach digests grain/water into Qi/Blood. Now Wei is lax, Rong is excess: Rong strong, Wei weak. Weak Wei fails to secure skin (Qi lax) and protect Blood (Blood collapses). Sanjiao is Qi pathway. Wei laxity breaks routine; Sanjiao severs routine. Text says "entering meridions" following "grain"; water is included. Cheng's note on "water entering meridions" is parallel phrasing. Zhongjing emphasizes grain, using "entering." Misunderstanding leads to false belief that Blood is made of Water. Examining "mixing and harmonizing" shows Cheng's explanation is unclear.

Zuyang pulse is Micro and Tense. Tense indicates Cold; Micro indicates Deficiency. Micro-Tense clash causes shortness of breath.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Middle Deficiency and Cold naturally cause shortness of breath.

Shaoyin pulse is Weak and Choppy. Weak indicates slight irritability; Choppy indicates Cold Extremities (Jue Ni).

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Irritability is Heat. Shaoyin Weakness is Yin Deficiency. Yin Deficiency generates Heat. Seeing Yang pulse in Yin region indicates severe deficiency, causing slight irritability. Jue Ni is cold limbs. Classic: Yin-Yang non-adhesion causes Jue. Jue is cold hands/feet. Shaoyin Choppy means Yin Qi stagnation, failing to adjoin Yang, causing Jue Ni. This should not be treated as two separate syndromes.

Zuyang pulse does not emerge; Spleen fails to ascend/descend; body cold, skin hard.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Spleen/Stomach are roots of Rong/Wei. Spleen ascending/descending digests grain, allowing Rong/Wei flow. Spleen Qi failure prevents flow, affecting exterior. Thus Zuyang pulse fails to emerge. Body cold: Wei Qi fails to warm. Skin hard: Rong Blood fails to moisten.

Shaoyin pulse does not emerge; Kidney Qi is weak; Essence/Blood scarce. Rushing Qi forces upward into chest/diaphragm. Zong Qi gathers inversely; Blood knots under Heart. Yang Qi retreats downward; Heat returns to inner thighs. Interacting with Yin, it causes bodily numbness. This is Corpse Jue (Shi Jue). Acupuncture Qimen and Juque points.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Corpse Jue arises from Jue; form loses awareness, resembling corpse. Shaoyin pulse absence means Jue Qi lodges in Kidney; Kidney Qi/Essence/Blood decline. Jue Qi rushes up, blocking chest/diaphragm, stifling Yang, causing inverse Zong Qi gathering and Blood knotting under Heart. *Zhen Jing*: Grain waste/fluid/Zong Qi divide into three tunnels. Zong Qi accumulates in chest, exits throat, pierces Heart/Lungs, governs respiration. Rong Qi secretes fluid, enters vessels, becomes Blood, nourishes extremities. Now Jue Qi is too strong, Zong Qi gathers/stops, severing respiration. Blood knots/stops, severing limb sensation. Yang Qi is blocked by Jue, cannot vent, retreats to thighs. "Ren" means soft; "Bu Ren" means not soft, insensible to cold/heat/pain/itch. Yang fails externally/internally; Rong/Wei cannot flow; body numb, corpse-like. *Nei Jing*: Jue Qi ascends, fills vessels, leaves form. Puncture Qimen to unblock Blood knot under Heart; puncture Juque to move Zong Qi in chest. Once Blood/Qi flow and Jue Qi retreats, revival occurs.

Cun pulse Micro, Chi pulse Tense. Patient is deficient, sweats profusely. Knows Yin constantly exists, Yang is absolutely absent.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Cun Micro is Yang loss; Chi Tense is Yin victory. Yang weak, Yin strong, hence deficiency. Plus sweating further damages Yang. Yin constantly exists, Yang is absolutely cut off.

All Micro Cun pulses indicate Yang loss; all Soft pulses indicate Blood loss; all Weak pulses indicate Fever; all Tense pulses indicate Cold. All encountering Cold result in Jue, depression, vertigo, and numbness. Due to Stomach lacking Grain Qi and Spleen stagnation/blockage, mouth tightens, inability to speak, trembling, and chattering.

Cheng Wuji's Commentary: Wei is Yang; Micro means Wei Qi deficiency, hence Yang loss. Rong is Blood; Soft means Rong Qi weakness, hence Blood loss. Weak is Yin Deficiency, deficiency generates Fever. Tense is Yin Victory, hence Cold. Encountering Cold causes Yin-Yang conflict.