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Having discussed the general principles of formulating prescriptions, and further analyzing the prescriptions for each of the Six Channels (Liu Jing), one can say it is quite detailed. However, the reasons for the differences among these fixed prescriptions must be distinguished. Wind, cold, summer-heat, and dampness pathogenic factors injure the body, and each of the Six Channels has its specific site of reception, manifesting with different pulses. Sometimes the pulse is the same but symptoms differ; sometimes both pulse and symptoms are the same but the chief symptoms differ; this is due to the distinction in the Qi of the channels. The boundaries of the Six Channels are like the geography and customs of the Nine Provinces: although people and things may seem similar, their clothing, diet, speech, and temperament vary according to local conditions. Similarly, the exterior-interior, cold-heat, deficiency-excess states of the human body vary according to the channel Qi.

For instance, the Taiyang Channel (Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel) presents alternating cold and heat, and alternating deficiency and excess. Treatment should protect the interior while releasing the exterior; therefore, many exterior-releasing prescriptions often include herbs that regulate the interior. The Yangming Channel (Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel) governs excess-heat. Treatment should prevent deficiency while attacking excess; thus, when formulating purgative prescriptions, one must repeatedly caution against their casual use. The Shaoyang Channel (Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel) governs deficiency-heat; hence, prescriptions are formulated with cooling and harmonizing methods, frequently using Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix). The Taiyin Channel (Foot-Taiyin Spleen Channel) governs deficiency-cold; hence, prescriptions are formulated with warming and tonifying methods, relying on Gan Jiang (Gingeris Rhizoma) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). The Shaoyin Channel (Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Channel) is mostly deficiency-cold; thus, even when treating exterior-heat patterns, Fu Zi is used, and occasionally there are deficiency-heat patterns, requiring yin-nourishing agents. The Jueyin Channel (Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel) governs excess-heat; thus, even if presenting with cold extremities and a faint pulse nearly imperceptible, Gan Jiang and Fu Zi are not used. This is because it is formless excess-heat, which is vastly different from the material excess-heat of the Yangming Channel. Zhang Zhongjing’s prescription formulation follows the nature of channel Qi, aligning with the *Neijing* principle: “Examine Yin and Yang to distinguish Gang and Rou; treat Yin diseases by addressing Yang, and Yang diseases by addressing Yin; determine Qi and Blood, and let each remain in its place.” Therefore, the use of exterior-interior, attacking-tonifying, and Yin-Yang herbs varies or remains the same depending on the abundance or scarcity of Qi and Blood in each channel.

Let us discuss this from the perspective of Exterior and Interior: The Three Yang Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang) govern the Exterior but contain an Interior; the Three Yin Channels (Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin) govern the Interior but lack an Exterior. Why? Taiyang is the master of the Five Zang Organs, regarding the chest as its Interior and the Shaoyin Channel as its Interior; Yangming is the master of the Six Fu Organs, regarding the abdomen as its Interior and the Taiyin Channel as its Interior; Shaoyang is the master of decision-making for the eleven organs, so both chest and abdomen serve as its Interior without a fixed location, regarding the Jueyin Channel as its Interior, much like strategizing within a tent. Treating the Three Yang Channels requires protecting both the Heart-Abdomen Interior and the Three Yin Interiors; hence, prescriptions for Yang Channels outnumber those for Yin Channels. Furthermore, since Yang Qi has degrees of abundance and diseases have varying difficulties, Yangming prescriptions are fewer than Taiyang, and Shaoyang prescriptions are even fewer than Yangming.

The Three Yin Channels do have Exterior manifestations, yet they are said to lack an Exterior. Thus, the generalized heat of the Shaoyin Channel is essentially the Yang Qi of Taiyang gradually moving outward; the painful discomfort of the limbs in Taiyin originates from the stomach region; the cold extremities followed by fever in Jueyin are none other than the Qi of the San Jiao (Triple Burner) and Gallbladder. It is only because there is no headache and stiff neck, no fullness in the stomach, and no bitter taste or dizziness that they are determined to be Yin Channels. The Exterior of the Three Yin Channels derives from the Three Yang Channels; therefore, exterior-releasing prescriptions for the Three Yin Channels still use Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) as outlets. Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) in Taiyin, Fu Zi in Shaoyin, and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) in Jueyin are interposed among exterior-releasing agents, functioning together without contradiction. This reflects the *Neijing* meaning of the mutual correspondence between Yin-Yang, Exterior-Interior, and Male-Female.

Mahuang Shengma Decoction (Mahuang Shengma Tang):
Mahuang, Shengma, Huangqin, Zhimu, Shigao, Shaoyao, Tiandong, Ganjiang, Guizhi, Danggui, Fuling, Baizhu, Yuzhu, Gancao.

Among the Six Channel prescriptions, some are not authored by Zhang Zhongjing. If they conform to Zhang Zhongjing’s principles, they are effectively his prescriptions. However, this decoction is fundamentally erroneous. In Cold Damage disease, after six or seven days, following severe purging, the Cun (Inch) pulse is deep and slow. Cun belongs to Yang and governs the Upper Jiao; deep and slow indicates the absence of Yang Qi. Deep signifies pathology in the Interior, so sweating should not be induced; slow signifies Cold in the Zang, so clearing Fire should not be employed. Moreover, the lower pulses are absent, extremities are cold, and diarrhea persists, indicating that the Primordial Yang of the Lower Jiao has collapsed. Additionally, throat obstruction with vomiting of pus and blood indicates that the Deficient Yang of the Upper Jiao lacks foundation and is perishing, causing chaotic Qi movement. If Renshen and Fuzi were used to restore Yang, but Yang cannot be restored, it is termed "difficult to treat," implying that Zhang Zhongjing did not formulate a prescription for this condition. Here, Mahuang, Shengma, and Guizhi are used to disperse, while Zhimu, Tiandong, Huangqin, Shaoyao, and Shigao—major cold herbs—are gathered to clear heat. Using methods for Excess-Heat to treat Yang Collapse accelerates death. How could one expect recovery through sweating? Using only Ganjiang for warmth, and Fuling, Baizhu, Gancao, and Danggui for tonification, substituting Yuzhu for Renshen, is like attacking a fortified city with an old and weak army. Prescribing fourteen herbs is akin to casting a wide net in the wilderness hoping to catch one rabbit; such approaches, similar to Fangfeng Tongsheng San, are merely lucky charms for incompetent physicians. To claim that Li Dongyuan advocated "the more herbs, the better" is to ignore the compatibility of pulse and disease, amounting to reckless talk!