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Wang Bing stated: In years of Shao Gong, Shao Shang, and Shao Yu, the climate is similar to Cold. In Shao Gong years, it is also similar to Dampness. When Dampness is excessive, drying agents are appropriate; when Cold is excessive, warming agents are appropriate. In Shao Jue and Shao Zheng years, the climate is balanced, so treatment should follow a moderate approach. Wu Kun explained: This refers to the Fire movement being similar to the Taiyang (Cold) at the lower heaven. For conditions dominated by Cold, treat with hot-natured substances, similar to cases where the upper heaven matches. For conditions dominated by Dampness, treat with drying substances. Zhang Jiebin added: Regarding the ten-year cycles above, when the movement matches the lower heaven (e.g., Shao Shang, Shao Yu years), use more hot-natured substances for treatment. When it matches the upper heaven (e.g., Shao Gong year), use more drying substances. For Shao Jue and Shao Zheng years, slightly follow a balanced approach.

When the movement differs from the climate, use less; when they match, use more. When using cool substances, avoid the cool season; when using cold substances, avoid the cold season; when using warm substances, avoid the warm season; when using hot substances, avoid the hot season. Dietary advice follows the same principle. If there is a false condition, reverse this rule. This is the standard method. Violating this leads to disease.

Ma Shi stated: Use less when different, more when similar. Heaven has Cold, Heat, Warmth, and Coolness; human medicines and foods also possess these four natures. Those using cold/hot/warm/cool substances should avoid the corresponding seasonal climates to prevent violation. Exceptions exist where one borrows the opposite nature because the primary qi is insufficient and the visiting qi is excessive, borrowing cold/hot/warm/cool to support the four upright qi. This allows occasional violation. Without such borrowing, opposing the season causes disease. Zhang Jiebin noted: Although heat and drying therapies have specific indications, quantities must be adjusted based on whether the movement and climate match or differ.

Zhang Ji commented: In *Yuan Zhu Mi Yu*, regarding Bu-Xu Ying-Sui: When Earth is about to overcome, use sour-neutral herbs to punish Earth's excess; use salty herbs to preserve Kidney deficiency; avoid sweet foods to prevent aiding Earth's excess. Taiyin is the extreme yin within yin, governing damp-earth transformation. Symptoms often show deficiency-cold. Zhang Zhongjing used Lizhong Tang for warming tonification. The Guizhi Tang method is also a Taiyin exterior formula. Although Jue-Ni had not yet formed, hands and feet were still warm, suggesting a therapeutic approach akin to Sini Tang. Combined with the yearly suitability for warming, drying, and venting, everything aligns.

In Shaoyin ruling heaven, the qi movement precedes heaven and earth. Heaven becomes solemn and bright; cold meets summer heat; heat adds dryness.
Xin Zhengjiao clarified: "Cold meets summer heat" means the previous year's final phase was Shaoyang (Hot), while the current year's initial phase is Taiyang (Cold). Taiyang cold meets the previous year's Shaoyang heat. "Heat adds dryness" means Shaoyin (Fire) is above (ruling heaven) and Yangming (Metal/Dryness) is below (ruling earth). Wu Kun stated: Yangming Dry Metal rules earth, making earth solemn; Shaoyin Sovereign Fire rules heaven, making heaven bright. Metal is cold and dry; Fire is hot and humid. They intersect above and below. Zhang Zhicong said: In excessive years, qi movement arrives before the season. Ma Shi explained: This describes Shaoyin ruling heaven, involving both primary and visiting qi, determining weather, patient illness, and treatment. Zhang Jiebin added: Below meeting above is called "Jiao" (intersection); above meeting below is called "Jia" (addition).

Clouds rush, rain houses moisten, damp transformation proceeds, timely rain falls. Metal and Fire harmonize.
Wang Bing noted: Stars shine brightly. Wu Kun said: This is "extreme dryness produces moisture." Zhang Zhicong interpreted "clouds rush... timely rain falls" as Shaoyang ruling earth, where rain ceases. Zhang Jiebin stated: This is Yangming ruling heaven, where extreme dryness transforms into moisture. Upper Fire and Lower Metal harmonize.

Administration is clear, commands are urgent. Grains are red (Dan) and white/black. Water-Fire-Cold-Heat hold sway at the qi intersection, causing disease initially. One must suppress excessive movement, nourish the overcoming yearly qi, break stagnant outbreaks, and first access the source of transformation.
Wang Bing advised accessing the source in the 12th month prior. Wu Kun explained: Fire is bright, Metal is sharp. Red corresponds to ruling heaven Fire; White to ruling earth Metal. Excessive Fire invites Water counter-action. Suppress excessive movement to restore balance; nourish overcoming qi without damaging life; break stagnant qi causing disease by accessing its source. Zhang Zhicong defined "Ming" as Fire's administration and "Qie" as Metal's command. Excessive movement requires suppression and support for the overcoming qi. "Yu Fa" refers to stagnation bursting after accumulation. Ma Shi cited *Ben Bing Pian*: In Zi-Wu years, Taiyin rising to heaven is blocked by Tianchong (Water). Or Ren-Zi water movement arrives early, blocking rise. Thus, *Ci Fa Lun* advises puncturing Taibai (SP3) for Earth rising blocked by Water, and Yinbai (SP1)/Zusanli (ST36) for Water descending blocked by Earth. Access the source in the preceding 12 months to prevent violent excess.

Prevent violent excess from causing disease. Eat grain of the year (Sui Gu) to preserve true qi; eat inter-grain (Jian Gu) to ward off empty evil. Yearly suitability: Salty to soften and regulate the upper part; if severe, use Bitter to vent; Sour to gather and calm the lower part; if severe, use Bitter to drain. Adjust dosage based on similarity/difference of qi. Match heaven qi with Cold/Cool methods; match earth qi with Warm/Hot methods.
Wang Bing stated: Tai Jue/Tai Zheng years match heaven qi, use Cold/Cool; Tai Gong/Tai Shang/Tai Yu years match earth qi, use Warm/Hot. Wu Kun warned against allowing evil to become substantial. Jian Gu wards off empty evil derived from visiting qi. Upper refers to ruling heaven Shaoyin Sovereign Fire; Salty (Water) regulates it. Lower refers to ruling earth Yangming Dry Metal; calming Fire calms Metal. Extreme Heat requires purging. "Tong Yi" refers to Da Yun matching or differing from Si Tian/Zai Quan. Dosage depends on this. Zhang Zhicong defined Empty Evil as irregular pathogenic factors; preserving essence wards them off. Ma Shi reiterated eating Sui Gu/Jian Gu and adjusting Salty/Bitter/Sour dosages based on seasons (e.g., Ren-Zi/Wu vs. Jia-Zi/Wu). Zhang Jiebin analyzed Five Flavors: Bitter belongs to Fire/Yang (e.g., drying Wind-Damp via Sun/Taiyin/Yangming); Sour/Bitter/Purgative belong to Yin (e.g., draining Damp-Heat). Bitter enters Bone (Yin), showing its dual nature (Hot/Cold, Yin/Yang). One must distinguish these nuances.

Zhang Ji commented: In Zi-Wu years, Shaoyin Sovereign Fire rules heaven, causing Water-Fire-Cold-Heat diseases at the qi intersection. Chen Wuyue's Zhengyang Tang uses Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Yuan Shen, Xuan Fu Hua, Bai Wei, Bai Shao, Sang Pi, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang. Miu Wen explained: Heat is Fire nature; Cold is Metal body. Use Pungent-Warm to dispel Cold; Sour-Bitter to drain Heat. Dang Gui (Bitter/Warm) tonifies Shaoyin Yin; Chuan Xiong (Pungent/Warm) treats blood/phlegm; Yuan Shen/Xuan Fu Hua/Bai Wei (Salty) soften hardness and drain heat (regulating lower); Bai Shao/Sang Pi (Sour/Bitter) clear Lung fire and stasis (calming lower); Ginger/Gan Cao harmonize, clearing upper heat and lower cold.

Use Hot avoiding Hot season; Cool avoiding Cool; Warm avoiding Warm; Cold avoiding Cold. Diet follows same rules. False conditions reverse this. This is the way. Violation causes disease.

Ma Shi repeated the principle of avoiding seasonal extremes unless borrowing due to primary insufficiency. Zhang Ji cited *Yuan Zhu Mi Yu*: When Fire overcomes, use Salty-Neutral; for Stagnant Fire, use Pungent to preserve; tonify Metal deficiency; avoid Bitter to aid Fire. Zhang Ji further noted: Sovereign Fire is Shaoyin. Pathogens transforming via Water become Yin (treating symptoms restores Yang); transforming via Fire become Yang (treating root saves Yin). Zhang Zhongjing's Zhuling Tang/Huanglian Ejiao Tang treat Fire-Yang (clear heat from root); Zhenwu Tang/Fuzi Tang treat Water-Yin (dispel cold from symptom). Root treatment uses Sour/Salty; Symptom treatment uses Bitter/Venting. Bitter transforms Fire and can cause Dryness.

Jueyin ruling heaven, qi movement follows heaven. Same as Correct Years, movement matches heaven.
Wang Bing: Excessive years move ahead of time; deficient years lag behind. Correct years match the 24 solar terms exactly. Xin Zhengjiao doubted this, suggesting alignment with Great Cold day. Wu Kun: "Same Heaven" means growth/transformation/storage matches heaven without leading or lagging. Zhang Zhicong: Jueyin and Shaoyin biao-biao harmony. Shaoyin ruling heaven makes heaven correct; Shaoyin ruling earth makes earth correct. Ma Shi: Jueyin ruling heaven involves primary and visiting qi. Zhang Jiebin: Correct years have correct qi, harmonizing with heaven's cycle.

Heaven disturbs; Earth is stable. Wind rises high; Heat follows. Clouds gather, rain moistens, damp transformation proceeds. Wind and Fire share virtue. Administration disturbs; commands are swift. Grains are Cyan (Cang) and Red (Dan). Inter-grains indicate major stagnation must be broken, sourcing transformation.
Wang Bing: Source accessed in April. Wu Kun: Wind moves; Fire is strict. Cang = Jueyin Wood; Dan = Shaoyang Fire. Black/White are inter-grains. Major qi is complete. Zhang Zhicong: Wind in heaven rises high; Shaoyang combines with Jueyin, so Heat follows. Clouds/rain result from controlling Wind/Fire victory. Wind/Fire return to correctness ("Tong De"). "Nao" is Wind's disturbance; "Su" is Fire's speed. Cang/Dan grains ripen under ruling qi; inter-grains come from left/right visiting qi. Ma Shi: Jueyin heaven disturbs; Shaoyang earth stabilizes. Wind rises; Heat follows. Cang (Wood) and Dan (Fire) are righteous transformations. Inter-grains take colors from visiting qi (Yangming White, Taiyin Yellow). Breaking stagnation cites *Ben Bing Pian*: Ji-Hai year, Yangming descending blocked by Earth Fire (Ditong). Puncture Zhongchong (PC9) and Tianjing (TE10) in April to access source. Zhang Jiebin: Wind Wood rules heaven (disturbance); Phase Fire rules earth (stability). Wind rises high; Heat follows from below. Warmth brings rain/damp. Feng Nao Huo Su. Cang/Dan grains match ruling qi. Turbidity arises (Earth oppressed by Jueyin, Metal oppressed by Shaoyang). Cite *Ci Fa Lun* for blocking points.

Support movement, prevent evil victory. Yearly suitability: Pungent to regulate upper; Salty to regulate lower. Fear Fire qi, do not violate blindly.
Xin Zhengjiao: Why no mention of adjusting for similarity? Because Jueyin and Shaoyang policies are similar (no mutual overcoming). Wu Kun: Excess suppressed; deficiency supported. Pungent (Metal) calms Jueyin Wind; Salty (Water) calms Shaoyang Phase Fire. Avoid adding Heat to Fire. Ma Shi: Jueyin is deficient, support it. Heaven Wood regulated by Pungent; Earth Fire regulated by Salty. Fear Fire qi. Zhang Jiebin: Tonify deficiency, suppress excess. Zhang Ji cited Chen Wuyue's Fuhe Tang for Ji-Hai years (Wind-Dryness-Fire-Heat). Miu Wen explained: Pungent controls Jueyin; Salty calms Phase Fire. Ban Xia (Pungent) drains damp; Fu Ling leaches; Suan Zao Ren clears Phase Fire; Gan Cao moderates Jueyin; Wu Wei Zi clears heat; Pao Jiang warms residual cold; Zhi Shi drains mid-jiao damp; Qing Pi/He Zi/Da Zao awaken spleen/stomach.

Use Warm avoiding Warm; Hot avoiding Hot; Cool avoiding Cool; Cold avoiding Cold. Diet follows same rules. False conditions reverse. This is the way. Violation causes disease.

Zhang Zhicong: Jueyin governs Warmth, avoid violating Warmth; Shaoyang governs Heat, avoid violating Heat. Medicine and diet follow same rules. Ma Shi: Avoid seasonal extremes unless borrowing for primary insufficiency. Zhang Ji cited *Yuan Zhu Mi Yu*: When Wood overcomes, use Pungent-Neutral; for Stagnant Wood, use Sweet to preserve; aid Earth deficiency; avoid Sour to aid Wood. Zhang Ji noted: Jueyin is end of Yin/start of Yang, sharing Phase Fire with Shaoyang, governing Wind Wood. Meridians are Yin but organs are not cold, causing mixed Cold/Heat symptoms. Zhang Zhongjing used Baihu Tang for Heat Jue; Sini/Wuzhuyu for Cold Jue; Baitouweng for Heat Dysentery; Baotong/Sini for Cold Dysentery. Jueyin diseases are mainly Jue and Li. Wumei Wan treats chronic dysentery/ascaris with mixed cold/heat. Aligns with yearly Pungent-up/Salty-down method.

Emperor asked: Explain "Avoid Cold with Cold, Avoid Heat with Heat." Qibo answered: Do not violate Heat in Heat season; do not violate Cold in Cold season. Compliance brings harmony; violation brings disease. Respect and avoid the Six Positions of Seasonal Qi.
Wang Bing: In months ruling the four seasons, avoid matching medicine/food/clothing temperatures with the season. Violating leads to "water assisting water, fire assisting fire," causing disease. Zhang Zhicong: Six positions, each ruling ~60 days, have Cold/Heat/Warm/Cool. Avoid all. E.g., 1st phase (Cold) but Shaoyang rules; avoid Shaoyang heat. 2nd phase (Warm) but Taiyang rules; avoid Taiyang cold. Comply = Harmony; Violate = Disease. Wu Kun: "Fan" means using when inappropriate. "Shi" is four seasons; "Wei" is six qi phases. Zhang Jiebin: "Yuan" means avoid. Do not violate ruling qi temperature. "Shi" is Primary Qi; "Wei" is Visiting Qi. Both must be respected. Violating is "Ni" (Rebellious). Zhang Ji noted: "She Shi Cong Zheng" (abandon season, follow syndrome) was discussed earlier.

Emperor asked: What about Warm and Cool?
Wang Bing: Can mild Warm/Cool be lightly violated compared to extreme Cold/Heat? Ma Shi: Si Qi (Ruling Qi), Si Tian (Ruling Heaven), Si Di (Ruling Earth) cannot be lightly violated. Jian Qi (Visiting Qi, left/right) can be slightly violated if different from Primary Qi. This is the "Four Feared" (Si Wei). Zhang Jiebin asked: Can slight Warm/Cool be violated?
Qibo answered: Ruling Qi Hot, do not violate Hot; Ruling Qi Cold, do not violate Cold; Ruling Qi Cool, do not violate Cool; Ruling Qi Warm, do not violate Warm. Visiting Qi same as Primary, do not violate; Visiting Qi different from Primary, slightly violate. These are the Four Feared, observe carefully. Emperor: Good. How to violate?
Wang Bing: Only when necessary. Wu Kun: Si Qi (Primary) must not be violated excessively. Jian Qi (Visiting) can be slightly violated, not severely. Ma Shi: "Slight violation" applies when weather opposes season but visitor overcomes primary (e.g., Summer Cold allows Hot violation if severe; if mild, do not violate). Balance is key. Excess causes disease. Pathogen overcoming primary must be resisted. Zhang Jiebin: Si Qi (Heaven/Earth) must be avoided. Even if indicated, do not overuse. Jian Qi (Left/Right Visiting): Same as Primary (severe) -> do not violate; Different (mixed) -> slight violation allowed based on trend. Previous section covered Si Qi; this covers Jian Qi. *Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun*: Main year records year; Jian Qi records steps. Four Feared: Cold, Heat, Warm, Cool.
Qibo concluded: If heaven's qi opposes the season, one may follow the season.