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The ancients referred to "Yi and Gui sharing the same source, Kidney and Liver treated together." What is the basis for this theory? It lies in the distinction between Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) and Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo). Sovereign Fire resides in the upper body and governs stillness; Ministerial Fire resides in the lower body and governs movement. Sovereign Fire corresponds solely to the Heart Master (Zang Zhi Jun Zhu); Ministerial Fire has two manifestations: the Kidney and the Liver. The Kidney corresponds to the Heavenly Stems Ren and Gui (North), belongs to the Kan trigram in the Eight Trigrams, and symbolizes the Dragon in imagery. When the dragon lurks at the bottom of the sea, its rising brings fire with it. The Liver corresponds to the Heavenly Stems Jia and Yi (East), belongs to the Zhen trigram, and symbolizes Thunder in imagery. When thunder hides in the marsh, its emergence brings fire with it. Marshes and seas are all water, all located below; hence, it is said that "Yi and Gui share the same source."

In the East, Wood cannot be tonified if there is no deficiency; tonifying the Kidney is a method to tonify the Liver. In the North, Water cannot be purged if there is no excess; purging the Liver is a method to purge the Kidney. Regarding the ascending energy of Spring, if the Dragon does not appear, Thunder makes no sound; during the descending phase of Autumn, if Thunder is not contained, the Dragon cannot hide. If the Dragon returns to the sea, there will be no sudden, explosive Thunder; if Thunder remains in the marsh, there will be no soaring Dragon. Thus, it is said that "Kidney and Liver are treated together."

The East corresponds to the Spring of Heaven and Earth, where buds sprout and break shells, filling the universe with Qi. In humans, this manifests as Anger (Nu); anger causes Qi to ascend, representing the rising aspect of the Seven Emotions (Qi Qing). In nature, it manifests as Wind (Feng); wind agitates Qi and is considered the chief of all diseases. Tonifying Anger would lead to rebellious Qi and the danger of obstruction and severance; tonifying Wind would lead to fullness and the risk of distension and oppression.

The North corresponds to the Winter of Heaven and Earth, where grass yellows and grains fall, presenting a desolate scene. In humans, this manifests as Fear (Kong); fear causes Qi to descend, representing the falling aspect of the Seven Emotions. In nature, it manifests as Cold (Han); cold makes Qi harsh and leads to the decline of all phenomena. Purging Fear would lead to timidity and the risk of fainting or falling; purging Cold would lead to emptiness and the harm of exhaustion.

However, although it is stated that Wood has no deficiency, why speak of tonifying the Liver? This is because Liver Qi should not be violated, but Liver Blood must be nourished. When Blood is insufficient, moistening methods are used, which belong to the Water element. Water is the source of Liver Wood; Wood relies on it to flourish. Although it is stated that Water has no excess, why speak of purging the Kidney? This is because Kidney Yin must not be deficient, while Kidney Qi must not be hyperactive. When Qi is excessive, it is subdued using methods belonging to the Wood element; cutting the trunk of the Wood allows Water to find peace. One tonification and one purging distinguish Qi and Blood; purging and tonifying simultaneously return Water and Wood to their origin. In summary, Ministerial Fire easily ascends; the suffering in the body stems from the imbalance of Qi and Fire. Purging Wood lowers Qi; supplementing Water controls Fire. Qi is Fire, and Fire is Qi; they are the same substance with different names. Therefore, understanding that "excess Qi is Fire" deepens the comprehension of "Yi and Gui sharing the same source."

However, contemporary physicians often adhere rigidly to the doctrine that "the Liver is often in excess," immediately resorting to pacifying the Liver without considering that the *Classic* states: "The East belongs to Wood, the beginning of the generation of all things." The *Shengji Jing* says: "The transformation of the four seasons begins with Wood; the nourishment of the twelve meridians begins with Spring." When a woman conceives, in the first month, the Jueyin Liver Meridian nourishes the fetus. The Liver is the beginning of the activation of Spring Yang and the source of the metabolism and generation of all things. Therefore, guarding against anger to nourish Yang, ensuring the infinite generation of congenital Qi, is crucial for health preservation. Spring belongs to Liver Wood, representing the ascending and generating Qi of our body. If this Qi is insufficient, what will the other four Zang organs rely upon? If Water lacks the generation of Spring, what will sustain the growth of Summer, the harvest of Autumn, and the storage of Winter? Among the Five Elements, only Wood exhibits the image of sprouting, flourishing, and thriving; Water, Fire, Metal, and Earth do not. If Heaven and Earth lacked Wood, the world would be dim and colorless. We cultivate and nourish it, yet fear we do not have enough time; how could we wish to prune or cut it down? Therefore, nourishing Blood and harmonizing the Liver prevents Fire from flaming upward, leading to peaceful Heart Qi and proper regulation of the entire body. Moreover, the Kidney governs closure and storage, while the Liver governs dispersion and drainage; this represents one opening and one closing. Common saying holds that "the Liver can only be purged, not tonified," unaware that formulas such as Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) and Qibao Meiran Dan (Seven-Treasure Beard-Beautifying Pill) are indeed herbs for tonifying the Liver. People are simply accustomed to these views without careful examination.