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Born from the primordial Qi of Ren and Gui (Heavenly Stems representing Water and Metal, here referring to the primordial attributes of Lead). One is the beginning of numbers, Water is the origin of all things, hence it is said: "Heaven generates Water at One." Water contains Sheng Qi (Vital Energy), serving as the precursor to all things, the mother of Golden Elixir (Jin Dan), the ancestor of the Eight Stones (eight mineral drugs used in alchemy), and the treasure of the Five Metals. Ren Metal is clear/light, Gui Water is turbid/heavy; clarity belongs to Yang Qi, turbidity belongs to Yin Substance. Yang Qi generates Yin Substance. Lead itself is toxic, but if properly refined and cooked, it becomes a Xian Dan (Immortal Pill); consuming it leads to immortality. At the initial stage of Sheng Qi, its taste should be sweet; its nature is moistening and descending (Run Xia), indicating it is non-toxic. This is because the supreme Yin Qi of Heaven One possesses the properties of settling/descending and moistening, thereby restoring the state of Water-Fire Ji Ji (Heart-Kidney intersection and Yin-Yang balance). Consequently, the heat-toxic Qi of Shang Han (Cold Damage) dissipates, and the rebellious Qi in the stomach is instantly resolved. Furthermore, among the Five Elements and all things, none can resolve all toxic vapors better than the primordial Sheng Qi's middle-rising Qi. Lead possesses these characteristics, making it the premier herb for resolving various toxins. However, it ultimately remains a mineral drug, devoid of emotional connection with human Qi and Blood. As stated in *Wu Shen Pian*: "Things of different categories are difficult to combine skillfully."

Qianshuang (Lead Frost), also known as Qianbaishuang, is made by mixing lead with one-fifteenth part mercury, refining them into sheets, placing them in vinegar jars sealed tightly, and allowing them to form frost over a long period. This results from the interaction between lead and mercury vapor, where vinegar extracts their essence to form crystals, referred to by Daoists as "Divine Talismans" (Shen Fu). Qianshuang tastes sweet and sour, has a great cold nature, and is non-toxic. Due to its sour and cold flavor, it clears heat, resolves phlegm, arrests palpitations, detoxifies alcohol, and quenches thirst. It is contraindicated in cases of Spleen deficiency, Stomach cold, and loose bowels. Huangdan (Yellow Cinnabar/Minium) is formed by smelting lead. It tastes pungent, has a slightly cold nature, and is non-toxic. Endowed with the primordial Qi of Gui and Ren, when transformed into cinnabar by fire, it gains spiritual flexibility and changeability. Being heavy and descending, it treats gastric reflux and vomiting, convulsions, epilepsy, heat toxicity, and traumatic injuries (Jin Chuang). It removes blood stasis and promotes flesh regeneration. Fuxi has two names; Hufen has one name; Qianfen (Lead Powder) has one name; Guafen is black lead refined from black to white. It tastes pungent, has a cold nature, and is non-toxic. Its body and usage are similar to powder; it excels at killing parasites, thus removing latent corpses (parasites lurking in the body), three worms (roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms), and biema (abdominal masses). Its cold nature resolves heat toxicity, treating severe sores and insect bites. It also treats children's chronic dysentery leading to infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome); taken with egg white until stools turn black, it works by eliminating accumulation, killing parasites, and stopping dysentery. Any food causing black stools restores its original nature, as described: "When color deteriorates, it returns to lead." Used in plasters mixed with other ingredients, similar to Huangdan, but it enters only the Qi level, not the Blood level.

Lead calms the Heart and anchors the Spirit, treats Shanghan toxic vapors, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) with irritability and heat, governs Gui Zhu (contagious tuberculosis-like disease), Ying Liu (goiter/nodules), stops reverse flow and vomiting/hiccups, and treats snake/scorpion venom. Moxibustion and hot compresses are particularly effective. Contraindicated in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold and insufficient Yang Fire. Smelted lead is called Lead; Lead Ash treats Luoli (scrofula/tuberculous lymphadenitis). Qianshuang is cold-natured, also refined from lead, arresting palpitations, driving out heat, resolving alcohol toxicity and phlegm, treating chest/diaphragm oppression and irritability, expelling wind-stroke phlegm-solidity, generating fluids, quenching thirst, and treating vomiting/reflux. Qiandan (Lead Red/Minium), also known as Huangdan, is made by roasting lead. It is widely used in external medicine; boiled into plasters for application on traumatic wounds to promote tissue regeneration, relieve pain, treat damp sores, malignant ulcers, and bloody sores. It is essential for plaster preparations. Also used in powders; it detoxifies, disperses heat, removes dampness, and promotes new tissue growth. Internally, it treats epilepsy, consolidates spirit, calms fright, anchors the soul, descends phlegm, kills parasites, removes toxic heat from the umbilicus, and stops vomiting/reflux.

Main Indications (Integration with Smallpox/Rashes): Huangdan clears heat, calms the Heart, relieves pain, and generates flesh. For smallpox spots or corneal opacities affecting the eyes, mix with Zhenzhu (Pearl) and Qingfen (Calomel), grind into powder, and insufflate into the ear: if the left eye is affected, insufflate the right ear, and vice versa. The corneal opacity gradually disappears with miraculous efficacy. Qianfen cools the Blood, generates flesh, kills three worms and biema, treats severe sores and bites, eliminates latent pathogens, and induces abortion.