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The profound principles of the world are embedded within phenomena, yet essentially transcend them. Those who rigidly rely on phenomena to seek explanations may glimpse the subtlety of the principles but fail to exhaust their ultimate profundity.

For instance, Chen XX, in Issue No. 96 (Shaoxing Weekly), having studied anatomy, could not find physical traces corresponding to the origins and terminations of the Twelve Meridians. Consequently, he claimed that the Twelve Meridians described in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) cannot be verified. This is not without basis; rather, the principles involved are extremely subtle and transcend mere physical phenomena, making them incomprehensible through common sense alone.

The *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) section of the *Neijing* was originally titled the *Zhenjing* (Classic of Acupuncture). Therefore, to explore the mysteries of the Twelve Meridians, one must be proficient in acupuncture and moxibustion to grasp the reality. I dare not claim proficiency in this field, but I once discussed this matter with my friend Lu XX (a native of Liaoyang, most proficient in acupuncture and moxibustion, inheriting the skill from his ancestors). Lu XX suggested that I could use my case records of curing carbuncles (deep-seated suppurative infections) via needling to demonstrate this.

In August of the Gengshen year, a clan sister developed a carbuncle at Guanchong (TE1, Start of Shaoyang of Hand-Taiyang), an acupoint on the left hand's Shaoyang meridian. By the second day, the pain became severe. I needled Ermen (TE21, End of Shaoyang of Hand-Taiyang), and she recovered immediately. Guanchong is the starting point of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and Ermen is its termination point.

In July of the Xinyou year, a seven-year-old male descendant of the clan developed a carbuncle at Yinbai (SP1, Start of Taiyin of Foot-Taiyin), an acupoint on the right foot's Taiyin meridian. Within three days, swelling extended below the knee, causing excruciating pain. I needled Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Gongsun (SP4) on the right side, resulting in immediate recovery. Yinbai is the starting point of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, while Gongsun and Sanyinjiao are points along its pathway. Had these points failed to cure the condition, needling Dabao (SP21, Termination of Taiyin of Foot-Taiyin) would undoubtedly have succeeded.

In August of the Xinyou year, a woman surnamed Tian from our village developed a carbuncle at Jianjing (LI2, though the text says Erjian/LI2, context implies LI2 or nearby, actually text says "Erjian" which is LI2, but describes it as not the start. Wait, Shangyang is LI1. Erjian is LI2. The text says Erjian is not the start, distance to Shangyang is 2 cun. Quchi is LI11, Yingxiang is LI20. The text says Quchi is experienced/along the path, Yingxiang is the end. Actually, LI ends at Yingxiang. LI starts at Shangyang. The text logic: Carbuncle at Erjian (LI2). Needled Quchi (LI11) and Yingxiang (LI20). Erjian is close to Shangyang (LI1). Quchi is along the path. Yingxiang is the end. ) on the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. The swelling exceeded the wrist. I needled Quchi (LI11) and Yingxiang (LI20). The pain ceased immediately, and the swelling subsided within days. Although Erjian (LI2) is not the starting point of the Yangming meridian, it is only two cun away from Shangyang (LI1), the actual starting point. Quchi represents a point along the meridian's pathway, and Yingxiang represents its termination.

In September of the same year, my student Wu XX developed a carbuncle at Taiyuan (LU9) on the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. The red line of inflammation had reached Xiayue (likely a typo for Xiahou or similar, text says "Xia Qi Hu", possibly referring to a location near the chest/axilla, but standard texts might vary. I will translate literally as written: "Xiaqi Hu"). The area was numb and painless, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. His pulse was surging and tight, particularly at the Right Cun position. I determined this was caused by toxic fire erupting from the Taiyin meridian. I needled Chize (LU5), Zhongfu (LU1) of the same meridian, and Feishu (BL13). The patient felt pain in the affected area, the nausea and vomiting stopped immediately, the red line receded instantly, and he fully recovered within half a day. Taiyuan is slightly more than three cun away from Shaoshang (LU11), the starting point of this meridian. Zhongfu is the starting point, Chize is a point along the pathway, and Feishu is a Back-Shu point where qi infuses into the interior.

From this, we can see that if a carbuncle arises at the starting point of a meridian, needling its termination point works effectively; if it arises at the termination point, needling the starting point also works effectively. Thus, the starting and ending points of the meridians must possess the subtle connection of a continuous flow of Qi (Qi Guan Tong). How else could such miraculous efficacy be achieved?