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14. In the year of Tianfu (Heavenly符), pathogenic factors invade the Si Tian (Chief Qi of Heaven) and are termed "Zhong Zhifa" (Striking the Executive Officer); in the year of Suihui (Year Meeting), they invade the Zai Quan (Subordinate Qi of Earth) and are termed "Zhong Xingling" (Executing Orders). In the year of Taiyi Guiren (Great Unity Noble Person), they simultaneously invade both Si Tian and Zai Quan, leading to rapid critical illness, lingering disease, or sudden death, respectively. Although Jun Huo (Monarch Fire) and Xiang Huo (Minister Fire) share the same nature and harmonize, there is a distinction between favorable (Shun) and unfavorable (Ni) relationships based on their hierarchical positions. A favorable relationship results in distant pathology with minor harm, whereas an unfavorable relationship leads to proximate pathology with rapid and severe harm.

[Annotation] When pathogenic factors invade the body in a Tianfu year, it is called "Zhong Zhifa," which means offending the Si Tian heavenly qi. Heaven belongs to Yang; Yang's nature is swift, so the onset is rapid and dangerous. When invading in a Suihui year, it is called "Zhong Xingling," meaning offending the Zai Quan earthly qi. Earth belongs to Yin; Yin's nature is slow, so the onset is gradual and persistent. When invading in a Taiyi Tianfu year, it is called "Zhong Guiren," offending both Si Tian and Zai Quan qi. Since both heaven and earth qi are offended, the onset is violent and fatal. The "Two Fires" refer to Jun Huo (Monarch Fire) and Xiang Huo (Minister Fire). Although they share the same qi and harmonize, one must understand the distinction between favorable and unfavorable君臣 (ruler-minister) relationships. Jun Huo is the Ruler; Xiang Huo is the Minister. "Two fires approaching each other" refers to the interaction between Si Tian and the Six Steps of Central Transport, as well as Guest and Host interactions. If Jun Huo is above and Xiang Huo is below, it represents the Ruler overseeing the Minister, which is favorable (Shun). Favorable implies distant pathology and minor harm. If Xiang Huo is above and Jun Huo is below, it represents the Minister offending the Ruler, which is unfavorable (Ni). Unfavorable implies proximate pathology and rapid harm.

15. The movement of Heaven and Earth qi distinguishes between Nan Zheng (Southern Administration) and Bei Zheng (Northern Administration). The Jia-Ji cycle constitutes one Southern Administration year, while the remaining four cycles are Northern Administration years. In these years, the pulse at Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) may not respond depending on its location. For Northern Administration years, the pulse diagnosis is reversed to check for non-response. The original scriptural principles are preserved here for future scholars to study. Deviations from the norm indicate subtle gains or losses; if the Chi (Cun-Knee) pulse shows reversal or Yin-Yang intersection, life is difficult to sustain.

[Annotation] "Heaven and Earth qi" refers to the Three Yin and Three Yang, specifically the Guest Qi of Si Tian (Chief Qi of Heaven), Zai Quan (Subordinate Qi of Earth), Left Jian (Left Intercalary), and Right Jian (Right Intercalary). When Guest Qi moves during a Southern Administration year, it is called Southern Administration; when moving during a Northern Administration year, it is called Northern Administration. In Southern Administration years, only the Jia-Ji cycle applies; the Yi-Geng, Bing-Xin, Ding-Ren, and Wu-Gui cycles are all Northern Administration years. "Shaoyin follows wherever it is, and the pulse does not respond" means that when the Guest Qi of Shaoyin Jun Huo (Monarch Fire of Lesser Yin) is located at Si Tian, Zai Quan, Left Jian, or Right Jian, the primary observation is whether the pulse fails to respond (does not show the characteristic "Hook" pulse described in classics: "When Shaoyin arrives, its pulse is Hook"). In Southern Administration years: if Shaoyin is Si Tian, the two Cun (Wrist) pulses do not respond; if Shaoyin is Zai Quan, the two Chi pulses do not respond; if Jueyin (Greater Yin) is Si Tian and its Left Jian is Shaoyin, the right Cun pulse does not respond; if Taiyin (Greater Yin) is Si Tian and its Right Jian is Shaoyin, the left Cun pulse does not respond; if Jueyin is Zai Quan and its Left Jian is Shaoyin, the left Chi pulse does not respond; if Taiyin is Zai Quan and its Right Jian is Shaoyin, the right Chi pulse does not respond. These occur where the Guest Qi is Shaoyin. In Northern Administration years, the diagnostic approach is reversed to check for non-response, occurring where the Guest Qi is Yangming (Bright Yang). For example: if Shaoyin is Si Tian, the two Chi pulses do not respond; if Shaoyin is Zai Quan, the two Cun pulses do not respond; if Jueyin is Si Tian and its Left Jian is Shaoyin, the left Chi pulse does not respond; if Taiyin is Si Tian and its Right Jian is Shaoyin, the right Chi pulse does not respond; if Jueyin is Zai Quan and its Left Jian is Shaoyin, the right Cun pulse does not respond; if Taiyin is Zai Quan and its Right Jian is Shaoyin, the left Cun pulse does not respond. There are twelve Southern Administration years and forty-eight Northern Administration years. Southern Administration uses standard pulse diagnosis, while Northern Administration uses reversed diagnosis. The logic of response and non-response is complex even after careful study of the classics; thus, these principles are preserved for later scholars to elucidate. Non-response in the expected area indicates harmony with the qi; unexpected response indicates deviation from the qi and disease. Response in the opposite side (left/right) or position (upper/lower) indicates positional error, signifying disease with varying severity. Severe cases involve "Chi-Cun Reversal" (pulse expected at Cun appears at Chi, or vice versa, seen in Zi, Wu, Mao, You years) and "Yin-Yang Intersection" (pulse expected on the left appears on the right, or vice versa, seen in Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei, Yin, Shen, Si, Hai years). Both indicate fatality, hence "life is difficult to sustain."