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The *Qianjin Fang* states: Marriage and procreation are the foundation of human ethics and the basis of royal education. The sages established teachings and discussed them in detail, with the main purpose of instructing later generations. However, few people can understand them thoroughly; when the time comes to act, they become confused and foolish. Now, I will fully describe the methods for seeking offspring, to be left for descendants. Those with similar aspirations may wish to read this.

It also states: Those who wish to conceive should first know the natal characters (Benming) of both husband and wife, the mutual generation of the Five Elements, and whether their combined virtue and natal character avoid unfavorable states such as "Fu" (Hidden), "Si" (Death), "Mu" (Tomb), or "Sheng" (Birth) in relation to the Earthly Branch "Zi". If these conditions are met, conception will surely succeed. If the natal characters involve mutual restriction of the Five Elements, or encounter "Xingsha" (Form Killing) and "Chongpo" (Clash and Break), and are in unfavorable states like "Xiu" (Rest), "Si" (Death), or "Mu" (Tomb) relative to "Zi", then conception will not succeed. Do not dwell on this unnecessarily. Even if one conceives later, it should be recorded in subsequent texts for reference. If the Five Elements generate each other and favorable fortune stars are present, one must still follow the prescribed methods and avoid taboos. The child born will be perfect in every way, which is difficult to fully describe.

It further states: To ensure the child is auspicious and virtuous, intercourse should be avoided on Jingding days (the Wu day of the fifth lunar month), as well as on Xian days (7th and 23rd lunar days), Wang days (15th lunar day), Shuo days (1st lunar day), Hui days (last lunar day), during strong winds, heavy rain, dense fog, extreme cold, extreme heat, thunder, lightning, claps of thunder, dark skies, eclipses, rainbows, earthquakes, and solar/lunar eclipses. Conception during these times will harm the parents a hundredfold, and the child may be mute, blind, deaf, retarded, insane, convulsed, lame, visually impaired, prone to illness, short-lived, unfilial, and unkind. One should also avoid intercourse under firelight or starlight, in temples or Buddhist shrines, near wells, stoves, clean toilets, or beside graves and corpses.

It states: If intercourse follows proper rituals, it aligns with cosmic virtue, allowing great sages and virtuous beings to incarnate. This harmonizes the parents' temperament and actions, leading to family prosperity and the gathering of auspicious signs. If improper, thin fortune prevails, and foolish or evil spirits incarnate, causing parents to become vicious and their endeavors to fail. The family declines, disasters multiply, and even if the child survives to adulthood, it may lead to ruin. The signs of fortune and misfortune are as inevitable as shadow following form; why not reflect on this?

It states: Ejaculating during the "Shengqi" (Vital Qi) period after midnight results in male offspring who will be long-lived, wise, and hold high rank. (Note: The *Daqing Jing* states that from midnight to noon is Shengqi, and from noon to midnight is Siqi (Dead Qi).)

It states: Days associated with Wang (Prosperous) and Xiang (Minister) phases, and noble constellations, are especially auspicious. (Details are found in specific books.)

The *Chan Jing* records Huangdi saying: Human life begins in the womb through the union of Yin and Yang. During this union, nine calamities must be avoided:
1. A child conceived at noon will suffer from vomiting and regurgitation.
2. A child conceived at midnight, when heaven and earth are closed, will be mute or blind/deaf.
3. A child conceived during a solar eclipse will have bodily injuries or deformities.
4. A child conceived during thunder/lightning will exhibit signs of heavenly wrath, likely becoming insane.
5. A child conceived during a lunar eclipse will bring misfortune to both mother and child.
6. A child conceived during a rainbow phenomenon may engage in inauspicious acts.
7. A child conceived during the winter or summer solstice will harm the parents.
8. A child conceived during Xian or Wang days will suffer from war-related trauma or blindness caused by wind pathogens.
9. A child conceived while the parents are drunk or overly full will suffer from epilepsy, carbuncles, hemorrhoids, or sores.

It states there are five observations indicating inauspicious conception:
1. Conception before menstrual blood has completely cleared.
2. Conception when parents have skin sores.
3. Conception while mourning attire is still worn.
4. Conception while suffering from warm diseases or bereavement.
5. Conception accompanied by repeated worry, fear, and panic during pregnancy.

The *Yufang Mijue* lists seven taboos for sexual intercourse:
1. Intercourse on Shuo, Wang, Xian, or Shangxian days damages Qi, resulting in physically disabled offspring. Caution is required.
2. Intercourse during thunderstorms or windy weather causes blood vessels to surge, leading to offspring prone to abscesses and swelling.
3. Intercourse immediately after drinking or overeating, when grain Qi has not circulated, causes abdominal bloating and cloudy urine, resulting in insane offspring.
4. Intercourse immediately after urination, when Jing-Essence is depleted, causes meridian stagnation, leading to abnormal or monstrous offspring.
5. Intercourse while fatigued from labor or carrying heavy loads, when spirit and Qi are unsettled, causes pain in tendons and waist, resulting in premature death or disability.
6. Intercourse immediately after bathing, while hair and skin are damp, causes shortness of breath, leading to incomplete or malformed offspring.
7. Intercourse while angry or experiencing penile pain constitutes internal injury and disease. These are called the Seven Injuries.

It states: Children born mute or deaf are those conceived at dusk in the twelfth lunar month, when ghosts gather all night. While virtuous men fast and abstain, commoners engage in secret intercourse, resulting in mute or deaf children.

Children who die young or suffer injury are called "Fire Children," conceived while candles are burning but not yet extinguished. Such children are destined for injury or death in marketplaces.

Children born insane are "Thunder/Lightning Children," conceived during heavy rains and thunder in April or May. While virtuous men fast, commoners engage in secret intercourse, resulting in insane children.

Children eaten by tigers or wolves are "Heavy Mourning Children," conceived while wearing heavy mourning clothes and abstaining from meat. While virtuous men weaken themselves through fasting/mourning, commoners engage in secret intercourse, resulting in children vulnerable to wild beasts.

Children who drown are related to the practice of burying fetal membranes in copper vessels deep underground, known as "Boy's Wrap."

It states: Children conceived in strong winds are prone to illness; those in thunder/lightning are insane; those from drunkenness are retarded; those from fatigue die young; those from menstruation die in war; those from twilight are unstable; those from Ren Ding hour (9-11 PM) are blind or deaf; those from sunset have speech issues; those from noon have epilepsy; those from Wu hour (3-5 PM) self-harm.

Su Nu says: The method for seeking offspring has standard principles. Clear the mind, remove distractions, maintain purity and fasting. Three days after the woman's menstruation ends, between midnight and cockcrow, engage in play to stimulate the woman, then proceed according to natural principles, sharing joy. Withdraw slightly to ejaculate, ensuring semen enters about half an cun into the Yu Men (jade gate/vagina). Do not go too deep towards the Zi Gong (uterus) or Zi Men (cervix). Following these Daoist arts ensures wise, long-lived offspring.

Peng Zu says: Preserve Jing-Essence and avoid frequent ejaculation. Conceive three to five days after menstruation ceases and the body is clean. Male offspring will be intelligent, long-lived, and noble; female offspring will be virtuous and marry nobility.

Intercourse in the early morning benefits the body, enhances Jing-Light, and produces wealthy, long-lived offspring.

Su Nu says: Avoid taboos and seek Shengqi (Vital Qi) for longevity. If both partners are old, offspring may not live long. Even if a couple reaches 100 years, offspring may not be long-lived. An 80-year-old man with a 15-18 year old woman avoids taboos, producing long-lived offspring. A 50-year-old woman with a younger husband may also conceive.

If a woman is less than three months pregnant, burn the cord from a man's cap, mix the ash with wine, and drink it. This ensures the child will be wealthy and wise. Keep this secret.

For women unable to conceive: The woman holds 14 adzuki beans in her left hand and supports the man's penis with her right hand, inserting it into her vagina. She places the beans in her mouth. As she receives semen, she swallows the beans. This method is effective and reliable.

Dongxuanzi says: After menstruation ends, intercourse determines gender: 1st or 3rd day yields a boy; 4th or 5th day yields a girl. After the 5th day, energy is wasted with no benefit. At ejaculation, synchronize with the woman's climax, ensuring complete emission. The woman should lie supine, focus her mind, close her eyes, and visualize receiving Qi. Laozi said: Conceiving at midnight yields maximum longevity; before midnight, medium longevity; after midnight, minimum longevity.

It states: Once pregnant, the woman must perform good deeds, avoid ugly sights and bad words, reduce lust, avoid cursing or scolding, avoid fright, fatigue, lies, and sorrow. Avoid raw, cold, sour, slippery, or hot foods. Avoid riding horses/carriages, climbing heights, approaching depths, sudden movements, taking herbs, or acupuncture. Maintain upright thoughts, listen to scriptures, and ensure the child becomes wise, loyal, and virtuous. This is prenatal education (Taijiao).