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Yu Chang said: The method of combining complexion and pulse is highly valued by the sages; it is the beginning of treating diseases. Complexion is what the eyes can see, and pulse is what the hands can hold, but combining them occurs in a realm beyond sight and touch, fundamentally relying on a spiritual mind (Lingxin). The *Neijing* states: In ancient times, Qiu Dai Ji was appointed to organize the principles of complexion and pulse to communicate with the Divine Spirit (Shenming), integrating them with Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, the four seasons, eight winds, and six directions, without deviating from their norms. Thus, the essence of complexion and pulse can communicate with the Divine Spirit. Directly applying this to align with the waxing and waning of the Five Elements, responding to the coming and going of the four seasons, within the six directions and the opening and closing of the eight winds, without departing from constant patterns, one can deduce changes and foresee outcomes, let alone the mechanisms of disease in the human body? It also says: Changes in complexion should correspond to the pulses of the four seasons; this is what the Supreme Emperor values, to integrate with the Divine Spirit. Therefore, one can stay far from death and close to life. Because changes in complexion occur within clarity and brightness, when integrated with the pulses of the four seasons, distinguishing good from bad, one already obtains signs of life and death, thus being able to constantly stay far from death and close to life. Is not staying far from death and close to life worthy of value? Those who are skilled in diagnosis observe complexion and palpate pulse, first distinguishing Yin and Yang, examining clarity and turbidity to know the location of the disease, observing respiration and listening to voice sounds to know the suffering, observing the balance and rules (weight and rhythm of the pulse), pressing the Cun and Chi positions, observing floating, sinking, slippery, and choppy qualities, to know the origin of the disease. This goes beyond complexion and pulse, integrating observation of respiration and listening to sounds, seeking the location of the disease in terms of depth and interior-exterior according to timing. Profound! Subtle! However, this cannot be explained to those of average or below-average capacity, hence there are three grades: Superior Physician (Shanggong), Middle Physician (Zhonggong), and Inferior Physician (Xiagong). The Superior Physician cures nine out of ten, the Middle Physician seven out of ten, and the Inferior Physician six out of ten. Thus it is said: One skilled in adjusting the Chi position does not need to rely on the Cun position; one skilled in adjusting the pulse does not need to rely on the complexion. This distinguishes root from branches. However, only by integrating all three and practicing them together can one achieve the status of a Superior Physician who grasps both root and branch. What is integration? The complexions of the Zang organs appearing during their respective ruling times: Spring Cyan, Summer Red, Late Summer Yellow, Autumn White, Winter Black. The normal external manifestations governed by the Zang organs: White corresponds to Lung and Skin; Red to Heart and Vessels; Yellow to Spleen and Flesh; Cyan to Liver and Tendons; Black to Kidney and Bones. The pulses of the Zang organs: Spring String-like (Xian), Summer Hook-like (Gou), Autumn Hair-like (Mao), Winter Stone-like (Shi). Excess indicates overabundance, deficiency indicates insufficiency. Pulses of the four seasons with Stomach Qi are called Normal Pulses (Ping Mai); with little Stomach Qi, Diseased Pulses (Bing Mai); without Stomach Qi, Dead Pulses (Si Mai). If there is Stomach Qi but the pulse of the conquering element appears, severe cases manifest illness now, mild cases manifest illness when the conquering element's time arrives. Combining complexion and pulse for mutual deduction, is this not clear and easy to follow? Zhang Zhongjing also provided a convenient method, stating that the Cun Kou pulse moves because it is in its ruling season. For example, if Liver complexion is Cyan but turns White, indicating non-ruling season complexion and pulse, illness will occur. The pulses of the Taiyin meridians of both hands are collectively called Cun Kou. Moving due to its ruling season, when Liver is ruling, complexion is Cyan, and pulse movement should be slightly String-like. If instead Red color is seen and Hair-like pulse obtained, death will occur when the conquering element's time arrives. Only when Wood is ruling, with Cyan complexion and String-like pulse, is it correct for the Spring command. Besides White and Hair-like pulse being "Ghost Thieves" (conquering evils), even if Red, Yellow, or Black colors appear, obtaining Hook, Intermitting (Dai), or Stone-like pulses, all indicate illness, differing only in severity. The *Neijing* has detailed these laws, and Zhang Zhongjing passed on the golden needle (exquisite medical skills); how can learners fail to understand?

[Rule One]
In treating any disease, if one does not combine complexion and pulse for mutual verification, resulting in gaining one aspect while losing another, or capturing the partial while missing the whole, one is merely a crude physician. Ambiguity in clinical practice, lacking diagnostic acuity ("hand and eye"), is the fault of the physician.