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Soldiers are instruments of ill omen, chosen solely to quell chaos; medicines are not ordinary meals, chosen solely to cure diseases. Those who excel at quelling chaos understand both the enemy and themselves; those who excel at curing diseases understand both the illness and the medicinal properties. It is needless to mention those who do not even know the symptoms; knowing the symptoms but not the medicines is like appointing an incompetent general, which only leads to defeat. The army employs only orthodox (Zheng) and unorthodox (Qi) tactics, whose variations are inexhaustible; medicines possess only Qi (energy/flavor profile) and Wei (taste), whose variations are also inexhaustible. By comprehending the transformations of the Four Seasons and Five Elements, examining the suitability of the Zang and Fu organs, distinguishing the flavors of sour, pungent, bitter, sweet, and salty in hundreds of herbs, and scrutinizing the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, worry, and fear in the human body, one can treat a hundred diseases with profound principles and miraculous efficacy. Medicine has been obscure and ignorant, with each school adhering to its own sect, clinging to ancient prescriptions unable to treat contemporary diseases. Reading medical classics is inferior to accumulating clinical experience. Without deeply exploring the intent behind classical prescriptions and herb records, merely creating heterodox theories to gain fame and integrity, discussions become increasingly complex while medicine becomes increasingly obscured. Therefore, by reading the books of ancients and examining their principles, one knows... [Text fragment: Ming's difference, Zuo Ming, Liu Sou, Yu Wai, Suo Yu, 1st day of the 11th month, Gengzi year of Daoguang, Bao Cheng of Anwu].

Xuan (Ventilating) agents are Yong (Emetic) agents. *Su Wen* states: "For those high up, induce them to vomit upward; for Wood stagnation, facilitate its flow." *Shang Han Lun* states: "The general principle is that spring favors emesis, as the disease is located above." *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: ... [Text fragment missing]

Tong (Unblocking) agents are circulating agents. Tong is similar to Xie (Purgative); Xie acts only downward, whereas Tong also acts laterally. All pungent and aromatic, flowing substances belong to this category. *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: ... [Text fragment mentions "Zhi Qing" - going to the toilet]

Bu (Tonifying) agents are tonifying and benefiting agents. *Su Wen* states: "Follow the decline to manifest righteousness; if form is deficient, warm it with Qi; if essence is deficient, tonify it with flavor." It further states: "The Liver uses Pungent... [Text fragment mentions 'Bu Zhi', 'Er Hou', 'Xue Shuai']"

Xie (Draining) agents refer to purgation, i.e., Xia (Downward-draining) agents. *Su Wen* states: "For those low down, guide them to exhaust; for fullness in the middle, drain from within; for excess conditions, disperse and drain." It further states: "Excess... [Text fragment mentions 'Ze Xie', 'Tong Sui']"

Qing (Light) agents refer to light and ascending dispersal, i.e., Han (Sudorific) agents. *Su Wen* states: "Follow the lightness to scatter it; for those with pathogens, steep the body to induce sweat; for those on the skin, release via sweating." *Ru... [Text fragment missing]*

Zhong (Heavy) agents are heavy sedatives that suppress rebellion. Substances that are heavy in weight and sinking in nature are sufficient to suppress chaotic rebellion. *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: For chronic cough with phlegm flooding upward and emaciation, harsh attacking methods should not be used... [Text fragment mentions "Yi"]

Hua (Slippery) agents are slippery and unobstructing agents. *Zhou Li* states: "Use slippery substances to nourish orifices." Zheng Xuan's commentary notes: "All slippery substances facilitate passage, resembling open orifices." *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: Dry stool constipation... [Text fragment mentions "Xiao"]

Se (Astringent) agents are astringent and consolidating agents. *Su Wen* states: "The Heart suffers from flaccidity; urgently eat sour to astringe it. The Lung desires consolidation; urgently eat salty to consolidate it." *Tang Ye Xu Li* states: "Astringency secures against collapse." All scattered... [Text fragment missing]

Zao (Drying) agents refer to drying and acrid substances, i.e., dampness-removing agents. *Su Wen* states: "The Spleen suffers from dampness; urgently eat bitter to dry it." *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: Accumulated cold and long-standing chill, if suffering from dampness... [Text fragment mentions "Yi Zao"]

Shi (Moistening) agents are soft and moistening agents. They are similar to Hua agents but specialize in nourishment. *Su Wen* states: "Pungency moistens." This is because pungency moves Qi, and Qi transforms fluids. *Ru Men Shi Qin* states: People suffer from withered, cracked, and depleted conditions, not just due to Metal (Lung) transformation, but generally due to Fire encroaching upon them; only Shi agents can cure this. *Tang Ye Xu Li* states: "Moisture removes dryness." Therefore, whenever there is fluid depletion and blood... [Text cuts off]