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Qin Gongzhong, Vice Commissioner of State Trust, was forty-nine years old. In the spring of Bingyin year of Zhiyuan era, he suffered from cold pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, undigested food in stool (Wan Gu Bu Hua), coldness and reversal coldness in the feet, numbness of the skin, and mental fatigue and weakness. His pulse was deep, fine, and faint. Therefore, a decoction of great heat, sweet, and acrid nature was administered, along with moxibustion on Qihai (CV 6) for one hundred moxa cones (Zhuang), Sanyanjiao (ST 36) at three acupoints for twenty-one Zhuang each, and Yangfu (GB 38) for fourteen Zhuang each. Three days later, after applying scallion ironing (Cong Yi), the moxa sores did not suppurate. Re-moxibusting the aforementioned acupoints according to the previous number of Zhuang also failed to produce sores. Ten days later, the sores still did not form pus, and all wound openings were dry.

At the beginning of Guichou year, I attended the imperial court's tour and wintered in the Guhudu area. I studied acupuncture and moxibustion from Master Dou Zisheng. I therefore inquired about acupoints. He said: "For those using needles, if Qi does not arrive, there is no effect; similarly, if moxibustion does not cause suppuration, it is ineffective. Generally, this is due to emptiness of the root Qi, which cannot generate pus, having lost its nourishment. If carelessness adds pathogenic factors, the disease will certainly not recede." Later, I discussed this with Professor Hu of the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, who also agreed.

In the spring of Wuchen year of Zhiyuan era, the Vice Commissioner was appointed as Judge of Yidu Prefecture. Shortly after taking office, he contracted Wind Disease (Feng Ji), characterized by hemiparesthesia, spontaneous sweating and aversion to wind, irrational laughter, frequent forgetfulness, and slightly slurred speech. The physician used Xuming Tang (Continuing Life Decoction) to induce sweating again, causing severe depletion of body fluids, and the symptoms worsened. He then requested to return home for medical treatment. Over time, his spirit became confused, his appearance emaciated, he had no taste for food, and he suffered from urinary and fecal incontinence, requiring support to stand up. Multiple changes in medicine yielded no effect.

I then recalled the statement in *Neijing* (Inner Canon): "Yang Qi is like the sky and the sun; if it loses its proper place, lifespan is shortened and brilliance is obscured." Because of this illness, I now understand the words of Mr. Zisheng. Some said: "The Vice Commissioner has ample rich and sweet foods, light and warm clothing, and sufficient servants; everything he does goes as he wishes. You say he 'lost his nourishment,' why?" I replied: "What you call 'nourishment' is that which feeds the mouth and body. What I discuss as 'nourishment' is that which sustains life and spirit. Moreover, Qin attained success in his prime but did not know the correct way of nourishment, striving only for mental gratification. This led to the dissipation of spirit and emptiness of blood and Qi, resulting in this disease."

*Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: "When a person is ten years old, the five Zang organs begin to stabilize, blood and Qi are already circulating, and Qi resides below; thus, they like to run. At twenty, blood and Qi begin to flourish, muscles are growing; thus, they like to walk briskly. At thirty, the five Zang organs are fully stabilized, muscles are firm, and blood and Qi are abundant; thus, they like to walk steadily. At forty, the five Zang organs, six Fu organs, and twelve meridians are all flourishing and stable, pores begin to loosen, luster declines, hair begins to turn gray, and movement becomes less vigorous; thus, they like to sit. At fifty, Liver Qi begins to decline, liver leaves become thin, bile secretion decreases, and vision begins to dim. At sixty, Heart Qi begins to decline, prone to sorrow and grief, blood and Qi become sluggish; thus, they like to lie down. At seventy, Spleen Qi begins to decline, skin becomes dry. At eighty, Lung Qi declines, Po and Hun scatter; thus, speech is prone to error. At ninety, Kidney Qi is scorched, organs are dry, meridians are empty. At one hundred, the five Zang organs are all deficient, spirit and Qi have departed, and only the physical shell remains until death." Spirit is limited, while desires are infinite. To lightly sacrifice life is difficult to recover once lost. This refers to someone like Qin.