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(Huangdi) asked: In years of Northern Governance (Bei Zheng), if the Three Yin (San Yin) are below, the Cun (Inch) pulse does not respond; if the Three Yin are above, the Chi (Cubit) pulse does not respond. In years of Southern Governance (Nan Zheng), if the Three Yin govern the Heaven position (Si Tian), the Cun pulse does not respond; if the Three Yin govern the Earth position (Zai Quan), the Chi pulse does not respond. The manifestations in the left and right hands are the same. Therefore it is said: Those who understand the key points can summarize the essence in one sentence; those who do not understand the key points will have scattered thoughts without end. This is what is meant.

Huangdi asked: How is the fortune governing the year determined? Qibo replied: When Qi (Vital Energy) is in excess, it controls what it normally overcomes and insults what it cannot overcome; when Qi is deficient, what it cannot overcome insults and exploits it, while what it normally overcomes despises and insults it. Being insulted in return is due to a lack of fear/reverence.

In the Chapter on Six Micro Principles (Liu Wei Zhi Da Lun), Huangdi asked: I wish to hear about the waxing and waning of the Heavenly Dao's six-six seasonal segments. Qibo replied: Up and down have their positions, left and right have their disciplines. Thus, to the right of Shao Yang (Lesser Yang), Yang Ming (Bright Yang) governs; to the right of Yang Ming, Tai Yang (Greater Yang) governs; to the right of Tai Yang, Jue Yin (Terminal Yin) governs; to the right of Jue Yin, Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) governs; to the right of Shao Yin, Tai Yin (Greater Yin) governs; to the right of Tai Yin, Shao Yang governs. This is referred to as the Biao (Mark/Manifestation) of Qi, facing south to observe it. Above Shao Yang, Fire Qi governs, with Jue Yin seen in the middle; above Yang Ming, Dryness Qi governs, with Tai Yin seen in the middle; above Tai Yang, Cold Qi governs, with Shao Yin seen in the middle; above Jue Yin, Wind Qi governs, with Shao Yang seen in the middle; above Shao Yin, Fire Qi governs, with Tai Yang seen in the middle; above Tai Yin, Dampness Qi governs, with Yang Ming seen in the middle. This is referred to as the Ben (Root). Below the Root is the Zhong Jian (Middle Manifestation). Below the Middle Manifestation is the Biao (Mark) of Qi. Since Ben and Biao differ, the corresponding phenomena of Qi vary.

(Asked): Why are there cases where the season arrives and the climate corresponds, cases where the season arrives but the climate does not correspond, and cases where the season arrives but the climate is excessive? (Answered): When the season arrives and the climate corresponds, it is called Harmonious (He); when the season arrives but the climate does not correspond, the incoming Qi is deficient; when the climate arrives before the season, the incoming Qi is in excess. (Asked): What happens when the season arrives but the climate does not, or the climate arrives before the season? (Answered): Correspondence leads to Smoothness (Shun); non-correspondence leads to Reversal (Ni). Reversal generates pathology, and pathology generates disease.

In the Chapter on the Most Essential Truth (Zhi Yao Da Lun), Huangdi asked: Do the movements of Winning (Sheng) and Repaying (Fu) Qi follow fixed times? Is there a necessity to the Qi? Qibo said: The times have fixed positions, but the Qi has no absolute necessity. (Huangdi) said: I wish to hear the principle. (Qibo) said: From the First Qi to the Third Qi, Heaven Qi governs, which is the normal pattern for Winning. From the Fourth Qi to the Final Qi, Earth Qi governs, which is the normal pattern for Repaying. There is Repaying only if there is Winning; if there is no Winning, there is no Repaying. Huangdi asked: What happens if Winning occurs after Repaying ends? (Qibo) said: When Winning arrives, Repaying follows, with no fixed number; it stops only when the Qi declines. If Winning occurs after Repaying ends and there is no Repaying, harm results, damaging life. (Huangdi) asked: Why does Repaying Qi cause illness in return? (Qibo) said: Because it occupies an improper position and is incompatible. Excessive Repaying of the Winning Qi causes the Host Qi to overcome it, thus causing illness; this refers to Fire, Dryness, and Heat. Huangdi asked: How should it be treated? (Qibo) said: For Winning Qi, mild cases are followed (Suí), severe cases are controlled (Zhì); for Repaying Qi, harmonious cases are balanced (Píng), violent cases are deprived (Duó). All should follow the Winning Qi, pacify the subdued Qi, regardless of the number, aiming for balance. This is the method.

Huangdi asked: What is meant by the Up and Down of Qi? (Qibo) said: The upper half of the body, its Qi is divided into three parts, belonging to the domain of Heaven, governed by Heaven Qi; the lower half of the body, its Qi is also divided into three parts, belonging to the domain of Earth, governed by Earth Qi. Names determine the Qi, Qi determines the location, and from this, diseases are discussed. The midpoint is called Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot). The body's midpoint refers to the umbilicus, specifically the acupoint Tianshu (ST25). Tianshu is located two Cun (body-inch units) lateral to the umbilicus. The Qi is divided into three parts; for example, if Shao Yin governs Heaven, there is Heat above, Tai Yang (Cold) in the middle, plus the governing Qi, totaling three. This applies to all Six Qi. The influence of Si Tian (Governing Heaven) involves three parts, and the influence of Zai Quan (Governing Earth) involves three parts; thus, the upper half has three Qi, and the lower half has three Qi. By name, we discuss Qi; by Qi, we discuss location; by the cold/heat of Qi at locations, we discuss the form and signs of disease.

When superior Winning Qi causes disease in both upper and lower regions, it is named according to Earth (indicating disease originates from below). When inferior Winning Qi causes disease in both upper and lower regions, it is named according to Heaven (indicating disease originates from above). Superior winning and inferior illness result from Earth Qi stagnation, so naming follows Earth stagnation as Earth disease; inferior winning and superior illness result from Heaven Qi obstruction, so naming follows Heaven obstruction as Heaven disease. For names derived from Heaven, prescriptions should conform to Heaven Qi to restrain it, attacking contrary to Earth Qi; for names derived from Earth, prescriptions conforming to Heaven Qi are sufficient. For instance, if Yang Ming governs Heaven and Shao Yin governs Earth, and superior winning causes inferior illness, this violates the generating Qi below. When Heaven Qi is positively dominant, it can be counteracted; thus, formulas conforming to Heaven Qi are cooling. The same method applies to other Si Tian scenarios like Shao Yin.

The so-called arrival of Winning Qi refers to the state where the Repaying Qi is subdued and has not yet erupted. When Repaying Qi arrives, distinctions between Heaven and Earth names are no longer used; all methods follow the Repaying Qi.

If illness arises when Winning Qi arrives but before Repaying Qi erupts, the model uses different Heaven/Earth names. Once Repaying Qi erupts, whether caused by superior or inferior winning, all illnesses are determined based on the Repaying Qi, which governs Cold and Heat.