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The interaction of Yin and Yang Qi should occur after the menstrual flow has completely ceased; conception will invariably result. However, if the male's Yang Qi is insufficient or the female's blood is deficient and cold, the two Qi cannot interact, rendering intercourse futile for conception. Those in the world who are childless often fail to reflect on their own organ deficiencies, instead mistakenly using astringent and Yang-boosting agents as good prescriptions for procreation, thereby damaging the harmony of Heaven and Earth. Even if pregnancy occasionally occurs, it is merely due to the accidental effect of hot-natured drugs, which may transmit toxicity to the offspring, resulting in children who are born but not robust. Superior physicians, addressing infertility, formulate theories and prescriptions, emphasizing that for males, tonifying the Kidney is essential, while for females, regulating menstruation is paramount, supplemented by theories of tonifying Qi and promoting Qi movement. By investigating their excesses and deficiencies and treating them prudently, one can achieve conception with ease, ensuring that every man becomes a father and every woman a mother. I have examined ancient records indicating that men married at thirty and women at twenty, resulting in children who were generally long-lived. In contrast, modern people engage in sexual activity before sixteen and marry before fourteen, leading to premature leakage of Yin Qi and damage before physical maturity. Thus, modern people are less long-lived than ancients. If medication is used, it must not be administered indiscriminately; one must carefully examine the specific deficiencies of the male and the menstrual condition of the female. Conditions such as metrorrhagia (irregular heavy bleeding or spotting) or leukorrhea make conception difficult. Male infertility is often associated with Yang depletion, impotence, weak erection, cold and thin semen, or anejaculation. Therefore, female treatment prioritizes menstruation regulation, while male treatment focuses on Kidney tonification. After taking medicine, one should maintain mental clarity and reduce desires to strengthen the root, then identify auspicious days for intercourse. Failure to conceive under these conditions is unheard of.

Chu Cheng stated: During intercourse, if Yin blood arrives first and Yang essence follows, a male is conceived; if Yang essence is emitted first and Yin blood follows, a female is conceived. This is one theory. Li Dongyuan stated: Intercourse one or two days after menstruation ceases, when the Blood Sea is clean, results in a male; four to five days later, when blood vessels are vigorous, results in a female. This is another theory. Yet, some conceive females shortly after menstruation ends and males after a longer interval; some conceive after three to four days of intercourse without success, while others conceive after eight to nine days. Why is this? The *Yu Zi Ben Xuan · Guang Si Yao Lue* states: Solid Yang can enter Empty Yin, but Solid Yin cannot receive Weak Yang, reflecting Li Dongyuan's view. It also says: Weak Yang cannot shoot into Yin, and Weak Yin cannot grasp Yang. Believing this, we see frail husbands and timid wives conceiving repeatedly despite wanting to stop, while vigorous young men struggle to sire children. Why? Zhu Danxi treated women focusing on menstruation. Wealthy families with many concubines surely have those with regular cycles. A woman who bore many children for a previous husband might fail to conceive with a new husband seeking fertility, yet conceive quickly with another. Is it possible she could not conceive here but could elsewhere? I believe parents' generation of children is like Heaven's creation of all things. The *I Ching* says: "The way of Kun is yielding, receiving from Heaven and acting according to time." Just as Earth generates all things by following Heaven, mothers generate children by following fathers. Thus, conception depends primarily on the male. At the moment of intercourse, it is best if the Qi and blood of all meridians arrive simultaneously. If both parties' meridians align, even an old or weak man prone to premature emission can conceive. If meridians are misaligned, even a strong young man unable to emit cannot conceive. The blood formed by the woman, gathered from all meridians, differs in weight from the man's essence. Differentiation of sex does not depend strictly on the order of essence/blood arrival, days since menstruation ended, or time of day, but on which party's essence/blood arrives via simultaneous meridian activation prevails. If male essence prevails, a male is conceived; if female blood prevails, a female is conceived. Issues of postpartum mortality, short life, or longevity depend on the firmness or fragility of the essence, determining lifespan. People attribute this solely to initial endowment, which is the norm. Premature death from youthful indulgence is the variation. Blaming failure to rear children on the child and attributing lifespan to fate is erroneous.

Song Suizhen stated: Intercourse involves differences in timing between male emission and female release. Males emit; females release. When a woman's menstruation has just ceased and she experiences desire, signs of "release" appear: internal heat, dizziness, and indescribable sensations mark the precise timing. If mutual desire is intense and sustained, meridians align for conception. If the male's desire fades while the female's remains, male emission precedes, resulting in a female. If the female releases first and the male emits later, a male is conceived. Thus, both sexes possess essence. The *I Ching* states: "Male and female unite in essence, and all things are transformed." Post-intercourse, checking the genitalia for blood confirms this. When menstruation just ends, new blood is generated and hidden, so no blood traces appear post-coitus. The classic says: "Those whose Yin essence is upheld live long; those whose Yang essence descends die young." With mental clarity, reduced desires, and timely action, what child could one fail to obtain?

Chao Yuanfang described fetal development: At one month, the fetus resembles a dewdrop, named *Tai Pei*, nourished by the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. At two months, like a peach blossom stain, named *Shi Gao*, nourished by the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. At three months, sex differentiates, named *Shi Tai*, nourished by the Hand Shaoyin Heart Pericardium Meridian. At four months, forms become distinct, receiving Water Essence to circulate blood, nourished by the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. At five months, five Zang organs form, receiving Fire Essence to establish Qi, nourished by the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. At six months, six Fu organs form, receiving Metal Essence to establish sinews, nourished by the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. At seven months, orifices open, receiving Wood Essence to establish bones, nourished by the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. At eight months, movement begins, receiving Earth Essence to establish skin and flesh, nourished by the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. At ten months, gestation completes, organs and joints form, and spirit is fully present.

**Nüke Dihuang Wan** treats irregular menstruation in women.
Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*, 4 liang), Cornus Fruit (*Shan Yu*, 2 liang), Chinese Yam (*Shan Yao*, 2 liang), Moutan Bark (*Dan Pi*, 1.5 liang), Poria (*Fu Ling*, 1.5 liang), Mugwort Leaf (*Ai Ye*, 5 qian, stir-fried with vinegar), Cyperus Rhizome (*Xiang Fu*, 3 liang, processed with boy's urine), Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*, 1 liang).
Grind into powder, form pills with honey, take with boiling water.

**Zhengyuan Dan** regulates menstruation and aids conception.
Cyperus Rhizome (*Xiang Fu*, 1 jin, soaked overnight in vinegar with 3 liang Qichai Ai, separated and processed separately with vinegar, boy's urine, and salt Gardenia decoction, 4 liang each), Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*, 1 liang, stir-fried with clam powder), Bitter Orange (*Zhi Ke*, 1.5 liang, half raw half stir-fried), Raw Rehmannia (*Sheng Di*), Prepared Rehmannia (*Shu Di*), Angelica Sinensis Root (*Gui Shen*), White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*), Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (*Chuan Xiong*), Poria (*Fu Ling*, 4 liang each), Amber (*Hu Po*, 2 liang).
Grind into powder, form pills with vinegar paste, take daily in the morning on an empty stomach with light salt water.

**Qianjin Zhongzi Wan** promotes fertility and treats deficiency-induced nocturnal emission.
Spiny Cocklebur Fruit (*Sha Ji Li*, 4 liang), White Lotus Stamen (*Bai Lian Xu*, 4 liang), Cornus Fruit (*Yu Rou*, 3 liang), Euryale Seed (*Qian Shi*, 4 liang), Raspberry (*Fu Pen*, 2 liang), Dragon Bone (*Long Gu*, 5 qian, calcined).
Grind into powder, form pills with honey, take on an empty stomach with light salt water. Avoid sexual activity for one month.

**Jujing Wan**
Fish Maw (*Yu Jiao*, 1 jin, stir-fried with clam powder until puffed), Spiny Cocklebur Fruit (*Sha Ji Li*, 0.5 jin, soaked in horse milk for two nights; substitute cow milk if unavailable, steamed for the duration of one incense stick).
Grind into powder, form pills the size of paulownia seeds, take 80 pills per dose with warm wine on an empty stomach.

**Wuzi Yanzong Wan** replenishes essence and marrow.
Goji Berry (*Gou Qi Zi*), Dodder Seed (*Tu Si Zi*, 8 liang each), Schisandra Berry (*Wu Wei Zi*, 1 liang), Raspberry (*Fu Pen Zi*, 4 liang, washed with wine), Plantago Seed (*Che Qian Zi*, 1 liang).
Grind into powder, form pills with honey, take on an empty stomach with light salt water.

**Zhuangyang Wan** treats impotence, lack of vitality, and infertility in the elderly.
Cistanche Stem (*Rou Cong Rong*), Curculigo Rhizome (*Xian Mao*), Cnidium Fruit (*She Chuang Zi*), Chinese Yam (*Shan Yao*), Schisandra Berry (*Wu Wei Zi*), Psoralea Fruit (*Bu Gu Zhi*), Poria (*Fu Shen*), Purple Sky Flower (*Zi Xiao Hua*), Eucommia Bark (*Du Zhong*), Leek Seed (*Jiu Cai Zi*), Rooster Liver (*Xiong Ji Gan*), Turtle Liver (*Die Gan*), Sea Dog Kidney (*Hai Gou Shen*, substitute Yellow Dog Kidney if unavailable).
Grind herbs into powder. Steam rooster and turtle livers with salt, wine, and Sichuan pepper until cooked, mash, mix with dried herbs, dry, and grind fine. Mix with Chinese Yam powder moistened with wine, form pills with vinegar paste. Take 100 pills on an empty stomach with light salt water. For impotence with cold semen, add Cinnamon Bark (*Rou Gui*), Aconite Root (*Fu Zi*), and Stone Swallow (*Shi Yan*), 1 liang each.

**Jinsuo Sixian Dan** treats excessive sexual fatigue and mental exhaustion in men.
Lotus Plumule (*Lian Rui*), Lotus Seed (*Lian Zi*), Euryale Seed (*Qian Shi*, equal parts), Poria (*Fu Shen*, 3 liang).
Grind into powder. Use 1 jin of Cherokee Rose Fruit (*Jin Ying Zi*), remove hairs, decoct into paste to form pills. Take 30 pills on an empty stomach with light salt water. After one month, emissions cease. During fertile periods, take with Plantago seed decoction.