欲绵瓜瓞,当求基址。盖种植者必先择地,砂砾之场,安望稻黍?求子者必先求母,薄福之妇,安望熊
罴?倘欲为子嗣之谋,而不先谋基址,计非得也。然而基址之说,隐微叵测,察亦诚难。姑举其显而易者十余
条,以见其概云耳。大都妇人之质,贵静而贱动,贵重而贱轻,贵浓而贱薄,贵苍而贱嫩。故凡唇短嘴小者不
堪,此子处之部位也。耳小轮薄者不堪,此肾气之外候也。声细而不振者不堪,此丹田之气本也。形体薄弱者
不堪,此藏蓄之宫城也。饮食纤细者不堪,此仓廪、血海之源也。发焦齿豁者不堪,肝亏血而肾亏精也。睛露
臀削者不堪,藏不藏而后无后也,颜色娇艳者不堪,与其华者去其实也。肉肥胜骨者不堪,子宫隘而肾气 也。
娜柔脆、筋不束骨者不堪,肝肾亏而根干不坚也。山根唇口多青气者不堪,阳不胜阴必多肝脾之滞逆也。脉
见紧数弦涩者不堪,必真阴亏弱经候不调而生气杳然者也。此外,如虎头熊项,横面竖眉及声如豺野狼之质,必
多刑克不吉,远之为宜。又若刚狠阴恶,奸险克薄之气,尤为种类源流、子孙命脉所系,乌可近之?虽曰。
尧亦有丹朱,舜亦有瞽叟,二气相合,未必非一优一劣
之所致。倘使阴阳有序,种址俱宜,而稼穑有不登者,未之有也。唯一有偏胜,则偏象见矣。是种之不可不择
者有如此。不然,则麟趾之诗,果亦何为而作者耶?余因人艰嗣之苦,复见人有不如无之苦,故愿天常生好
人,所以并虑及之。
To ensure the continuity of descendants, one must first establish a solid foundation. Just as planting requires selecting suitable land, how can one expect rice and millet to grow in a field full of gravel? Those seeking offspring must first evaluate the mother; how can a woman with thin fortune be expected to bear outstanding children? If one plans for heirs without first securing the foundation, the strategy is flawed. However, the concept of "foundation" is subtle and difficult to assess. I will briefly list more than ten obvious indicators to illustrate the general principles.
Generally speaking, a woman's constitution values stillness over activity, heaviness over lightness, richness over thinness, and maturity over immaturity. Therefore, those with short lips and small mouths are unsuitable, as this indicates an unfavorable location of the Zi Chu (uterus). Those with small ears and thin ear helices are unsuitable, as this reflects weak Kidney Qi. Those with thin voices lacking resonance are unsuitable, as this indicates a deficient root of Dantian Qi. Those with frail and thin bodies are unsuitable, as this signifies a weak palace for storing essence (Bao Gong). Those who eat very little or only delicate foods are unsuitable, as this points to a deficiency in the source of the Spleen/Stomach (Cang Lin) and Blood Sea. Those with dry, brittle hair and loose teeth are unsuitable, indicating Liver Blood deficiency and Kidney Essence depletion. Those with protruding eyes and thin buttocks are unsuitable, suggesting that the Zang organs fail to store properly, leading to no descendants. Those with overly glamorous complexions are unsuitable, as their outward brilliance masks inner emptiness. Those whose flesh outweighs their bones are unsuitable, implying a narrow uterus and weak Kidney Qi. Those with graceful but fragile postures, where sinews do not bind the bones firmly, are unsuitable, indicating Liver and Kidney deficiency and an insecure root. Those with blueish discoloration on the Shan Gen (bridge of the nose), lips, and mouth corners are unsuitable, as Yang failing to overcome Yin leads to stagnation and rebellion in the Liver and Spleen. Those with pulse qualities of Tight, Rapid, Wiry, or Choppy are unsuitable, indicating true Yin deficiency, irregular menstruation, and a lack of vital energy.
Furthermore, individuals with tiger-like heads, bear-like necks, broad faces, vertical eyebrows, or voices resembling wild beasts like jackals and wolves are likely to bring misfortune and conflict; it is advisable to avoid them. Moreover, personalities characterized by ruthlessness, malice, deceit, and harshness are particularly critical to the lineage and the fate of descendants; how can such people be approached? Although it is said that Emperor Yao had Dan Zhu as a son, and Emperor Shun had Gu Sou as a father, the combination of Yin and Yang energies may result from one party being superior and the other inferior. However, if Yin and Yang are orderly and the foundational conditions for planting are suitable, there would never be a case of crop failure. Only when there is an imbalance does the corresponding manifestation appear. Thus, selection is crucial, as illustrated above. Otherwise, what was the purpose of composing the poem "Lin Zhi" (The Unicorn's Hoof) in the *Classic of Poetry*? Due to my understanding of the suffering caused by infertility, and witnessing the distress of having children who are worse than none, I wish for Heaven to always produce good people, which is why I have considered these matters.