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I privately believe that having long studied the medical profession and enjoyed reading the *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) and *Huangdi Sushwen* (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), whose words and principles are refined and subtle, with miraculous gates hidden in profound mysteries, is something difficult to master and not easy to achieve throughout ancient and modern times. Therefore, the principles of acupuncture and moxibustion are particularly difficult to understand; they are broad but lack essentials, laborious yet yielding little merit. If one exhaustively investigates them to attain understanding, the accumulation becomes as vast as ten thousand ends. In recent times, many have directly needled diseases without attending to proper methods. Recently, Master He from Southern Tang, dedicated to emulating the ancients, compiled the *Zhiwei Lun* (Treatise on Subtle Indications) in three volumes, exploring the source of meridians, following the principles of needling, clarifying the clarity and turbidity of Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, and distinguishing the locations of acupoints. However, it was not widely circulated. I also collected Master He's *Zhiwei Zhenfu* (Ode to Subtle Acupuncture) around the Guiyou year of the Zhenyuan era. The preface states that it follows the subtle principles within the *Zhiwei Lun* and the secret mechanisms of former sages, adding numerous matters, totaling over a hundred categories, all convenient for consultation. Who could reach such heights without inheriting the untransmitted subtleties of the *Nanjing* and *Sushwen*? Without measuring my own荒疏 (neglect) and clumsiness, I followed its rhythm and briefly expounded upon it, gathering from various classics to provide annotations. I now further collect the remaining texts of the *Nanjing* and *Sushwen*, Jia's sixty Shous of Jing-Rong points, emulate the distribution of meridian circulation, re-divide the locations of needling acupoints, summarize the diagrams, and integrate them into a single meaning, titled the *Liuzhu Jingluo Jingrong Tu Gejue* (Song and Rhyme of the Diagrams of Flowing-Injecting Meridians and Jing-Rong Points), continuing after the ode. This is not to display my madness, but to illuminate Master He's intention, aiming for clinical verification. Fearing my own incompleteness, I earnestly request wise individuals to continue this work. Preface by Yan Mingguang of Changshan. (Supplemented according to *Puji Fang*)

(Recognizing Flowing-Injecting Subtle Indications via Needle Medical Secrets)
Diseases reside within Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) systems. Ying is Blood, and Wei is Qi, generated from the transformation of grain by the intestines and stomach. Upper Jiao emits Qi to warm the muscle intervals, nourish sinews, and open the Couli (pores). Middle Jiao emits Qi like dew, flowing upward into the Xigu (valleys between muscles) and seeping into Sunmai (branch vessels). When Jin-Ye (body fluids) are harmonized, they transform into Blood. When Blood is harmonized, Sunmai fill first, then inject into Luomai (collaterals); when full, they inject into Jingmai (main meridians). Yin and Yang expand, moving with respiration, governed by order and principle, aligning with heavenly patterns, never ceasing, requiring pulse palpation and regulation. If care is improper, disease arises; "disease" is the general term for all illnesses. All diseases begin due to Wind, Cold, Summer-Heat, Dampness, Hunger, Fullness, Labor, or Rest. Some originate in Yin, some in Yang; injuries vary, and deficiency/excess differ. Pathogens may lodge in Sunmai, Luomai, Jingmai, Chongmai, Renmai, or the Membranous Origin of the intestines and stomach. Pathogenic factors permeate endlessly.
Rescue relies on needles. The efficacy of rescuing disease lies in regulating deficiency and excess; the Nine Needles are most excellent, each with specific indications. Heat in the head and body suits needling; Qi fullness in muscle intervals suits the Round Needle; deficient and faint pulse Qi suits needling; draining heat and bleeding to release chronic stubborn diseases suits the Pricking Needle; breaking abscesses to drain pus and blood suits the Sword Needle; harmonizing Yin and Yang to remove acute Bi-syndrome suits the Round-Sharp Needle; treating Bi-syndrome in meridians suits the Filiform Needle; deep-seated Bi in bone joints, waist, spine, and Couli suits the Long Needle; empty Wind lodging between bone joints and skin suits the Large Needle.
Observe deficiency/excess and fat/thinness. The Classics state: Tonify deficiency, drain excess; if neither, treat the affected meridian. If deficiency/excess is unclear, needling leads to error—the sages' warning against "making deficiency more deficient and excess more excessive." Understanding this avoids harming insufficiency or augmenting superfluity. Regarding fat/thinness, the method of needling requires observing body shape to determine depth. Using standard cun measurements regardless of fat/thinness results in incorrect depth, becoming a great harm. Thus, fat persons require deep insertion, thin persons shallow insertion, aiming for level with the organ's associated region, avoiding excess or deficit injury.
Distinguish seasonal depths. Seasons differentiate Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Qi, adjusting treatment accordingly. Spring Qi is at hair follicles; Summer Qi at skin; Autumn Qi at muscle intervals; Winter Qi at sinews and bones. The Classics say: Shallow needling in Spring/Summer, deep in Autumn/Winter, following seasonal rules; additionally, fat persons suit deep needling, thin persons shallow.
Acupoint selection divides Yin/Yang and Xigu (valleys). Yin is Yin Qi; Yang is Yang Qi. Yang Qi originates from the exterior of the five fingers; Yin Qi from the interior. Large muscle convergences are Gu (valleys); small ones are Xi (streams). Between muscles, at Xi-Gu convergences, Ying and Wei Qi circulate, gathering Great Qi. There are 365 acupoint convergences corresponding to the days of the year. Selection methods divide Yin/Yang, interior/exterior, near/far Xigu, using proportional Cun measurements. Raising arms, folding hands, standing, lying supine, or lateral—all are selection methods. Each point has specific suitability.
Welcoming/Following and Reverse/Direct require knowing Qi ascent/descent. The Classics say: Welcoming/Following involves knowing Ying/Wei circulation and meridian direction, taking points according to meridian flow. *Lingshu* states: Drain by welcoming, tonify by following. Knowing welcoming/following harmonizes Qi; harmonizing Qi requires understanding Yin/Yang ascent/descent sources. Hand Three Yin move from Zang organs to hands; Hand Three Yang from hands to head. Foot Three Yang from head to feet; Foot Three Yin from feet to abdomen. Collaterals transmit continuously, so meridians transport Blood/Qi, connect Yin/Yang, and nourish the body. This treatise says: To use Welcoming/Following, know meridian reversals and depths. Yang meridians run outside vessels; Yang collaterals inside. Yin meridians inside; Yin collaterals outside, each with defined boundaries. Skin/hair belongs to Lung; muscles to Spleen; sinews to Liver; marrow/bones to Kidney; blood vessels to Heart. Puncturing respective parts without exceeding channels is supreme wonder. Welcoming to drain has degrees; Following to assist has depths. Too deep harms meridians; too shallow fails to expel pathogens. For Foot Taiyang Meridian, at correct location, welcome 6 fen, follow 1 fen; Foot Taiyang Collateral, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen. Hand Taiyang Meridian, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen; Hand Taiyang Collateral, welcome 9 fen, follow 4 fen. Hand Yangming Meridian, welcome 9 fen, follow 4 fen; Hand Yangming Collateral, welcome 8 fen, follow 3 fen. Foot Yangming Meridian, welcome 1 cun, follow 5 fen; Foot Yangming Collateral, welcome 6 fen, follow 1 fen. Hand Shaoyang Collateral, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen. Foot Shaoyang Meridian, welcome 8 fen, follow 3 fen; Foot Shaoyang Collateral, welcome 1 cun, follow 5 fen. Hand Taiyin Meridian, welcome 9 fen, follow 4 fen; Hand Taiyin Collateral, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen. Foot Taiyin Meridian, welcome 1 cun, follow 5 fen; Foot Taiyin Collateral, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen. Hand Shaoyin Collateral, welcome 6 fen, follow 1 fen. Foot Shaoyin Meridian, welcome 6 fen, follow 1 fen; Foot Shaoyin Collateral, welcome 1 fen, follow 5 fen. Hand Jueyin Meridian, welcome 7 fen, follow 2 fen; Hand Jueyin Collateral, welcome 9 fen, follow 4 fen. These show meridian combinations, tonification generating/draining completing within less than 1 fen. Insertion should be swift, advancement slow; withdrawal should be slow, haste causes injury. Be cautious, avoid danger. Men: Left drain, Right tonify. Women: Right drain, Left tonify. Turning needle welcomes/follows; tonification/draining principles are clear here.
Originating from *Zhiwei Lun*'s profound meanings formed into an ode; *Zhiwei Lun* (3 vols) is also by Master He. Exploring meridian profundities, originating needling principles, clarifying Ying/Wei clarity/turbidity, distinguishing acupoint locations, yet not widely circulated. Now extracting meaning from the treatise to form this ode.
Knowing the opening of Qi by time, describing meridian flow. The treatise says: Flow means movement; Inject means going. Flow refers to Qi/Blood circulation: one exhalation moves pulse 3 cun, one inhalation 3 cun; pause between breaths moves 6 cun, like flowing water or crawling ants, ceaseless. Also: Flow becomes Ying/Wei, manifests as complexion, emits as voice. Fast generates Heat, slow generates Cold; knotting forms tumors, sinking forms carbuncles. Thus, flow cannot stop; mistiming causes confusion/fainting. Also: Inject means staying. At each meridian's specific time, Deficiency/Excess, Pathogenic/Upright Qi injects into designated points. Getting the time is "Opening"; missing it is "Closing." Opening allows tonification/draining; Closing forbids needling. Sages feared futile labor, so how can one ignore Qi-opening flow principles? The method of Qi-opening injection is explained in the Seven Rhymes. Reading text reveals principles; reviewing classics illuminates obscurities, showing Deficiency/Excess attachments. Studying texts is scholarly duty; exhausting principles, probing meanings, finding roots/sources reveals the Sage's mind? Observing Master He's Flowing-Injecting Ode, profound words and beautiful speech demonstrate understanding, not self-display.
Moving pain away as if divine, achieving effect under needle; grasping needling essentials moves pain, achieving effects miraculously.
Sudden or chronic critical diseases, do not err in needling. Chronic illness, weak persons suddenly contracting disease in Ying/Wei, transmitting to Zang-Fu, become critically severe. Wise persons must carefully consider tonification/draining, not acting lightly or arrogantly. Examine which meridian suffers, apply tonification/draining needling, remove pathogen without error.
Detailed: Yin days guide Blood, Yang days guide Qi. Jia said: Yang days, Qi first outside vessels, Blood later inside; Yin days, Blood first outside, Qi later inside. Intertwining through Five Zang and Five Fu organs, injecting into Jing-Rong-Shu-Jing-He five points, totaling 50 points. Only San Jiao receives Qi/Blood from ten meridians, then transmits to Pericardium, injecting five points each, totaling 60 points with previous twelve meridians, matching the Sixty Shous in Nanjing Chapter 16. Yue Ren (Bian Que) said: Three Parts and Nine Hopes have heads. *Sushwen* mentions Sixty Shous, lost today. Since lost, texts don't record "Sixty Shous," so Sages left this method for later interpretation. I take the Yuan (Source) points passed through as the six Yuan points, portals of Yin/Yang Qi exit/entry. Yang meridians travel 25 degrees, Yin 25 degrees, meeting at these six points. Where Five Zang/Fu receive Blood and transform Essence is the Yuan Qi of each meridian. Remaining Essence aids San Jiao, receiving Qi/Essence from ten meridons to nourish Pericardium, allowing Twelve Meridian Qi/Blood circulation. If one meridian lacks Essence, disease occurs. With disease, this circulation fails. Currently, meridian timing errors draw toxins circulating everywhere, showing original meridian pulses—large/small, floating/sinking, cold/hot, light/heavy—treated according to syndrome.
Warming needle with mouth: Before needling, warm needle in mouth. Not only for lubrication/pain reduction, but borrowing one's harmonious Qi to match patient's Ying/Wei, avoiding cold/warm conflict preventing ulcers. Without warming, opposing Blood/Qi causes cold/warm struggle, leading to many ulcers.
Firm/Soft seeking depth. Classics: Firm/Soft indicates Deficiency/Excess. Firm/Solid Qi arrival is success; Soft/Empty is failure. For tonification/draining, examine Five Zang pulses and acupoint Qi. Firm/Solid allows draining; Soft/Empty allows tonifying.
Twelve Meridians count, Fifteen Collaterals cycle. Hands/Feet have Three Yin/Three Yang, forming Twelve Main Meridians. Each has one collateral; plus Yang Qiao, Yin Qiao, and Spleen's Great Collateral, totaling Fifteen Collaterals. Cycle refers to Qi of Twelve Meridians and Fifteen Collaterals circulating the body.
Yin Shu points, Sixty Zang masters. Zang includes Five Zang (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney) plus Pericardium, totaling six, including four Form Zang. Shu refers to Jing-Rong-Shu-Jing-He, not all are Shu points. Liver Jing: Dadun; Rong: Xingjian; Shu: Taichong; Jing: Zhongfeng; He: Ququan. Heart Jing: Shaochong; Rong: Shaofu; Shu: Shenmen; Jing: Lingdao; He: Shaohai. Spleen Jing: Yinbai; Rong: Dabu; Shu: Taibai; Jing: Shangqiu; He: Yinlingquan. Lung Jing: Shaoshang; Rong: Yuji; Shu: Taiyuan; Jing: Jingqu; He: Chize. Kidney Jing: Yongquan; Rong: RanGu; Shu: Taixi; Jing: Fuliu; He: Yinggu. Pericardium Jing: Zhongchong; Rong: Laogong; Shu: Daling; Jing: Jiawei; He: Quze. Five Zang Shu points, five each = 25. Plus Pericardium five = 30. Bilaterally = 60 Shu points.
Yang points, Seventy-Two Fu collecting. Fu refers to Six Fu, not nine Form Fu. Points refer to Shu points, also Jing-Rong-Shu-Yuan-Jing-He. Gallbladder (Liver's Fu): Jing: Qiaoyin; Rong: Xiaxi; Shu: Linqi; Yuan: Qiuxu; Jing: Yangfu; He: Yanglingquan. Small Intestine (Heart's Fu): Jing: Buze (Note: Text says Buze, likely typo for Xiaoze or similar, but translating as written); Rong: Qiangu; Shu: Houxi; Yuan: Wangu; He: Xiaohai. Stomach (Spleen's Fu): Jing: Lidui; Rong: Neiting; Shu: Xangu; Yuan: Weiyang; Jing: Jiexi; He: Zusanli. Large Intestine (Lung's Fu): Jing: Shangyang; Rong: Erjian; Shu: Sanjian; Yuan: Hegu; Jing: Yangxi; He: Quchi. Bladder (Kidney's Fu): Jing: Zhiyin; Rong: Tonggu; Shu: Shugu; Yuan: Jinggu; Jing: Kunlun; He: Weizhong. San Jiao (Pericardium's Fu): Jing: Guanchong; Rong: Yemen; Shu: Zhongzhu; Yuan: Yangchi; Jing: Zigou; He: Tianjing. Six Fu Shu points, six each = 36. Bilaterally = 72 points. Locations seen in Jing-Rong Diagram explanations.
Needling Yang meridians: Can use horizontal insertion. Wei belongs to Yang, skin/hair layer, suitable for horizontal needling. Deep needling harms Yin/Blood Qi.
Draining Blood collaterals: First soften with fingers. Draining Blood collaterals takes Ying Qi. Ying Qi is the vessel tunnel. *Lingshu* says: Vessel tunnels are great collaterals of Five Zang/Five Fu, hence called Blood collaterals. Before needling, press/acupoint with left hand until Qi disperses under finger, then insert, taking Ying Qi without damaging Wei Qi. Classics: Needle Ying without harming Wei; Needle Wei without harming Ying.
Exhale for Welcoming, Inhale for Tonifying. Drain by welcoming, tonify by following. Surplus drains, deficit tonifies. Draining: Insert on exhale, prevent Qi dispersion, retain quietly, prevent pathogen spread, remove on final exhale, letting Great Qi exit—this is Draining. Tonifying: Palpate/rub, cut/disperse, push/press, flick/stretch, grasp/lower, pull opening to close Spirit, insert on final exhale, retain quietly until Qi arrives, withdraw on inhale so Qi doesn't escape, keep Spirit/Qi inside, closing opening—this is Tonifying.
Good healers observe pain to know surplus/deficit, tonify/drain appropriately, not defying Heaven's timing—this is supreme healing.
Reversing brings Ghosts, Following removes worry. Reversing: Needling day clashes with disease's Five Elements (Ghost/Thief relationship). Following: Zang Qi harmonizes with day, no invasion. Needling principles: Choose auspicious days, ensure no clash with diseased Zang/Fu, follow smoothly—what worry?
Chronic diseases extend suffering, reason for Moxibustion. Chronic illness, Cold-induced deficiency, Yin syndromes with much Cold, Wind-Cold-Damp Bi, Gout, or Upper Excess/Lower Deficiency Jue-Ni. Men's劳伤 (labor injury), Women's Blood-Qi issues—all suit moxa. Contraindications: Near-marrow points, Yang syndromes—do not moxa.
Restlessness/Agitation hard to save with herbs, must select Eight Hui points. Internal restlessness/heat suits Eight Hui Qi points. Fu Hui: Zhongwan (CV12); Zang Hui: Zhangmen (LR13); Sinew Hui: Yanglingquan (GB34); Marrow Hui: Yangjiao (GB39); Blood Hui: Geshu (BL17); Bone Hui: Dazhu (BL11); Pulse Hui: Taiyuan (LU9); Qi Hui: Danzhong (CV17). These are Eight Hui points.
Abscesses/Swellings storing evil in strange collaterals: First treat with Bian stones. Classics: Patient's pulse surges, entering Eight Extraordinary Vessels, not circulating normally, Twelve Meridians cannot confine it. Accumulated pathogenic Qi causes swelling/heat, suitable for Bian stone bleeding. Ancients used Bian stones as needles. *Shanhai Jing* says: Gaoshi mountain has jade-like stones for needles, i.e., Bian stones. Today replaced by Bizen (Sword) needles.
Moreover, Jia Gallbladder, Yi Liver, Ding Heart, Ren Water. Jia/Yi etc. bind Five Zang/Five Fu to Ten Heavenly Stems. Yang stems govern Fu, Yin stems govern Zang. *Tianyuan Ce* says: Gallbladder Jia, Liver Yi, Small Intestine Bing, Heart Ding, Stomach Wu, Spleen Ji, Large Intestine Geng, Lung Xin, Bladder Ren, Kidney Gui. Where Five Zang/Fu receive Blood/transform Essence is Yuan Qi of San Jiao/Pericardium, combining for Twelve Meridian circulation. Jia divided heads, ten days cycle, operating Ten Stems, starting with Five Children establishing Yuan day/time.
Generating me is Mother, I generate is Son. Five Elements in humans are Five Zang, in points are Jing-Rong-Shu-Jing-He. Mutual generation is Husband/Wife. I control is Seven Transmissions. Controls me is Ghost/Thief. I generate is Son. Generates me is Mother.
Spring Jing, Summer Rong, Evil resides; Autumn Jing, Winter He, then needle. This describes seasonal Jing-Rong selection. E.g., Spring Wood strong needle Jing; Summer Fire strong needle Rong; Late Summer Earth strong needle Shu; Autumn Metal strong needle Jing; Winter Water strong needle He. Four-season methods deduce here to drain seasonally overcoming pathogenic toxins. Sages say: Take according to time to expel pathogenic Qi.