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As the proverb says: "If one studies medicine without understanding the meridians, any opening of the mouth or movement of the hand will be erroneous." Because if the meridians are not clear, one cannot identify the root cause of disease patterns nor investigate the transmission and transformation of Yin and Yang. For instance, in Shanghan (Cold Damage), the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians have specific distributions; the Twelve Primary Meridians can determine life and death for myriad diseases. Once the meridians are clarified, medicinal substances can then reach the affected area directly, thereby achieving efficacy. The ancients who could diagnose by observation alone were merely those who were familiar with the meridians. Folk legends claim that Bian Que met Chang Sang Jun, received Chinese herbal medicines from him, drank water from the upper pool, and thus gained the ability to see through the Zang-Fu organs; this is a false statement. Modern practitioners, lacking knowledge of the meridians, only read about drug properties and pathogenesis, and thus cannot distinguish where the disease resides. They casually try medications; if there is a slight improvement due to chance, they claim credit, although it may not be a complete cure. If the medication is incorrect, it may induce other diseases. All these errors stem from ignorance of the meridians. (In recent times, some quacks have spoken recklessly, claiming that meridian locations are only essential methods for surgeons treating toxins, asking what relevance internal medicine pulse diagnosis has with this. Alas! Without understanding the meridians, how can one know the intersection of Yin and Yang, the succession of Zang-Fu organs, or how to examine the causes of diseases? The meridians are the key pathway to recognizing diseases, yet they refuse to study them. How can one expect them to uphold the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine), research the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Pathogens), understand the origin of Qi and Blood, or know the circulation of Ying and Wei? Unaware of the principles of Yin and Yang within and outside the root, and ignorant of the ways Shen Ji (Spirit Mechanism) exits and enters, their master-apprentice transmission relies solely on texts like *Mingyi Zhizhang* (Clear Medical Fingerprints) and *Yaoxing Geba* (Song of Drug Properties). They believe mastering these is sufficient for universal application, prescribing medications that harm people without realizing it. When encountering enlightened physicians, they hedge and struggle, further confusing theoretical discussions with contemporary secular trends, always fearing exposure. They merely engage in evasive flattery. How would enlightened individuals willingly do evil? They are forced to offer a few words to cover up mistakes. Such contemporary physicians are truly shameful.)

The Daoist school believes that only by eliminating all Yin turbidity and refining pure Yang can one transform from mortal to sage, rising like clouds to ascend. Thus it is said: "If Yang Essence is strong, one may live a thousand years; if Yin Qi is strong, death and injury are inevitable." It is also said: "Without the elimination of Yin Qi, death is certain; if Yang Essence remains, eternal life is possible." Therefore, as a physician, one must know that preserving and supporting Yang Qi is the foundation. In old age, Yang Qi declines, resulting in cold hands and feet, deficiency and exhaustion of the Lower Yuan (Kidney and Mingmen), and difficulty in movement. Generally, as long as a person has one breath remaining, they do not die; Qi is generated by Yang, so when Yang Qi is exhausted, death follows. In times of health, one should frequently moxa Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Mingguan (ST25), and Zhongwan (CV12), and take Baoyuan Dan (Preserve Qi Pill) and Baoming Yanshou Dan (Preserve Life and Extend Longevity Pill). Although this may not grant immortality, it can ensure a lifespan of over a hundred years. (Modern people simply love to follow the path to death, often claiming they have Fire diseases and cannot take hot-natured drugs. The physicians they consult all cater to them, either stating there is Fire in the Upper Jiao or heat accumulation in the Middle and Lower Jiao. By the time they become prostrate, they still do not understand the changes. If an insightful physician slightly proposes the theory of supporting Yang, everyone unconsciously shakes their heads, looks left and right, and before the prescription is even written, there is already an intention not to take it. Living in this era, even if one wishes to display their abilities, it is difficult to get acceptance for using Ginger and Aconite, let alone the theories of elixirs and moxibustion burning, which are definitely impracticable.)