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Ke Yunbo said: The *Classic of Difficult Issues* (Jing) states, "When vital Qi flows smoothly, recovery occurs; when it is timid and stagnates, disease forms." Generally, humans exist within the interaction of Qi, born from Qi, and the generative Qi fundamentally relies on Stomach Qi. Food enters the Yin (interior), generating Yang Qi in the Yang (exterior/functional aspects), circulating day and night, flowing throughout the interior and exterior. If respiration/Qi movement ceases even for a moment, accumulations or masses may form, leading to abdominal distension and anorexia, or the retention of phlegm and fluids. Consequently, muscles emaciate, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, and hiccups arise, various symptoms swarm forth, and the Shen mechanism (vital spirit/life force) becomes severed. Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is the master formula for regulating Qi. Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) induces harmonious Qi; Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) cultivates the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach); Fu Ling (Poria) clears the Zhi Jie (Governance and Regulation, referring to the Lung); Gan Cao (Licorice Root) harmonizes the Five Zang organs. Once all Qi is regulated, where would disease come from? However, to restore order, one cannot govern through non-action (Wu Wei). One must employ Qi-moving herbs to assist, so that tonifying herbs do not become cloying and stagnant. Therefore, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) is added to diffuse the rebellious Qi of Metal (Lung); Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber) to disperse dampness in Earth (Spleen), thereby eliminating phlegm and fluids. Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) is added to move stagnant Qi in the San Jiao (Triple Burner); Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus) to unblock the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Spleen and Kidney, thereby opening depression. With these four assistants, Si Jun Zi Tang's tonifying power is doubly disseminated; with Si Jun Zi Tang as the foundation, the four assistants greatly strengthen the Yuan Qi. This is likely the mutual reinforcement that enhances efficacy.

It treats Yin deficiency with internal heat, headache, thirst, exterior heat with spontaneous sweating, intolerance to wind-cold, a flooding pulse, mental restlessness, fatigue in the four limbs, and reluctance to speak.
[Verse] Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang contains Ren Shen, Gan Cao, Bai Zhu, Dang Gui, and Chen Pi; obtaining Sheng Ma and Chai Hu makes its efficacy more miraculous. (Huang Qi [Astragali Radix], honey-fried, 1.5 qian; Ren Shen [Ginseng Radix], Gan Cao [Licorice Root, roasted], and Bai Zhu [Atractylodis Rhizoma], each 1 qian; Chen Pi [Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium] and Dang Gui Shen [Angelicae Sinensis Radix], each 0.5 qian; Sheng Ma [Cimicifugae Rhizoma] and Chai Hu [Bupleuri Radix], each 0.3 qian. Decoct with Sheng Jiang [Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens] and Da Zao [Jujubae Fructus].) It excels uniquely in treating injury by fatigue and overwork; it is also precious for exterior contraction due to Yang deficiency.
Ke Yunbo said: Zhang Zhongjing had two methods: Jian Zhong Tang (Middle-Builder Decoction) and Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction). When Wind Wood pathogen invades the Middle Qi internally, Jian Zhong Tang is used; when Cold Water pathogen overwhelms the Middle Qi internally, Li Zhong Tang is used. As for cases where fatigue leads to decline in form and Qi, and Yin deficiency generates internal heat (here, "Yin" refers to Tai Yin/Spleen). The exterior symptoms resemble external contraction, but only Li Dongyuan knew this was Spleen injury from fatigue, where Grain Qi is insufficient, and Yang Qi sinks into the Yin causing fever. Thus, he formulated Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. By utilizing releasing herbs, the Middle Qi is secured; by relying on clearing herbs, the Qi-tonifying effect is doubled. This is the subtlety of mutually assisting medication. This formula, when used to tonify the Spleen, allows the Earth pathway to be humble yet ascend (Spleen governs ascending clear Yang), and can also tonify the Heart and Lungs. For Lung damage, benefit its Qi; for Heart damage, regulate Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi). It can also tonify Liver Wood; if there is depression, use dispersing methods. It is唯独 unsuitable for the Kidney. For Yin deficiency below, ascending is inappropriate; for Yang deficiency below, ascending is even more inappropriate.