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Yellow Emperor asked, saying: Among the twelve meridians, what are the differences in the quantity of Qi and Blood? Can you tell me? Qibo replied: Those that can be measured refer to the medium standard. This corresponds to the twelve meridians using river waters as an analogy. The distance, proximity, depth, and the varying quantities of Qi and Blood in the valleys (muscle interspaces) differ. Treatment employs acupuncture and moxibustion to regulate their respective Qi and Blood. When combining needling techniques, one must fully understand the specific regions for tonifying deficiency and purging excess.

The Liver belongs to the Foot Jueyin Meridian; it has little Qi and much Blood. The Heart belongs to the Hand Shaoyin Meridian; it has little Blood and much Qi. The Spleen belongs to the Foot Taiyin Meridian; it has little Blood and much Qi. The Lung belongs to the Hand Taiyin Meridian; it has little Blood and much Qi. The Kidney belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Meridian (Note: Textual error in original, typically Foot Shaoyin); it has little Blood and much Qi. The Gallbladder belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Meridian (Note: Textual error in original, typically Foot Shaoyang); it has little Blood and much Qi. The Small Intestine belongs to the Hand Taiyang Meridian; it has much Blood and little Qi. The Stomach belongs to the Foot Yangming Meridian; it has much Blood and much Qi. The Large Intestine belongs to the Hand Yangming Meridian; it has much Blood and much Qi. The Bladder belongs to the Foot Taiyang Meridian; it has much Blood and little Qi. The Pericardium belongs to the Hand Jueyin Meridian; it has much Blood and little Qi. The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) belongs to the Hand Shaoyang Meridian; it has much Qi and little Blood.

Observe the floating collaterals (superficial vessels) in the affected areas. If the color is predominantly blue/green, there is pain; if black, wind-bi syndrome; if yellow or red, heat; if white, cold. If all five colors appear, it indicates mixed cold and heat. Pathogenic factors invading deficient areas remain between the sinews and bones. Excess cold causes sinew spasm and bone pain; excess heat causes bone wasting and sinew laxity.

Meridian Qi begins from the Middle Jiao and flows into the Hand Taiyin and Hand Yangming meridians. The Hand Yangming flows into the Foot Yangming and Foot Taiyin. The Foot Taiyin flows into the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang. The Hand Taiyang flows into the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin. The Foot Shaoyin flows into the Hand Zongyin (Pericardium) and Hand Shaoyang. The Hand Shaoyang flows into the Foot Shaoyang and Foot Jueyin. The Foot Jueyin returns to the Middle Jiao and flows into the Hand Taiyin. This is the sequence of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) circulation.

Ying Qi always circulates along the meridians. The total length of the meridians throughout the body is sixteen zhang and two chi. In one day and night, it travels eight hundred ten zhang, completing fifty cycles around the body. Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), however, does not follow the meridians. During the day, it moves through the Yang aspects; at night, it moves through the Yin aspects. Moving through Yang means circulating through the meridians; moving through Yin means circulating through the Zang organs. Generally, the principle of needling requires waiting for the location of Wei Qi before applying reinforcing or reducing methods via following or opposing techniques. Although Ying and Wei Qi do not move together, their distribution varies within each meridian. There are conditions termed "those moved by" (Shi Dong) and "those generated by" (Suo Sheng), representing the differences between Qi and Blood pathology. The Classic states: When needling Ying, do not injure Wei; when needling Wei, do not injure Ying. For needling Yang aspects, use horizontal insertion; for needling Yin aspects, press to disperse Qi before inserting the needle. This is the subtlety of the technique. Outside Ying and Wei, there are floating collaterals, sinew networks, and divergent collaterals. Their pathologies differ, so needling methods should also vary. As stated in the *Treatise on Needling Depth*: When needling bone, do not injure sinew; when needling sinew, do not injure flesh; when needling flesh, do not injure vessels; when needling vessels, do not injure skin; when needling skin, do not injure flesh; when needling flesh, do not injure sinew; when needling sinew, do not injure bone. Understanding this reveals the standards of depth and the distinction between Qi and Blood. Thus, the twelve meridians establish the constant principles, while the fifteen collaterals provide flexibility. If pathogenic factors are in the meridians, use Ju Ci (Giant Puncture); if in the collaterals, use Miu Ci (Mistaken Puncture). If in Ying, regulate the blood; if in Wei, regulate the Qi; if in sinews, use Jie Ci (Robbing Puncture). Then, investigate the appropriate uses of the Nine Needles, practice the rhythms of the Twelve Stabs, clarify the theory of Five Changes, and examine the specific regions. In doing so, one has mastered more than half of the art of needling. Now, below each meridian, its acupoints and corresponding diseases are recorded, along with pathologies of floating collaterals and sinews, compiled into one section. Although acupoints are shared, their depths and locations vary; the practitioner must carefully discern them mentally.