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Liu-zhu (Flow and Injection) is the profound source of acupuncture techniques and the major essence of needle manipulation. Therefore, "Liu" (Flow) refers to movement, and "Zhu" (Injection) refers to staying or accumulating. Regarding "Liu," one must understand the flow of Qi through the meridians. Regarding "Zhu," it means that when each of the Twelve Meridians reaches its corresponding time period, there is an injection of Deficient/Excess (Xu-Shi) and Pathogenic/Upright (Xie-Zheng) Qi into the acupoints belonging to that meridian. Adhering to the correct time is called "Kai" (Opening), while missing the time is called "He" (Closing). When needling during "Kai," the disease will surely be removed; when needling during "He," it is difficult to cure the illness. Can one fail to clarify these two aspects? Moreover, Meridian Qi internally connects with the Five Zang Organs and externally corresponds to the limbs and joints. The way of acupuncture and moxibustion begins with the meridians. If one understands the meridians, then regarding the parts where Qi flows, the length of the vessels, the quantity of Blood and Qi, the direction of flow (reverse or smooth), and methods to expel excess and tonify deficiency while draining excess, one can achieve success in every attempt and complete recovery in every case. However, if one does not know the source of the meridians and cannot distinguish the location of pathogenic factors, often when the disease is in the Yangming Meridian, one may wrongly attack the Shaoyin Meridian; when the illness is in the Jueyin Meridian, one may incorrectly harmonize the Taiyang Meridian. This results in the pathogenic evil remaining unremoved while the original Qi suffers damage. From this, we can deduce that the principles of meridians must be thoroughly understood.

In ancient times, the Sages deeply considered this matter, fearing that later generations would labor without merit. Taking advantage of leisure time, they selected previous classics to verify old records, picking branches and leaves from the tree, collecting essences to illuminate the subtle mysteries of Liu-zhu, thereby avoiding the fatigue of searching. Presumptuously presenting diagrams afterwards, I hope those of like mind who see deficiencies will correct them, so that this knowledge may be practiced for a long time without detriment. Is this not appropriate?

The Jing-Mai (Meridians) circulate once around the body, with a total length of sixteen zhang and two chi. With each exhalation, the pulse moves three cun; with each inhalation, the pulse moves three cun. At the moment respiration settles (one breath cycle), the pulse moves six cun. Counting two hundred and seventy settled breaths, Qi can circle the entire body. However, completing fifty cycles of Ying-Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei-Qi (Defensive Qi) involves thirteen thousand five hundred breaths, during which Qi and pulses travel a total of eight hundred and ten zhang. In this way, it corresponds to the constant measure of Heaven, ensuring that Pulse Qi is neither insufficient nor excessive, and the physiological state is balanced and harmonious. Thus, it is said: "Ping Ren" (Healthy Person).

The principle of all acupuncture begins with the meridians. The meridians are capable of determining life and death, managing hundreds of diseases, and adjusting deficiency and excess; therefore, they must not be left ununderstood. Meridian Qi internally connects with the Five Zang Organs and externally links to the limbs and joints. The floating Qi that does not follow the meridians is called Wei-Qi (Defensive Qi); the pure and concentrated Qi that travels within the meridian tunnels is called Ying-Qi (Nutritive Qi). Yin and Yang follow each other, penetrating inside and outside, forming a circle without beginning or end. Usually, the cycle starts at dawn (Ping Dan). The pulse originates from the Middle Jiao, emerges from the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, injects into the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, ascends to inject into the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, descends to the foot, injects between the big toes, and merges with the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It ascends to reach the Spleen, injects from the Spleen into the Heart, follows the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, emerges from the axilla and arm, injects into the little finger, and merges with the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. It ascends through the armpit, emerges from the neck, enters the inner canthus, ascends to the vertex, descends the nape, and merges with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It follows the spine down to the sacrum, descends to inject into the tip of the little toe, follows the sole of the foot to inject into the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascends to inject into the Kidney, then into the Heart, scatters externally in the chest, follows the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, emerges from the axilla and arm, enters between the two tendons, enters the palm, emerges at the tip of the middle finger, circles to inject into the tip of the ring finger, and merges with the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. It ascends to inject into the Shanzhong (Chest Center), scatters in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), injects from the Sanjiao into the Gallbladder Meridian, emerges from the hypochondrium to inject into the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, descends to the foot, returns from the foot to inject between the big toes, merges with the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, ascends to the Liver, injects from the Liver up into the Lungs, and re-emerges into the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. This is the circulation of Ying-Qi (Nutritive Qi). The normal course is reverse and smooth; Ying-Qi always follows the meridians. The measure of the whole body is sixteen zhang and two chi. In one day and night, it travels eight hundred and ten zhang, counting fifty cycles around the body. Wei-Qi (Defensive Qi), however, does not follow the meridians. During the day, it travels in Yang; at night, it travels in Yin. Traveling in Yang, it moves through the meridians; traveling in Yin, it moves through the Zang Organs. The way of acupuncture requires knowing the location of Wei-Qi before applying following or opposing techniques to clarify tonification and sedation. This is what is meant. The Huangdi Neijing states: Every person has three Yin and three Yang meridians in both hands and feet, combining to form the Twelve Meridians. The three Yin meridians of the hand go from the Zang Organs to the hand; the three Yang meridians of the hand go from the hand to the head; the three Yang meridians of the foot go from the head down to the foot; the three Yin meridians of the foot go from the foot up into the abdomen. Collateral vessels transmit and inject, circulating ceaselessly. Thus, the meridians transport Blood and Qi, connect Yin and Yang, and nourish the body. They start from the Middle Jiao, injecting into the Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Yangming; Hand-Yangming injects into Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin; Foot-Taiyin injects into Hand-Shaoyin and Hand-Taiyang; Hand-Taiyang injects into Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyin; Foot-Shaoyin injects into Hand-Jueyin and Hand-Shaoyang; Hand-Shaoyang injects into Foot-Shaoyang and Foot-Jueyin; Foot-Jueyin returns to inject into Hand-Taiyin. Its Qi usually takes dawn as the starting point, measured by the clepsydra dripping one hundred ke, flowing day and night, identical to the Heavenly Dao, ending and beginning again.