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All things cannot exist apart from "Li" (Principle/Reason), and the Li in medicine is particularly crucial. When dispersed, Li manifests as myriad phenomena; when converged, Li returns to a single mind. The physician represents this "single mind"; the patient represents the "myriad phenomena." Considering the multitude of diseases, the medical Dao is indeed difficult; however, the essence of ten thousand diseases lies merely in each corresponding to one specific pathology. For instance, the North Star symbolizes the physician's "single mind," while the myriad stars symbolize the "myriad phenomena" of disease. Attempting to match the North Star against the myriad stars is unmanageable; but matching the North Star against each individual star allows for a direct correspondence. By illuminating each other, how can there be deviation? Therefore, when physicians confront clinical cases, they must strive to use their "single mind" to penetrate the patient's "one root." By using my "one" to correspond to his "one," once the truth is grasped, all doubts are dispelled. Is this not easy enough? This "one" is simply "Li." If the Li within my mind is clear, then Yin remains Yin, and Yang remains Yang; how can they be confused? Once Yin and Yang are understood, then Exterior corresponds to Interior, Deficiency corresponds to Excess, Cold corresponds to Heat. Understanding these six transformations (Liu Bian) and understanding Yin and Yang means that diseases under heaven cannot exceed these eight categories (Ba Gang). This work establishes eight categories, and the listed formulas also number eight. Anciently, there were the Eight Gates of military strategy; I have the Eight Formations of medicine. From one to eight serves to demonstrate divine changes; from eight to one serves to trace the origin. Thus, in this record, I first discuss clarifying principles to govern various discussions on Yin and Yang, seeking completeness in detail, thereby commanding the eight gates. Armies determine national rise and fall; physicians manage human life. Among central studies, which takes precedence over this? This may be called *Chuan Zhong Lu* (Record of Transmitting the Center) or *Chuan Xin Lu* (Record of Transmitting the Mind). However, whether transmitting the center or the mind, it is ultimately for the benefit of this person and this world, hence it is named *Zhuan Zhong Lu* (Record of Faithful Transmission).

In diagnosing diseases and administering treatment, one must first examine Yin and Yang; this is the guideline of the medical Dao. If Yin and Yang are not erroneous, how can treatment be flawed? Although the medical Dao is complex, it can be summarized in one word: Yin and Yang. Thus, syndromes have Yin and Yang, pulses have Yin and Yang, and herbs have Yin and Yang. Regarding syndromes: Exterior is Yang, Interior is Yin; Heat is Yang, Cold is Yin; Upper is Yang, Lower is Yin; Qi is Yang, Blood is Yin; Movement is Yang, Stillness is Yin; Speaking much is Yang, Silence is Yin; Preferring light is Yang, Preferring darkness is Yin. Those with deficient Yang cannot exhale properly; those with deficient Yin cannot inhale properly; those with Yang pathology cannot bend forward; those with Yin pathology cannot lie back. Regarding pulses: Floating, Large, Slippery, and Rapid types are all Yang; Deep, Microfine, Fine, and Choppy types are all Yin. Regarding herbs: Ascending and dispersing agents are Yang; Astringent and descending agents are Yin; Acrid and Hot agents are Yang; Bitter and Cold agents are Yin; Agents moving through the Qi level are Yang; Agents moving through the Blood level are Yin; Agents with active and moving natures are Yang; Agents with still and guarding natures are Yin. These are great principles in medicine. However, within Yin there is Yang, and within Yang there is Stillness. Between apparent similarities, discrimination must be precise. Failure to recognize this leads easily to error, making it most critical, yet it never departs from the aforementioned classifications. When two energies combine, one may be less and the other more, creating variations. All should be deduced by principle, revealing obvious patterns. If Yang is in excess and Yang treatments are applied further, Yang becomes more blazing and Yin more depleted; if Yang is insufficient and Yin prescriptions are used further, Yin becomes more prosperous and Yang extinguished. If one can thoroughly understand Yin and Yang, although medical principles are profound...

1. Creation generates Yin and Yang, originating from the same Qi. Fire is the master of Water; Water is the source of Fire. Fire and Water are originally inseparable. How do we know this? Water is Yin, Fire is Yang, appearing distinct like ice and charcoal. Why say they share a source? Fire's nature is hot; if Fire lacks Water, its heat becomes extreme. Extreme heat destroys Yin fluids, causing all things to scorch and wither. Water's nature is cold; if Water lacks Fire, its cold becomes extreme. Extreme cold destroys Yang Qi, causing all things to perish. Can this Qi of Fire and Water truly separate like breaths? In the human body, this is Primordial Yin and Primordial Yang, also known as Innate Yuan Qi. To obtain the Innate, one must consider the root. Mingmen (Gate of Life) is the aperture of conception, the home of Fire and Water; this is the Northern Palace of the Innate. Seeking elsewhere is like asking for a ford in the sea. Students should recognize this.

1. People's Yin and Yang are usually described in terms of Qi and Blood, Zang-Fu organs, Cold and Heat; this is merely Postnatal有形 (Tangible/Form) Yin and Yang. As for Innate Intangible (Wuxing) Yin and Yang, Yang is called Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang), and Yin is called Yuan Yin (Primordial Yin). Yuan Yang is formless Fire, responsible for generation and transformation, which is the Shen Ji (Spirit Mechanism). Life and destiny depend on it, so it is also called Yuan Qi. Yuan Yin is formless Water, responsible for growth and establishment, which is Tian Gui (Heavenly Puberty). Strength depends on it, so it is also called Yuan Jing (Primordial Essence). Yuan Jing and Yuan Qi are the Yuan Shen (Primordial Spirit) that transforms and generates Jing and Qi. Sheng Qi connects to Heaven, relying solely on this. The Classics state: "Those who possess Shen prosper; those who lose Shen perish." This refers to this concept. Nowadays, people often damage the Innate through Postnatal labor and desire; doctors only know tangible pathogenic factors, ignoring intangible Yuan Qi. Tangible things are traces; their rise and fall are obvious, easy to perceive. Intangible things are Shen; they change swiftly, hard to restore. Thus, the Classics say: "Crude practitioners guard the form; superior practitioners guard the Shen." Alas! Where can one find someone who understands Shen Ming (Divine Enlightenment) and sees the intangible to discuss this Dao with?

1. The Dao of Heaven and Earth's Yin and Yang values peace and harmony, ensuring balanced Qi commands and the birth of all things; this is the principle of creation. However, Yang is the root of life, while Yin is actually the foundation of death. Thus, Daoists say: "If Yin is not exhausted, one does not become an Immortal; if Yang is not exhausted, one does not die." Hua Yuanhua (Hua Tuo) said: "Those who obtain Yang live; those who obtain Yin die." Therefore, those wishing to preserve life and value existence must especially cherish Yang Qi, which is the Yuan Shen of generation and transformation, and must not be neglected. Since Liu Hejian emerged, establishing theories on Summer-Heat and Fire, exclusively using Cold-Cooling herbs, he devastated this Yang Qi, causing great harm. Fortunately, Dongyuan discussed that Spleen-Stomach Fire must be warmed and nourished, yet he did not fully refute this one-sided error. Then Danxi re-emerged, establishing the theory of Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity, formulating pills such as Bu Yin Wan and Da Bu Wan, using Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) as sovereign herbs. The evils of Cold-Cooling prevailed again. Those harmed previously have passed away and returned no more; those learning and using them later remain lost and unawakened. Alas! The method rises one foot, the demon rises one zhang. Are these two gentlemen not demons of Xuanti (Yellow Emperor and Qibo)? I deeply mourn them, so I directly excise these contents here, hoping to thoroughly wash away accumulated prejudices and alleviate the calamities of life. This is indeed unavoidable. Readers please understand and examine; do not accuse me of slandering predecessors. How fortunate!

1. Yin-Yang Deficiency-Excess. The Classics state: "Yang deficiency leads to external Cold; Yin deficiency leads to internal Heat; Yang excess leads to external Heat; Yin excess leads to internal Cold."

1. The Classics state: "Excess of Yang Qi results in body heat without sweat." This describes an Excess syndrome of Exterior pathogens. It also states: "Excess of Yin Qi results in profuse sweating and body cold." This describes a Deficiency of Yang Qi. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Fever with aversion to cold originates from Yang; absence of fever with aversion to cold originates from Yin." He also stated: "Extreme Cold causes sweating despite itself; the body becomes cold as ice." This aligns with the intent of the Classics.

1. The Classics state: "Yin excess causes Yang pathology; Yang excess causes Yin pathology. Yang victory leads to Heat; Yin excess leads to Cold."

1. Yin roots in Yang; Yang roots in Yin. For diseases that cannot be treated orthodoxy, one should guide Yin from Yang, and guide Yang from Yin, seeking their respective affiliations to reduce them. For example, seeking sweat from Blood, generating Qi from Essence—this is guiding Yin from Yang. Conversely, guiding Fire back to its source, gathering Qi into the Kidney—this is guiding Yang from Yin. This is the meaning of extracting Fire from Water and Water from Fire.

1. Yin-pathologies come slowly and depart slowly; Yang-pathologies come quickly and depart quickly. Yang arises from Heat; Heat leads to relaxation. Yin arises from Cold; Cold leads to contraction. Cold pathogens strike the lower part; Heat pathogens strike the upper part; Dietary pathogens strike the middle part.

1. Examining the *Zhongzang Jing*: "Yang pathology implies quietness in the morning; Yin pathology implies tranquility at night. Yang deficiency implies confusion in the evening; Yin deficiency implies contention in the morning." Generally, Yang deficiency favors Yang assistance, so symptoms are lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening; Yin deficiency favors Yin assistance, so symptoms are heavier in the morning and lighter in the evening. This discusses Yin-Yang Deficiency. If Excess pathogens are present, the pattern reverses. Yang Excess pathogens are definitely heavier in the morning and lighter in the evening; Yin Excess pathogens are definitely lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening. This is Yang meeting Yang prosperity, Yin gaining Yin strength. If symptoms occur intermittently during day or night, arising and ceasing irregularly, it is because Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) cannot govern, leading to chaotic interplay of Yin-Yang excess and defeat. One should focus on nourishing Zheng Qi, and Yin-Yang will naturally harmonize. However, whether dealing with Water or Fire, one should investigate based on Deficiency or Excess.