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I have devoted myself to the study of Shanghan (Cold Damage) for a long time. Initially, I was unclear about the concepts of Hebing (Combined Disease) and Bingbing (Consecutive Disease), but now I fully understand them. The so-called Hebing refers to the simultaneous occurrence of disease in two or three Yang meridians, where pathogenic factors merge. The so-called Bingbing occurs when, for example, the Taiyang meridian is affected first without resolution, and the pathogen subsequently involves the Yangming or Shaoyang meridians. As Zhang Zhongjing stated: "In Bingbing of two Yang meridians, when Taiyang disease is first contracted, if sweating is induced but the sweat is not thorough, the condition may transfer to Yangming. If Taiyang symptoms persist, purgation should not be used." According to this, stating that it transfers to Yangming indicates the origin from Taiyang; stating that Taiyang symptoms persist indicates that both meridians are diseased. In all cases of Bingbing, the progression is from superficial to deep, transferring from one meridian to another, which is an inevitable trend of the disease. This is the meaning of Hebing and Bingbing. Those who do not understand believe these are rare conditions, yet they fail to realize that contemporary diseases are predominantly Hebing and Bingbing. Why do I say this? Since I began clinical practice, in diagnosing Shanghan, I have never seen cases where a single meridian transmits sequentially, nor have I seen cases where all exterior symptoms have resolved leaving only interior symptoms. If one attempts to diagnose strictly according to meridian patterns, no such standard cases exist, nor are there prescriptions that perfectly match. This causes doubt and makes treatment difficult, stemming from a lack of understanding of Hebing and Bingbing. Below is a general outline:

1. Hebing refers to the simultaneous involvement of two or three meridians. For instance, initial fever, aversion to cold, and headache are Taiyang symptoms; if accompanied by insomnia, it is Taiyang-Yangming Hebing. If accompanied by vomiting and nausea, it is Taiyang-Shaoyang Hebing. If there is fever with insomnia, plus vomiting and nausea, it is Yangming-Shaoyang Hebing. If all three sets of symptoms are present, it is San Yang (Three Yang) Hebing. The severity of San Yang Hebing is necessarily high.

2. There is essentially no Hebing between the Three Yang and Three Yin meridians because Three Yang governs the exterior and Three Yin governs the interior. Simultaneous involvement of exterior and interior constitutes Lianggan (Double Invasion). Therefore, any case involving both Yin and Yang meridians must result from gradual transmission, constituting Bingbing. This is also an inevitable progression, distinct from Hebing or Lianggan.

3. Bingbing differs from Hebing. Hebing implies simultaneous onset; Bingbing implies one meridian is affected first, followed by gradual involvement of others. For example, if Taiyang disease presents initially with fever and headache, followed later by eye pain, nasal dryness, and insomnia, this is Taiyang merging into Yangming. If later ear deafness, hypochondriac pain, vomiting, and bitter taste appear, this is Taiyang merging into Shaoyang. If later abdominal fullness and throat dryness appear, this is Taiyang merging into Taiyin. If later tongue dryness and mouth thirst appear, this is Taiyang merging into Shaoyin. If later restlessness, abdominal fullness, and retraction of the genitals appear, this is Taiyang merging into Jueyin. If Yangming merges into the Three Yin, there will be nasal dryness and insomnia combined with Three Yin symptoms. If Shaoyang merges into the Three Yin, there will be ear deafness, vomiting, and bitter taste combined with Three Yin symptoms. Although Yin symptoms manifest in the interior, Yang symptoms remain in the exterior, hence termed "merging." In all Shanghan cases where heat persists throughout, it is due to unresolved exterior pathogens. Once proper sweating occurs, both exterior and interior resolve. Is this not a disease of Yin-Yang merging? Contemporary Shanghan is mostly Bingbing. Understanding this principle provides clarity in treatment. For Bingbing involving the Three Yang, one should resolve the exterior of the Three Yang. If the pathogen is in Taiyang, known as the Exterior within Yang, treatment should be light and clear. If in Yangming, known as the Interior within Yang, treatment should be heavy and concentrated. If in Shaoyang, known as the Pivot within Yang, treatment should involve harmonization. While these are general principles for resolving the exterior, I have specific methods detailed in *Xin Fang Ba Lve* (Eight Briefs of New Formulas). Treatments may include warm dispersal, cool dispersal, neutral dispersal, or tonifying the center while dispersing. These require careful consideration of Yin-Yang interactions. Regarding diseases entering the Three Yin, which are inherently interior: Taiyin is Yin within Yang, treated with mild warmth; Shaoyin is the Pivot within Yin, treated with moderate warmth; Jueyin is Yin within Yin, treated with strong warmth. This outlines the treatment of Yin syndromes. However, even if the disease is in Yin, it may involve concurrent Bingbing with Yang meridians. If heat is severe, clearing fire is appropriate. If the exterior remains unresolved, dispersing pathogens is necessary. Since pathogens enter from outside, the exterior is the root; removing the root cures the interior. Thus, resolving the exterior harmonizes the middle. If exterior pathogens are mild but interior symptoms are urgent, one must first treat the interior. Exterior and interior Qi are interconnected; unresolved exterior leads to worsening interior, and disharmonious interior prevents exterior resolution. Thus, treating the interior can resolve the exterior. Between treating exterior or interior, there is a fixed order of urgency and sequence, not subject to ambiguity. One must grasp the source of the disease and discern the decisive factor. This outlines the treatment of Yin-Yang Bingbing. Since Yin diseases affect Zang organs, which are the foundation of life and determine survival, diagnosing Yin syndromes requires careful differentiation of deficiency and excess to avoid erroneous use of tonification, purgation, cold, or heat. This is the most critical aspect of contemporary treatment.