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The cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta) is transformed from the "cold u" (a type of cephalopod associated with cold) entering water. Its bone is white; bone corresponds to the Kidney (Zang organ governing bones), and the color white corresponds to the Lung (Zang organ governing metal and qi). This represents the mechanism of drawing Qi into Blood, thus it can resolve Qi stagnation within the Blood. The flesh is rich and moist, while the bone alone is dry, enabling it to dry Dampness within the Blood. For conditions such as blood obstruction, zheng jia (masses in the abdomen), fright Qi entering the abdomen, and abdominal pain encircling the umbilicus, these are caused by Blood being constrained by Qi stagnation. For conditions such as leukorrhea with bleeding (red and white discharge), genital erosion, swelling and pain, and sores with abundant pus, these are caused by Blood being disturbed by Dampness. Treating these with cuttlebone (Hai Piao Xiao) is as natural as a magnet attracting an iron needle or amber attracting grass seeds.

Further deducing the principle of "fright Qi entering the abdomen": Fright causes Qi chaos; when entering the abdomen, Qi descends without stopping. The cuttlefish can sink in water and anchor itself to stones like an anchor; therefore, why worry about the inability to stop the chaotic Qi?

Aquatic animals stiffen when leaving water, and terrestrial insects perish when submerged. Only the turtle thrives while submerged in water and survives even when living on land; thus, it can treat diseases involving the mutual conflict of Water and Fire. Those who are light and cunning become endangered when slow; those who are slow cannot be light and cunning. Only the turtle’s shell is naturally heavy and steady, while its head, tail, and limbs are naturally agile and quick; thus, it can treat diseases where the interior and exterior do not correspond. A person wearing armor relies on its hardness for protection and its wrapping for defense. Similarly, although the turtle has a shell, it has clear longitudinal and transverse patterns, and each plate can separate. Yet, despite separation, the upper and lower parts wrap tightly without any gaps; thus, it can treat diseases where opening should occur but does not, closing should occur but does not, and the functions of opening and closing contend chaotically. Leukorrhea with bleeding and unclosed fontanelles in children indicate failure to close. Zheng jia masses indicate failure to open. Malaria, with its alternating chills and fever, indicates the contention of opening and closing. Five types of hemorrhoids, genital erosion, and difficult-to-dry head sores in children indicate the mutual conflict of Water and Fire. Damp bi syndrome causing heaviness and weakness in the four limbs indicates the non-correspondence between interior and exterior. Generally, the human body relies on Water and Fire as pivot mechanisms. When Water and Fire contradict, Qi expands but the body does not expand accordingly, and Qi contracts but the body does not contract accordingly; this herb assists in coordinating expansion and contraction. For Fire lacking Water nourishment, this herb nourishes Water; for Water obstructed by Fire, this herb extinguishes Fire. Even when Water stagnates in hidden places making Fire pathways difficult to pass, or when Fire tends to flare up while Water fails to irrigate sufficiently, balance is maintained through this herb’s augmenting and reducing effects. This is Zou’s theory; commentators have never been this precise. I have slightly modified a few characters to preserve it.

The Water treated by turtle shell (Gui Ban) is not flowing water; the Fire treated is not rampant fire. The Water and Fire discussed by Zou require careful understanding. Zhang stated: Turtle shell can guide Yang Qi downward to return, and reconnect Yin Qi ascending upward. This can be considered alongside Zou’s view. However, Yin and Yang refer to principles, whereas Water and Fire refer to symptoms. Generally, stillness gives rise to clarity. As one of the Four Spirits, the turtle is calm and undisturbed; thus, it can gather turbulent Qi, allowing spiritual clarity to naturally deepen. Various schools consider it a tonic, which is not incorrect, but the description in *Bie Lu* as "nourishing wisdom" (Zi Zhi) is more apt.