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Where there is a prescription, there must be the classification of "Ten Categories" (Shi Ji), which is formulated based on the efficacy of prescriptions. The categories differ, including Xuan Category (Dispersing/Ascending), Tong Category (Unblocking/Permeating), Bu Category (Tonifying/Nourishing), Xie Category (Purging/Draining), Qing Category (Light/Superficial), Zhong Category (Heavy/Deep), Hua Category (Slippery/Moistening), Se Category (Astringent/Styptic), Zao Category (Drying), and Shi Category (Moistening/Dampness - though the text primarily discusses the first nine and Zao). Each category has its specific meaning; understanding these meanings allows for correct medication. If one does not understand the meanings of the Ten Categories and uses drugs recklessly, it is like abandoning the ink line to judge straightness or crookedness, or violating the compass and square to make circles or squares. Even those with supreme wisdom can often vary flexibly outside the rules of compass and square, but they must first master the conventional laws before exercising discretion. If one seeks change without understanding the constants, one will inevitably appear bizarre and fail as a standard; deviating from classics while abusing discretion will inevitably lead to chaos and fail as a model. Profoundly understanding the meanings of the Ten Categories allows one to strike the most appropriate balance between constancy and change, so what difficult diseases would remain? This is why the Ten Categories must be discussed.

First, discuss the Xuan Category (Dispersing/Ascending). Qi Bo said: "Xuan can remove stagnation." He also said: "Wood stagnation is reached by spreading it, Fire stagnation is dispersed by emitting it, Earth stagnation is seized by attacking it, Metal stagnation is drained by venting it, Water stagnation is broken by restraining it." All these refer to the action of Xuan. When Qi stagnates, it cannot ascend to pass through the throat, head, eyes, mouth, and tongue; when Blood stagnates, it cannot ascend to pass through the chest, abdomen, spleen, stomach, and meridians. Thus, upper symptoms such as hiccups, cough, sputum, and vomiting arise; middle symptoms such as fullness, distension, obstruction, pain, satiety, and bloating emerge; lower symptoms such as edema, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, accumulation, and jaundice appear. If Xuan agents are not used to raise Qi, Qi will be congested and uncomfortable. If Xuan agents are not used to disperse Blood stasis, Blood will coagulate and fail to flow. One must use Xuan so that Wood stagnation can be smoothed out; one must use Xuan so that Fire stagnation can be inspired; one must use Xuan so that Metal stagnation can be vented; one must use Xuan so that Water stagnation can be diverted; one must use Xuan so that Earth stagnation can be attacked and dissolved.

Someone asks me about elucidating the Xuan Category, seemingly leaving no room for further explanation, as medical principles are endless. Can you explain further? I say: Stagnation syndromes are not limited to five types, and methods to disperse stagnation are not limited to two. There is stagnation inside the body, stagnation outside the body, and stagnation neither inside nor outside. Stagnation inside is caused by emotional injuries (Seven Emotions); stagnation outside is caused by external pathogenic factors (Six Evils); stagnation neither inside nor outside is caused by falls and trauma. To treat emotional injuries, one opens the knots; to treat external evils, one disperses the pathogens; to treat trauma, one activates blood and removes stasis. All these assist the meaning of Xuan. (Commentary: Beyond promoting Qi and Blood, three methods are listed to exhaust the variations of Xuan.)

One doubts whether Xuan agents only open and resolve stagnation, thus exhausting their meaning. In fact, Xuan is not just opening and resolving stagnation. For pathogens in the upper part, Xuan can bring them out; for pathogens in the middle, Xuan can harmonize them; for pathogens in the lower part, Xuan can drain them; for pathogens inside, Xuan can scatter them; for pathogens outside, Xuan can release them via the exterior. The meaning of Xuan is indeed vast.

One doubts whether Xuan agents only scatter pathogens or do more. The meaning of Xuan is originally inexhaustible. If dispersion is suitable, dispense it, regardless of whether there is a pathogen; if unblocking is suitable, unblock it, regardless of whether there is stagnation. One must not first adhere to the intent of scattering pathogens to test my Xuan decoctions, nor first adhere to the mind of resolving stagnation to test my Xuan herbs.

Second, discuss the Tong Category (Unblocking/Permeating). Qi Bo said: "Tong can remove retention." Whatever stays and does not move must be made to move by Tong. The Tong Category is thus used to unblock what is blocked. Tong varies: some unblock the skin, some the meridians, some the interior and exterior, some the upper and lower, some the anterior and posterior, some the zang-fu organs, some Qi and Blood. Knowing the differences in Tong allows one to apply the method of Tong. Unblocking Ying and Wei Qi is unblocking the skin; unblocking Jin Gu (tendons and bones) Qi is unblocking the meridians; unblocking internal and external Qi is unblocking the interior and exterior; unblocking Lung and Kidney Qi is unblocking the upper and lower; unblocking Bladder Qi is unblocking the anterior and posterior; unblocking Spleen and Stomach Qi is unblocking the zang-fu; unblocking Yin and Yang Qi is unblocking Qi and Blood. Although it is unblocking because of blockage, it is also unblocking according to its capacity to be unblocked. (Commentary: With such extensive meaning of Tong, once understood, why worry about unblocking Bi Syndromes?)

Someone asks about your discussion on the Tong Category, which is very clear. However, the meaning of Tong is out, but the drugs of Tong are not clear. I say: Why not show the drugs of Tong? To unblock Ying and Wei, use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi); to unblock tendons and bones, use Papaw Fructus (Mugua) and Epimedii Folium (Xianlingpi); to unblock interior and exterior, use Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) and Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe); to unblock Lung and Kidney, use Perillae Folium (Zisuye) and Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji); to unblock the Bladder, use Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui) and Poria (Fuling); to unblock Spleen and Stomach, use Akebia Caulis (Tongcao) and Rheomi Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang); to unblock Yin and Yang, use Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), Scallion Stem (Congbai), and Ginger Tuber (Shengjiang). Although the drugs for unblocking are not limited to these, one can comprehend from this.

One doubts that there are many drugs in the Tong Category, why list only a few to conclude the meaning, making people rely on these few to generalize all Tong agents? One does not know that since Tong differs, the drugs of the Tong Category cannot be entirely the same. Although Tong drugs cannot all be used purely for unblocking. Using Tong within Tonification, and using Tong within obstruction, then what is unblocked becomes unblocked, what is about to be unblocked becomes unblocked, and what is already unblocked becomes thoroughly unblocked. Thus, using the Tong Category lies entirely in skillfully using Tong. Skillfully using Tong, the drugs I listed are more than sufficient, so how can they not generalize the Tong Category?

One doubts the miracle of the Tong Category, using it like a god. How can I use the miracle of the Tong Category to achieve such divine power? Alas! The method of Tong can be spoken of, but the secret of Tong cannot be spoken. What is spoken of as unspeakable is only distinguishing Deficiency and Excess. In Deficiency, using Tong agents should be sparing and light; in Excess, using Tong agents can be abundant and heavy. Although it may not achieve miraculous results, it will likely avoid errors. (Commentary: Distinguishing Deficiency and Excess to use Tong is the discourse of a wise person.)

Third, discuss the Bu Category (Tonifying/Nourishing). Qi Bo said: "Bu can remove weakness," yet the methods of Bu are not uniform. Tonify Qi to generate Yang; tonify Blood to generate Yin; tonify flavors to generate Essence; tonify food to generate Form. For Yang deficiency, tonify Qi, then Qi prospers and Yang prospers; for Yin deficiency, tonify Blood, then Blood flourishes and Yin flourishes; for Essence deficiency, tonify flavors, then flavors are sufficient and Essence is sufficient; for Form deficiency, tonify food, then diet is rich and Form is robust. Although human deficiency is not limited to these four aspects, these four are sufficient to cover them. (Commentary: Bu methods are not limited to four; I add one method: practicing Tu Na breathing to generate Spirit.)

Someone asks if Bu methods are limited to Qi, Blood, flavors, and food? I say: Bu methods are limited to these four, but there are changes within these four. For tonifying Qi, there are differences in morning/evening, organs, and anterior/posterior; for tonifying Blood, there are differences in age, pregnancy/birth, decline/prosperity, and cold/heat; for tonifying flavors, there are differences in soft/smooth vs. digesting, warm/cold, new/old, sweet/bitter, and cooking methods like roasting/frying; for tonifying food, there are differences in north/south, poultry/beast, fruit/tree, grain/vegetable/bean, and fish/shellfish/crab. Bu varies, and change serves as the method, so how can it be summarized in one word? It depends on the physician's skillful application during diagnosis.

One doubts that using Bu for deficiency means deficiency diseases suit Bu. Yet often, the more one tonifies, the weaker one becomes. Does this mean Bu agents cannot be fully relied upon? Alas! If deficiency does not use Bu, how can weakness be revived? The phenomenon of "more tonification leads to more weakness" is due to the body's inability to accept tonification, not that deficiency cannot be tonified. Therefore, Bu methods should also vary. Adding small amounts of digestive herbs within tonification, or using controlling methods in internal tonification, is better than tonifying completely or purely. (Commentary: Tonification with digestion, tonification with control, this is not mere tonification.)

One doubts that Bu agents are few. Although you mentioned many Bu methods, you did not mention the most important formulas. Which formula is best for Bu? I say: Since Bu differs, how can one formula generalize all? Knowing the method of Bu, no formula cannot be used for Bu. Moreover, if it is originally a Bu agent, why ask which formula is superior?

Fourth, discuss the Xie Category (Purging/Draining). Qi Bo said: "Xie can remove closure." Yet the methods of Xie are not uniform. There is draining with bland taste, draining with bitter taste, draining with slippery nature, draining with attack, draining with cold, and draining with heat. Promoting urination is draining with bland taste; benefiting Lung Qi is draining with bitter taste; benefiting Large Intestine is draining with slippery nature; removing pain and stagnation is draining with attack; sinking chest and reducing fire is draining with cold; reducing swelling and transforming blood is draining with heat. Although many diseases require draining, sometimes tonification is embedded in draining, or draining is embedded in tonification, all essentially adhering to the meaning of Xie.

Someone asks about the meaning of Xie. Ancients only mentioned Thladianthae Fructus (Tingli) and Rheomi Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), but you say there are six methods of Xie. Can Tingli and Dahuang be used for all? I say: Adhering to Tingli and Dahuang to treat all Bi (closure) syndromes is a great error. I say there are six methods of Xie, and Xie drugs are actually not limited to these two. Draining with bland taste uses Poria (Fuling) and Polyporus (Zhuling); draining with bitter taste uses Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Thladianthae Fructus (Tingli); draining with slippery nature uses Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) and Talcum (Huashi); draining with attack uses Mirabilite (Mangxiao) and Rheomi Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang); draining with cold uses Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou) and Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo); draining with heat uses Kansui Radix (Gansui) and Crotonis Fructus (Badou). Xie drugs are not limited to these; broad application relies on the physician's enlightenment. (Commentary: Xie drugs need not be numerous.)

One doubts whether Xie agents treat closure or opening. Both can be used. If closure is inappropriate, use Xie to open the door; if opening is inappropriate, use Xie to block the path. However, treating opening is treating closure, and treating closure is treating opening; they should not be separated into two treatments.

One doubts that Xie agents are easily misused and can cause death, so perhaps Xie should not be lightly discussed. I say: Treating disease should not lightly use Xie agents, but discussing categories must mention Xie methods. Knowing Xie agents allows one to treat disease; knowing Xie methods allows one to apply categories.

Fifth, discuss the Qing Category (Light/Superficial). Qi Bo said: "Qing can remove Excess." Excess refers to Pathogenic Excess, not Healthy Qi Excess. It seems that for Pathogenic Excess, Heavy agents should be used to remove Excess. Who knows that for Pathogenic Excess, using pathogen-dispelling drugs: the heavier the drug, the easier the pathogen changes (causes complications); the lighter the drug, the harder the pathogen stays. People see Pathogenic Excess and use too much Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), leading to concerns about lack of sweating; people see Pathogenic Excess and use too much Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), leading to loss of Yang. It is better to use small amounts of these two, preserving Healthy Qi while resolving pathogens completely. This is the wonder of the Qing Category.

Someone asks if Qing agents disperse pathogens, so light pathogens can use light drugs, can heavy pathogens also use light drugs? I say: The method of treating pathogens only asks if the drug is appropriate. If appropriate, pathogens exit naturally; it does not depend on the weight of the drug. Where is it said that only heavy drugs can sweep away pathogens? (Commentary: Dispelling pathogens need not use heavy drugs for dispelling, this is excellent.)

One doubts why light agents can easily remove heavy pathogens. Generally, when pathogens first enter the body, their momentum is floating and superficial, penetrating deeply by taking advantage of weakness. Therefore, treating pathogens should be light, not heavy. If heavy agents are used suddenly, light conditions often become heavy, shallow conditions become deep, and immediate cure is impossible. It is better to first use light agents to slightly disperse the floating pathogens while they dare not penetrate deeply, making removal easier.

One doubts that using light agents to disperse pathogens, even heavy pathogens are dispersed, seems to imply dispersion depends on the lightness of herb flavors, not the dosage/category. I say: Lighter flavors do not require heavy dosages. Generally, the lighter the flavor, the easier the pathogen disperses; the heavier the dosage, the harder the pathogen resolves.

Sixth, discuss the Zhong Category (Heavy/Deep). Qi Bo said: "Zhong can remove timidity." Timidity refers to Healthy Qi timidity, not Pathogenic timidity. Strong Healthy Qi makes pathogens weak; damaged Healthy Qi makes pathogens flourish. It seems that supporting the weak requires overcoming the strong, and tonifying damage requires suppressing flourishing. However, since Healthy Qi is timid and dares not fight pathogens, attacking pathogens makes them stronger. Therefore, one must first stabilize Healthy Qi, making it fearless of pathogen bullying and plundering, so the Spirit has no fear of shock, and the Will enjoys tranquility. This is the wonder of the Zhong Category.

Someone asks: Since Healthy Qi is timid, supporting timidity is enough, why use heavy agents? I fear the deficient and timid cannot immediately bear it. I say: Qi timidity causes Heart fright; Blood timidity causes Heart movement. Fright requires calming agents; movement requires stabilizing agents. Without heavy drugs, how to calm them? However, heavy drugs should not be used alone. Supporting with Qi-tonifying drugs makes calming effective for stopping fright; supporting with Blood-tonifying drugs makes stabilizing effective for controlling movement.

One doubts that Zhong agents only remove timidity, seeming to calm Gallbladder Qi. I say: Although timidity originates in the Gallbladder, its manifestation forms in the Heart. Using heavy agents to calm the Heart is precisely to assist the Gallbladder. (Commentary: This argument is novel.)

One doubts that Zhong agents remove timidity, but timidity may not be limited to Heart and Gallbladder. Only extreme Kidney deficiency injures the Lung; Lung injury fails to generate Essence, leading to consumptive timidity. Perhaps using heavy agents focuses on treating Kidney and Lung. But one does not know that timidity varies; all Five Zang and Seven Fu organs can cause timidity. To treat timidity without heavy agents, how to treat it? It depends on flexible application.

Seventh, discuss the Hua Category (Slippery/Moistening). Qi Bo said: "Hua can remove adherence." Pathogens lingering in the intestines and stomach cannot be quickly resolved; without Hua agents, how to facilitate passage? However, merely slipping is not beneficial. There is moistening Qi to slip, moistening Blood to slip, and moistening Qi and Blood to slip. Obstruction in the Upper Jiao wanting to ascend but unable to: moistening Qi makes the throat slippery; food retention in the Lower Jiao wanting to descend but unable to: moistening Blood makes the anus slippery; stagnation and filth accumulating in the Middle Jiao wanting to ascend/descend/stay but unable to: moistening Qi and Blood makes the chest and abdomen slippery. How can the use of Hua agents be neglected? (Commentary: Xie agents also cannot escape Qi and Blood.)

Someone asks: Dividing Hua agents into Upper, Middle, and Lower treatments is appropriate. However, using these three methods to treat stickiness (Se) without resolution—are there other methods? Although Hua methods end at these three, Hua variations are not limited to three. There is tonifying Water to slip, and tonifying Fire to slip. Tonifying Water tonifies True Water in the Kidney; tonifying Fire tonifies True Fire in the Kidney. When True Water is sufficient, the Large Intestine naturally moistens; when True Fire is sufficient, the Bladder naturally unblocks. How can stickiness not become slippery? This is the variation of Hua. (Commentary: Opening another gate.)

One doubts: Tonifying Water to moisten the Large Intestine is the slipperiness of the agent, but tonifying Fire to unblock the Bladder—perhaps it is not the slipperiness of the agent? Not knowing that when the Bladder fails to unblock despite Fire, it is Evil Fire in the Bladder. If the Bladder has Fire, water is sticky; if the Bladder lacks Fire, water is also sticky. Bladder water must communicate with Mingmen Fire to have the joy of flow. Thus, tonifying Fire is precisely to slip water; is it not an agent of slipping? (Commentary: Tonifying Fire to slip water truly elucidates the secrets of Xuanyuan and Qibo.)

One doubts: Hua agents treat stickiness, yet there are non-sticky diseases treated with Hua. Why? Hua agents originally do not only treat stickiness. Hua cannot treat all stickiness, so seeing stickiness does not mean immediately using Hua agents. Slipping when slipping is inappropriate yields no merit from Hua agents. Slipping when slipping is appropriate, even for non-sticky diseases, achieves the merit of slipping.

Eighth, discuss the Se Category (Astringent/Styptic). Qi Bo said: "Se can remove collapse/loss." Involuntary seminal emission that cannot stop, hematochezia that cannot cease, watery diarrhea that cannot retain—if drugs are not urgently used to astringe, life will not perish immediately? However, the orthodox method of Se is not easy. There is opening orifices to astringe, blocking flow to astringe, and following momentum to astringe. For seminal emission, the urinary orifice is closed; I unblock the urinary orifice to close the essence, then essence can be astringed. For watery diarrhea, the Spleen Earth collapses; I fortify Earth Qi to divert water, then watery diarrhea can be astringed. For downward bleeding, the Large Intestine is hot; I nourish Metal Fluid to kill blood, then downward bleeding can be astringed. How can the use of Se agents be neglected?

One doubts: Ancients focused on Se, but you use Hua within Se. Is there a reason? I say: Merely astringing cannot achieve astringency. Extreme astringency requires extreme slipping. Seeking astringency within astringency shows merit only for a day, not for the long term; using slipping within astringency may not show effect immediately but achieves eternal results. Who says Se must abandon Hua to astringe?

One doubts: Slipping to treat stickiness remains a Hua agent, not a Se agent. I say: Hua aids the exhaustion of Se, and Se aids the variation of Hua. If one can use Hua to treat stickiness, then Hua becomes a Se agent. Moreover, Se is not entirely astringent; it cannot be called non-astringent.

One doubts: Se agents treat collapse, but collapse syndromes are not limited to three. Can the methods be expanded? I say: Se agents are not limited to three methods; knowing one allows knowing the rest.

Ninth, discuss the Zao Category (Drying). Qi Bo said: "Zao can remove dampness." Zao opposes Shi; using Zao treats Shi. However, dampness has locations in Upper, Middle, and Lower; dampness has distinctions in meridians, skin, and interior. They cannot be treated uniformly. Dampness in the Upper is dried with bitter taste; dampness in the Middle is dried with bland taste; dampness in the Lower is dried with heat; dampness in the meridians is dried with wind; dampness in the skin is dried with fumigation; dampness in the interior is dried with attack. Zao methods differ; judging Deficiency and Excess to dry ensures appropriateness.

Someone asks: Dampness syndromes vary greatly, and your drying of dampness shows good flexibility. However, dampness is hardest to treat. How to distinguish Deficiency and Excess to treat it well? Distinguishing syndromes is not hard; it is only distinguishing true vs. false dampness. True dampness syndromes present with Excess; false dampness syndromes present with Deficiency. Knowing true vs. false dampness, how hard is it to use Zao agents?

One doubts: Zao agents treat dampness, but dampness cannot be entirely treated with Zao. I fear the difficulty of adhering to Zao. I say: Dampness originally cannot be entirely treated with Zao, but without Zao, how to treat dampness? If Zao is not Zao, then dampness is not dampness.

One doubts: Dampness syndromes must value Zao agents, yet you say they cannot be entirely used, implying Zao agents are insignificant. However, there are times when dampness syndromes cannot do without Zao agents, and days when Zao agents cannot treat dampness syndromes. This Zao Category must be clarified; it is truly significant, not optional.