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In Yang years (years with Yang Heavenly Stems) where the Qi is excessive, it will not be controlled; instead, it will align with and assimilate the transformation of the element that controls it. For example, in Gong Earth or Zheng Fire movements, they align with Wood and Fire transformations.

In Yin years (years with Yin Heavenly Stems) where the Qi is deficient, it will be constrained by the element that controls it and thereby share its transformation. For instance, when Shao Gong (Deficient Earth) or Zheng encounters Wood or Water ruling Heaven (Si Tian), Wood and Water share the transformations of Earth and Fire.

When a Yin year has deficient Qi, and since the controlling element comes to share its transformation, the element that I control will have no fear and will exclusively govern its administration. For example, if Ji Earth or Ding Wood is deficient, and Wood and Metal come to share the transformation, then Water and Earth will have no fear and will exclusively govern their administration. This is the normal principle of excess and retaliation (Sheng Fu), and also the meaning of "the son saving the mother."

Excess with restraint, and deficiency with assistance, both constitute harmony (Ping He). Only when the ruling Heaven Qi is in command does it correspond to Shang Gong (Grand Earth) and Zheng Gong (Standard Earth). If it is not under the command of the ruling Heaven, then the restraining and assisting Qi all come from the left and right interstitial Qi (Jian Qi), rather than the upright Qi of the ruling Heaven; this is equivalent to Shao Zhong Yun (Central Movement) being the same as Shao Gong Jian Qi.

Whenever Si Tian (Ruling Heaven) and Zai Quan (Ruling Earth) are involved, they follow the sequence of Three Yin and Three Yang, descending in the East and ascending in the West, shifting one position each year in a continuous cycle. If Yang is above, Yin is below; if Yin is above, Yang is below. The same applies to the left and right interstitial Qi. When paired opposites match and Yin and Yang combine, each can execute its own transformation. However, there are cases where Qi fails to move into its proper position (Qian Zheng) or where ascent and descent are insufficient. Why? In Six Yang years, Qi is abundant; thus, the Si Tian and Zai Quan of the previous year may not have withdrawn from their positions, yet the current year has already moved into the new position. This is "arriving before the time," resulting in excess. In Six Yin years, Qi is deficient; thus, the Si Tian and Zai Quan of the previous year may have withdrawn, yet the current year has not yet moved into the new position. This is "arriving after the time," resulting in deficiency. Both fail to achieve balance. Furthermore, the Right Interstitial Qi of the Earth from the old year should ascend to become the Left Interstitial Qi of Heaven for the new year. If obstructed by celestial stars—such as Mercury obstructing Fire, or Venus obstructing Wood—or if the Central Movement is excessive, these factors can suppress it. For example, Ren Wood suppressing Tai Yin, or Wu Fire suppressing Tai Yang, preventing ascent. Consequently, even Si Tian cannot move into its proper position. Similarly, the Right Interstitial Qi of Heaven from the old year should descend to become the Left Interstitial Qi of Earth for the current year. If obstructed by terrestrial stars, or if the current year's Si Tian has not yet moved into position, it cannot descend into the Earth. Therefore, when it is time to move into position, it must do so; when it is time to ascend or descend, it must do so, allowing each to occupy its rightful place and harmonize. Otherwise, what is above would be Yang but not Yin; what is below would be Yin but not Yang. How could there not be impure and chaotic disorders? Once Qi is depressed, it accumulates into disease, only releasing itself naturally during its prosperous phase, leading to unpredictable changes. Thus, we know that the operation of Yin and Yang follows specific sequences, and the pairing of Gang (Yang) and Rou (Yin) is difficult to predict in advance. Below, draw the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) diagram and keep it stationary. On the second layer, add the Five Stars diagram, rotating leftward and moving clockwise. On the third layer, add the Six Qi diagram, rotating rightward and moving counter-clockwise (using a central pin and thread). Use this to distinguish solar terms and seasons, revolving according to Qi steps and movements to observe their corresponding values, thereby clarifying their operations without error. Otherwise, how could one laboriously explain every day and every Qi shift? The diagrams are attached subsequently, though I dare not claim this is more than a glimpse through a tube.