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The Xi (Fine) pulse is slightly larger than the Wei (Minute) pulse but remains consistently fine and continuous. Its shape is straight yet soft, feeling like a silk thread under the fingers. The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) refers to it as "Xiao" (Small), while Wang Shuhe describes it as being as soft as weeds. The *Maixue* (Pulse Classic) states that the pulse comes and goes with extreme minuteness; this actually describes the Wei pulse, implying that the Wei pulse is finer than the Xi pulse, which contradicts the classics. It is also stated: "When the Xi pulse comes continuously, thin as silk, pressing deeply without interruption, it is unfavorable for youths in Spring and Summer, but suitable for the elderly and weak in Autumn and Winter."

Main Pathologies: The Xi pulse primarily indicates deficiency of Blood and decline of Qi, various deficiency syndromes, excessive Seven Emotions or Six Extremes. It signifies either Dampness invading the waist and Kidneys, or injury to Essence, Sweat, and Blood. At the Cun position, it indicates vomiting; at the Guan position, abdominal distension and Stomach deficiency; at the Chi position, coldness in the Dantian, diarrhea/dysentery, spermatorrhea, and depletion of Yin Blood. The *Maijing* (Classic of Pulses) states that Xi indicates little Blood and declining Qi; if symptoms match this pulse, it is a favorable sign (Shun); otherwise, it is unfavorable (Ni). Thus, patients with hematemesis or epistaxis who have a deep and fine pulse may survive, while those overworked also exhibit a fine pulse.

The Jie (Knotted) pulse is slow in its coming and going, occasionally pausing before resuming. The *Maixue* states: "Coming and going irregularly, gathering then returning," which is unrelated to the Jie pulse. Zhang Zhongjing described a pulse resembling linked long poles as Yin Jie (Yin Knot), and one resembling a chariot canopy as Yang Jie (Yang Knot). The *Maijing* also describes a pulse shaking like hemp seeds, rotating and retracting, with irregular gathering and scattering as Jie, which indicates death. These three share the same name but differ in substance. It is further stated: "The Jie pulse is slow with occasional pauses, indicating excess Yin threatening Yang loss. Floating indicates Qi stagnation, sinking indicates accumulation; treatment must clearly distinguish between sweating and purging methods."

Main Pathologies: The Jie pulse indicates Blood coagulation and Qi stagnation, internal accumulation of old Phlegm knots, and external carbuncles or hernias. It is also said: "Jie indicates diseases of Yin excess." Yue Ren (Bian Que) stated: "Severe Jie implies severe accumulation; mild Jie implies mild accumulation. Floating Jie indicates external painful accumulations; Hidden Jie indicates internal accumulations."

The Dai (Intermittent) pulse stops during movement and cannot recover spontaneously; after a period of exhaustion, it moves again. The pulse returns to the Chi position and arrives only after a long interval. A normal pulse beats five times per respiratory cycle. The Qi of the Lung, Heart, Spleen, and Liver all complete fifty beats per cycle, conforming to the number of Da Yan (Great Expansion), known as the Ping Mai (Normal Pulse). Deviation from this results in pauses, revealing the Dai pulse. If Kidney Qi fails, there is a pause every forty beats. If Liver Qi fails, there is a pause every thirty beats. This occurs because when the Qi of one Zang organ declines, the Qi of another organ takes over (Dai). The Classics state: "Dai indicates Qi decline." Hua Shi (Hua Shou) said: "If there are no other diseases, a emaciated patient with a Dai pulse has a critical prognosis." If disease causes temporary damage to Qi and Blood, preventing continuity, it is merely a pathological pulse. In Taiyang disease with palpitations and a Dai pulse, Fumai Tang (Restore the Pulse Decoction) is indicated. In pregnancy, a Dai pulse may indicate fetal development around one hundred days; whether Dai indicates life or death must be distinguished. Li Shi summarized: "A rapid pulse with occasional pauses is Cu (Rapid-Intermittent); a slow pulse with occasional pauses should be viewed as Jie; only when the pause does not immediately return is it Dai. Jie suggests survival, Dai suggests death; their paths are distinct." He further stated: "Cu and Jie pulses have irregular pause patterns, stopping after two or three beats and resuming quickly. Dai pulses have regular pause patterns, stopping according to a fixed count, returning to the Tianzhong area, and arriving only after a long delay."

Main Pathologies: The Dai pulse first arises from Zang Qi decline, abdominal pain, dysentery, and deficiency of the Lower Yuan. It may also result from vomiting and diarrhea affecting the Middle Jiao, or occur in women during the third month of pregnancy. The *Maijing* states: "Dai combined with San (Scattered) indicates death, primarily associated with diarrhea and pus/blood in stools."