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Lei Zhenjun said: The principles of pulse diagnosis have already been thoroughly expounded in the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), and Wang Shuhe further elucidated them. What more is there for me to say? Nevertheless, there are still aspects that are not fully covered, which must be discussed. Generally speaking, the more one discusses pulse diagnosis, the more obscure its core meaning becomes. I advocate simplicity and essentialism in palpating the pulse, rather than getting entangled in complex classifications such as Seven Superficial and Eight Interior pulses. The most crucial aspects of pulse palpation lie in Floating (Fu) and Deep (Chen) pulses; next are Slow (Chi) and Rapid (Shuo) pulses; then Large (Da) and Small (Xiao) pulses; then Deficient (Xu) and Excess (Shi) pulses; and finally, Choppy (Se) and Slippery (Hua) pulses. Understanding these ten pulse types means that diseases in nine types of people cannot escape this framework. As for death pulses, they are even easier to observe. They merely present as anomalies resembling the swimming of fish and shrimp, the pecking of birds, dripping water from a leaking roof, stones being struck, ropes being split, or flowing water stopping. Knowing the normalcy of these ten methods allows one to understand the variations of the six methods; how could it be difficult to know human diseases? The descriptions of pulse images in the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) should not be taken as absolute standards.

Zhang Zhenjun said: Pulse principles need not be numerous; too many only lead to obscurity. Clearly stating ten methods is extremely simple and essential, serving as a standard for pulse diagnosis for all generations.

Humans differ by North and South, a distinction based on strength and weakness. Southerners are far weaker than Northerners. However, some Southerners are stronger than some Northerners, and some Northerners are weaker than some Southerners; thus, generalizations cannot be applied universally. Nevertheless, it is absolutely incorrect to simply categorize strength and weakness by geographical origin. One must treat individuals based on their specific conditions, not rigidly adhere to North-South distinctions. This is because people in the world are divided into those biased toward Yin and those biased toward Yang. Those biased toward Yang, even if born in the South, will be strong; those biased toward Yin, even if born in the North, will be weak. Therefore, those biased toward Yang should use cold and cool remedies; those biased toward Yin should use warm and hot remedies.

Zhang Zhenjun said: Correct.

Lei Zhenjun said: Cold and heat symptoms in diseases are half caused by external pathogens. However, there are cases where cold and heat occur without any external pathogen, which must be known. When cold and heat arise without an external pathogen, it is due to Liver Qi stagnation failing to disperse, with Gallbladder Qi following suit into stagnation. Since the Qi of Wood is stagnant, the Qi of Heart naturally fails to flow smoothly. With the Heart, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians all stagnant, the Qi of Spleen and Stomach fails to transform. Lung Metal lacks nourishment, becoming less firm; the upper body lacks the descending clear and肃 (cleanse/strict) Qi, while Wood lacks fear (control by Metal). Earth desires to vent but cannot, resulting in alternating cold and heat. It resembles Malaria (Nue Ji) but is not Malaria, and it cannot stop. If one uses drugs to dispel pathogens, the condition will worsen. Only by soothing the Qi of Wood can the cold and heat be naturally eliminated.

Zhang Zhenjun said: This is also an original theory. The appropriate formula is Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), adding a large dose of Baishao (White Peony Root) is suitable.