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Lei Zhenjun said: The Ren (Conception) and Du (Governor) meridians are located outside the zang-fu organs and constitute separate meridian systems, which are often overlooked by ordinary physicians. It is unknown that these two meridians must be studied; they are not optional like the Chong (Penetrating) and Dai (Girdle) meridians. The Ren meridian originates below the Zhongji point (CV3), ascends to the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan point (CV4), and reaches the throat. It then ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes; this is the pathway of the Ren meridian. The Du meridian originates from the central part of the lower abdomen bones. In women, it connects internally to the Tingkong (urethral opening), at the edge of the urinary meatus. Its collaterals circulate around the external genitalia, converge between the buttocks, surround the anus posteriorly, i.e., between the anterior and posterior orifices; additionally, it winds around the buttocks to reach the Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian, merging with the middle collaterals of the Taiyang (Bladder) meridian, ascending along the inner posterior aspect of the thigh, penetrating the spine, and attaching to the Kidneys. Together with the Taiyang meridian, it starts from the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, crosses at the vertex, enters and connects to the brain, emerges again to descend separately to the nape, circulates along the shoulder blades, flanks the spine, reaches the middle of the waist, enters to circulate along the paraspinal muscles, and connects to the Kidneys. In men, it circulates down the penis to the perineum, identical to women. The portion rising straight up the lower abdomen penetrates the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the heart into the throat, reaches the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to connect to the center below both eyes; this is the pathway of the Du meridian. Diseases of these two meridians differ in presentation, but their treatment methods are essentially the same. Since the six main meridians are originally interconnected, treating hernias and masses in the Ren meridian will also cure enuresis and spinal rigidity associated with the Du meridian. However, these two meridians are the master meridians of the uterus and fetus. Without them, women cannot conceive, and men find it difficult to achieve erection and ejaculate. Thus, it is clear that these meridians should be tonified rather than drained. Tonification leads to enlargement of the external genitalia and robust Yang energy, while draining leads to shrinkage and weak Yang energy; tonification warms the uterus facilitating conception, whereas draining cools the uterus making conception difficult.

Zhang Zhenjun said: Excellent. People today do not understand the critical importance of the Ren and Du meridians, which is why their medication is ineffective. If one understands the Ren and Du meridians, how could treating diseases be difficult?

Lei Zhenjun said: Human reproduction, although attributed to heavenly destiny, is not entirely beyond human effort. There are cases where men cannot father children, and cases where women cannot bear children. Men have six types of infertility, and women have ten types. What are the six for men? First, cold sperm; second, Qi deficiency; third, excessive phlegm; fourth, flourishing ministerial fire; fifth, scanty sperm; sixth, Qi stagnation. Cold sperm refers to coldness in the kidney essence; even if ejaculated into the uterus, the woman's womb will not accept it, leading to miscarriage within a month. Qi deficiency refers to decline in Yang Qi; insufficient Qi prevents prolonged sexual activity to please the woman. If the man ejaculates before the woman releases her essence, conception cannot occur. Scanty sperm means that although ejaculation occurs, the semen is thin and weak. The mouth of the womb opens wide, but the small amount of sperm cannot satisfy it, so it enters and exits immediately. Excessive phlegm indicates dampness; dampness makes the semen impure and mixed with turbid substances. Even if a child is born, it will likely die young. Flourishing ministerial fire implies prolonged intercourse where the woman has already released her essence before the man ejaculates, or when the man finally ejaculates, the woman's desire has waned, making conception impossible. Qi stagnation involves liver Qi depression, failing to generate Heart Pericardium fire, leading to sorrowful moods and impotence, or loss of interest during intercourse. When the woman is aroused, the man sighs in frustration, creating a desolate atmosphere in the bedroom, focused on daily chores rather than romance, making it impossible to conceive. Therefore, for cold sperm, warm the fire; for Qi deficiency, tonify Qi; for excessive phlegm, resolve phlegm; for flourishing fire, nourish water (Yin); for scanty sperm, replenish sperm; for Qi stagnation, soothe Qi. Then men who were infertile can have children. One must not merely tonify ministerial fire. What are the ten for women? First, cold uterus; second, cold spleen and stomach; third, tense Dai meridian; fourth, liver Qi stagnation; fifth, excessive phlegm-Qi; sixth, flourishing ministerial fire; seventh, deficient kidney water; eighth, disease of Ren and Du meridians; ninth, failure of Bladder Qi transformation; tenth, Qi and Blood deficiency failing to secure the fetus. The uterine meridians receive the embryo; warmth fosters life, while cold destroys it. Even if the man's sperm is hot, how can the cold uterus retain it? Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold causes weakness in the Dai meridian; even if sperm enters the uterus, it cannot be sustained. The Dai meridian should be relaxed, not tense. Tension in the Dai meridian results from stiffness in the waist and umbilicus; if the waist and umbilicus are stiff, the uterus lacks strength to carry the fetus. Liver Qi stagnation leads to an uncomfortable state of mind, preventing joy in bed. Excessive phlegm-Qi usually indicates obesity in women; regardless of body fat causing the lower body to be overweight and the uterus to retract, making fertilization difficult, even if the man is vigorous and ejaculates directly, dampness from the Bladder may cause flooding issues. Flourishing ministerial fire implies excessive burning, like dry land where plants struggle to grow. Deficient kidney water leads to a dry and barren uterus, like crops without rain, resulting in yellowing and miscarriage. If there are hernias or masses in the Ren and Du meridians, sperm cannot be deposited due to external obstruction. The Bladder is close to the uterus; if Qi transformation fails, dampness seeps into the uterus, preventing conception. For pregnancy, sufficient Qi and Blood are required for nourishment. Qi deficiency leads to Yang decline, Blood deficiency to Yin decline; dual deficiency causes the uterus to sag and fail to rise, inevitably leading to miscarriage. Therefore, for cold uterus, warm it; for cold spleen and stomach, warm it; for tense Dai meridian, relax it; for liver Qi stagnation, open it; for excessive phlegm-Qi, resolve it; for flourishing ministerial fire, calm it; for deficient kidney water, tonify it; for Ren and Du diseases, eliminate them; for failed Bladder Qi transformation, assist Kidney Qi; for Qi and Blood failing to secure the fetus, benefit Qi and Blood. Then women who were infertile can have children. One must not merely treat the uterus. Regarding fertility formulas, none are more excellent than those of Grand Master Qi (Qibo), so no new ones are formulated.

Zhang Zhenjun said: The diseases of men and women are different. By identifying the cause of the disease and using appropriate formulas, what reason is there to worry about having no children? By asking about the presence of the six male diseases and ten female diseases, one can determine the suitability of the medication.