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(From *Suwen: Fang Sheng Shuai Lun*)

Leigong asked: Regarding the abundance and deficiency of Qi, what constitutes "Ni" (Rebellion/Counterflow) and what constitutes "Cong" (Following/Compliance)?

Huangdi answered: Yang Qi ascends from the left, Yin Qi descends from the right. ("Abundance and deficiency" refers to excess and decline. Yang Qi governs ascent, thus it follows the left. Yin Qi governs descent, thus it follows the right. Following is considered "Shun" (Smooth/Obedient), while opposing is considered "Ni" (Rebellious).) For the elderly, regulation starts from above; for the young, regulation starts from below. (The Qi of the elderly declines first in the lower part, so regulating from above is "Shun". The Qi of the vigorous youth is abundant first in the lower part, so regulating from below is "Shun". Generally, the vital Qi of Heaven must ascend from below, and human Qi operates similarly. Therefore, if an elderly person declines in the upper part, their end can be foreseen; if a young person declines in the lower part, the cause can be known at the beginning. Both are signs of "Ni".) Thus, in Spring and Summer, returning to Yang indicates life, while returning to Autumn and Winter indicates death. (Spring and Summer are times when Yang is abundant; whether in symptoms or pulse, one should return to Yang for life. If one presents with Yin signs like those of Autumn and Winter, it is "Ni" and indicates death.) Conversely, returning to Autumn and Winter indicates life. (By "conversely", we refer to Autumn and Winter. These are times when Yin is abundant and Yang is declining, so returning to Yin is "Shun" and called life. The reason it does not say returning to Spring and Summer causes death is that Yin contains Yang, which may not necessarily be harmful, whereas Yang being harmed by Yin inevitably leads to death.) Therefore, regarding the abundance and deficiency of Qi, any "Ni" results in Jue syndrome. (When Qi has varying degrees of abundance and deficiency, Yin and Yang become disharmonious. Disharmony leads to rebellion, thus causing Jue syndrome.)

Leigong asked: Is Jue caused by excess? (Where there is deficiency, there must be relative excess; thus, Yang Jue involves excessive Yang, and Yin Jue involves excessive Yin, leading one to suspect they are caused by excess pathogens.)

Huangdi answered: When Yang rebels upward and does not descend, Cold Jue reaches the knees. The young will die in Autumn and Winter, while the elderly will survive in Autumn and Winter. (When Yang rebels upward and fails to descend, Cold Jue reaches the knees. For the elderly, whose Yang naturally resides higher, coldness in the knees is tolerable; for the youth, whose Yang naturally resides lower, coldness in the knees is rebellious. The Yang of the youth should not decline; if it does, they fear the time of Yin dominance most. The Yang of the elderly is inherently weak, which is normal, so they need not worry during Autumn and Winter.) When Qi rebels upward and does not descend, it causes headache and disorders of the vertex. ("Vertex" refers to the top of the head. Excess above and deficiency below cause such symptoms.)

Seeking Yang yields nothing; examining Yin remains unclear. The five Zang organs are isolated without evidence, as if dwelling in a vast wilderness or lying in an empty room, feeling lost and unsupported, seemingly unable to last even a full day. (Jue syndrome in humans: if considered Yang excess, it is not truly Yang excess; if considered Yin excess, it is not truly Yin excess, hence neither can be confirmed. This is because the five Zang organs are isolated, lacking verifiable signs, similar to hearing nothing in a wilderness or seeing nothing in an empty room. Yet the illness persists, the condition is severely depleted, as if unable to endure a whole day. Could this truly be due to Yin and Yang excess? "HT" is the ancient character for "Mian" [continuous/lingering].)

Therefore, Jue of the Shaoyin channel causes people to have delusional dreams; at its extreme, it causes confusion. (Hand-Shaoyin corresponds to the Heart, which governs Yang and houses the Shen [Spirit]. Foot-Shaoyin corresponds to the Kidney, which governs Yin and stores Jing [Essence]. Thus, when Shaoyin Qi rebels, Heart and Kidney do not interact, causing the Spirit and Essence to scatter, leading to delusional dreams. At its extreme, it causes mental confusion and stupor.) When the three Yang channels are severed and the three Yin channels are weak, this is called "Shao Qi" [Deficient Qi]. (Severance of the three Yang channels leads to Yin deficiency above; weakness of the three Yin channels leads to Yang deficiency below. Yin and Yang fail to generate each other, resulting in insufficient Qi and shortness of breath.)

Therefore, when Lung Qi is deficient, one dreams of white objects or sees people being slaughtered with blood spilling everywhere. (This section describes dream omens of Yin deficiency in the five Zang organs. Lung deficiency leads to dreaming of white objects, as Metal is white and slaughter is the function of Metal. Deficiency implies timidity, hence dreaming of slaughter and blood, indicating much fright and vigilance.) When encountering the time of Metal's dominance, one dreams of war. (Encountering the time when Metal is king.)

When Kidney Qi is deficient, one dreams of boats capsizing or people drowning. (Kidney corresponds to Water, so the dream reflects this.) When encountering the time of Water's dominance, one dreams of lying submerged in water, filled with fear. (Encountering the time when Water is king.)

When Liver Qi is deficient, one dreams of mushrooms, fragrant herbs, and growing grass. (Liver corresponds to Wood. "Jun" [mushroom] is pronounced "Qu Yun".) When encountering the time of Wood's dominance, one dreams of hiding under trees, afraid to rise. (Even when encountering the time when Wood is king, since Liver Qi is inherently deficient, one dreams of hiding and fearing to rise.)

When Heart Qi is deficient, one dreams of extinguishing fires and yang objects. (Heart corresponds to Fire. "Yang wu" [yang object] belongs to the category of Fire.) When encountering the time of Fire's dominance, one dreams of burning and scorching. (Encountering the time when Fire is king. "Fan" is pronounced "Fan".)

When Spleen Qi is deficient, one dreams of insufficient food and drink. (The granaries are empty, so there is a desire for food and drink.) When encountering the time of Earth's dominance, one dreams of building walls and roofs. (Encountering the time when Earth is king.)

These are all cases where the five Zang organs' Qi is deficient, Yang is in excess, and Yin is insufficient. (Five Zang Qi deficiency means Yin insufficiency. When Yin is insufficient, deficient Yang floats alone, hence it is said that Yang is in excess. The rootless nature of this Yang reveals its deficiency. Thus, the occurrence of Jue and dreams is caused by Yang failing to attach to Yin.) Combine these with the Five Diagnostic Methods, regulate Yin and Yang, and base treatment on the Meridians. (Combining the Five Diagnostic Methods allows observation of the five Zang organs. Regulating Yin and Yang harmonizes the six channels. Basing on the meridians refers to principles such as those in the *Lingshu: Jingmai* chapter.)