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(Suwen: Yipian Benbing Lun)

The Yellow Emperor asked: I have heard that Heaven and Earth operate according to the "Two Jiazi" system, involving the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches. These elements interweave vertically and horizontally across Heaven and Earth, and their numerical cycles undergo shifts and transitions. If they lose their proper positions, can this phenomenon be elucidated? (The term "Heaven and Earth Two Jiazi" refers to the alignment where a rigid/correct Stem is above, corresponding with a yielding/combining Branch below; if a yielding Stem is above, a rigid Branch is below. For example, if the upper Stem is Jia, the lower Branch is Ji; if the upper is Ji, the lower is Jia. Hence, it is called "Two Jiazi." This principle of upper-lower correspondence applies to all combinations of the Ten Stems and Twelve Branches.)

Qibo replied: Losing the position of succession means that although one obtains the correct annual Qi, one does not occupy the rightful position of Si Tian (Heavenly Ruler) or Zai Quan (Earthly Ruler). Consequently, the four seasons lose their regularity, leading to major epidemics. (If the Qi that should govern Si Tian fails to do so, or the Qi that should govern Zai Quan fails to do so, this constitutes failing to obtain the rightful governing position. When the four seasons deviate from their solar terms, major epidemics are bound to occur.)

The commentary in *Xuanzhu Mi Yu* states: In a cycle of thirty years of Yang Years, six years are subject to "Heavenly Punishment" (Tian Xing), leaving twenty-four years characterized by Excess. (In Geng Zi and Geng Wu years, Sovereign Fire penalizes Metal運; in Geng Yin and Geng Shen years, Ministerial Fire penalizes Metal運; in Wu Chen and Wu Xu years, Cold Water penalizes Fire運. These constitute the "Heavenly Punishment" for Yang operations, totaling six years, which originally were not in excess. The remaining twenty-four years are all characterized by excessive Yang rigidity.) Excluding these six years, the remaining are treated as Excess, which differs from the previous principle. Now, regarding "successive branches and positions," they can all be interpreted as Deficiency. (Within thirty years, excluding the six years of Heavenly Punishment, the rest are calculated as Excess. This represents Yang operation overcoming itself without external pathogenic injury. However, if the rigid and yielding energies alternately lose their positions, resulting in irregular Qi, even a Yang Year will manifest as Deficiency.)

For instance, in the Jia Zi year, a Yang Year, the Earth operation should be Excess but is suppressed (Zhi, meaning obstruction or suppression. The following text reiterates the meaning of rigid-yielding loss of position. Zhi is pronounced 'zhi'). If the celestial duration of the Gui Hai year was in surplus (meaning the Si Tian Qi of the previous year did not withdraw), although the Jia Zi year has begun, Jueyin Wind Wood still governs Si Tian. (If Jueyin Wind Wood of Gui Hai year fails to withdraw from Si Tian, Shaoyin君Fire cannot advance to its position in Jia Zi year, which is termed "Zhi".) The earthly branch Ji Mao Yangming Dry Metal has already advanced to Zai Quan, while the previous year's Shaoyang Ministerial Fire has retreated to become the Right Intercalary Qi. (In Jia Zi year, Zai Quan should be Yangming Dry Metal Ji Mao. Since Jia has not advanced above, and Ji has taken its place below, the Shaoyang Ministerial Fire that governed Zai Quan in the previous year retreats to become the Right Intercalary Qi of the Earth.) Thus, Jueyin corresponds to the position of Yangming, so they do not harmonize and support each other. (With the Si Tian Qi of Gui Hai year overseeing the Zai Quan of Jia Zi year, it is Upper Gui and Lower Ji, which do not harmonize.) When Gui and Ji meet, the Earth operation appears Excess, but actually, due to deficiency, it suffers defeat by Wood. Therefore, it is not truly Excess. Why is it said to be Earth Excess? (When Gui and Ji meet, Jia loses its position. Although it is called Yang Earth, its Qi is already deficient. Earth deficiency leads to Wood dominance, so how can it be Excess?) Moreover, if the Huangzhong bell does not resonate (indicating Earth suppression), after Wood dominates, Metal retaliates. Once Metal retaliates, Shaoyin君Fire arrives suddenly. At this point, Wood dominance resembles Fire, making Metal's retaliation weak. (Huangzhong is the pitch pipe for Tai Gong. If Yang Earth operation is obstructed, Huangzhong does not harmonize. Wood then dominates, necessitating Metal's retaliation. Once Metal retaliates and the Si Tian Qi of the Zi year, Shaoyin, suddenly arrives, Wood assists Fire to overcome Metal, making the retaliation weak. Thus, the Earth transformation of Jia and Ji both lose their control.) Under such circumstances, with Jia and Ji losing control, an Earth epidemic transforms three years later, arriving late in Ding Mao or early in Bing Yin. (Jia and Ji transform into Earth, thus causing an Earth epidemic, similar to Damp-Warmth in later generations. From Jia Zi to Bing Yin marks the beginning of the three-year period; Ding Mao marks the end.) To determine its severity and nature, one must deduce from Heaven and Earth numbers and detail the movement of Tai Yi. (Deducing Heaven and Earth involves observing the prosperity and decline of Si Tian and Zai Quan. The meaning of Tai Yi is detailed in Chapters 7 and 35 of this category.)

Similarly, in the Jia Zi year, when Jia combines with Zi, Shaoyin君Fire should govern Si Tian. If the lower Ji Mao has not advanced, and the previous year's Wu Yin Shaoyang has not withdrawn, this also represents a connection between Jia and Ji below. (In Jia Zi year, Ji Mao Yangming has not advanced because Wu Yin Shaoyang of Gui Hai year did not withdraw from Zai Quan. Thus, Jia pairs with Wu, and Zi pairs with Yin, preventing Jia and Ji from combining. This indicates that Ji's Yin Earth is obstructed below, and the yielding energy has lost its post.) Consequently, the Earth operation is not Excess; instead, Wood takes advantage of the deficiency to dominate Earth, followed by Metal's retaliatory dominance. This is a reversal into pathological transformation. (Since Ji Earth is incorrect below, it suffers Wood dominance and Metal retaliation. Three years later, it must transform into Earth Li. Hence, it is called pathological transformation.) Although Yin-Yang and Heaven-Earth differ, their severity and nature strictly follow the principles of Heaven and Earth. (What is above responds to Heaven, what is below responds to Earth. Understanding the principles of Heaven and Earth allows one to know the outcomes of severity and nature.)

Consider the Bing Yin year, a Yang Year of Excess. If the Yi Chou year had surplus celestial duration, even upon entering Bing Yin, Taiyin Wet Earth still governs Si Tian. (If Taiyin of Yi Chou year does not withdraw, Shaoyang of the current year cannot advance.) The ground has advanced, with Jueyin Wind Wood governing Zai Quan, and the previous year's Taiyang Cold Water retreating to become the Right Intercalary Qi. (Although Shaoyang of Bing Yin year does not govern Si Tian, Xin Si Jueyin has correctly assumed Zai Quan. Thus, the previous year's Si Tian/Ground ruler Geng Chen Taiyang must withdraw to become the Right Intercalary Qi.) Thus, Heaven is Taiyin and Earth is Jueyin, so Earth does not serve Heaven's transformation. (Upper Yi and Lower Xin do not combine, so Earth does not serve Heaven.) When Yi and Xin meet, Water operation is severely deficient and suffers defeat by Earth, so it is not Excess. (Bing and Xin do not combine, so Water operation is deficient, allowing Earth to dominate.) The Taisu pitch pipe does not resonate with Tai Yu; Earth dominance brings rain, and Wood retaliation brings wind. (Taisu is the pipe for Yu sound in Yang laws. With Bing operation losing control, Tai Yu does not resonate, rain dominates, and wind retaliates.) This is Bing-Xin loss of control. Three years later, a Water epidemic transforms, arriving late in Ji Si or early in Wu Chen. Severe cases arrive quickly, mild cases slowly. (Quick refers to Wu Chen, slow refers to Ji Si.) The Water epidemic arrives. Severity and nature are deduced from Heaven and Earth numbers and Tai Yi palace movements. (Meanings of Heaven, Earth, and Tai Yi are seen previously.) Similarly, in Bing Yin year, Bing combines with Yin, and Shaoyang Ministerial Fire should govern Si Tian. If Xin Si has not advanced, and Geng Chen Taiyang has not withdrawn, this is also Bing-Xin lack of virtue combination. (Xin Si is the current year's Zai Quan, Geng Chen is the previous year's Zai Quan. If Geng Chen does not withdraw, Xin Si cannot advance. Having Bing without Xin leaves it isolated above, lacking virtuous combination, representing Water operation loss of control.) Thus, Water operation is slightly deficient with slight dominance, possibly with retaliation. Three years later, it transforms into Li, named Water Li, resembling Water epidemic, with treatment as before. (Any loss of control, even with slight deficiency and minor dominance/retaliation, inevitably leads to Li. The severity is evident. Water epidemic/Li corresponds to Cold Epidemic/Yin Syndromes in later generations; treatment is as in the previous chapter.)

Consider the Geng Chen year, a Yang Year of Excess. If the Ji Mao year had surplus duration, even upon entering Geng Chen, Yangming Dry Metal still governs Si Tian. (Yangming is Si Tian of Ji Mao year; if it does not withdraw, Geng Chen cannot advance.) The ground has advanced, with Taiyin Wet Earth governing Zai Quan, and the previous year's Shaoyin君Fire retreating to become the Right Intercalary Qi. (Geng Chen Zai Quan is Taiyin. Having advanced, the previous year's Shaoyin Zai Quan from Ji Mao retreats to become the Right Intercalary Qi.) Thus, Heaven is Yangming and Earth is Taiyin, so Earth does not serve Heaven. (Heaven is Yangming, Ji Mao. Earth is Taiyin, Yi Wei. Ji and Yi do not combine, so Earth does not serve Heaven.) When Yi and Ji meet, Metal operation is severely deficient and suffers defeat by Fire, so it is not Excess. (Yi-Geng do not combine, but Yi-Ji do, so Metal is deficient and Fire dominates.) The Guxiao pitch pipe does not resonate with Tai Shang; Fire dominance brings heat, Water retaliation brings cold punishment. (Geng Metal loss of control means Tai Shang does not resonate. Guxiao is its pipe. Metal deficiency leads to Fire dominance; Fire dominance leads to Water retaliation, hence heat first, then cold.) This is Yi-Geng loss of control. Three years later, a Metal epidemic transforms, arriving fast in Ren Wu or slow in Gui Wei. Severity and nature are deduced from the current year's duration and Tai Yi. (Current year duration and Tai Yi refer to the year of arrival. Adversity brings great disaster, harmony brings minor disaster.) Similarly, in Geng Chen, Geng combines with Chen, and Taiyang Cold Water should govern Si Tian. (If Geng-Chen combines, Taiyang Cold Water should govern at the time of succession.) If the lower Yi Wei has not advanced, or the underground Jia Wu Shaoyin has not withdrawn, this shows Yi-Geng lack of virtue combination. (Yi Wei Taiyin is the current year's Zai Quan, Jia Wu Shaoyin is the previous year's Zai Quan. If Jia Wu does not withdraw, Yi Wei is incorrect. Geng is correct above, but Yi loses control below; Yi-Geng do not combine, indicating Metal operation deficit.) Thus, the lower Yi Wei lacks rigid support, representing slight Metal deficiency, with slight dominance, possibly no retaliation. (Yi Wei lacks rigid support because the yielding is incorrect, losing its rigid nature. Yielding loss of correctness makes Metal "slightly deficient." If Fire has slight dominance and Taiyin Qi arrives, Water cannot act, hence possibly no retaliation.) Three years later, it transforms into Li, named Metal Li, resembling Metal epidemic, with treatment as before. (Metal epidemic is also called Sha Epidemic; Metal Li is also called Sha Li; treatment is as in the previous chapter.)

Consider the Ren Wu year, a Yang Year of Excess. If the Xin Si year had surplus duration, even upon entering Ren Wu, Jueyin Wind Wood still governs Si Tian. (If Jueyin of Xin Si year does not withdraw, Ren, though Yang Wood, cannot regulate its operation correctly.) The ground has advanced, with Yangming Dry Metal in Zai Quan, and the previous year's Bing Shen Shaoyang retreating to become the Right Intercalary Qi. (Ren Wu's Ding You Yangming advances to Zai Quan; Xin Si's Bing Shen Shaoyang retreats to become the Right Intercalary Qi.) Thus, Heaven is Jueyin and Earth is Yangming, so Earth does not serve Heaven. (With Xin Si Heaven overseeing Ren Wu Earth, they do not harmonize.) Ding and Xin meet, Wood operation is severely deficient and suffers defeat by Metal, so it is not Excess. (Xin does not withdraw, Ren is incorrect; Ding does not combine with Ren but meets Xin. Wood operation loses control, Metal must dominate, similar to Deficiency.) The Ruibin pitch pipe does not resonate with Tai Jiao; Metal action brings dry dominance, Fire transformation brings heat retaliation. (Ruibin is the pipe for Tai Jiao. Yang Wood is incorrect, so Ruibin loses sound; Metal dominates, Fire retaliates, and pathogens arrive.) Severe cases arrive quickly, mild cases slowly. Severity and nature of epidemic arrival are deduced from the year's duration and Tai Yi. (Speed varies within three years; severity depends on the deity of the arrival year.) Similarly, Ren combines with Wu, and Shaoyin君Fire should govern at succession. (Ren and Wu combine at the time of succession, so Shaoyin governs Heaven.) If the lower Ding You has not advanced, or the underground Bing Shen Shaoyang has not withdrawn, this shows Ding-Ren lack of virtue combination. (Ding You Yangming is the current year's Zai Quan, Bing Shen Shaoyang is the previous year's Zai Quan. If Bing Shen does not withdraw, Ding You is incorrect. Having Ren without Ding means Wood virtue does not combine.) Thus, Ding's yielding lacks rigid support, representing slight Wood deficiency, with slight dominance and retaliation. (Yielding does not match rigid, lower does not respond to upper, also slight deficiency, hence dominance and retaliation.) Three years later, it transforms into Li, named Wood Li, resembling Wind epidemic, with treatment as before. (Wood Li/Wind epidemic corresponds to Wind-Warmth in later generations.)

Consider the Wu Shen year, a Yang Year of Excess. If the Ding Wei year had excessive duration, even upon entering Wu Shen, Taiyin Wet Earth still governs Si Tian. (Taiyin of Ding Wei year does not withdraw; although Wu Shen is a Yang Year of Excess, it cannot regulate Fire operation correctly.) The ground has advanced, with Jueyin Wind Wood in Zai Quan, and the previous year's Ren Xu Taiyang having withdrawn to become the Right Intercalary Qi. Thus, Heaven is Ding Wei, Earth is Gui Hai, so Earth does not serve Heaven's transformation. (In Wu Shen year, Heaven is not correct but Earth is. The previous year's Taiyang Zai Quan has retreated to become the Right Intercalary Qi. Heaven remains Ding Wei, Earth becomes Gui Hai. Gui cannot obtain Wu, so Earth does not serve Heaven's Fire transformation.) Ding and Gui meet, Fire operation is severely deficient and suffers defeat by Water, so it is not Excess. (Wu-Gui do not combine, Fire operation must be deficient, suffering Water dominance.) The Yize pitch pipe does not resonate with Upper Tai Zheng. (Yize is the pipe for Fire. Upper pipes belong to Yang, Tai Zheng; lower pipes belong to Yin, Shao Zheng. Wu cannot be correct, so Upper Tai Zheng does not resonate.) This is Wu-Gui loss of control. Three years later, an epidemic transforms, arriving fast in Geng Xu. Severity and nature are deduced from the arrival year's duration and Tai Yi. (Fast in Geng Xu, far in Xin Hai, within three years, Fire Qi causes epidemic.) Similarly, in Wu Shen, Wu combines with Shen, and Shaoyang should govern Si Tian. (If Wu-Shen combines at succession, Shaoyang governs Heaven.) If the lower Gui Hai has not advanced, or the underground Ren Xu Taiyang has not withdrawn, this shows Wu-Gui lack of virtue combination. (Wu Shen year should have Jueyin Gui Hai in Zai Quan. If previous year Ren Xu does not withdraw, Gui Hai is incorrect; Wu-Gui Fire operation lacks virtuous combination.) Thus, the lower Gui yielding lacks rigid support, showing slight Fire deficiency, with slight dominance, possibly no retaliation. (Fire operation insufficient, Water must dominate; Water dominance leads to Earth retaliation. If Jueyin is correct during retaliation, Earth may not retaliate.) Three years later, it transforms into Li, named Fire Li, with treatment as before. (Fire Li corresponds to Warm Epidemic/Heat Syndromes in later generations; acupuncture treatment is as in the previous chapter.) Treatment methods include cooling and purging. (This refers to herbal treatment beyond acupuncture. Since Fire pathogens cause Li, cooling and purging are appropriate. From this, it is evident that for the five Rigid transformations into epidemics and five Yielding transformations into Li mentioned above, whether using needles or herbs, treatment should be adapted to the Qi, which goes without saying.)