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Note: The New Correction states, "Upon detailed examination, this chapter generally discusses the normal (Ping Qi), deficient (Bu Ji), and excessive (Tai Guo) conditions of the Five Movements; it then describes the geographical differences in elevation, yin, and yang among the four directions; it further explains that although diseases may not occur in a given year, the Zang organ qi may not correspond to the season due to being constrained by heavenly qi, leading to a specific flow of qi; it subsequently discusses the mutual overcoming among the Six Qi and Five Categories, and the principles regarding infertility or failure of conception in certain years; afterwards, it clarifies the variations in thickness and thinness of the six transformations and five flavors associated with the Infringing Qi; and concludes with treatment methods. This is the general outline of the chapter. It is specifically named 'Treatise on the Great Policy of the Five Constants' because it highlights the primary aspects discussed."

The Yellow Emperor asked, "The Great Void is vast and boundless, the Five Movements revolve and press upon each other, their decline and prosperity differ, and their benefit and loss follow one another. I wish to hear how Normal Qi (Ping Qi) is named and recorded?"

Qibo replied, "What an insightful question! Wood's Normal Qi is called Fu He (Spreading Harmony), meaning spreading harmonious qi so that things grow and flourish. Fire's Normal Qi is called Sheng Ming (Ascending Brightness); note that fire nature ascends and shines. Earth's Normal Qi is called Bei Hua (Complete Transformation); note that earth generates all things, possessing completeness. Metal's Normal Qi is called Shen Ping (Careful Leveling); note that for things that are extremely uneven, metal can level them, hence 'Shen Ping'. Metal prospers in autumn, and the qi of the four seasons regards autumn as balanced. Water's Normal Qi is called Jing Shun (Quiet Obedience); note that quietness is water's substance, and obedience is water's nature."

The Emperor asked, "What about deficiency (Bu Ji)?"

Qibo said, "Wood's deficiency is called Wei He (Withered Harmony); note that it is weak and soft. Fire's deficiency is called Fu Ming (Hidden Brightness); note that when fire qi is weak, its brightness lies hidden within. Earth's deficiency is called Bei Jian (Low Supervision); note that when earth is thin, it is low and cannot nourish all things, only supervising and maintaining its position. Metal's deficiency is called Cong Ge (Following Change); note that tough skin is called 'Ge', hollow outside but solid inside, representing the emptiness of deficient metal. Water's deficiency is called He Liu (Dried-up Flow); water is scarce, so the flow dries up."

The Emperor asked, "What constitutes excess (Tai Guo)?"

Qibo said, "Wood's excess is called Fa Sheng (Initiating Growth); note that when wood is prosperous, it initiates growth. Fire's excess is called He Xi (Blazing Radiance); meaning grand and bright. Earth's excess is called Dun Fu (Thick Mound); 'Dun' means thick, 'Fu' means high. Earth qi is surplus, thus thick and high. Metal's excess is called Jian Cheng (Solid Completion); note that metal prospers in autumn, its nature is firm, and all things are harvested. Water's excess is called Liu Yan (Overflowing Flow); note that when water is abundant, it flows and overflows."

The Emperor asked, "I wish to hear about the signs of these three qi records (Normal, Deficient, Excessive)."

Qibo said, "What a thorough question! (Note: This discussion connects with the Treatises on Yin-Yang Correspondence, Golden Cabinet True Words, and Five Movements, but the principles are particularly detailed.)

In the record of Fu He (Wood Normal): Wood virtue circulates widely, yang expands and yin distributes, the five transformations are open and peaceful. It occupies its proper place without competing with things. Thus, the transformations of the five qi issue their policies to the four directions without interfering with each other. Note: The New Correction says, 'Wang Bing's commentary records years for excess and deficiency, but does not record years for Normal Wood Movement because Normal Qi years cannot be fixed. Some suggest adding notes referring to Ding Si, Ding Hai, Ren Yin, Ren Shen years, which shows a lack of understanding.' Its qi is upright (Duan means straight). Its nature is compliant (following things). Its function involves bending and straightening (materials capable of bending and straightening are applied). Its transformation is growth and flourishing. Its category is grass and trees (Wood bodies are tall and hard, grass forms are low, yet both have hardness, brittleness, rigidity, flexibility, vines, and joints). Its policy is dispersal. Its sign is mild and warm. Its command is wind. Its corresponding Zang organ is Liver. Liver fears cold/clearness (Clear refers to Metal command. Wood nature is warm, so it fears cold). Its opening is the eyes (Yang ascends and becomes visible, similar to the eyes). Its grain is Hemp (Color is green/blue. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Its grain is Wheat,' which differs here). Its fruit is Plum (Sour taste). Its solid part is the pit/kernel (Note: Although fruits belong to various categories, pits/kernels generally belong to Wood. Flesh grows from wood, and the kernel is the source of wood). It corresponds to Spring. Its insect is Hairy insects (Note: Hairy insects symbolize branches and leaves of wood). Its animal is Dog (Like grass and trees growing, avoiding nothing. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Its animal is Chicken'). Its color is Green/Blue (When Wood transformation spreads, objects appear green/cyan. Note: Cang is Qing, the color of Wood, hence the East is called Cang Tian). It nourishes sinews/tendons. Its disease is internal tension and flank/fullness (Note: 'Nourish' here means 'governs'; Liver governs sinews. *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Thus we know disease is in the sinews.' Liver likes freedom and hates stagnation; Liver disease causes qi stagnation and blockage, leading to pressure on organs and distension in the flanks, which is one aspect of Liver disease). Its flavor is Sour. Its tone is Jue (Jiao). Its object is hard in the middle (Symbolizing wood within earth). Its number is Eight (Completion number).

In the record of Sheng Ming (Fire Normal): Correct Yang governs, virtue extends universally, the five transformations are balanced (Jun means equal, Heng means level). Note: 'Correct Yang' means Fire obtains balance without hyperactivity. Its qi is high (Fire flames upward). Its nature is rapid (Fire nature is restless and swift). Its function is burning and scorching (Fan means burn, Zhuo means scorch; these are functions of fire). Its transformation is luxuriant growth (Note: Biological generation requires harmonious yang qi, so all things flourish in summer). Its category is Fire. Its policy is bright and shining, virtue matches high and bright, this is the policy of Fire. Its sign is hot and sultry. Its command is Heat. Its corresponding Zang organ is Heart. Heart fears Cold (Cold overcomes Heat). Its opening is the tongue (Note: Free speech relies on the tongue). Its grain is Wheat (Red color. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Its grain is Millet'). Its fruit is Apricot (Note: Its color is red. Commentary saying bitter taste is wrong). Its solid part is the network/vessels (Note: Network refers to meridians, meaning Heart governs vessels). It corresponds to Summer. Its insect is Feathered insects (Feathers symbolize Fire). Its animal is Horse (Vigorous, decisive, restless, swift, same as Fire. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Its animal is Sheep'). Its color is Red (Color matches Fire's brightness). It nourishes Blood. Its disease is convulsions/spasms (Fire nature is active. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Thus we know disease is in the vessels'). Its flavor is Bitter (Note: Flavor transformed by Fire becomes scorched-bitter). Its tone is Zhi (Harmonious and beautiful). Its object is vascular/pulmonary (Many branch vessels, transformation of Fire). Its number is Seven.

In the record of Bei Hua (Earth Normal): Qi coordinates with heavenly rest, virtue harmonizes the four policies, the five transformations are cultivated together. (Earth virtue is quiet, assisting the four directions, supporting Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire policies. Earth qi is dense, responding to heavenly harmony to support growth, maturation, storage, and return, completing the cycle, thus five transformations are complete.) Its qi is balanced. Its nature is compliant (Note: Earth resides in the center, containing qi of four seasons, thus harmonious and balanced. Earth virtue is most gentle, mother of all things, thus harmonious and compliant). Its function involves high and low (Note: Creating hills and valleys, the subtle use of earth). Its transformation is plump and full. Its category is Earth. Its policy is quiet and still (Note: Earth is everywhere, how is it full? Yet unmoving, how is it quiet?). Its sign is humid and steaming (Note: Ru means damp, Zheng means hot). Its command is Dampness (Note: Because of humidity and heat, there is dampness). Its corresponding Zang organ is Spleen. Spleen fears Wind (Note: Wind arises from Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, thus Earth dislikes Wood and fears Wind). Its opening is the mouth (Earth body is inclusive, mouth receives). Its grain is Millet/Ji. Its fruit is Jujube (Note: Ji is yellow, Jujube is sweet). Its solid part is flesh (Note: Flesh is earth of the body, Earth is flesh of the land). It corresponds to Late Summer (Note: Late Summer is the sixth month, time of Fire prosperity. Earth is born from Fire, nourished in summer months, hence Late Summer). Its insect is Naked insects (Note: Naked insects lack hair, feathers, scales, or shells, having flesh as body, symbolizing fat and dense Earth). Its animal is Ox (Facilitating agriculture, use of Earth. Note: Also heavy and yellow). Its color is Yellow. It nourishes flesh (Note: Same as Earth). Its disease is obstruction/blockage (Pifu) (Earth nature is obstructive. Note: Earth governs Spleen and Stomach. Spleen and Stomach are the mother of Yuan Qi; disease causes qi stagnation and blockage). Its flavor is Sweet (Note: Earth qi is peaceful, thus flavor is sweet and pleasant). Its tone is Gong (Large and heavy. Note: Gong is central tone). Its object is skin/flesh (Note: Skin is like flesh). Its number is Five.

In the record of Shen Ping (Metal Normal): Collecting without competing, killing without offending, the five transformations are clear and bright. (Note: This is why it is called Shen Ping.) Its qi is clean/pure (Note: Autumn qi is fresh and clean). Its nature is rigid (Note: Metal's nature is firm and strong). Its function is scattering and falling (When Metal acts, all things scatter and fall). Its transformation is firm and contracting. Its category is Metal (Contracting and strengthening, transformation of Metal). Its policy is vigorous and severe. Its sign is clear and biting. Its command is Dryness (Note: Such is the qi of autumn). Its corresponding Zang organ is Lung. Lung fears Heat. Its opening is the nose (Lung stores qi, nose breathes). Its grain is Rice. Its fruit is Peach (Note: Rice is white, Peach is pungent). Its solid part is shell/husk (Note: Shell wraps outside, symbolizing Metal's firmness). It corresponds to Autumn. Its insect is Armored insects. Its animal is Chicken (Note: Jie means insect shell. Chicken likes fighting, symbolizing Metal's killing nature. *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'Its animal is Horse,' differing here). Its color is White. It nourishes skin and hair (Note: Skin and hair receive Metal's firm and strong qi, defending against wind and cold externally, thus combining with Lung). Its disease is cough (Disease with sound, response of Metal). Its flavor is Pungent. Its tone is Shang (Harmonious, sharp, and rising). Its object is hard outside (Note: Also meaning shell). Its number is Nine.

In the record of Jing Shun (Water Normal): Storing without harming, governing and favoring the lower, the five transformations are whole. (Note: Favoring the lower is Water's nature. However, when Water is diseased, it may rebel and float upward, so favoring the lower is the correct state of Jing Shun. Note: In the five records of Normal Qi, each mentions five transformations because the qi of the five Zang organs in the human body constantly support each other, none can be lacking. Now that one Zang's qi has obtained balance, it naturally supports other Zangs to generate Qi and Blood, hence each mentions five transformations.) Its qi is clear/bright (Note: Clarity is the righteous qi of Water). Its nature is downward. Its function is irrigating and overflowing. Its transformation is congealing and hardening (Note: Water freezes into hard ice in winter, transformation of Water). Its category is Water. Its policy is flowing and evolving (Wells and springs do not dry up, rivers do not cease, meaning flowing and evolving). Its sign is congealed and solemn. Its command is Cold (Note: Cold power is solemn, winter's seasonal command). Its corresponding Zang organ is Kidney. Kidney fears Dampness (Note: Dampness is Earth qi. Earth overcomes Water). Its opening is the two yin orifices (Flow and distribution correspond. Note: *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says 'North, Black Color, enters through Kidney, opens at the two yin orifices'). Its grain is Bean. Its fruit is Chestnut (Note: Beans and chestnuts both benefit Kidney). Its solid part is moist/juicy (Contains fluid/juice). It corresponds to Winter. Its insect is Scaly insects (Note: Scales are insects of Water). Its animal is Pig/Swine (Note: Swine likes lying down and does not fear dampness, symbolizing Winter storage belonging to Water). Its color is Black. It nourishes bone marrow (Note: Marrow is essence of Water). Its disease is Jue (Reversal/Cold extremities) (Jue means qi reversal, attacking upward, moving backward contrary to order. Note: Commentary is correct, but since Kidney resides below, why does disease reverse and attack upward? Kidney is the root of the five Zang organs. If the root is not solid, Yin deficiency cannot sustain Yang, leading to panting and distension. Ignorant practitioners failing to understand this treat only Spleen and Lung, which is very limited). Its flavor is Salty. Its tone is Yu (Deep and harmonious). Its object is moist (Water transformation is abundant, myriad things are moistened). Its number is Six.

Therefore, generate without killing, lengthen without punishing, transform without restraining, collect without harming, store without suppressing; this is called Normal Qi. (Note: When qi obtains balance, the four seasons and five records have benefit without loss, and all things receive nourishment equally. Commentary stating 'Sheng Qi rules the year, Shou Qi cannot indulge its killing' interprets this as generating/overcoming, which is mistaken.)

In the record of Wei He (Wood Deficiency), this is called Sheng Sheng (Victory over Generation). (Years of Ding Mao, Ding Chou, Ding Hai, Ding You, Ding Wei, Ding Si.) Generating Qi does not govern, Transforming Qi rises (Wood is scarce so Generating Qi does not govern; Earth is broad so Transforming Qi rises). Lengthening Qi is naturally balanced, Policies arrive early (Fire is not offended, so Lengthening Qi is balanced. Wood qi is scarce, so Receiving command arrives early). Cool rain falls timely, wind and clouds rise together (Wood is weak and cannot overcome Earth, so their qi merges upward). Grass and trees bloom late, green stems wither and fall, plants show flowers and bear fruit, flesh fills inwardly. (Note: Those supposed to bloom late instead wither; those supposed to flower and fruit only fill inwardly; this is precisely what is meant by Generating Qi not governing.) Its qi gathers. Its function accumulates (Note: Spring's proper action is dispersal; gathering indicates Wood is weak and cannot disperse). Its movement involves spasms, contracture, and slowness (Note: Spring Wood moves, surging angrily. Spasms and contracture indicate Wood qi is declining, movement is sluggish). Its onset includes fright and alarm (Great flexion and sudden extension, image of alarm). Its corresponding Zang organ is Liver. Its fruits are Jujube and Plum (Jujube, Earth. Plum, Wood fruit. Note: New Correction says 'Plum is Wood fruit. For Fire, Earth, Metal, Water deficiency fruits, Plum should be Peach; Wang Bing's note is also incorrect.'). Its solids are pits and shells. Its grains are Ji and Rice. Its flavors are Sour and Pungent. Its colors are White and Green. Its animals are Dog and Chicken. Its insects are Hairy and Armored. Its master phenomenon is fog, dew, and chill. Its tones are Jue and Shang. Its diseases include trembling, flowing [discharge], and fear, transforming from Metal. (Wood does not govern itself, so transformation follows Metal.) Shao Jue (Minor Jue) is similar to Pan Shang (Half Shang) (Shao Jue Wood deficiency, so half transforms like Shang Metal. Pan means half. Note: New Correction says 'In texts for Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, if Pan is written as Shao, this should say Shao Jue is similar to Shao Shang. Not mentioning Shao Shang is because Shao Jue operation has six years: Ding Si/Ding Hai Upper Jue is same as Zheng Jue; Ding Mao/Ding You Upper Shang is same as Zheng Shang; Ding Chou/Ding Wei Upper Gong is same as Zheng Gong. These six years each have similarities, different from Minor Operations of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, so it doesn't say 'same as Shao Shang', only generally stating half transforms from Shang.') Shang Jue is same as Zheng Jue (Upper sees Jueyin, same as Fu He year transformation, referring to Ding Si/Ding Hai years where Upper is seen). Shang Shang is same as Zheng Shang (Upper sees Yangming, same as Normal Metal year transformation, Ding Mao/Ding You years Upper sees Yangming). Its diseases include limb paralysis, carbuncles, swellings, and sores (Metal punishes Wood). Its sweet insect... (Note: Missing text). Evil injures Liver. (Although transformation is identical to Metal, the injury returns to Liver Wood.) Shang Gong is same as Zheng Gong (Earth covers Wood, equivalent to not emerging. Wood not emerging from soil is like no Wood; Earth acts alone, so same as Normal Earth Operation year transformation. Upper sees Taiyin, called Shang Gong, Ding Chou/Ding Wei years.) Xiao Sou (Desolate and severe) killing leads to Yan He Fei Teng (Blazing heat boiling) (Xiao Sou killing indicates Metal lacks virtue. Blazing heat boiling is Fire's retaliation). Disaster occurs at Three (Fire retaliates for Wood, so disaster is in East. Three is East. This speaks of Metal's material victory. Note: *Liu Yuan Zheng Ji Da Lun* says disaster at Three Palaces.) This is called Retaliation (Fu, revenge). Its masters are flying insects, borers, maggots, and pheasants (Flying, feathered insects. Borer, internal insects. Maggot, fly larvae. These are self-transformations of things. Pheasant, bird consumption). Then comes Thunder and Lightning (Thunder is loud sound, born in Great Void. Ting is sudden lightning, suddenly exploding like fire, i.e., thunderbolt).

In the record of Fu Ming (Fire Deficiency), this is called Sheng Chang (Victory over Lengthening) (Zang Qi defeats Lengthening, referring to Years of Gui You, Gui Wei, Gui Si, Gui Mao, Gui Chou, Gui Hai.) Lengthening Qi is not disseminated, Storage Qi reversely spreads (Fire's Lengthening Qi cannot exert transformation, so Water's Storage Qi spreads in the season). Receiving Qi governs itself, Transforming Command balances (Metal and Earth meanings have no conflict with annual qi, so Metal governs itself, Earth balances its qi). Cold and clearness frequently rise, Summer command becomes thin (Fire qi unused). Inheriting transformation generates, generates but does not lengthen (Fire command not vigorous, so inherited generated things do not lengthen). Becoming solid but immature, encountering transformation already old (Fruit matures, seedling still short; upon encountering transformation qi, before reaching peak growth, qi ages). Yang Qi is屈伏 (subdued/hidden), hibernating insects hide early. (Yang unused, Yin prevails. If Upper approaches Gui Mao/Gui You years, hibernating insects do not hide. Note: New Correction says 'In Gui Si/Gui Hai years, hibernating insects also do not hide.') Its qi is depressed/stagnant. Its function is violent (Note: Fire weak cannot reach outward, thus stagnant. Stagnation extreme leads to movement, force must be great). Its movement shows appearing and hiding changes (Note: Fire powerless, visibility irregular, suddenly appearing suddenly hiding, change不定). Its onset includes pain. Its corresponding Zang organ is Heart (Note: Pain originates in Heart, Heart belongs to Fire, most pains belong to Fire). Its fruits are Chestnut and Peach (Chestnut, Water fruit. Peach, Metal fruit). Its solids are networks and moisture (Network, branch vessel. Ru, juicy). Its grains are Bean and Rice (Bean, Water. Rice, Metal grain). Its flavors are Bitter and Salty. Its colors are Dark and Red. Its animals are Horse and Swine. Its insects are Feathered and Scaly. Its master phenomenon is ice, snow, frost, and cold. Its tones are Zhi and Yu. Its diseases include confusion, sorrow, and forgetfulness, transforming from Water. (Fire weak, Water strong, so Fu Ming record half transforms from Water policy.) Shao Zhi is similar to Shao Yu (Fire minor, so half same as Water transformation. Note: New Correction says: In six years of Shao Zhi operation, Gui Mao/Gui You same as Zheng Shang, Gui Si/Gui Hai same as Year Meeting, except Gui Wei/Gui Chou two years, Shao Zhi same as Shao Yu, so not saying Pan Yu.) Shang Shang is same as Zheng Shang (Year Upper sees Yangming, same as Normal Metal year transformation. Gui Mao/Gui You years Upper sees Yangming. Note: New Correction says 'Detailing here does not mention Shang Gong/Shang Jue because Gong and Jue have no major overcoming punishment for Fire, so Scripture does not fully state.') Evil injures Heart. Ning Can Lin Lie (Condensed gloom and biting cold) leads to Hao Yu Lin Yin (Heavy rain and continuous drizzle); Ning Can Lin Lie, Water lacks virtue. Hao Yu Lin Yin, Earth's retaliation. Disaster occurs at Nine (Nine, South. Note, *Liu Yuan Zheng Ji Da Lun* says 'Disaster at Nine Palaces.') Its master phenomenon is sudden diarrhea, thunder shock, and sinking continuous rain. (Yin sound.)

In the record of Bei Jian (Earth Deficiency), this is called Jian Hua (Reduced Transformation) (Referring to reduced Transforming Qi, Years of Ji Si, Ji Mao, Ji Chou, Ji Hai, Ji You, Ji Wei.) Transforming Qi does not command, Generating Policy stands alone (Earth scarce, Wood monopolizes use). Lengthening Qi is orderly, Rain delays, Receiving Qi balances (No interference means orderliness; Transforming Qi reduced so rain delays). Wind and Cold rise together, grass and trees flourish beautifully (Wind is Wood. Cold is Water. Earth scarce so Cold qi acts. Generating Qi stands alone, so grass and trees flourish beautifully). Flowering but not fruiting, becoming mature but chaffy. (Flourishing and beautiful, qi born from Wood. Transforming Qi insufficient, so fruit solid is empty inside, thus chaffy/bad.) Its qi scatters (From Wood's wind, thus scattering). Its function is static and settled (Note: Earth body is quiet, but function cannot be solely quiet; static and settled makes Earth's function narrow). Its movement includes ulcers, swelling, splitting,溃烂 (ulceration), carbuncles, and swellings (Note: Yang Yong means pus oozing from itchy sores. Fen Kui means splitting and ulcerating. Yong Zhong means heat-toxin congested internally causing swelling and hardness). Its onset is moist and stagnant (Note: Moisture is Earth's nature; disease becomes moist and stagnant).