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(Encountering the end months of the four seasons, i.e., years of Jia-Chen, Jia-Xu, Ji-Chou, and Ji-Wei.) Metal Yun (Metal Transport) approaches You year, (Note: Metal Yun approaching You year is Yi-You year.) Water Yun approaches Zi year, (Note: Water Yun approaching Zi year is Bing-Zi year.) This is called Suihui (Year Meeting), which indicates a peaceful climate. (Note: In this Suihui, the Yun matches the Earthly Branch's Qi, hence called Suihui, with peaceful climate; there are eight such years.) The Yellow Emperor asked: What if it is not in the corresponding position? Qibo replied: The Yun does not meet with the Earthly Branch. (Note: When Yun does not meet with the Earthly Branch, it refers to the thirty-six years outside the twenty-four normal cases.) The Yellow Emperor asked: In years of Earth Yun, Taiyin (Great Yin) is seen above; (Note: 'Above' refers to Si Tian (Heavenly Sovereign); Earth Yun seeing Taiyin corresponds to Ji-Chou and Ji-Wei years.) Fire Yun sees Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) or Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) above; (Note: Fire Yun seeing Shaoyang corresponds to Wu-Yin and Wu-Shen years. Seeing Shao Yin corresponds to Wu-Zi and Wu-Wu years.) Metal Yun sees Yangming (Bright Yang) above; (Note: Metal Yun seeing Yangming corresponds to Yi-Mao and Yi-You years.) Wood Yun sees Jueyin (Terminal Yin) above; (Note: Wood Yun seeing Jueyin corresponds to Ding-Si and Ding-Hai years.) Water Yun sees Taiyang (Great Yang) above, what about this? (Note: Water Yun seeing Taiyang corresponds to Bing-Chen and Bing-Xu years. 'What about this' refers to these twelve years where Yun and Si Tian share the same Qi; what are their names and meanings?) Qibo replied: This is Tianfu (Heavenly符). (...Note: Tianfu meets with Suihui.) What about Tianfu and Suihui? Qibo replied: This is the meeting of Taiyi Tianfu (Supreme Heavenly符). (Note: Being both Tianfu and Suihui is named Taiyi Tianfu meeting, such as Ji-Chou, Ji-Wei, Wu-Wu, and Yi-You years mentioned above. Taiyi denotes the supreme and unique status.) The Yellow Emperor asked: How do they differ in nobility? Qibo replied: Tianfu is called Zhifa (Law Executor), Suiwei (Year Position) is called Xingling (Order Implementer), and Taiyi Tianfu is called Guiren (Noble Person). (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "Zhifa is located above, like a ruling minister. Xingling is located below, like an official in charge. Guiren governs above and below, like a monarch.") The Yellow Emperor asked: How does pathogenic Qi attack them? Qibo replied: Attacking Zhifa results in rapid and dangerous disease. ("Attacking Zhifa means offending Si Tian Qi; Heaven is the root of life, so the disease is rapid and dangerous.") Attacking Xingling results in slow and persistent disease. ("Attacking Xingling means offending Earthly Branch Qi; the harm is slightly less, so the disease is slow and persistent. 'Persistent' means pathogenic and healthy Qi contend, with good and bad outcomes equally divided.") Attacking Guiren results in sudden death. ("Attacking Guiren means both Heaven and Earth Qi are offended, so one dies suddenly. Note regarding these three: Earth is subordinate to Heaven, so attacking Tianfu is more severe than attacking Suihui, while Taiyi Tianfu is the union of three Qi, its intensity being obvious; thus, if not attacked, all is well, but once attacked, it cannot be resolved.")
The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the change of position occur? Qibo replied: If Ruler (Jun) occupies Minister's (Chen) position, it is smooth; if Minister occupies Ruler's position, it is adverse. Adverse leads to proximal disease and rapid harm; smooth leads to distant disease and minor harm. This is referred to as the Two Fires. (Note: Ruler refers to Jun Huo (Ruler Fire), Minister refers to Xiang Huo (Minister Fire). Jun Huo is Heart Fire, Xiang Huo is Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Fire. Sanjiao pairs with Pericardium, assisting the Heart Ruler to execute orders, so Heart is Jun Huo, and Sanjiao is Xiang Huo. However, Jun Huo is Yang Fire, residing above the diaphragm at a high position; if it descends and moves downward, the fire energy moves, this is Ruler occupying Minister's position, the momentum is smooth and the disease is mild. Xiang Huo is Yin Fire, residing in Dantian at a low position; if it rises from the root, the fire energy floats, this is Minister occupying Ruler's position, the momentum is adverse and the disease must be severe. These two fires have fixed positions; if changed, the severity of disease differs.)
The Yellow Emperor said: Good! I wish to hear about Bu (Steps). Qibo replied: A Bu consists of sixty days plus some remainder. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "One day is one Du (degree/step). A year has 365 days and 25 Ke (quarter-hours). Divided into six Bu, each Bu gets 60 days and 87.5 Ke, hence 'plus remainder'.") Thus, twenty-four Bu accumulate enough Ke to form a day. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "Twenty-four Bu combine the steps of four years. Accumulation refers to accumulating twenty-four sets of 87.5 Ke, totaling 2100 Ke, which is 21 days. Combined with the total days of four years, it equals 1461 days. This uses the remainder of twenty-four Bu, accumulating to full Ke to form the total days of four years, revealing the Qi numbers of the Three Harmonies. See below for details.")
The Yellow Emperor asked: How do Liu Qi (Six Qi) correspond to the changes of Wu Xing (Five Phases)? Qibo replied: Positions have beginnings and ends, Qi has Guozhong (State Center), heaven and earth differ, and the method of inquiry also differs. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "This further explores the Heavenly Dao's six-six segments, Geographical correspondence to six Qi segment positions, and the ultimate numbers of mutual calling between heaven and earth, and combination of five and six mentioned in *Tianyuanji Dalun*. 'Position' refers to Earthly Position. 'Qi' refers to Heavenly Qi. Positions have beginnings and ends in up/down/left/right; Qi has front/back ascending/descending within Guozhong. Adding Heavenly Qi to Earthly Position causes mutual displacement, hence 'heaven and earth differ, inquiry methods differ'. Meaning of Guozhong is detailed in later chapters.") The Yellow Emperor asked: How to inquire? Qibo replied: Heavenly Qi begins with Jia, Earthly Qi begins with Zi. Zi and Jia combine, named Suili (Establishment of Year). Carefully observe the timing, and Qi can be predicted. ("Heavenly Qi has ten Heavenly Stems starting with Jia; Earthly Qi has twelve Earthly Branches starting with Zi. Zi and Jia combine to form Jia-Zi. Stem-Branch combination establishes sixty-year Yun Qi. Once established, timing can be observed, and Qi can be anticipated.") The Yellow Emperor said: I wish to hear how the beginning and end, early and late, of Liu Qi vary by year. Qibo replied: Excellent question! In Jia-Zi year, Chu Qi (Initial Qi): Heavenly number starts at 1 Ke after water flow, ends at 87.5 Ke. ("Jia-Zi is the first year of sixty. Chu Qi is the first of Six Qi, Left Intermittent of Earth. Starts at 1 Ke after water flow, the first of hundred Ke, Yin hour initial Ke. Ends at 87.5 Ke, meaning each step is 60 days and 87.5 Ke. Thus, Jia-Zi Chu Qi starts at the first day, Yin hour initial initial Ke, ends 60 days later at Zi hour initial fourth Ke. At Zi hour positive initial Ke, it enters Spring Equinox and transitions to Er Qi. All Shen-Zi-Chen years follow this.") Er Qi (Second Qi): Starts at 87.6 Ke, ends at 75 Ke. ("Following Chu Qi, starts at 87.6 Ke, directly at Zi hour positive initial Ke. Adding 60 days and 87.5 Ke for Er Qi, it ends at 75 Ke, directly at Xu hour positive fourth Ke. Subsequent logic follows this pattern.") San Qi (Third Qi): Starts at 76 Ke, ends at 62.5 Ke. ("Starts at 76 Ke, Hai hour initial initial Ke. Ends at 62.5 Ke, You hour initial fourth Ke.") Si Qi (Fourth Qi): Starts at 62.6 Ke, ends at 50 Ke. ("Starts at 62.6 Ke, You hour positive initial Ke. Ends at 50 Ke, Wei hour positive fourth Ke.") Wu Qi (Fifth Qi): Starts at 51 Ke, ends at 37.5 Ke. ("Starts at 51 Ke, Shen hour initial initial Ke. Ends at 37.5 Ke, Wu hour initial fourth Ke.") Liu Qi (Sixth Qi): Starts at 37.6 Ke, ends at 25 Ke. ("Starts at 37.6 Ke, Wu hour positive initial Ke. Ends at 25 Ke, Chen hour positive fourth Ke. This 25 Ke is one-quarter of a day in the year surplus method.") This is called Chu-Liu (Initial Six), the Heavenly Number. ("Chu-Liu refers to the first Six Qi of Zi year. Using Heavenly Qi number added to Earthly Step position, hence 'Heavenly Number'. Follow this pattern subsequently.")
In Yi-Chou year, Chu Qi: Heavenly number starts at 26 Ke, ends at 12.5 Ke. ("Starts at 26 Ke, Si hour initial initial Ke. Ends at 12.5 Ke, Mao hour initial fourth Ke. All Si-You-Chou years follow this.") Er Qi: Starts at 12.6 Ke, ends at 100 Ke after water flow. ("Starts at 12.6 Ke, Mao hour positive initial Ke. Ends at 100 Ke after water flow, Chou hour positive fourth Ke.") San Qi: Starts at 1 Ke, ends at 87.5 Ke. ("Starts at 1 Ke, Yin hour initial initial Ke. Ends at 87.5 Ke, Zi hour initial fourth Ke.") Si Qi: Starts at 87.6 Ke, ends at 75 Ke. ("Starts at 87.6 Ke, Zi hour positive initial Ke. Ends at 75 Ke, Xu hour positive fourth Ke.") Wu Qi: Starts at 76 Ke, ends at 62.5 Ke. ("Starts at 76 Ke, Hai hour initial initial Ke. Ends at 62.5 Ke, You hour initial fourth Ke.") Liu Qi: Starts at 62.6 Ke, ends at 50 Ke. ("Starts at You hour positive initial Ke, ends at Wei hour positive fourth Ke. This 50 Ke is half a day.") This is called Liu-Er (Six-Two), the Heavenly Number. ("Chou follows Zi, hence 'Liu-Er'.")
In Bing-Yin year, Chu Qi: Heavenly number starts at 51 Ke, ends at 37.5 Ke. ("Starts at Shen hour initial initial Ke, ends at Wu hour initial fourth Ke. All Yin-Wu-Xu years follow this.") Er Qi: Starts at 37.6 Ke, ends at 25 Ke. ("Starts at Wu hour positive initial Ke, ends at Chen hour positive fourth Ke.") San Qi: Starts at 26 Ke, ends at 12.5 Ke. ("Starts at Si hour initial initial Ke, ends at Mao hour initial fourth Ke.") Si Qi: Starts at 12.6 Ke, ends at 100 Ke after water flow. ("Starts at Mao hour positive initial Ke, ends at Chou hour positive fourth Ke.") Wu Qi: Starts at 1 Ke, ends at 87.5 Ke. ("Starts at Yin hour initial initial Ke, ends at Zi hour initial fourth Ke.") Liu Qi: Starts at 87.6 Ke, ends at 75 Ke. ("Starts at Zi hour positive initial Ke, ends at Xu hour positive fourth Ke. This 75 Ke is three-quarters of a day.") This is called Liu-San (Six-Three), the Heavenly Number. ("Yin follows Chou, hence 'Liu-San'.")
In Ding-Mao year, Chu Qi: Heavenly number starts at 76 Ke, ends at 62.5 Ke. ("Starts at Hai hour initial initial Ke, ends at You hour initial fourth Ke. All Hai-Mao-Wei years follow this.") Er Qi: Starts at 62.6 Ke, ends at 50 Ke. ("Starts at You hour positive initial Ke, ends at Wei hour positive fourth Ke.") San Qi: Starts at 51 Ke, ends at 37.5 Ke. ("Starts at Shen hour initial initial Ke, ends at Wu hour initial fourth Ke.") Si Qi: Starts at 37.6 Ke, ends at 25 Ke. ("Starts at Wu hour positive initial Ke, ends at Chen hour positive fourth Ke.") Wu Qi: Starts at 26 Ke, ends at 12.5 Ke. ("Starts at Si hour initial initial Ke, ends at Mao hour initial fourth Ke.") Liu Qi: Starts at 12.6 Ke, ends at 100 Ke after water flow. ("Starts at Mao hour positive initial Ke, ends at Chou hour positive fourth Ke. This 100 Ke after water flow is the 'twenty-four Bu accumulating to full Ke to form a day' mentioned earlier.") This is called Liu-Si (Six-Four), the Heavenly Number. ("Mao follows Yin, hence 'Liu-Si'. This is the full number of one Ji (12-year cycle).")
Next is Wu-Chen year, Chu Qi restarts at 1 Ke. It continues endlessly in this manner, cycling repeatedly. ("The previous Ding-Mao Liu Qi ended at 100 Ke after water flow, meaning the Qi numbers for Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao years are exhausted, called one Ji. Thus, Wu-Chen year restarts at 1 Ke. Chen, Si, Wu, Wei years form another Ji, Shen, You, Xu, Hai years form another Ji. Hence, it continues endlessly, cycling repeatedly.")
The Yellow Emperor asked: I wish to ask about the annual Hou (phenomena/signs). Qibo replied: Your question is extremely thorough! When the Sun completes one circuit, Heavenly Qi begins at 1 Ke. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "'Annual Hou' refers to the general signs of the whole year, continuing from above to summarize the start of Qi numbers. One circuit means circling the heavens, referring to Jia-Zi year as the start of the year.") When the Sun completes two circuits, Heavenly Qi begins at 26 Ke. ("Yi-Chou year.") When the Sun completes three circuits, Heavenly Qi begins at 51 Ke. ("Bing-Yin year.") When the Sun completes four circuits, Heavenly Qi begins at 76 Ke. ("Ding-Mao year.") When the Sun completes five circuits, Heavenly Qi restarts at 1 Ke. ("Wu-Chen year.") This is called one Ji. ("As in the previous four years, one Ji ends and restarts at 1 Ke. 'Ji' refers to the meaning in *Tianyuanji Dalun* regarding ending the Earthly Ji.") Therefore, Yin-Wu-Xu years share common Yun Qi, Mao-Wei-Hai years share common Yun Qi, Chen-Shen-Zi years share common Yun Qi, Si-You-Chou years share common Yun Qi, cycling endlessly. (Yin-Yang law considers these as Three Harmonies because their Qi is shared. Otherwise, they would be in different directions, with no logical basis for combination.)
The Yellow Emperor asked: I wish to hear about its application. Qibo replied: Discussing Heaven requires seeking the Ben (Root), discussing Earth requires seeking the Wei (Position), discussing Humanity requires seeking Qi Jiao (Qi Intersection). (Ben refers to Heavenly Liu Qi: Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Wind, Fire; San Yin San Yang are generated from this, hence called Ben, also known as Liu Yuan. Wei refers to Metal, Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Jun Huo. Heaven and Earth Qi intersect above and below, which is where humans reside. Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "Discussing Heaven seeks Ben, meaning seeking the prosperity/decline of Liu Qi to know the upper state. Discussing Earth seeks Wei, meaning seeking the beginning/end of Liu Bu to know the lower state. Humans are within Heaven and Earth, so seeking Qi Jiao reveals safety and danger.") The Yellow Emperor asked: What is Qi Jiao? Qibo replied: Between the positions of Up and Down, in the midst of Qi Jiao, is where humans dwell. (From below Heaven to above Earth is the division of Qi intersection. Humans dwell on Earth, so biological generation and transformation all occur within Qi Jiao.) Thus it is said: Above Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot), Heavenly Qi dominates; below Tianshu, Earthly Qi dominates; at the division of Qi Jiao, Human Qi follows it, and all things proceed from it. This is what is meant. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "'Pivot' refers to the pivot mechanism, situated in the middle of Yin-Yang ascending/descending, called Tianshu. Thus, Tianshu should be interpreted as 'Middle'. Above Middle, Heavenly Qi dominates; below Middle, Earthly Qi dominates. The division of Qi Jiao is the position of Middle. Form and Qi interact, Up and Down approach, all responded to by Central Palace acting as a market, so Human Qi follows, all things proceed, changes are seen here." Wang Bing's commentary interprets Tianshu as the acupoint near the navel, dividing the body into thirds: upper third corresponds to Heaven, lower to Earth, middle to Qi Jiao. This reasoning is sound. However, considering 'Human Qi follows', the meaning of Pivot seems not limited to an acupoint. Pivot is what supports door/window opening/closing. Humans dwell in the center of Heaven and Earth; Pivot is the boundary of Up/Down, the framework of the body, key to Three Realms: hence exalted as Tianshu. Zhang Jingyue adds that Tianshu applies not just to the human body but also to Hexagram imagery, citing *Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun*: Initial Qi to Third Qi, Heavenly Qi dominates; Fourth Qi to Final Qi, Earthly Qi dominates. This is the meaning of Upper/Lower Trigrams. Thus, Third and Fourth Qi constitute the year's Qi Jiao, from mid-April to mid-August, 120 days, determining drought/flood abundance, growth/harvest of all things. Hence 'Qi Jiao division, Human Qi follows, all things proceed'. Zhang's argument combines Qi and Yun, closely aligning with 'Human Qi follows'.)
The Yellow Emperor asked: What is Guozhong? Qibo replied: Chu (Initial) is thirty Du (days) plus remainder; Zhong Qi (Central Qi) follows the same method. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "'Du' is day. One step is 60 days and 87.5 Ke, divided in two. First half starts at Chu, called Chu Qi, thirty Du plus remainder. 'Remainder' is 43.75 Ke. Second half starts at Zhong, called Zhong Qi, same number, hence 'same method'.") The Yellow Emperor asked: What is Guozhong? Qibo replied: It is used to distinguish Heaven and Earth. The Yellow Emperor said: Please finish explaining. Qibo replied: Chu is Earthly Qi, Zhong is Heavenly Qi. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "'Guozhong' distinguishes Yin and Yang. Any Qi duration has front and back. Front is Yang, back is Yin. Yang advances, from bottom to top, so Chu is Earthly Qi. Yin retreats, from top to bottom, so Zhong is Heavenly Qi. Also, 'Guozhong': Chu speaks of beginning, Qi grows from beginning to peak; Zhong speaks of peak, Qi declines from peak. But here, 'Guozhong' refers to one step's Qi, hence 'Chu is 30 Du plus remainder, Zhong Qi same method'. Since Yin-Yang Qi is everywhere, Guozhong Qi is also everywhere. Taking a year: Winter Solstice Qi starts North, Summer Solstice Qi peaks South. North is start of peak, South is start of decline; this is the year's Qi Guozhong. Taking day/night: Night Yang generates Kan, Day Sun peaks Li. Kan is start of ascent, Li is start of descent; this is daily Du Guozhong. Not only this, every month, solar term, hour, Ke is the same. Hence days have New/Full Moon, Qi has Solar Term/Central, Hours have Zi/Wu, Ke have Chu/Zheng, all used to divide Guozhong." Zhang Jingyue's explanation is particularly precise.)
The Yellow Emperor asked: How is the Ascension and Descent? Qibo replied: Qi's Ascension and Descent is the mutual usage of Heaven and Earth. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "Without Earth's ascent, Heaven cannot descend; without Heaven's descent, Earth cannot ascend. Thus Heaven and Earth mutually use each other.") The Yellow Emperor asked: I wish to hear about this usage. Qibo replied: After ascending, it descends; the Descender is Heaven. After descending, it ascends; the Ascerer is Earth. (Note: This clarifies the essence of mutual usage. Heaven and Earth Qi interact. Descender is Heaven, but must ascend before descending, so 'ascend then descend', using ascent for descent. Ascerer is Earth, but must descend before ascending, so 'descend then ascend', using descent for ascent.) Heavenly Qi descends, Qi flows into Earth; Earthly Qi ascends, Qi rises to Heaven. Thus High and Low call to each other, Ascension and Descent cause each other, and transformations arise. (Note: Heaven descends, Earth ascends, mutually using each other, diseases arise from this.)
The Yellow Emperor said: Good! When Cold and Damp meet, Dryness and Heat approach, Wind and Fire value each other, is there any interval? Qibo replied: Qi has Sheng Fu (Overcoming and Repaying). The production of Sheng Fu has De Hua (Virtue and Transformation), You Yong (Function), and You Bian (Change). Change allows Pathogenic Qi to reside. (Note: Zhang Jingyue said: "All Six Qi have Sheng Fu. Normal Sheng Fu is cyclical and in proper position, hence De, Hua, Yong. Abnormal Sheng Fu is excessive harm and controlling succession, hence Disaster and Bian (Change).")