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Eight Extremities: From *Zhuangzi · Tianzi Fang*: "Waving and repelling the eight extremities, the spirit and qi remain unchanged." Also found in the *Tian Yun* chapter: "Heaven has six extremities and five constants." In the phonetic and semantic commentary, Sima Qian stated: "The six extremities refer to the four directions (north, south, east, west) and up and down."

Green corresponds to the Liver among the Zang Organs: Gao Yun stated: "Among the five colors, it is green; among the five Zang organs, it governs the Liver."

Furthermore, sitting in attendance: In various editions, the character "Qie" (且) is written as "Dan" (旦), which should be corrected.

One Yang as the Wandering Department: Zhang Yun stated: "Shao Yang (Lesser Yang) is located at the side. Moving forward, it meets with Yang Ming (Bright Yang); moving backward, it meets with Tai Yang (Greater Yang). It enters and exits between the two Yang channels. Therefore, it is called the 'Wandering Department'." Zhi Gao Yun stated: "The Wandering Department refers to traveling between the interior and exterior of Yin and Yang. Both interior and exterior have their respective stations and deployments."

This allows one to know the beginning and end of the Five Zang Organs: Wu Yun stated: "From the exterior entering the interior, it begins with Tai Yang, followed by Shao Yang, and ends with Yang Ming. From the interior emerging to the exterior, it begins with Yang Ming, followed by Shao Yang, and ends with Tai Yang. When speaking of the Five Zang organs, it is because Yang encompasses Yin." Zhang Yun stated: "Where there is Yang, there is Yin; where there is exterior, there is interior. Understanding the meaning of these three Yang channels allows one to deduce and know the beginning and end of the Five Zang organs by analogy."

Three Yang as the Exterior: Zhang Yun stated: "'Three Yang' is an error and should read 'Three Yin'. Three Yin refers to Tai Yin (Greater Yin). Tai Yin is the exterior of all Yin channels, hence it is said that 'Three Yin is the exterior'." According to the *Yin Yang Li He Lun* (Discourse on the Separation and Union of Yin and Yang): "Tai Yin serves as the gate." The *Wei Lun* (Discourse on Flaccidity Syndromes) states: "The Lung governs the skin and hair of the body." The *Shi Chuan Pian* (Chapter on Teacher-Student Instruction) states: "The Lung acts as a cover." The Spleen serves as the defense. Thus, the hand and foot Three Yin channels can all be described as exterior. The subsequent text mentions Three Yang and Three Yin, explicitly listing their order, originally to explain this point. Therefore, this section should undoubtedly be read as "Three Yin". Wang Bing and later commentators all stated: "Three Yang refers to Tai Yang. Two Yin refers to Shao Yin. Shao Yin and Tai Yang are exterior-interior pairs, hence it is said that 'Three Yang is the exterior, Two Yin is the interior'." Their reasoning is as follows. However, all six meridians have exterior-interior relationships. Why discuss only the exterior-interior relationship of these two meridians here? This is likely due to a lack of detailed examination.

One Yin to Extinction Resembles New Moon and Last Day of Month: Ma Yun criticized Wang Bing's annotation for reading "One Yin to extinction" and "Resembling new moon and last day of month" as separate phrases, and taking "Yet possessing together to rectify its principle" as a sentence, finding the meaning unclear. It should be read as "One Yin to extinction acting as", "Last day and new moon yet possessing together", and "Combining to rectify its principle" as the sentence. How could one not know that when One Yin reaches extinction, there is a principle of regeneration? The subtlety of the mutual generation of the last day and new moon is contained within, thereby rectifying the principle of Jue Yin (Terminal Yin). "Zheng" (Rectify/Correct) means "Zheng" (Evidence/Proof). Jian An noted that Wang Bing's annotation was particularly clear and complete, whereas Ma's theory was incorrect. The text cited by Wang Bing comes from the *Ling Shu · Yin Yang Xi Ri Yue* (Spiritual Pivot · Chapter on Yin and Yang Correlating with Days and Months).

To Rectify Its Principle: Zhang Yun stated: "Through continuous cycles, the numbers of Qi are complete, thus allowing one to rectify the principles of creation."

String-like, Urgent, Suspended, Unceasing: Zhang Yun stated: "'Suspended' refers to floating and exposed like hanging. The pulse of Shao Yang is sometimes rapid, sometimes slow; sometimes short, sometimes long. Now it is string-like and urgent as if suspended, with its arrival unceasing. Coupled with the influence of the Stomach channel, this indicates an excess of Wood pathogen, constituting a Shao Yang disease." Note that for the aforementioned diseases of the Three Yang, "string-like and urgent" are all mentioned. This is because the string-like pulse belongs to the Liver, which is the Jue Yin channel. When Yin pathogens appear in the Yang aspect, it is either critical or severe illness, so it is specifically highlighted.

Three Yin are the Masters of the Six Meridians: Zhang Yun stated: "Three Yin refers to Tai Yin. The previous text saying 'Three Yang is the exterior' should read 'Three Yin', and the meaning lies here. The Zang organs of Three Yin are the Spleen and Lung. The Lung governs Qi and convenes the hundred vessels; the Spleen belongs to Earth and is the mother of all things. Therefore, Three Yin are the masters of the Six Meridians."

Empty Above, Will Controls Heart: Wu changed it to "Will Upward Controls Heart". The annotation states: "'Will' refers to Kidney Qi. The Spleen is Kun Earth, symbolizing the nurturing of all things, so the Six Meridians are regulated by the Spleen before being governed. This makes them the masters of the Six Meridians. Now its Qi connects upward to the Cunkou position of the Tai Yin channel. The pulse beats and is deep, indicating the extinction of Spleen Qi. When the Spleen extinguishes, the Kidney has nothing to fear. Qi ascends to overwhelm the Heart, pulling causing heart pain. The Kidney governs Will, hence it is called 'Will Upward Controls Heart'." Ma Yun said: "When speaking of Three Yin, in the hand channels, it is the Hand Tai Yin Lung Channel. It is the master of the hand and foot Six Meridians precisely because the hundred vessels convene and intersect with the Hand Tai Yin channel. The Tai Yin pulse should be floating and choppy as its root. Now seeing a hidden pulse, resembling drumming but not floating, this is the Kidney pulse interfering with the Lung. The spirit of the Kidney is Will. If the Lung is deficient, the Kidney becomes deficient, and its Will is also empty and baseless. Saying 'Empty Above' implies the Kidney spirit pressing upward. Saying 'Will Heart' means although Will is the spirit of the Kidney, it actually refers to what the Heart directs." Zhang Yun stated: "Connecting to Tai Yin means the Three Yin pulse arrives at the Qi Kou position. The Lung governs lightness and floating; the Spleen governs harmony and slowness; these are their fundamental pulses. Now seeing a hidden, drumming pulse without floating, this indicates Yin excess and Yang deficiency. One should suffer from emptiness in the Upper Jiao, and the Will of the Spleen and Lung, as well as the Heart Spirit, are injured by Yin, leading to insufficiency. Hence it is called 'Empty Above, Will Controls Heart'." According to the *Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* (Great Discourse on Yin and Yang Corresponding to Phenomena): "The Lung's emotion is grief; the Spleen's emotion is overthinking; the Heart's emotion is joy." These are all the emotions of the Five Zang organs. Jian An noted that Wu changed "Kong" (Empty) to "Kong" (Control), based on Wang Bing's annotation, whose note relied on Yang Yi. However, Yang's explanation of "Kong" was insufficient. In summary, this section's meaning is unclear, while Zhang's interpretation is somewhat coherent.

Two Yin Reaching the Lung: Zhang Yun stated: "Speaking of the Kidney pulse arriving at the Qi Kou position. The *Jing Mai Bie Lun* (Discourse on Divergent Meridians) says: 'When Two Yin pulses beat strongly, and the Kidney pulse is deep and not floating,' this is the case. The Kidney pulse travels upward; its straight branch goes from the Kidney, through the Liver and diaphragm, into the Lung, and emerges at the Qi Kou. This is 'Two Yin reaching the Lung.' The Kidney governs Water, relying on Lung Qi to execute descending commands, regulating water passages, so its Qi returns to the Bladder. The Lung is above, the Kidney is below, and the Spleen and Stomach are in the middle, governing the pivot of ascending and descending. Hence it is said to 'externally connect to the Spleen and Stomach.' 'External' refers to the Kidney relative to the Spleen, consistent with the meaning of 'Three Yin is the exterior, Two Yin is the interior' mentioned earlier."

One Yin Arrives Alone: Zhang Yun stated: "Jue Yin pulse prevails. The *Jing Mai Bie Lun* says: 'When One Yin arrives, it is the governance of Jue Yin.' The fundamental pulse of Jue Yin should be soft, slippery, string-like, and long, containing Yang within Yin, which is correct. If One Yin arrives alone, the meridian is severed internally, and Qi floats externally. Therefore, it cannot drum like a hook and be slippery, but is merely string-like without Stomach Qi, and life energy is exhausted." Jian An noted that Zhang punctuated "Meridian severed, Qi floats" as one clause and "Cannot drum like a hook and be slippery" as another, which Zhi Gao agreed with. Wu changed it to "One Yin arrives alone, drum like a hook and be slippery, meridian severed, Qi floats does not drum," which should not be followed.

Song De: Jian An noted that "Song" seems to use a fanqie spelling, pronounced as "Song" (chant).

One Yin as the Sole Envoy: Ma Yun stated: "One Yin is Jue Yin. Jue Yin is the wandering department of the interior, the general who plans and considers, hence serving as the sole envoy." Zhang Yun stated: "Envoy refers to communicating the beginning and end. When Yin ends and Yang generates, only Jue Yin governs it. Hence it is the sole envoy."

Three Yang and One Yin, Tai Yang Pulse Prevails: Ma Yun stated: "This discusses pathology involving the Bladder and Liver. The Bladder prevails while the Liver is defeated. Three Yang refers to the Foot Tai Yang Bladder Channel. One Yin refers to the Foot Jue Yin Liver Channel. The Bladder is primarily diseased, but the Liver insults it, causing Wood to overcome Water. At this time, the Bladder is exterior and the Liver is interior. With excessive Bladder pathogen, there is a trend from exterior to interior. The Liver channel cannot stop it, causing internal chaos of the spirits of the Five Zang organs and external signs of fright and alarm. The *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* (True Words of the Golden Cabinet) states: 'Liver pathology manifests as fright and alarm.' Gao changed 'Tai Yang' to 'Tai Yin'. Jian An noted that Gao's annotation is erroneous; we retain the original text."

Two Yin and Two Yang Disease in the Lung: Gao changed "Two Yang" to "Three Yang". The annotation states: "Tai Yang Qi governs the skin and hair, which is the exterior correspondence of the Lung. Thus, Two Yin and Three Yang combine, and the disease is in the Lung. When Two Yin combines with Three Yang to cause Lung disease, then Three Yang is in excess and Two Yin is deficient, hence the Shao Yin pulse is deep." Jian An noted that the old annotation makes sense, and changing characters may not be necessary. Most families still follow Wang Bing.

Overcoming the Lung and Injuring the Spleen: Zhang Yun stated: "Earth pathogen injures Water, hence the Foot Shao Yin pulse is deep. Deep signifies Qi decline and lack of vigor. However, the Stomach is the Fu organ of the Spleen, and the Spleen governs the four limbs. Since Fire overcomes the Lung, the Stomach subsequently affects the Spleen. When the Spleen is diseased, the four limbs are also diseased." Jian An noted that Gao claimed "Overcoming the Lung" meant "Lung Qi prevailing," which is very mistaken.

Guest Wandering Below the Heart and Epigastrium, Empty Orifices and Dike Blocked and Uncirculated: Ma's annotation: "Sentence ending at 'below the heart and epigastrium'; sentence ending at 'empty orifices and dike'." The annotation states: "Shao Yin Qi guest-wanders below the heart and epigastrium; Water insults Fire. However, as Yin Qi ascends upstream, the Stomach cannot control it. The empty orifices of the intestines and stomach act as a dike, blocking and uncirculating." Gao stated: "'Empty orifices' refer to the pores of sweat. 'Dike' means road. Shao Yin and Shao Yang combine; Yin prevails over Yang. Thus, the disease originates from the Kidney of Shao Yin. The Shao Yang San Jiao channel scatters and networks the Pericardium, emerging from the epigastrium. Now Shao Yin Qi guest-wanders below the epigastrium; this is Yin invading Yang, Water overcoming Fire, causing the San Jiao unable to emit Qi to warm the muscle and interstices, resembling empty orifice roads being blocked and uncirculated." Wu's annotation: "Ten characters starting from 'Yin Qi' form a sentence; five characters 'Dike blocked and uncirculated' form a sentence." The annotation states: "Two Yin is Shao Yin Kidney Qi. One Yang is Shao Yang Gallbladder Qi. The two Qi clash; Water does not overcome Fire. The disease originates from the Kidney. Kidney disease causes Qi rebellion, filling the empty orifices below the heart and epigastrium with excess, like a dike blocking horizontally across the chest, preventing circulation." Zhang agreed. Sentence ends after "Dike". Jian An noted Wang Bing's punctuation: "Sentence ending at 'Qi guest-wanders in the heart'; sentence ending at 'Below the epigastrium empty orifices'." Examining the textual meaning, Gao's annotation seems plausible, but the explanation of "Dike" is unstable; one should follow the old annotation.

Four Limbs Separated: Wu Yun stated: "Disease in the chest prevents the four limbs from receiving Qi, thus they seem separated from the body and not belonging to oneself." Zhang Yun stated: "Clear Yang fills the four limbs. If Yang is deficient, the four limbs lose their function."

One Yin and One Yang Intermittently Cease, etc.: Gao moved this item below "One Yin as the Sole Envoy" in the previous text. The annotation states: "In the old edition, it was under 'Four Limbs Separated'; now corrected here." Zhang Yun stated: "'Intermittently cease' means the Qi of two Zang organs is injured, and the pulse comes in disorder. Liver and Gallbladder both belong to Wood; Wood generates Heart Fire. Due to Yang deficiency, Yin Qi reaches the Heart." Wu Yun stated: "'Yin Qi' refers to moving Qi. 'Unconstant above and below' means irregular timing of action and cessation. 'Unknown entry and exit' means unpredictable beginnings and ends." Jian An noted that Wu's explanation of Yin Qi lacks a source.

All Are Here: Wu Yun stated: "At the Cunkou position." Zhang Yun stated: "All are diseases." Jian An noted that Zhi Gao took "Two Yang Three Yin" as one phrase and "Until Zhi Yin All Are Here" as another, annotating "All Are Here" as "The Qi of Spleen and Stomach all reside in the center." His explanation is circuitous and unacceptable.

Yin Does Not Exceed Yang: Ma Yun stated: "If the Stomach, Spleen, and Lung channels are diseased, those in the Yin channels cannot emerge excessively into Yang to achieve harmony; those in the Yang channels cannot enter and stop in Yin to achieve harmony. The Qi of Yin and Yang arrive simultaneously and block each other." Zhang Yun stated: "If Yin does not exceed Yang, then Yin remains Yin and does not enter the Yang aspect. If Yang Qi cannot stop Yin, then Yang remains Yang and does not linger in the Yin aspect."

Floating Indicates Blood Mass, Deep Indicates Pus: Wu rearranged "Floating" and "Deep". Ma Yun stated: "'Fu' is identical to 'Fu' (rotten)." Zhang Yun stated: "A floating pulse indicates the disease is external, manifesting as a blood mass. A deep pulse indicates the disease is internal, manifesting as pus and rot. Precisely because Yin-Yang and exterior-interior do not communicate, the pulse and symptoms appear contrary in this way."

Yin and Yang Both Strong, Down to Yin and Yang: Zhang Yun stated: "If Yin and Yang are both strong, they become hyperactive and harmful. Either isolated Yin or isolated Yang occurs. The disease extends down to Yin and Yang. Men represent the Yang pathway, women represent the Yin organ. Disorders in hidden and curved matters all result in major illnesses."

Above Combines with Brightness, Below Combines with Darkness: Zhang Yun stated: "Brightness is visible; darkness is measurable. There is the Way of Yin and Yang present." Wu Yun stated: "'Brightness' is the Way of Heaven. 'Darkness' is the Yin of Earth. Speaking of the Yin and Yang of the pulse, it combines with Heaven and Earth."

Thus Combining with the Beginning of the Year: Zhang changed "Combine" to "Arrive". Gao Yun stated: "The Five Zang organs and Five Elements begin with Wood and end with Water, just as the four seasons begin with Spring and end with Winter. Thus combining with today's beginning of the year in early Spring." Jian An noted that the six sentences following "Yin and Yang Both Strong" do not connect with the following text, and the purport is ambiguous and hard to understand. Suspected to be misplaced slips from another chapter. For now, retaining Zhang's annotation.

Principles Exhausted, Grass and Willow Leaves Both Kill: Ma Yun stated: "Diseases in the three months of winter show all death syndromes. In principle, exhaustion has been reached. It can also extend until the time when earth has grass and willows have leaves. Why does the person die at the start? Because there are death signs and death pulses. Because things grow while people die, it is also named 'Kill'. Had the initial change of spring seen Yang pulse also extinct, similar to Yin pulse, the deadline would only be early Spring. How could it reach the day when grass and willow leaves are all seen?" Zhang Yun stated: "'Principles exhausted' means observing the principles of pulse and symptoms, there is no longer life energy. Obtaining this from a winter disease means that whenever grass turns green or willow leaves appear, the exchange of Yin and Yang Qi marks the time of death. Hence it is said 'Both Kill'." Jian An noted that currently retaining Wang Bing's annotation.

Spring Yin and Yang Both Extinct: Ma, based on *Tai Su*, deleted the character "Spring". Wu, Zhang, and Zhi Gao interpreted it according to the text. Currently following Ma.

Yang Kill: Ma Yun stated: "For diseases in the three months of spring, it is precisely because the person exhausted their resources during autumn and winter. Yin Qi is depleted and cannot overcome Yang. Thus, although spring is not peak Yang, upon entering spring, illness occurs, leading to death by Yang, named 'Yang Kill'." Zhang Yun stated: "In spring month, Yang Qi is just rising, and the disease is in Yang, hence called 'Yang Kill'. 'Kill' means decline." Gao Yun stated: "For diseases in the three months of spring, Yang Qi does not generate, hence called 'Yang Kill'. 'Kill' is equivalent to 'Extinct'." Jian An noted that Ma and Zhang's annotations have opposite meanings. Upon detail, Ma relies on Wang Bing's annotation, interpreting it as heat disease, which seems more reasonable. Retaining it.

Dry Grass: Ma Yun stated: "If its pulse Yin and Yang are both extinct, it cannot last these three months before dying. The deadline is when old grass is still dry; it should die then. There is no hope for the day grass grows and willow leaves appear." Jian An noted that since Wang Bing, interpretations point to late autumn. However, if Yin and Yang are both extinct, how could there be a logic of dying from spring to late autumn? Although the explanation of "old grass still dry" is not entirely satisfactory, temporarily following Ma's theory for future examination.

Zhi Yin Does Not Exceed Ten Days: Zhang Yun stated: "Spleen and Kidney are both Zhi Yin (Ultimate Yin). In the three months of summer, during times of Yang abundance, if Spleen and Kidney are extremely injured, then True Yin fails and extinguishes. The heavenly stems change Qi, and it cannot endure. Hence it does not exceed ten days." Gao Yun stated: "This is a disease of the three months of summer with a short duration. The sixth month, Long Summer, belongs to Zhi Yin. When it is Zhi Yin, Yang Qi floats entirely outward. If the disease of the three months of summer does not heal, transitioning to Zhi Yin, death occurs in less than ten days." Li Yun stated: "The *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* says: 'The Spleen is Ultimate Yin among Yin, the root of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs.' With the Zhi Yin organ facing the time of extreme Yang, if a fatal syndrome is contracted, the deadline is ten days."

Yin and Yang Exchange Deadline Is in [Water] (Xiong sound. Lian sound. Thin/Ice). Zhang Yun: [Character] sounds like Lian (gather). Clear. Ma Yun: "Its pulse has Yin within Yang, this is called Yin-Yang Exchange. Then the Spleen is not completely extinct. The deadline is in July, the time of Water generation. It dies on the day the [Water] is calm." Wu Yun: "Yin pulse appears in Yang, Yang pulse appears in Yin. Yin and Yang exchange positions, called Yin-Yang Exchange. [Water] is the cold time of mid-autumn. Speaking of Yin-Yang exchange having lost its norm, when it is [Water], it is the time when Heaven and Earth do not communicate. The pulse contradicts Heaven and Earth; is the short deadline not here?" Gao Yun: "[Character] is same as Lian. If passing Long Summer to Autumn, it is Yin-Yang Exchange. Disease of summer three months exchanging in autumn, deadline is death in Lian Water. Lian means clear. Mid-autumn, water and sky are one color." Jian An noted: [Character] means thin ice. Pan Yue's *Widow's Ode*: "Water [character] slightly congeals." Refers to early winter. *Zheng Yun*: "Lian, sound Lian. Same as [character]. One meaning: Thin." Its meaning of 'Clear' lacks evidence.

Three Yang Arise Together: Ma Yun stated: "Three Yang refers to the Foot Tai Yang Bladder Channel. If Bladder disease pulses arise together, then Bladder belongs to Water, Autumn Qi belongs to Metal. Metal can generate Water. It should heal itself without treatment." Wu Yun stated: "'Arise together' means hand and foot arise together." Gao Yun stated: "Three Yang refers to Tai Yang, Yang Ming, Shao Yang, hence 'Together'. Later Three Yang refers to Tai Yang. Two Yin refers to Shao Yin, hence 'Alone'."

Those Where Yin and Yang Intersect and Combine: Ma Yun stated: "If Bladder has Yang disease but shows Yin pulse, or Yin disease but shows Yang pulse, this is Yin and Yang combining. The symptoms should be restless in walking, standing, sitting, and lying. Taking Metal as primary, proper regulation leads to recovery." Wu Yun stated: "Refers to Yin and Yang Qi arriving and combining to cause disease. Yin and Yang both injured, Blood and Qi both damaged, weakness is severe. Thus causing difficulty in movement. Standing prevents sitting; sitting prevents rising." Zhang Yun stated: "Autumn Qi is about to gather but not yet gathered. Thus there are diseases caused by Yin and Yang intersection. Whether Essence or Qi, there must be injury, leading to disadvantage in movement. Generally, Yang prevailing over Yin means standing prevents sitting; Yin prevailing over Yang means sitting prevents rising."

Three Yang Arrive Alone: Li Yun stated: "'Yang' should be 'Yin'. Yin disease when Yin is abundant means isolated Yin cannot generate. Time of ice hard as stone, cannot regenerate again. Just as 'Three Yang arise together, heals without treatment' mentioned earlier, and 'Two Yin deadline in盛水 (Sheng Water)' mentioned later, this is undoubtedly Three Yin."

Deadline in Stone Water: Zhang Yun stated: "Three Yang arriving alone is a sign of Yang hyperactivity and Yin exhaustion. Yin exhaustion in winter naturally has no life energy. And isolated Yang meeting water is ultimately extinguished. Hence the deadline is when ice is hard as stone."

Two Yin Arrive Alone: Zhang Yun stated: "Two Yin, Quan Yuanqi's edition reads Three Yin, i.e., what is called 'Three Yin arriving together, having Yin without Yang'. Sheng Water refers to the time of rainwater in the first lunar month. Isolated Yin finds it difficult to stand alone. Thus, encountering times of Yang victory, it cannot preserve its existence."