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The Xian pulse (String-like Pulse) is straight, long, and taut. It is felt distinctly upon light palpation (lifting) and remains stable without shifting upon heavy pressure (pressing). Any pulses that are slippery, large, firm, or forceful belong to the category of Xian pulses. This differs from the Jin pulse (Tight Pulse), which is urgent and forceful, feeling like a twisted rope snapping against the fingers; and it also differs from the Ge pulse (Leather Pulse), which is string-like, large, and rapid. (This passage is attributed to Zhang Lu. Additionally, Li Shizhen's "Poem on Pulse Characteristics" in *Binhu Maixue* states: The Xian pulse stretches far, straight and long; when Liver Wood qi is excessive, Spleen Earth is injured; anger fills the chest causing frequent shouting, while eye cataracts and tearing occur. The "Poem on Similar Pulses" states: The Xian pulse is straight like a silk string; the Jin pulse feels like a rope snapping left and right. "Jin" describes its force, "Xian" describes its form, while the Lao pulse is Xian, long, deep, and hidden. Cai Xishan said: Yang fighting Yin produces the Xian pulse; Yin fighting Yang produces the Jin pulse; Yin and Yang fighting each other produce the Dong pulse (Surging/Agitated Pulse); deficiency and cold fighting each other produce the Ge pulse; Yin and Yang separating produce the San pulse (Scattered Pulse); and Yin and Yang failing to continue produce the Dai pulse (Intermittent Pulse).) The Xian pulse indicates disharmony of blood and qi, rebellious qi with victorious pathogenic factors, accumulation and distension, alternating chills and fever, hypochondriac pain, malaria, dysentery, hernia, and bi-syndrome (attributed to Zhang Jingyue). However, the root cause always lies in excessive Wood, deficient Earth, and deficient Water. One can judge the strength of Stomach qi by the degree of the Xian pulse, the excess or deficiency of pathogenic factors by the fullness or emptiness of the pulse, the exterior-internal yin-yang status by superficial or deep Xian pulses, and the rising or sinking of disease qi by radial or ulnar Xian pulses. Regardless of the specific disease or accompanying pulses, as long as the pulse is harmonious and spirited, retaining Stomach qi, a Xian pulse is not detrimental (Zhang Lu). If the pulse is vigorous, thin, strong, and rigid, it indicates the absence of Stomach qi; how can such a condition be treated? (Dai Tongfu said: A soft Xian pulse indicates mild disease; a hard Xian pulse indicates severe disease. Li Shizhen said: Superficial Xian indicates overflowing fluid retention; deep Xian indicates internal pain from suspended fluid retention; malaria pulses are naturally Xian; Xian-rapid pulses indicate much heat; Xian-slow pulses indicate much cold; Xian-large pulses indicate deficiency; Xian-thin pulses indicate stiffness and spasm; Yang-side Xian causes headache; Yin-side Xian causes abdominal pain; single Xian indicates fluid retention and masses; double Xian indicates chronic cold conditions. If the patient cannot eat, it signifies Wood overcoming Earth, which is difficult to treat.)

The Ruo pulse (Weak Pulse) is deep, fine, and weak. It seems absent upon light palpation but is felt only upon heavy pressure, appearing clearly small and weak. Pulses such as Wei (Minute), Ru (Soggy), and Xi (Fine) all belong to the category of Ruo pulses. This differs from the Wei pulse, which feels almost imperceptible upon pressure; the Ru pulse, which feels non-existent upon pressure; and the Xi pulse, which is fine both superficially and deeply. (This passage is attributed to Zhang Lu. Additionally, Li Shizhen's "Poem on Pulse Characteristics" states: The Ruo pulse lacks force and is soft upon pressure; it is soft, fine, and deep, not floating; when Yang sinks into Yin, essence and blood become deficient; this may be understandable in old age but causes sorrow in youth.) The Ruo pulse indicates the decline and weakness of Yang qi. Whenever this pulse is seen, warming and tonifying methods must be used to consolidate Yang and benefit Stomach qi. However, if the pulse is accompanied by a slippery quality and harmony, one may predict that Stomach qi has not yet ceased. If the Ruo pulse is further accompanied by a choppy quality, and appears suddenly in young or robust individuals during acute illness, it indicates a collapse of both qi and blood, making it mostly difficult to treat. (*Suwen* states: A pulse that is weak yet slippery indicates the presence of Stomach qi; a pulse that is weak yet choppy is termed chronic illness. Seeing this pulse after illness in the elderly or weak is favorable; seeing it in healthy youths is unfavorable. Zhang Zhongjing said: When Yang sinks into Yin, there is aversion to cold and fever. He also stated: The Ruo pulse governs tendons; the Shen pulse governs bones. Floating Yang and Weak Yin indicate blood deficiency leading to tendon stiffness. Liu Shi said: Qi deficiency results in a weak pulse; radial weakness indicates Yang deficiency; ulnar weakness indicates Yin deficiency; middle-position weakness indicates Stomach deficiency.)