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The Liver governs Blood, and the Lung governs Qi. Blood belongs to Ying (Nutritive Qi), and Qi belongs to Wei (Defensive Qi). Yin and Yang match each other without deviation; the harmonious communication between the Liver and Lung follows this pattern.

This passage discusses the pulse of pregnancy. Although pulses vary infinitely, they ultimately do not exceed the two aspects of Qi and Blood. The Liver governs Blood, and the Lung governs Qi; Blood is Ying, and Qi is Wei; Ying is Yin, and Wei is Yang. On a grand scale, it refers to Yin and Yang; on a small scale, it refers to husband and wife. However, within our own bodies, there is also the way of husband and wife, which is the Yin and Yang Qi. Only after Yin and Yang are matched can the fetus be formed. What does "all follow this pattern" mean? Practitioners of cultivation refer to the Liver as the Wood Duke and the Lung as the Metal Mother. Although they occupy their respective directions, they must constrain and control each other for the Great Medicine to be refined. Therefore, the *Cantong Qi* (Treatise on the Kinship of the Three) states in Chapter 28: "Raise the East to unite with the West, Soul and Spirit naturally bind each other." Thus, the formation of the fetal storehouse is due to the communication of Qi and Blood between the Liver and Lung, and the matching of Yin and Yang, after which the fetal storehouse begins to condense.

If Blood is deficient and Qi is vigorous, pregnancy will certainly not occur; if Blood is vigorous and Qi is deficient, pregnancy should be present.

One might ask: Since it was previously stated that only after Yin and Yang are matched and Qi and Blood are harmonized can the fetus be generated, how can one say there is pregnancy when Blood is vigorous and Qi is deficient? I do not believe this. One does not know that the creation of Yin and Yang is extremely profound and unfathomable. I have seen robust women who cannot bear children, and yellow, emaciated women who can bear children. This is what is meant. Moreover, there are cases where a man, critically ill, engages in intercourse with a woman and still impregnates her. Thus, the miracle of Yang bestowing and Yin transforming lies in an instant. This shows that the fetus can form without waiting for Qi and Blood to be fully abundant. However, the fetus is a有形 (form) entity, and Blood is also a 有形 (form) entity; therefore, Blood is crucial. The Liver governs Blood and corresponds to Wood; the Lung governs Qi and corresponds to Metal. Thus, Zhang Shixian quotes the *Neijing* (Inner Canon): "Metal and Wood are the beginning of life and death. If Wood is excessive, life prevails; if Metal is excessive, killing prevails." This statement is correct.

The Cun (inch) pulse is faint, the Guan (bar) pulse is slippery, and the Chi (cubit) pulse is rapid. The pulse flows smoothly and comes and goes like a sparrow pecking. The pulse characteristics of a child are already visible, yet the mother has been pregnant for months without realizing it.

The *Classic* says: "Yin beats distinctly apart from Yang, this is called having a child." What is meant by "Yin beats distinctly apart from Yang" is that the Chi pulse beats strongly under the fingers, greatly differing from the Yang pulse before the Guan position. This refers to the faintness of the Cun pulse and the rapidity of the Chi pulse. What is meant by "Guan slippery"? Ying Qi originates from the Middle Jiao. A slippery pulse indicates more Blood and less Qi; its smooth flow back and forth is the characteristic of a slippery pulse. The "sparrow-pecking" pulse refers to a sudden pause within a slippery and rapid pulse. The above pulses are all signs of amenorrhea indicating pregnancy. If the sparrow-pecking pulse appears in other diseases, death ensues; but in the case of amenorrhea, it indicates pregnancy. There was a woman whose brother was also knowledgeable in medicine. He diagnosed her and exclaimed, "The sparrow-pecking pulse appears; the illness is ominous." Later, I was consulted. I asked, "How many months has your menstruation been absent?" She replied, "Four months." I said, "Do not worry; this is a pregnancy pulse." Indeed, she later became pregnant.

A rapid and slippery pulse on the left hand indicates a male; on the right hand, a female. The pulse flows smoothly and rapidly. If the Guan pulses on both hands are large and corresponding, the fetus has taken shape. This is also a common saying from earlier times.

The male principle favors the left, and the female principle favors the right. Furthermore, the two Taiyang channels are on the left, and the two Taiyin channels are on the right. Therefore, a rapid and slippery pulse on the left hand indicates a male fetus, and on the right hand, a female fetus. "Flowing smoothly and coming and going rapidly" describes the nature of the rapid and slippery pulse. The left Guan corresponds to the Liver, which governs Blood; Wood is the direction of generating Qi. The right Guan corresponds to the Spleen, which controls Blood; Earth is the mother of all things. If the Guan pulses on both hands are large and corresponding, the fetus has taken shape. However, pregnancy pulses are not uniform. Some present as faint at Cun, slippery at Guan, and rapid at Chi; some show smooth flow with sparrow-pecking characteristics; others show large and corresponding Guan pulses on both hands. Although the pulses differ, they all indicate pregnancy and can be judged in conjunction with the previous verses.

A longitudinal pulse on the left hand predicts the birth of two boys.

Cheng Ziming states: Longitudinal (Zong) means the husband overrides the wife, Water overcomes Fire, and Metal overcomes Wood. This is the "Ghost-Thief" pulse. Named "Longitudinal," it indicates bearing two boys.

A transverse pulse on the right hand predicts the birth of twin girls.

Cheng Ziming states: Transverse (Heng) means the wife overrides the husband, Fire overcomes Water, and Wood overcomes Metal. This is the "Overcoming" pulse. Named "Transverse," appearing on the right hand, it indicates bearing twin girls. I consider Cheng's statement that "Wood overcomes Metal" to be correct. However, his statement that "Fire overcomes Water" is incorrect. Why? Because there is no Water pulse on the right hand. It should be stated as "Wood overcomes Metal, and Water overcomes Earth," leaving no room for debate.

An inverted pulse on the left hand predicts the birth of three boys.

Cheng Ziming states: Inverted (Ni) means the child overrides the mother, Water overcomes Metal, and Fire overcomes Wood. This is the "Self-Generated" pulse. Named "Inverted," appearing on the left hand, it indicates giving birth to three boys. As Cheng stated, since he specified the left hand, "Water overcomes Metal" should not apply. I believe it should be stated as "Earth overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Wood, and Wood overcomes Water." If such pulses appear in the three positions of the left hand, three boys should be born.

A smooth pulse on the right hand predicts the birth of three girls.

Cheng Ziming states: Smooth (Shun) means the mother overrides the child, Metal overcomes Water, and Wood overcomes Fire. This is the "Generating-Self" pulse. Named "Smooth," appearing on the right hand, it indicates bearing three girls. As Cheng stated, since he specified the right hand, "Metal overcomes Water" should not apply. Upon examination, it should be stated as "Earth overcomes Metal, Fire overcomes Earth, and Wood overcomes Fire." If such pulses appear in the three positions of the right hand, three girls should be born.

When the Cun, Guan, and Chi pulses are all corresponding, it predicts one boy and one girl, showing distinct characteristics.

Cheng Ziming states: When the Cun, Guan, and Chi pulses correspond in size, slowness, and speed, it indicates bearing one boy and one girl. The term "pulse of distinct shape" refers to the fact that the area before the Guan is Yang, and behind the Guan is Yin; the correspondence of Yin and Yang pulses results in bearing one boy and one girl. I believe these two lines specifically address the preceding discussion of longitudinal, transverse, inverted, and smooth patterns on the left and right. The meaning is: If the left hand (whether Cun, Guan, or Chi) shows a longitudinal or inverted pattern, and the right hand (whether Cun, Guan, or Chi) shows a transverse or smooth pattern, then it should be diagnosed as one boy and one girl.

Sometimes the child dies while the mother lives, or the mother dies while the child survives.

Cheng Ziming states: These two lines do not provide a method for distinguishing whether the mother or child survives.

If the pulse flows smoothly through all three positions, with slippery and rapid qualities alternating and feeling strong ("Ti Ti"), the pulse of excess Yang and deficiency Yin becomes clear. This indicates rebellious Qi filling the chest.

Cheng Ziming states: If the Cun, Guan, and Chi pulses all flow smoothly, feeling strong and slippery-rapid, it is a pulse of excess Yang and deficiency Yin, indicating rebellious Qi filling the chest of the pregnant woman. I disagree. The first two lines describe a strong, slippery-rapid pulse flowing smoothly through the three positions, representing pure Yang and proper Yin harmoniously interacting, which is a pregnancy pulse. The latter two lines state that in a pregnancy pulse, the area before the Guan (Yang) should be weak, and the area behind the Guan (Yin) should be strong. Now, if the Yang area is excessively strong and the Yin area is weak, Qi rises but does not descend, causing rebellious Qi to fill the chest.

A floating and large pulse on the left hand (Taiyang) indicates a male; a deep and fine pulse on the right hand (Taiyin) indicates a female. All Yang pulses indicate males, all Yin pulses indicate females; keep this clear in mind.

Li Fan states: The earlier verse "Rapid on left for male, rapid on right for female" and the later verse "String-tight-firm-strong-slippery is safe, deep-fine-micro returns to the underworld" are cited. Here, "Left hand Taiyang floating and large indicates male" aligns with the canonical principles of pregnancy. However, "Right hand Taiyin deep and fine indicates female" seems questionable. Pregnancy pulses should typically be slippery and rapid. If deep and fine, both Qi and Blood are deficient, making pregnancy unlikely. Assuming the right hand belongs to Yin, and a deep Yin pulse indicates a female, it should be described as "deep and stone-like" to hope for a successful female fetus. I presumptuously suggest reading it as "Right hand Taiyin deep and stone-like indicates female." I checked the *Mai Fu* (Pulse Ode), which also says: "Taiyin surging indicates female pregnancy." Li Fan's words are correct. I understand that "Both Taiyang are on the left" means the left Cun and left Chi are floating and large. "Both Taiyin are on the right" means the right Cun and right Guan are deep and fine. Floating and large are Yang; both Taiyang floating indicates all Yang for a male. Deep and fine are Yin; both Taiyin deep and fine indicates all Yin for a female. However, the "deep and fine" mentioned here applies only to the right Cun and Guan, not all six positions. It simply means deep and fine, not the "deep, fine, and micro" mentioned at the end. Why change "fine" to "large"?

If the three positions are equally deep upon pressing, there is no doubt.

The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: If the pulses in the left and right three positions are equal in depth upon pressing and do not cease, it is pregnancy. This verse omits "left and right" and "floating" due to the constraint of seven-character lines. The implication is: if the left and right three positions are equal in depth upon pressing, it is undoubtedly a fetal pulse.

If the Chi pulse does not cease, it is a true pregnant woman.

The *Classic* states: The Kidney is named the Gate of the Bladder and the Door of the Child; the Chi position reflects the Kidney pulse. If the Chi pulse does not cease upon pressing, it indicates pregnancy. This corresponds to the ode: "Chi pulse unceasing confirms the fetal pulse."

When the husband overrides the wife, the longitudinal Qi comes like fog and dew; when the wife overrides the husband, the transverse Qi assists; when the child overrides the mother, the inverted Qi participates; when the mother overrides the child, the smooth Qi protects.

Li Fan explains: Yin and Yang combine, and the two Qi interact. If Yin Blood arrives first and Yang Essence follows, the longitudinal Qi descends like fog and dew. The Blood opens to wrap the Essence, Yin outside and Yang inside, Yin enveloping Yang to form the fetus. This is called "Husband overrides wife, longitudinal Qi like fog," resulting in a male form. If Yang Essence enters first and Yin Blood follows, the transverse Qi from the sides assists. The Essence opens to wrap the Blood, Yin inside and Yang outside, Yang enveloping Yin to form the fetus. This is called "Wife overrides husband, transverse Qi assists," resulting in a female form. When the male form is established, the child overrides the mother, and inverted Qi participates. When the female form is established, the mother overrides the child, and smooth Qi protects. Fetal Qi gathers and relies on the four Qi of longitudinal, transverse, inverted, and smooth to nourish itself, forming male or female. Cheng Ziming also explains: Longitudinal is husband overriding wife (Water overcomes Fire, Metal overcomes Wood), the Ghost-Thief pulse. Fog implies dew and vertical/horizontal movement. Husband's Yang Qi overrides Wife's Yin Qi, moving up and down like fog, moistening and knotting the child. Transverse is wife overriding husband, assisted by lateral Qi. Inverted is child overriding mother, where Child Qi offends Mother Qi, moving against the normal flow. Smooth is Mother Qi overriding Child Qi, protecting it. Fetal gathering relies on these four Qi to form. Observing both scholars' explanations, neither is entirely clear. Li Fan attributes husband/wife/child/mother to the human body and longitudinal/transverse/inverted/smooth to Essence/Qi/Blood, which conflicts with the earlier verses regarding left/right longitudinal/transverse/inverted/smooth pulses. Cheng's explanation is mostly correct, especially for "left hand longitudinal," but the subsequent three lines contradict reason. No wonder the subtle principles of the sages become obscure, causing later students to retreat in awe. These four lines were added by He Huanzhi (Shuhe) because he feared the previous discussion of longitudinal/transverse/inverted/smooth was hard to understand, so he used husband/wife/child/mother to explain himself. His intent was: "I previously said 'Left hand longitudinal yields two boys.' What does this mean? It means husband overrides wife. What is husband overriding wife? It means Water overcomes Fire, Metal overcomes Wood. What does this mean? It means the left Cun pulse should be floating and surging but is instead deep and slippery; the left Guan pulse should be string-long but is instead choppy and short. This is the Ghost-Thief pulse, i.e., husband overriding wife. If these appear in the left two positions, it is called Longitudinal, yielding two boys. I also said 'Right hand transverse yields twin girls.' What does this mean? It means wife overrides husband. What is wife overriding husband? It means Wood overcomes Metal, Water overcomes Earth. What does this mean? It means the right Cun pulse should be floating and choppy but is instead string-long; the right Guan pulse should be slow-large but is instead deep-small. This is the Overcoming pulse, i.e., wife overriding husband. If these appear in the right two positions, it is called Transverse, yielding twin girls. I also said 'Left hand inverted yields three boys.' What does this mean? It means child overrides mother. What is child overriding mother? It means Earth overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Water. What does this mean? It means the left Cun pulse should be floating and surging but is instead slow; the left Guan pulse should be string-long but is instead floating and surging; the left Chi pulse should be deep and slippery but is instead string-long. This is the Self-Generated pulse, i.e., child overriding mother. If these appear in the left three positions, it is called Inverted, yielding three boys. I also said 'Right hand smooth yields three girls.' What does this mean? It means mother overrides child. What is mother overriding child? It means Earth overcomes Metal, Fire overcomes Earth, Water overcomes Wood. What does this mean? It means the right Cun pulse should be floating and choppy but is instead slow-large; the right Guan pulse should be slow-large but is instead surging-rapid; the right Chi pulse should be deep and slippery but is instead string-long. This is the Generating-Self pulse, i.e., mother overriding child. If these appear in the right three positions, it is called Smooth, yielding three girls. Alas! This is Shuhe's unique insight, revealing what predecessors had not expressed, repeatedly explaining to open the eyes of future students. Why not establish new traditions? Yet figures like Dai Qizong failed to clarify this logic, instead denouncing it as non-existent in the *Mai Jing*, claiming it was merely a reshuffling. How can they have faces without eyes, and eyes without hearts? I harbored doubts about this verse for decades and now finally explain it clearly. May future students devote themselves to the teachings of the sages and not be misled by false doctrines.

According to the *Complete Works of Zhang Zhongjing*: Question: Pulses have mutual overcoming, longitudinal, transverse, inverted, and smooth. What does this mean? Master answers: Water overcoming Fire, Metal overcoming Wood is called Longitudinal. Fire overcoming Water, Wood overcoming Metal is called Transverse. Water overcoming Metal, Fire overcoming Wood is called Inverted. Metal overcoming Water, Wood overcoming Fire is called Smooth.

When the child's days are full, the fetus gathers. The body feels hot, the pulse is chaotic, but there is no distress. Sweating, loss of appetite, occasional vomiting and nausea, spirit remains composed within.

Chi Shi states: When a woman first conceives, it is Heaven generating Water. In the second month, it receives Fire Qi. The pregnant woman experiences fever, chaotic pulse, sweating, loss of appetite, vomiting, and nausea (morning sickness). In the third month, it receives Wood Qi. Spirit and structure reside within. Harmonious Qi nourishes the child, and Child Qi moistens the mother. With both Qi nourishing and moistening, the child rests securely.

Slippery and rapid pulse without dispersion indicates three months of pregnancy; rapid pulse without dispersion indicates five months of pregnancy.

Cheng Ziming states: At three months of pregnancy, it is called "Initial Fetus." There is no fixed form yet, nourished by the Pericardium channel. The pulse is slippery, rapid, and smooth, indicating less Qi and more Blood. Non-dispersion indicates abundant Qi and Blood, marking the initial formation of the fetus. If the pulse is merely rapid and numerous without dispersion, it indicates a five-month pregnancy. Zhang Shixian states: Slippery and rapid without dispersion marks the initial formation of shape. Rapid without dispersion marks the completed shape of the child. The child forms at three months and takes shape at five months. Both scholars' statements are somewhat forced. In my view, the "not" in "slippery and rapid without dispersion" in the first line is likely a typo for "and" (er). Why? The *Mai Jing* states: "If the pulse is slippery and rapid, and disperses upon heavy pressure, the fetus is three months old. If it does not disperse upon heavy pressure, but is merely rapid and not slippery, it is five months old." The meaning is: At three months, the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium channel nourishes the fetus; there is no fixed form, so the pulse is slippery-rapid and disperses. At five months, the Foot-Taiyin Spleen channel nourishes the fetus; gender is distinguished, so the pulse is slippery-rapid and does not disperse. Thus, the error of "not" is undeniable.

According to the *Mai Jing*: In the first month of pregnancy, the Foot-Jueyin channel nourishes. Second month, Foot-Shaoyang. Third month, Hand-Jueyin. Fourth month, Hand-Shaoyang. Fifth month, Foot-Taiyin. Sixth month, Foot-Yangming. Seventh month, Hand-Taiyin. Eighth month, Hand-Yangming. Ninth month, Foot-Shaoyin. Tenth month, Foot-Taiyang. Each Yin and Yang channel nourishes for thirty days. For live births, the Hand-Taiyang and Hand-Shaoyin do not nourish; below governs menstruation, above produces milk. For live births sustaining the mother during pregnancy, moxibustion and acupuncture on these channels should be avoided to prevent miscarriage.

String-tight, firm, strong, and slippery pulses indicate safety; deep, fine, and micro pulses lead to the underworld (death).

Tongjinzi states: Earlier, "Taiyin deep and fine" was described as a safe pregnancy pulse, but here "deep, fine, and micro" is described as a death pulse, seeming contradictory. Shuhe considers string-firm-tight-slippery as the normal pulse for pregnancy. If all three positions are deep, fine, and micro, it indicates death. Cheng Ziming states: The pregnant woman's pulse should be string-tight, firm, strong, and slippery for auspiciousness. If deep, fine, and micro, the pulse does not correspond to the condition, hence death. Although earlier texts mention "Taiyin deep and fine" and "All Yin indicates female," there seems to be a contradiction. It is explained that the three positions are not all deep, fine, and micro, hence different. I believe both scholars are correct. The Classics state: In the seventh month of pregnancy, solid, large, firm, and strong pulses indicate survival, while deep and fine indicate death. In the eighth month, solid, large, firm, strong, string, and tight pulses indicate survival, while deep and fine indicate death. Comparing these canonical passages with the verse, they are consistent. Cheng Ziming quoted this verse in the *Furen Liangfang* (Good Prescriptions for Women) and discussed it. Xue states: I observe that the previous verse differs from the *Mai Jue*. Readers should deduce this themselves.