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The *Huangdi Zhenjing* (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Acupuncture) states: When the Qi of the Upper Jiao is insufficient, the brain feels empty and unsatisfied; the ears suffer from tinnitus; the head feels heavy and difficult to hold upright; and the eyes become dim. When the Qi of the Middle Jiao is insufficient, urination and defecation become abnormal; the intestines suffer from borborygmus. When the Qi of the Lower Jiao is insufficient, flaccidity syndromes (Wei syndrome) and cold extremities syndromes (Jue syndrome) occur; treatment involves tonifying the acupoint below the lateral malleolus and retaining the needle.

The decline and exhaustion of these Three Yuan True Qi (Yuan Qi) are all caused by the prior deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, resulting in the failure of Qi to ascend. If compounded by emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, worry, and fear, the condition becomes critical, and death may follow swiftly.

The *Huangdi Zhenjing* states: The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian both belong to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. The acupoint for the Small Intestine is located at Xiabianli (ST39); the acupoint for the Large Intestine is located at Shangbianli (ST37). These two acupoints are both located below Zusanli (ST36) of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. The Large Intestine governs Jin Ye (thin body fluids), and the Small Intestine governs Ye (thick body fluids). The Large Intestine and Small Intestine receive Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi derived from food and drink) from the Stomach, thereby enabling the transport of Jin Ye to the Upper Jiao, irrigating the skin and hair, and filling the Cou Li (interstices). If dietary habits are irregular and Stomach Qi fails to provide sufficient nourishment, the Large Intestine and Small Intestine have nothing to receive, leading to the depletion of Jin Ye. The *Neijing* states: Tinnitus, deafness, and dysfunction of the nine orifices arise from disorders of the intestinal tract and stomach. This is because a weak Stomach fails to nourish the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine, thus causing these symptoms. However, these conditions stem solely from Stomach weakness; therefore, the sages broadly stated that they originate from the "intestines and stomach." One might ask: Is there evidence for your claim that this is a broad statement? I reply: The *Yuji Zhenzang Lun* chapter of the *Suwen* states: Insufficiency of the Spleen leads to obstruction of the nine orifices. This is because the Spleen is considered Yin of the Dead State, receiving Yang Qi from the Stomach, which allows it to ascend the Qi of water and grain to the Lungs, nourishing the skin and hair upwards, and distributing it to the five Zang organs. Now, since the Spleen receives no nourishment, it cannot distribute Qi to the Zang and Fu organs, hence these symptoms arise; this refers to the obstruction of the nine orifices due to Spleen deficiency. Although it speaks of Spleen deficiency, it is ultimately caused by Stomach insufficiency. Why does this passage not mention the Spleen or the intestines and stomach, but instead mentions the Five Zang organs? I believe this explanation is no different from the previous two. It implies that because the Spleen does not accept the directives from the Stomach, the nine orifices governed by the Five Zang organs cannot connect with Heaven Qi above, resulting in blockage and dysfunction; thus, it is discussed in terms of the Five Zang organs. These three scenarios are merely caused by Stomach deficiency. Moreover, is this all there is? If the Stomach is deficient, the Five Zang organs, Six Fu organs, Twelve Primary Meridians, Fifteen Luo Vessels, and four limbs will all fail to receive the Qi of circulation and transformation, giving rise to myriad diseases. How could one end suffice to describe them all?