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Chest and abdominal pain, hypochondriac pain, and epigastric pain were categorized by ancient physicians into "Nine Types of Pain" (Jiu Tong). The key factors are not beyond cold, heat, deficiency, excess, qi, blood, phlegm, food stagnation, and parasites. Cold causes coagulation and condensation, while heat causes consumption and melting. When cold is severe, it leads to cold limbs (Jue Ni) with upward rushing; when heat is severe, it scorches and flares upward. One must balance cold and heat so that the zang-fu organs can flow freely, eliminating pain. Mixed symptoms generally fall under the guidelines of cold and heat, and can be treated concurrently, leading to recovery as the medicine takes effect. Regarding liver qi rebellion rushing upward, it often manifests as epigastric pain centered behind the heart, accompanied by obstruction in the upper limbs, both hypochondria, diaphragm, and throat. Treatment should focus on descending rebellious qi and softening the liver. Zhang Zhongjing formulated Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill) as an excellent method to drain wood (liver) and stabilize the middle jiao, employing both cold and heat to achieve perfect balance. If yang is deficient, follow the method of Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Evodia Decoction). If liver yang is excessive, remove Evodia (Wu Zhu Yu) and Aconite (Fu Zi), use small amounts of Zanthoxylum (Hua Jiao) and Ginger (Sheng Jiang), and combine Mume Fruit (Wu Mei), Coptis (Lian), Toosendan (Chuan Lian Zi), and White Peony Root (Bai Shao). This utilizes bitter, acrid, and sour flavors to enter the Jueyin channel, serving as a method for pacifying and descending. If spleen and stomach are deficient with liver fire disturbance, use Wu Ji Liu Jun Tang (Five-Elder Six-Gentleman Decoction) with herbs such as Dendrobium (Jin Hu), Papaya (Mu Gua), Moutan Bark (Dan Pi), and Mulberry Leaf (Sang Ye) to support earth and suppress wood. If due to depression and failure of free flow, Zhu Danxi's Liu Yu Tang (Six-Stagnation Decoction) is also effective. For kidney yin deficiency leading to hyperactive liver wood, use Mai Mai Gan Lu Tang (Recovering Pulse Sweet Dew Decoction) combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), representing the treatment based on the common source of Yi (Liver/Wood) and Gui (Kidney/Water). Generally, for chest and hypochondriac pain, add modifications to Jin Ling Zi San (Melia Dispersion). For severe fire stagnation, assisting metal (clearing lung to subdue liver) is a good method; if severe, use Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (Angelica Dragon Bile Pill). For damp-heat sores and ulcers, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction) is a miraculous agent. Liver diseases are numerous, including headache, vomiting and diarrhea, retching, distension, and diarrhea, all belonging to liver-stomach disorders.

In my treatment of various syndromes and pain caused by qi rushing upward where other medicines failed, I used Zhang Zhongjing's Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill) at 3 qian, adding several meridian-guiding herbs according to the deficiency or excess of the disease, decocted and taken orally. It yields rapid results like a drumstick striking a drum. Hereafter, I explain the rationale of this formula. In this prescription, Wu Mei (Mume Fruit) enters the Liver channel as the Sovereign herb; its sour taste is the natural flavor of the Liver. Bai Shao (White Peony Root) acts as the Minister to drain fire and astringe yin. Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome) and Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root) act as Assistants to invigorate blood and moisten. Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) acts as the Envoy to descend qi most rapidly. Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan Fruit), Hua Jiao (Zanthoxylum Pericarpium), and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) clear the liver and calm roundworms. Thus, it is an organized army. Adding Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) and Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf) lightly drains upper jiao fire stagnation. Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn), Gou Teng (Uncaria Ramulus), Gan Ju (Chrysanthemum Flower), Ji Li (Tribulus Fruit), and Tian Ma (Gastrodia Rhizome) are essential products for clearing the liver and draining fire. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome), Nan Chen Xiang (Agarwood), and Jiang Xiang (Sandalwood) are key medicines for dispersing and descending rebellious qi. Carefully studying the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon), which states "tonify with acrid, drain with sour," treating the liver suits sour flavors. If ascending is too urgent, sour astringency becomes descending and draining. However, through researching pathology, I have gained unique insights. The substance of the Liver relies on yin-blood for nourishment, but its nature as a General and its authority as Dragon and Phosphorus Fire are rooted in true yang. Liver yin deficiency is indeed a source of many ailments, but liver yang is also crucial. If yang is slightly deficient, the Middle Earth (Spleen/Stomach) will be weak, and Wood easily overacts on Earth. Turbid yin rises with the qi and offends upwards, shifting according to the person's yin-yang deficiency or excess. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing's principle of using cold and heat mutually establishes the Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill), consistent throughout.

Commentary by Lan: Liver fire is the most violent, scorching without restraint. In the body, any slight stagnation and failure of free flow causes the fire to rush upward, manifesting as pain, distension, or diarrhea. It reaches up to the head and eyes, mid-level to the chest, epigastrium, hypochondria, and umbilicus, and down to the scrotum and testes, all governed by the Jueyin channel. Although ancient and modern texts distinguish nine causes of pain, they ultimately do not exceed cold/heat and yin/yang. Grasping the key to treatment concludes it in one word. The Master elucidated pathology, followed Zhang Zhongjing's legacy, and used Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill) as the main formula, achieving swift efficacy in all cases. I record this now so that future generations may benefit significantly.