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[Body and Image] The Shu pulse (Rapid Pulse) belongs to Yang; its image manifests as excessive speed. In one respiration cycle, the pulse beats six times, moving back and forth beyond the normal limit.

[Main Diseases] The Shu pulse primarily indicates Fu-organ diseases, with the pathology being Heat. A Shu pulse at the Cun position is associated with wheezing and coughing, mouth ulcers, or lung abscesses. A Shu pulse at the Guan position indicates Stomach Heat, with pathogenic Fire attacking upward. A Shu pulse at the Chi position suggests Hyperactive Ministerial Fire, leading to seminal emission, turbid urination, strangury, or urinary retention.

[Combined Pulses] If the Shu pulse is forceful, it indicates Excess Fire; if it is weak, it indicates Deficiency Fire. A Floating-Shu pulse indicates Exterior Heat; a Deep-Shu pulse indicates Interior Heat. Yang-Shu corresponds to Sovereign Fire; Yin-Shu corresponds to Ministerial Fire. A Shu pulse on the Right side indicates Fire hyperactivity; a Shu pulse on the Left side indicates Yin damage.

[Commentary] The meaning of "Shu" (Rapid) is restlessness and urgency without maintaining balance and harmony. Upon one exhalation, the pulse moves twice, and Qi travels three cun. Upon one inhalation, the pulse moves twice, and Qi travels three cun. During the pause between respiration cycles, Qi travels six cun. In a day and night, there are 13,500 respiration cycles, during which Qi circulates fifty times through the body, traveling 810 zhang in the vessels. This is the constant measure of the normal circulation of meridians and vessels. If the pulse beats six times per respiration cycle, does this not exceed the normal limit? The nature of Fire is swift and urgent; therefore, in conditions of Yang excess, the pulse must be rapid. The spurious *Mai Jue* (Pulse Canon) classifies pulses into "Seven Superficial and Eight Interior," yet uniquely omits the Shu pulse, mentioning it only in the song for the Heart. This error is profound. A Shu pulse that is also wiry and tight is a Jin pulse (Tight Pulse). A Shu pulse that is smooth and slippery is a Hua pulse (Slippery Pulse). A Shu pulse that has pauses is a Cu pulse (Hasty Pulse). A Shu pulse that reaches extreme speed is a Ji pulse (Extreme Rapid Pulse). A Shu pulse that resembles a bean grain is a Dong pulse (Agitated Pulse). The ancients said: "One should not tire of reading pulse books repeatedly; by reading them thoroughly and thinking deeply, the principles will become clear." For such similar pulses, deep thought is required to distinguish them, and thorough reading is required to master them. Wang Shuhe stated: "Two beats per respiration is a Normal pulse; three beats is a Li Jing pulse (Departing from the Canon); four beats is a Duo Jing pulse (Depleting Essence); five beats is a Si pulse (Death); six beats is a Ming Jin pulse (End of Life), based on the number of beats." Thus, we know that the more rapid the pulse form, the hotter the corresponding disease. If seen in the Lung region, it is a "Thief Pulse" for the Metal organ; if encountered in Autumn, it is an ominous sign of overcoming the commanding seasonal Qi.

[Body and Image] The Hua pulse (Slippery Pulse) flows continuously and smoothly back and forth; its shape is like pearls rolling on a plate, or like dewdrops on lotus leaves.

[Main Diseases] The Hua pulse is a Yang pulse, mostly indicating Phlegm and fluid retention. A Hua pulse at the Cun position is associated with coughing, chest fullness, and vomiting/regurgitation. A Hua pulse at the Guan position indicates Stomach Heat, qi stagnation, or food retention. A Hua pulse at the Chi position is associated with strangury disease, or dysentery and accumulations; in men, it may indicate hematuria; in women, menstrual stagnation.

[Combined Pulses] A Floating-Hua pulse indicates Wind-Phlegm; a Deep-Hua pulse indicates Phlegm-Food retention. A Hua-Shu pulse indicates Phlegm-Fire; a Hua-Duan pulse indicates Qi obstruction. A Hua pulse combined with Floating and Large indicates pain in the yin organs during urination. A Hua pulse combined with Floating and Scattered indicates wind-stroke leading to paralysis and flaccidity. A Hua pulse combined with a harmonious and vigorous quality can determine pregnancy.

[Commentary] The meaning of "Hua" (Slippery) is smooth flow without涩滞 (stagnation/roughness). When Yin Qi is in excess, the pulse comes smoothly like water. The pulse is the residence of Blood; when Blood is abundant, the pulse is slippery, so the Kidney pulse appropriately exhibits this quality. Zhang Zhongjing described the Hua pulse as "Xi Yan Chen" (fluctuating and suddenly sinking), but people often fail to understand it. "Xi" means floating; "Yan" means suddenly. It refers to suddenly sinking, vividly depicting the state of smooth flow, extremely detailed and precise. The spurious *Mai Jue* states: "Pressing makes it sink, the three positions resemble pearls, neither advancing nor retreating." This is completely disjointed from the name and meaning of the Hua pulse. To say it "sinks" or "neither advances nor retreats" is particularly absurd. Wang Shuhe considered Guan-Hua as Heat in the Stomach, while the spurious *Mai Jue* considered Guan-Hua as Cold in the Stomach; Wang Shuhe considered Chi-Hua as Blood stasis in the Lower Jiao, while the spurious *Mai Jue* considered Chi-Hua as cold below the navel like ice. How opposite and erroneous they are! Furthermore, examining Wang Shuhe's statement: "Similar to the Shu pulse," implies that Hua must combine with Shu; whereas Li Shizhen regarded Hua as excess Yin Qi. Why do they not coincide? Perhaps differentiation should be made based on Floating/Deep and Cun/Guan/Chi positions. The Hua pulse is called "Yang within Yin" because its form combines with Shu (Rapid), thus it is Yang; because its form is like water, thus it is Yang within Yin. Generally, those combining with Floating lean towards Yang, and those combining with Deep lean towards Yin; therefore, some indicate Heat and some indicate Cold, with no fixed designation in ancient texts. By weighing Floating/Deep and distinguishing Cun/Guan/Chi, errors can be avoided.