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The sages of old stated: "Qi generates Blood, but Blood does not generate Qi," which is indeed correct. However, although Blood cannot generate Qi, Qi must rely on Blood to nourish and retain it. The so-called "Qi generates Blood" corresponds to what Western medicine describes as chemical processes. There exists a type of Qi in the human body whose nature and function can stimulate the Blood, transforming it from minute strands into vast quantities (ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand). When the power of this Qi ceases, the generation of Blood also stops. It is commonly observed that individuals with deficient Qi or those whose Qi has been damaged by illness invariably present with pale complexion and faint collateral coloration, without symptoms of blood loss. This is because their Qi strength is weak and unable to stimulate the transformation of blood fluid. This specific Qi is Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), which originates from the Heart and derives its resources from the Spleen and Stomach; hence it is said that "the Heart generates Blood, and the Spleen controls Blood." It is not that the physical organs of the Heart and Spleen themselves generate or control Blood, but rather that the transformative power of the Zang-Fu Qi achieves this effect.

Regarding "Blood retains Qi," the nature of Qi is fierce, slippery, and rapid; it moves ceaselessly and tends to scatter rather than gather. Without something to retain it, would it not simply move until it dissipates? Only when the substance of Blood is cherished by Qi does Blood serve as the residence for Qi, causing them to wrap around each other and remain united without scattering. Therefore, in cases of sudden massive blood loss, Yuan Qi (Original Qi) inevitably becomes unstable, leading to sudden panting; in cases of chronic blood loss, Yang Qi floats upward, resulting in fever; after an illness, when Blood is scanty, one may frequently feel like panting or vomiting, or experience dizziness and nausea upon slight exertion, or have a persistent low-grade fever. These are all due to Blood being insufficient to sustain Qi, causing Qi to fail in residing securely in its dwelling. The governing authority over this lies with the Liver and Kidney. The flavor of the Liver is sour, and the flavor of the Kidney is salty; both sour and salty properties belong to astringency. The reason Blood can sustain Qi is that it contains the astringent nature of the Liver and Kidney. Thus, it is said that "the Liver stores Blood," not because the physical capacity of the Liver stores Blood, but because its nature is astringent. Essence is transformed from Blood, possessing a stronger power to retain Qi; therefore, it is necessary for the Kidney to grasp Qi for Qi to remain stable long-term. Understanding this principle reveals the mutual assistance between Qi and Blood, meaning that half of the treatment strategy is already understood. For Blood deficiency, one should tonify Qi; for hyperactive Qi, one should especially nourish Blood.

The Qi that generates Blood is Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). When Ying Qi is abundant, Blood is abundant; when Ying Qi is deficient, Blood is deficient. They depend on each other for life and cannot be separated. The Qi stored within Blood is Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and Zong Qi (Gathering Qi). Hyperactive Qi consumes Blood, while scanty Blood causes Qi to scatter; they assist each other in movement and neither should be neglected. Ying Qi governs dampness, Wei Qi governs heat, and Zong Qi governs movement. Ying Qi cannot move on its own and must borrow the power of Zong Qi to circulate. Although Wei Qi has its own driving force, if Zong Qi is deficient, heat will sink inward. Consequently, individuals experiencing five-palm heat and bone-steaming fever do so because the power of Zong Qi fails to transport heat outward; water retention below the heart, leading to fatigue and loose stools, occurs because the power of Zong Qi fails to transport dampness outward.