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Tianfu (Heavenly符) years: pathogenic factors invade the Si Tian (Chief Qi of Heaven), causing rapid danger or sudden death depending on severity. Suihui (Annual Meeting) years: pathogenic factors invade the Zai Quan (Subterranean Qi), leading to slower but persistent progression. Taiyi Tianfu (Great One Heavenly符) years: pathogenic factors invade both Heaven and Earth Qi, resulting in violent onset and death. When Jun Huo (Monarch Fire) and Xiang Huo (Minister Fire) overlap, although they share the same nature and seem harmonious, there is a distinction between favorable (Shun) and unfavorable (Ni) relationships. Favorable implies distant disease and minor harm; unfavorable implies proximate disease and rapid harm.

[Annotation] When pathogens affect humans in Tianfu years, it is called "Zhong Zhi Fa" (Hitting the Executive Officer), which violates the Si Tian (Chief Qi of Heaven). Heaven belongs to Yang; Yang nature is rapid, so the disease is swift and critical. In Suihui years, it is called "Zhong Xing Ling" (Hitting the Order Executor), violating the Zai Quan (Subterranean Qi). Earth belongs to Yin; Yin nature is slow, so the disease is lingering and persistent. In Taiyi Tianfu years, it is called "Zhong Gui Ren" (Hitting the Noble Person), violating both Si Tian and Zai Quan Qi. Since both Heaven and Earth Qi are violated, the disease is violent and leads to death. The "Two Fires" refer to Jun Huo (Monarch Fire) and Xiang Huo (Minister Fire). Although they share the same Qi and appear compatible, one must understand the distinction between Monarch-Minister favorability. Jun Huo is the Monarch; Xiang Huo is the Minister. In the context of Si Tian adding upon the Central Yun (Six Steps), or Guest-Host overlapping: if Jun Huo is above and Xiang Huo below, it is "Monarch overseeing Minister," which is favorable (Shun); thus, the disease is distant and harm is minor. If Xiang Huo is above and Jun Huo below, it is "Minister offending Monarch," which is unfavorable (Ni); thus, the disease is near and harm is rapid.

The movement of Heaven and Earth Qi distinguishes Nan Zheng (Southern Sovereign) and Bei Zheng (Northern Sovereign) years. Jia and Ji years belong to the Earth Yun and are Nan Zheng years; the other four Yun pairs are all Bei Zheng years. The pulse non-response associated with Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) depends on its location. For Bei Zheng years, the diagnostic approach is reversed. This text preserves the classical meaning for future scholars to study. Deviations from standard expectations are not errors but distinctions of severity. If the Chi (Cun-Knee) and Cun (Wrist) pulses are reversed, or if Yin and Yang pulses cross, life is difficult to save.

[Annotation] "Heaven and Earth Qi" refers to the Three Yin and Three Yang, specifically the Ke Qi (Adventitious Qi) of Si Tian (Chief Qi), Zai Quan (Subterranean Qi), Zuo Jian (Left Intercalary Qi), and You Jian (Right Intercalary Qi). When Ke Qi moves through a Nan Zheng year, it is called Nan Zheng; when through a Bei Zheng year, it is called Bei Zheng. In Nan Zheng years, only the Jia-Ji Yun (Earth) applies; Yi-Geng, Bing-Xin, Ding-Ren, and Wu-Gui Yuns are all Bei Zheng years. "Shao Yin Sui Zai Bu Ying Zhan" means that wherever the Shao Yin Jun Huo (Monarch Fire of Lesser Yin) Ke Qi is located—whether Si Tian, Zai Quan, Zuo Jian, or You Jian—the pulse at that corresponding diagnostic site will be non-responsive (Bu Ying). A responsive pulse follows the classic description: "When Shao Yin arrives, the pulse is Hook-like." Non-responsive means the pulse does not exhibit the Hook quality.
In Nan Zheng years:
- If Shao Yin is Si Tian, both Cun (inch) pulses are non-responsive.
- If Shao Yin is Zai Quan, both Chi (cubit) pulses are non-responsive.
- If Jue Yin is Si Tian, its Left Jian is Shao Yin; the Right Cun pulse is non-responsive.
- If Tai Yin is Si Tian, its Right Jian is Shao Yin; the Left Cun pulse is non-responsive.
- If Jue Yin is Zai Quan, its Left Jian is Shao Yin; the Left Chi pulse is non-responsive.
- If Tai Yin is Zai Quan, its Right Jian is Shao Yin; the Right Chi pulse is non-responsive.
These correspond to the positions of Shao Yin Ke Qi.
In Bei Zheng years, the diagnostic sites for non-response are reversed and correspond to Yang Ming Ke Qi positions:
- If Shao Yin is Si Tian, both Chi pulses are non-responsive.
- If Shao Yin is Zai Quan, both Cun pulses are non-responsive.
- If Jue Yin is Si Tian, its Left Jian is Shao Yin; the Left Chi pulse is non-responsive.
- If Tai Yin is Si Tian, its Right Jian is Shao Yin; the Right Chi pulse is non-responsive.
- If Jue Yin is Zai Quan, its Left Jian is Shao Yin; the Right Cun pulse is non-responsive.
- If Tai Yin is Zai Quan, its Right Jian is Shao Yin; the Left Cun pulse is non-responsive.
Given that there are 12 Nan Zheng years and 48 Bei Zheng years, and the methods differ (direct vs. reverse diagnosis), the logic of response and non-response is complex. We preserve this theory for later scholars.
If the expected pulse is absent, it indicates harmony with the Qi. If the unexpected pulse appears, it indicates disharmony and disease. If the left responds instead of the right, or vice versa, it is "out of position." If the upper responds instead of the lower, or vice versa, it is "lost position." Both indicate disease, varying in severity. Severe cases involve "Chi-Cun Reversal" (Shi Cun Fan) and "Yin-Yang Crossing" (Yin Yang Jiao). Shi Cun Fan occurs when the Shao Yin pulse should be non-responsive at Cun but appears at Chi, or vice versa; this happens in Zi, Wu, Mao, You years. Yin Yang Jiao occurs when the Shao Yin pulse should be non-responsive on the left but appears on the right, or vice versa; this happens in Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei, Yin, Shen, Si, Hai years. These signs indicate death, hence "life is difficult to save."