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Questioner: The *Tongren* (Bronze Man) and *Qianjin* (Thousand Gold Formulas) texts record more empty acupoints, whereas the *Shisi Jing Fahui* (Elucidation of the Fourteen Meridians) records fewer. For instance, Fengshi (GB31), Dushu (BL16), Jinjin (EX-UE10), and Yuye (EX-UE11) are present in the former but absent in the latter. Why is there such a discrepancy?

Responder: The *Shisi Jing Fahui* is based on the "Gu Kong" (Empty Bones) chapter of the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and Wang Bing’s commentary. In contrast, texts like the *Tongren* and *Qianjin* are considered partial works and not the orthodox classics of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo (Qibo).

Questioner: Jingming (BL1), Yingxiang (LI20), Chengqi (ST1), and Sizhukong (SJ23) are all contraindicated for moxibustion. Why is this so?

Responder: These four points are located near the eyes. Since the eyes fear fire, moxibustion is prohibited at these locations. By inference from this, it is known that Jingming (BL1) should not be moxaed; Wang Bing’s commentary was erroneous.

Questioner: Needle manipulation seems to consist entirely of reducing methods without any tonifying methods. The ancients used needles to guide Qi and treat diseases of excess. Nowadays, people rarely use them. Is it because they know needles lack tonifying effects and thus avoid them? Or is it due to weak constitutional Qi? Or perhaps because excessive depletion renders needle therapy ineffective? Or is it simply due to improper usage? The Classics state: "For deficiency of Yang Qi, warm with Qi; for deficiency of Essence, tonify with Flavor." Needles are made from Bian stones; they possess neither Qi nor Flavor. They pierce the skin, damage the flesh, and open apertures on the body, causing Qi to escape through these apertures. How can they provide tonification? The Classics further state: "When Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang are all deficient, do not use needles; instead, harmonize with sweet herbs." This is correct. It also states: "When both Form-Qi and Pathogenic-Qi are deficient, this indicates a deficiency of both Yin and Yang; do not puncture. Puncturing will severely deplete their Qi; the elderly will perish, and the robust will fail to recover." Such statements imply that needle therapy offers only reduction and no tonification.

Questioner: Diseases may reside in the Qi level or the Blood level. Do acupuncture practitioners distinguish between Qi and Blood?

Responder: Acupuncture practitioners must understand diseases of the Qi and Blood levels. Disease in the Qi level is migratory and unstable; disease in the Blood level is fixed and immovable. Regarding accumulations and masses: if the mass moves up or down in the abdomen, appearing or disappearing, it belongs to the Qi level. If it is located in the hypochondrium, below the heart, or above/below/left/right of the umbilicus, remaining fixed and gradually enlarging, it belongs to the Blood level. Regarding wind diseases: if symptoms move from the left hand to the right hand, or from the right foot to the left foot, changing frequently, it is a Qi-level disease. If symptoms remain fixed in the left foot or right hand, adhering without moving, it is a Blood-level disease. This applies to all diseases. One must know that for Qi-level diseases, treat upper disorders by selecting lower points, lower disorders by selecting upper points, left-sided disorders by selecting right points, and right-sided disorders by selecting left points. For Blood-level diseases, select points corresponding to the location of the blood pathology. If one reduces Qi when treating Blood disorders, or reduces Blood when treating Qi disorders, this is called punishing the innocent; who shall bear the blame!

Questioner: Modern physicians often cover their hands with sleeves while needling, secretly performing techniques, claiming these methods are mysterious and not shown to others, fearing theft of their skills. What exactly are these methods?

Responder: The fourteen techniques in the *Jinzhen Fu* (Ode to the Golden Needle), along with methods like Qinglong Baiwei (Green Dragon Wags Tail), are comprehensive. To seek mystery beyond these, I cannot believe it. Those who act thus are merely being deceitful and fraudulent to deceive people. Even if highly skilled, surely the Spirit will not bless them, and the needles will not be effective. What is there to admire!

Questioner: Some physicians insert needles into acupoints with little attention, chatting or drinking wine. After half a meal's time, they twirl the needle a few times, ask the patient to call out a few times, return to the banquet to drink, and then remove the needle. Can this truly cure disease?

Responder: The Classics state: "The essence of needling requires first governing the Shen (Spirit)." It also states: "Hand movements must be focused; the needle must be bright and even. Calmly observe the meaning, watching for changes in appropriateness." It further states: "As if facing an abyss, hand like holding a tiger, let the Shen not be distracted by myriad objects." And again: "As if serving a noble person, unaware of the sunset." Do these sayings suggest reverence or negligence? Chatting and drinking wine—what could be more irreverent? How can disease be cured? Practitioners of medicine should reflect deeply on this!