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The pathway of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) values the intake of grain. Grain enters the stomach, its qi is transmitted to the Lung, flows and overflows within, and spreads outward. The pure and concentrated part travels through the meridians, constantly circulating without cease, ending and beginning anew; this is called the norm of Heaven and Earth. Thus, the qi emerges from the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, follows the inner upper border of the arm, and injects into the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, ascending to the face. It then injects into the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, descending to the dorsum of the foot, and injects between the big toe. Merging with the Taiyin, it ascends to reach the Spleen, and from the Spleen injects into the Heart. Following the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, it exits the axilla and arm, injecting into the tip of the little finger. Merging with the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, it ascends through the armpit, exits the medial neck, injects into the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the vertex, descends to the nape, and merges with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Following the spine down to the sacrum, it descends to inject into the tip of the little toe. Following the sole of the foot, it injects into the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascending to the Kidney, and from the Kidney injects into the Heart, spreading outward into the chest. Following the Pericardium Meridian, it exits the axilla and arm, enters between the two tendons, enters the palm, exits at the tip of the middle finger, and returns to inject into the tip of the ring finger. Merging with the Hand-Sanjiao Triple Energizer Meridian, it ascends to inject into the Danzhong (Chest Center), disperses into the Sanjiao, and from the Sanjiao injects into the Gallbladder, exiting the hypochondrium. Injecting into the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, it descends to the dorsum of the foot, and again from the dorsum injects between the big toe. Merging with the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, it ascends to the Liver, and from the Liver ascends through the diaphragm, follows the throat, enters the orifice of the Xangsang (nasopharynx), and terminates at the Chumen (Livestock Gate). Its branch ascends to the forehead, follows the vertex down to the nape, follows the spine into the Didi (sacral region); this is the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). It connects with the genitalia, passes up through the pubic hair, enters the umbilicus, ascends along the interior of the abdomen, enters the Keyuan (Clavicular Fossa), descends to inject into the Lung, and re-emerges into the Taiyin. This is the normal course of Ying Qi circulation, following both reverse and forward directions.

Yellow Emperor asked: Where does man receive Qi? Where do Yin and Yang meet? What Qi is Ying? What Qi is Wei? From where does Ying arise? From where does Wei converge? The Qi of the old and the young differs, and Yin and Yang occupy different positions; I wish to hear about their convergence. Qibo replied: Man receives Qi from grain. Grain enters the stomach, its Qi is transmitted to the Lung, and all Zang and Fu organs receive Qi from it. The clear part becomes Ying Qi, and the turbid part becomes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). Ying circulates within the vessels, while Wei circulates outside the vessels. Ying circulates endlessly, meeting again after fifty cycles. Yin and Yang interpenetrate like a circle without end. Wei Qi travels in the Yin twenty-five degrees (cycles) and in the Yang also twenty-five degrees, dividing day and night. Thus, it rises when reaching Yang and stops when reaching Yin. Therefore, at noon, Yang is abundant, called Heavy Yang; at midnight, Yin is abundant, called Heavy Yin. Taiyin governs the interior, and Taiyang governs the exterior, each traveling twenty-five degrees. At sunset, Yang ends and Yin receives Qi. At midnight, they meet in grand assembly, and all people lie down, named "He Yin" (Combining Yin). At dawn, Yin ends and Yang receives Qi. Without ceasing, this follows the norms of Heaven and Earth.

Question: Why do the elderly not sleep soundly at night, while the young do not stay awake at night? What Qi causes this? Answer: In vigorous people, Qi and Blood are abundant, muscles are smooth, airways are unobstructed, and the movement of Ying and Wei Qi remains normal. Thus, they are energetic during the day and sleep soundly at night. In the elderly, Qi and Blood decline, muscles become withered, airways become obstructed, and the Qi of the five Zang organs clashes. Ying Qi becomes deficient, and Wei Qi attacks internally. Thus, they lack energy during the day and cannot sleep at night.

Question: I wish to hear where Ying and Wei Qi begin their circulation. Answer: Ying Qi originates from the Middle Jiao, and Wei Qi originates from the Lower Jiao. The Upper Jiao emerges from the stomach opening, goes up through the pharynx, pierces the diaphragm, and distributes in the chest. It moves to the axilla, follows the division of the Hand-Taiyin, and returns to inject into the Hand-Yangming. It ascends to the tongue and descends to inject into the Foot-Yangming. It often travels with Ying Qi in Yin and Yang, twenty-five degrees each, forming one cycle. Thus, it completes fifty cycles day and night and meets in grand assembly at the Hand-Taiyin.

Question: When a person eats hot food, before the heat dissipates, sweat appears on the face, back, or half of the body. Why does it not follow the pathway of Wei Qi? Answer: This is due to external wind injury, which opens the pores internally. Hair steams and skin texture leaks. Wei Qi rushes to these openings and thus cannot follow its proper path. This Qi is fierce, slippery, and rapid; upon seeing an opening, it exits immediately. Hence, it does not follow its usual path and is named "Lou Xie" (Leakage). The Middle Jiao also lies behind the stomach opening, emerging after the Upper Jiao. This is where Qi is received, waste is separated, fluids are steamed, and essence is transformed. It ascends to the Lung, transforms into blood, and nourishes the body. Nothing is more precious than this, so it alone travels in the meridians and is named Ying.

Question: Blood and Qi have different names but are of the same category. Why? Answer: Ying and Wei are Essence Qi, while Blood is Spirit Qi. Therefore, Blood and Qi are of the same category despite different names. Thus, those who lose blood should not be sweated, and those who lose sweat should not bleed. A person has two ways to die but no two ways to live. The Lower Jiao separates from the ileum, injects into the bladder, and seeps in. Water and grain usually reside together in the stomach, become waste, and descend together to the large intestine, becoming the Lower Jiao. They seep and descend together, separating juices, following the Lower Jiao, and seeping into the bladder.

Question: When a person drinks wine, it also enters the stomach. Why is urine excreted before the rice is digested? Answer: Wine is the liquid of cooked grain. Its Qi is fierce and slippery. Therefore, although it enters the stomach later than grain, it exits as fluid earlier. Thus it is said: The Upper Jiao is like mist, the Middle Jiao is like fermentation, and the Lower Jiao is like a ditch. This is what is meant.