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The method of rescue. Its wonderful application lies in acupuncture. Observe the seasons and years according to the Heavenly Dao. Determine the constitution and Qi within your own mind. In spring and summer, when the body is lean, needling should be shallow. In autumn and winter, when the body is fat, needling should be deep.

The meridians do not end until Jueyin (Liver Pericardium) is exhausted. Acupoints begin from Yunmen (LU-2) and conclude at Qimen (LR-14). There are twelve regular meridians, and the collateral vessels branch out into over three hundred paths. Depending on whether the patient is upright, sideways, supine, or prone, there are over six hundred positions for Qi and Blood observation. The three Yang meridities of the hand and foot: Hand-Yang moves towards the head, and Head-Yang moves towards the feet. The three Yin meridians of the hand and foot: Foot-Yin moves towards the abdomen, and Chest-Yin moves towards the hands. To understand "Ying-Sui" (Following and Reversing), one must clearly distinguish between reverse and smooth directions.

Moreover, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the abundance or scarcity of Qi and Blood are paramount. Jueyin and Taiyang have little Qi and much Blood. Taiyin and Shaoyin have little Blood and much Qi. As for those with abundant Qi and little Blood, they belong to the domain of Shaoyang. Those with abundant Qi and abundant Blood belong to the position of Yangming. First, carefully examine the suitability based on the quantity of Qi and Blood; second, observe the arriving Qi. When Qi has not yet arrived, the pulse feels light, slippery, and slow. When Qi has arrived, it feels deep, choppy, and tight. Once Qi has arrived, measure the cold or heat to decide whether to retain or quickly withdraw the needle. If Qi has not arrived, judge emptiness or fullness to await the Qi. The arrival of Qi feels like a fish swallowing bait, rising and sinking. The absence of Qi feels like sitting in a deep, quiet hall. If Qi arrives quickly, the effect is rapid; if Qi arrives slowly, the prognosis is poor.

Observing the methods of the Nine Needles, the Filiform Needle (Hao Zhen) is the most subtle. It corresponds to the Seven Stars above, and all acupoints govern treatment. Its form is Metal, possessing the way to dispel evil and support righteousness. Its length is Water, possessing the mechanism to resolve stagnation and open blockages. Its fixed depth resembles Wood, either expelling evil or supporting righteousness. Placing it in the mouth compares to Fire, advancing Yang and tonifying weakness. Following the mechanism and covering/sealing resembles Earth, corresponding to the Five Elements and thus known. Although it is only three cun and six fen long, it contains profound principles. Though fine as a hair, it connects multiple branches. It can balance the cold and heat of the Five Zang organs and regulate the deficiency and excess of the Six Fu organs. For spasms and blockages, dispatch the Eight Evils to remove them. For cold, heat, pain, and bi-syndrome, opening the Four Passes (Si Guan) will cure it.

Generally, in needling, ensure the patient's Shen (Spirit) is gathered before insertion. After needling, ensure the patient's Shen is settled so that Qi follows. Do not needle if the Shen is not gathered; proceed if the Shen is settled. Where you plant the needle, take regulating Qi and Blood as the main intent. Where you make the first move, recognize Water and Wood (Kidney and Liver) as the foundation. This reflects the Three Talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Yongquan (KI-1) together with Xuanji (CV-15) and Baihui (DU-20) correspond to the Upper, Middle, and Lower parts. Dabao (SP-21) with Tianshu (ST-25) and Dijia (SP-8), along with Yangqiao Mai, Yangwei Mai, Du Mai, and Dai Mai, primarily govern diseases of the shoulder, back, waist, and legs located in the exterior. Yinqiao Mai, Yinwei Mai, Ren Mai, and Chong Mai primarily govern doubts/difficulties of the heart, abdomen, hypochondrium, and ribs located in the interior. Er Ling (Xiguan GB-34, Quchi LI-11), Er Qiao (Zhaohai KI-6, Shenmai BL-62), Er Jiao (Waiguan TE-5, Zhigou TE-6) seem to continue and connect with the five major joints. Liang Jian, Liang Shang, Liang Jing points rely on each other and separate into two branches. Thus, the method of selecting acupoints must have precise measurements. First, examine your own intention, then observe the flesh layers. Obtain them by extending or flexing, or keep them level and stable. On the Yang side near tendons and bones, the depression is the true point. In the Yin division, the corresponding arterial pulse indicates the point. When selecting five acupoints, use one as the standard to ensure correctness. When selecting three meridians, use one meridian as the standard to correct alignment. Differentiate the head and shoulders carefully. Determine the Du Mai and Ren Mai differently. Clarify Biao (Branch) and Ben (Root), discuss the meridians for deep and shallow needling. To stop pain and move discomfort, select intersecting and interweaving pathways.

Have you not heard that for Zang-Fu diseases, seek the subtlety of Mu-Alar, Shu-Shu, Yuan, and Back-Shu points? For meridian stagnation, seek the ways of Yuan, Bie, and intersection points. Further explore the Four Roots and Three Knots, needle according to Biao and Ben, and there will be no failure to heal. Simply use the Eight Methods and Five Gates, distinguish master and guest, and there will be no failure in efficacy. The eight extraordinary vessels always connect to the Eight Hui points, which are the guidelines. The twelve regular meridians have twelve Yuan points, called the pivots. The method of selecting sixty-six acupoints in one day reveals the profound mysteries. Selecting the Yuan points of the twelve meridians in one shichen reveals the essential wonders.

As for tonification and sedation methods, they do not depend on respiration but on finger techniques. The key to rapid effect is connecting meridians and identifying the source meridian. Jing-Miao (Cross) needling: left disease taken from the right side. Sedating collaterals with distant needling: head disease needled on the feet. Ju-Ci and Miao-Ci are different. Micro-needling and wonderful needling are interconnected. Observe the sections to know the deficiency and excess of meridians; view floating and sunken pulses to differentiate the cold and warmth of Zang-Fu.

Furthermore, first ensure the needle is bright and consider if it is damaged; next, hide it in the mouth to warm it. Do not look outward; hold the hand like grasping a tiger; have no internal distractions, as if awaiting a noble person. Press heavily and frequently with the left hand to disperse Qi; enter lightly and slowly with the right hand to avoid pain. Fear of emptiness: standing straight may cause dizziness; facing away from the eye, press deeply. Sitting or lying flat prevents fainting. Deduce from the Ten Stems and Ten Transformations to know the opening and closing of acupoints. Discuss the Five Elements and Five Zang, observe the prosperity and decline of days and times. Lie still like a drawn crossbow; respond swiftly like releasing the trigger. Yinjiao and Yangbie stabilize blood vertigo. Yinqiao and Yangwei deliver the placenta. Bi, Jue, and hemiplegia are treated by Ying-Sui to reconnect meridians. Lou, Beng, and leukorrhea are treated by warming and tonifying to return Qi and Blood. Retain quietly for a long time, pause the needle to wait. Accurately, select Zhaohai (KI-6) to treat throat obstruction. Indeed, use Dazhong (KI-4) to treat mental dullness. Generally, pain and excess require sedation; itching and numbness and deficiency require tonification. Heavy body and joint pain are governed by Shu points. Fullness in the heart region is governed by Jing points. Heart distension and throat pain: needle Taichong (LR-3) to eliminate. Spleen cold and stomach pain: sedate Gongsun (SP-4) for immediate relief. Chest fullness and abdominal pain: pierce Neiguan (PC-6). Hypochondriac and rib pain: needle Feihu (LI-8). Spasms and bone pain: tonify Hunmen (BL-47). Body heat and consumptive cough: sedate Pohu (BL-48). Head wind and headache: needle Shenmai (BL-62) and Jinmen (BL-63). Itchy and painful eyes: sedate Guangming (GB-37) at Diwu. Sedate Yinxi (HT-6) to stop night sweats and treat pediatric bone-steaming fever. Pierce Pianli (LI-6) to promote urination and treat adult ascites. Stroke: Huantiao (GB-30) is suitable for needling. Deficiency and exhaustion: Tianshu (ST-25) can be selected.

Therefore, before noon until Mao hour, Taiyin generates and warms quickly. From Li-Zuo to You-Nan, the new moon dies and cools quickly. Follow, rub, and flick; retain inhalation mother for firmness and length. Claw extension and lifting; quick exhalation son for brevity and shortness. Move, retreat, empty, rest; welcome and seize from the right to sedate coolness. Push inward and rotate forward; follow and assist from the left to tonify warmth. Be cautious! For major critical illnesses, if complexion and pulse are unfavorable, do not needle. For cold, heat, wind, yin conditions, hunger, fullness, drunkenness, and fatigue, strictly avoid needling. Do not tonify on the day of the full moon (Wang); do not sedate on the day of the new moon (Hui). Do not deplete on the day of the half-moon (Xian); do not assist on the day of the new moon (Shuo). Refine your mind to exhaust the methods; do not burn moxa to damage the skin. Correct the principle to seek the origin, avoiding misplaced needles. Avoid moxa sites and add points to the four limbs. There are forty-nine contraindicated sites; removing six leaves twenty-two.

It is also heard that Emperor Gaozhu suffered from illness without recovery; Li Shi pierced Jueque (CV-14) and he revived. The Crown Prince died suddenly from Jue syndrome; Yue Ren pierced Weihui (DU-20/EX-HN1 area contextually often refers to specific emergency points, here likely referring to a specific technique or point combination mentioned in ancient texts, often associated with revival) and he woke up. Jianjing (GB-21) and Quchi (LI-11): Zhen Quan pierced arm pain and he could shoot again. Xuanzhong (GB-39) and Huantiao (GB-30): Hua Tuo pierced the foot and he could walk immediately. Qiu Fu pierced Yaoshu (DU-2) and the ghost avoided deep sickness. Wang Zuan pierced Jiaoshu and the demon appeared immediately. Take Ganshu (BL-18) and Mingmen (DU-4), making blind men see the tip of an autumn hair. Pierce Shaoyang and Jiaobie, making deaf men hear the sound of summer mosquitoes. Alas! The further we go from the sages, the more this path declines. Some lose interest and abandon their studies; some lack ability and violate taboos. I am foolish and shallow-minded, difficult to match with profound words. The Great Dao is deep; how many obtain it? I occasionally state these words, not daring to show them to the enlightened. Perhaps this will inspire the mind of the novice.

Above is *Biao You Fu* (Ode to the Profound Signs), written by Dou Hanqing. Now I record it here from *Zhen Jing Zhi Nan*.