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The sage deduced the numerical laws of Heaven and Earth. Starting with one, it extends to nine, thereby establishing the "Nine Fields" (Jiu Ye). Multiplying nine by nine yields eighty-one, which serves as the base number for Huangzhong (the fundamental pitch pipe).

The nine needles correspond to these numbers. The first needle corresponds to Heaven. Heaven belongs to Yang. Among the Five Zang Organs, the Lung corresponds to Heaven. The Lung is the canopy covering the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs. The skin is the exterior correspondence of the Lung and represents the Yang Qi of the human body. Therefore, when crafting the first needle, its head must be broad and its tip sharp, preventing deep insertion so that Yang pathogens can be expelled from the surface. (This needle is used for superficial needling, solely to expel Yang pathogens.) The second needle corresponds to Earth. The part of the human body corresponding to Earth is flesh/muscle. Therefore, when crafting the second needle, its shaft must be cylindrical and its tip rounded, preventing injury to the muscle tissue. Injury to muscles would cause the depletion of Healthy Qi. The third needle corresponds to Humanity. Human life relies on blood vessels. Therefore, when crafting the third needle, its shaft must be broad and its tip rounded, allowing it to press upon the pulse without sinking too deeply, thereby mobilizing Jing Qi and causing Pathogenic Qi to exit alone. (This needle is used to press the pulse to mobilize Zheng Qi and expel Xie Qi; it must not penetrate too deeply into the blood vessels.) The fourth needle corresponds to the Four Seasons. Wind pathogens of the four seasons lodge in the meridians, causing tumorous accumulations (Liu Bing). Therefore, when crafting the fourth needle, its shaft must be cylindrical and its tip sharp, enabling the draining of Heat, bleeding, and the exhaustion of chronic diseases. The fifth needle corresponds to Musical Tones. Musical tones distinguish between Winter and Summer, divided at the Zi and Wu hours, where Yin and Yang separate, Cold and Heat contend, and the two energies clash to form carbuncles and pus. Therefore, when crafting the fifth needle, its tip must resemble a sword edge, capable of draining large amounts of pus. The sixth needle corresponds to Pitch Pipes. Pitch pipes regulate Yin and Yang and the four seasons, aligning with the Twelve Meridians. Deficient pathogens lodging in the meridians cause sudden Bi syndrome. Therefore, when crafting the sixth needle, its tip must be fine like a hair needle (Hao), round, and sharp, with the middle of the shaft slightly thicker, to remove sudden pathogenic Qi. The seventh needle corresponds to Stars. Stars correspond to the seven orifices of the human body. Pathogens lodging in the meridians cause painful Bi syndrome and reside within the channels. Therefore, when crafting the seventh needle, its tip should resemble the proboscis of a mosquito or horsefly. It should be inserted quietly and slowly, retained lightly for a long time, allowing Zheng Qi to follow, so that both True Qi and Pathogenic Qi are expelled together, nourishing the body after withdrawal. (This needle is used for subtle, slow, gradual dispersion of pathogens to nourish True Qi.) The eighth needle corresponds to Wind. Wind corresponds to the eight major joints of the limbs. Deficient winds from the eight directions injure the body, lodging internally between bone fissures, waist, spine, and interstices, causing deep Bi syndrome. Therefore, when crafting the eighth needle, its shaft must be long and its tip sharp, capable of removing deep-seated pathogens and distant Bi obstructions. The ninth needle corresponds to the Nine Fields. The Nine Fields correspond to the spaces between joints and the skin. Excessive pathogens overflow throughout the body, resembling wind-water edema, but cannot flow beyond the major joint hinges. Therefore, when crafting the ninth needle, it should be sized like a rigid rod, with a slightly rounded tip, to remove excessive Qi that cannot pass through the joints. (The diagram of the Nine Needles is in Volume 3.)

The human body corresponds to the Nine Fields. The left foot corresponds to the Gen Palace, on days of Wu Yin and Ji Chou. (Here, the left foot corresponds to the Northeast Gen Palace. After Start of Spring, this is the Northeast solar term. Yin and Chou days/hours belong to the Northeast direction, so their Qi corresponds to the Gen Palace. However, Qian, Kun, Gen, and Xun are the corner palaces, while Zhen, Dui, Kan, and Li are the cardinal palaces. Earth prospers in the four seasons, so all corner palaces correspond to Wu and Ji, while each cardinal palace has its own ruling element. The following follows this pattern.) The left hypochondrium corresponds to the Spring Equinox, on the day of Yi Mao. (Here, the left hypochondrium corresponds to the East Zhen Palace. After the Spring Equinox, this is the East solar term. Yi Mao day is the true East, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The left hand corresponds to the Start of Summer, on days of Wu Chen and Ji Si. (Here, the left hand corresponds to the Southeast Xun Palace. After Start of Summer, this is the Southeast solar term. Wu Chen and Ji Si days/hours belong to the Southeast direction, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The chest, throat, head, and neck correspond to the Summer Solstice, on the day of Bing Wu. (The chest, throat, head, and neck correspond to the South Li Palace. After the Summer Solstice, this is the South solar term. Bing Wu day is the true South, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The right hand corresponds to the Start of Autumn, on days of Wu Shen and Ji Wei. (Here, the right hand corresponds to the Southwest Kun Palace. After Start of Autumn, this is the Southwest solar term. Wu Shen and Ji Wei days/hours belong to the Southwest direction, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The right hypochondrium corresponds to the Autumn Equinox, on the day of Xin You. (Here, the right hypochondrium corresponds to the West Dui Palace. After the Autumn Equinox, this is the West solar term. Xin You day is the true West, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The right foot corresponds to the Start of Winter, on days of Wu Xu and Ji Hai. (Here, the right foot corresponds to the Northwest Qian Palace. After Start of Winter, this is the Northwest solar term. Wu Xu and Ji Hai days/hours belong to the Northwest direction, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The lower back, sacrum, and lower orifices correspond to the Winter Solstice, on the day of Ren Zi. (Here, the lower back, sacrum, and lower orifices correspond to the North Kan Palace. After the Winter Solstice, this is the North solar term. Ren Zi day is the true North, so their Qi corresponds accordingly.) The Six Fu Organs and the three Zang organs below the diaphragm correspond to the Central Region (Zhong Zhou). The major contraindications are the days when Taiyi resides, and all Wu and Ji days. (Here, below the diaphragm corresponds to the Central Palace. Below the diaphragm is the abdomen. The three Zang organs are the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney. The Six Fu and three Zang organs are all in the abdomen below the diaphragm, thus corresponding to the Central Region. The major contraindication lies in the days Taiyi resides, and all Wu and Ji days. Because Wu and Ji belong to Earth, although they prosper in the four seasons, they essentially represent the Central Palace's timing, so their Qi response is similar to Taiyi. For example, Taiyi resides in Yezhe Palace for 46 days after Winter Solstice, and in Tianliu Palace for 46 days after Start of Spring, etc. ○ Zhang Jingyue stated: The "Nine Palaces and Eight Winds" chapter only mentions eight palaces and does not mention the Central Palace. This section discusses the Central Palace and the days Taiyi resides. It is hypothesized that among the Taiyi numbers of the eight palaces, whenever it falls on the days Earth rules in the four seasons, it is the period of the Central Palace Taiyi. Only those with extensive knowledge can correct this.) Regarding these nine aspects (Nine Palaces), one should skillfully observe the locations of the Eight Regulars (Ba Zheng, i.e., the locations of the ruling Qi of the eight directions, also known as Taiyi). Once the Nine Palaces are determined, the Qi of the Eight Regulars can be observed. If there are carbuncles or swellings in the body parts governed by the left, right, upper, or lower directions, and one wishes to treat them, do not perform incision/drainage on the day directly opposite their location. This is called a "Heavenly Taboo Day" (Tian Ji Ri). (The chart of Heavenly Taboos based on Taiyi's residence is in Volume 3.)