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The qi of food enters the stomach. The spleen and stomach disperse the essence to the Liver, which then nourishes the tendons (sinews) through infiltration. (Note: Essence refers to the refined nutrients. The Stomach scatters these nutrients to the Liver, infiltrating and nourishing the tendons.)

The qi of food enters the stomach. The turbid (rich) qi returns to the Heart, and the essence infiltrates into the vessels. (Note: The Heart governs the blood vessels; thus, the rich essence from food returns to the Heart, and the essence infiltrates into the vessels.)

The qi flows through the meridians via the vessels, and the meridian qi converges in the Lungs. The Lungs face all vessels and distribute the essence to the skin and hair. (Note: Flow in the vessels relies on Qi. Qi is governed by the Lungs; thus, the Lungs are the assembly point for all vessels, distributing their essence to the skin and hair.)

The essence of the skin/hair and vessels combines, moving Qi to the Fu (specifically the Sea of Qi/Danzhong). (Note: Skin/hair belongs to the Lungs, vessels belong to the Heart. Their combined essence of Qi and Blood moves Qi to the Fu, meaning Qi gathers at Danzhong.)

The essence of the Fu combines with Shen (Spirit), remaining in the Zang organs, bringing the Qi of the organs into balance. (Note: Zong Qi accumulates in the Lungs, Shen emerges from the Heart. When Qi is abundant, Shen is vigorous. Thus, the essence of the Qi Fu is Shen. The four Zang organs—Lung, Liver, Spleen, Kidney—all rely on the retention of Shen as their master. Only then do the organ energies achieve harmony and return to equilibrium.)

When equilibrium is maintained, the Cun Kou pulse is formed, allowing one to determine life and death. (Note: Using the method of the balance scale, the Qi Kou is divided into three parts, forming the Cun and Chi positions. All vessels converge here, so it can be used to judge prognosis.)

Drinking water enters the stomach, where its essence overflows and is transported upward to the Spleen. (Note: When water enters the stomach, its transformed refined substances must first be transported to the Spleen. This is described as "the Middle Jiao is like a fermenting vat.")

The Spleen disperses the essence, sending it upward to return to the Lungs. (Note: The Spleen receives the essence from food and drink, disperses and ascends it, returning to the Lungs like clouds and mist. This is described as "the Upper Jiao is like a mist.")

(It regulates and controls the water passages, transporting downward to the Bladder.) (Note: Lung Qi circulates water, enabling the regulation of water passages and downward transport to the Bladder. This is described as "the Lower Jiao is like a ditch.")

Water essence distributes to all four directions, and the five meridians function in parallel. (Note: Water is generated by Qi, separating into clear and turbid. The clear part becomes essence, the turbid part becomes water. Thus, essence returns to the five Zang organs, and water returns to the Bladder.)

(Following the discussion on Organ Qi generating seasonal changes):

Diseases caused by the Five Qi (Organ Qi):
Heart Qi disease manifests as belching (eructation). (Note: Belching occurs in Heart, Spleen, and Stomach disorders, caused by Fire stagnation preventing Qi from extending smoothly.)
Lung Qi disease manifests as cough. (Note: The Lung belongs to Metal; when pathogenic factors strike, sound is produced.)
Liver Qi disease manifests as excessive talking. (Note: Speech involves answering questions, resembling the winding nature of Wood.)
Spleen Qi disease manifests as swallowing difficulties or acid regurgitation. (Note: Resembling Earth containing things, serving as the destination for matter.)
Kidney Qi disease manifests in yawning and sneezing. (Note: Yawning occurs when Yin draws Yang before it is fully exhausted; sneezing occurs when Yang desires to emerge but is triggered by Yin. Therefore, those with excess Yang do not yawn, and those with deficiency in the lower Jiao do not sneeze.)
Stomach Qi disease manifests as rebellious Qi, hiccups, and fear. (Note: Cold in the Stomach causes hiccups; excessive Earth damaging Water leads to Fear in the Kidneys.)
Large Intestine and Small Intestine diseases manifest as diarrhea. (Note: Loose stools.)
Excess in the Lower Jiao manifests as edema/water retention. (Note: The Lower Jiao is the site of distribution. If Qi is obstructed and cannot drain, it overflows into the muscles causing water accumulation.)
Bladder dysfunction manifests as strangury (difficulty urinating) if Qi is not smooth, and enuresis/incontinence if it lacks constraint. (Note: Pathogenic excess in the Bladder obstructs Qi flow, called strangury. If the Lower Jiao fails to constrain the Bladder to retain fluids, it results in enuresis.)
Gallbladder Qi disease manifests as irritability/anger. (Note: Anger is associated with the Liver, but also the Gallbladder, because the Liver's decision-making depends on the Gallbladder.)
This is referred to as the Five Diseases.

The Merging of the Five Essences (Zang Essences):
If Essence merges into the Heart, there is joy; if into the Lung, sorrow; if into the Liver, worry; if into the Spleen, fear; if into the Kidney, fright/fear. (Note: Each Zang stores specific essence. If they merge into one Zang, pathogenic excess occurs, manifesting specific emotional states.)
This is called the Five Mergings, occurring due to deficiency allowing conquering Qi to invade. (Note: When Zang Qi is deficient, the conquering Qi invades and merges.)

What the Five Zang Organs Dislike:
The Heart dislikes Heat; the Lung dislikes Cold; the Liver dislikes Wind; the Spleen dislikes Dampness; the Kidney dislikes Dryness.
This is referred to as the Five Dislikes.

The Fluids Generated by the Five Zang Organs:
The Heart generates Sweat (residue of Blood).
The Lung generates Nasal Mucus (discharged from the nose).
The Liver generates Tears (discharged from the eyes).
The Spleen generates Saliva (discharged from the mouth).
The Kidney generates Spittle (discharged from two openings under the tongue, Lianquan; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian follows the throat and flanks the root of the tongue).
This is referred to as the Five Fluids.

Prohibitions Regarding the Five Flavors:
Pungent flavors move Qi; those with Qi disorders should not consume much pungent flavor (as Pungency disperses, further depleting Qi).
Salty flavors move Blood; those with Blood disorders should not consume much salty flavor (as Salt causes Blood to coagulate and stagnate).
Bitter flavors move to the Bones; those with Bone disorders should not consume much bitter flavor (as Bitterness is heavy and sinking, thus affecting bones. *Note: The text cites Jiuzhen Lun stating Bitter moves Blood/Fire transformation and Salty moves Bones/Water transformation, though standard theory often associates Bitter with Bones and Salty with Blood/Kidneys. Translating strictly per source text logic provided*).
Sweet flavors move to the Flesh/Muscles; those with Muscle disorders should not consume much sweet flavor (as Sweetness can cause distension).
Sour flavors move to the Tendons/Sinews; those with Tendon disorders should not consume much sour flavor (as Sourness contracts, leading to tendon spasms/cramps and potentially strangury).
This is referred to as the Five Prohibitions; do not allow excessive consumption.