Library

[Preface]
In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) and his ministers Qibo, Shaoyu, and four others engaged in mutual discussion, thereby initiating the source of medicine. The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) constitute the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon). The *Ling Shu* discusses the circulation of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi and Blood, the shifting of cold and heat seasons, the gains and losses in diet and lifestyle, the winning and losing cycles of the Five Movements (Wu Yun) and Six Qi (Liu Qi), and the compliance or deviation of the six climatic factors according to their seasonal order; by observing pulse and complexion, it clarifies the origin of diseases. However, examining its therapeutic methods, acupuncture and moxibustion are described most extensively. Since Zhang Zhongjing authored the *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and related formulas, acupuncture remained indispensable, such as needling Fengchi (GB20), Fengfu (GV16), and Qimen (LR14), and moxibustion on the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians. Subsequently, renowned physicians emerged one after another, medical texts flourished, and acupuncture was incorporated therein. Modern physicians focus solely on herbal decoctions, regarding acupuncture and moxibustion as minor skills and neglecting them; thus, although the books of *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* survive, few know the needling techniques. I, Li Xuechuan, disregarding my own ignorance, compared the similarities and differences of acupoints in the *Ling Shu*, *Su Wen*, and *Jia Yi Jing* (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), and referenced discussions from the *Shang Han Za Bing Fang Shu* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) and other formula texts, compiling them into six volumes of *Zhen Jiu Feng Yuan* (Source of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). This work specifically highlights chapters on meridians and needling methods from the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* to fill gaps in medical transmission. Discussions on Zang-Fu organ manifestations, essential pulse diagnosis, and disease theories that do not involve acupuncture are excluded, aiming to facilitate focused reading on acupuncture. Considering the inconvenience for students in checking and copying, this edition also extracts over forty articles from the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, including their main points, similar to Wang Ren'an's *Lei Cuan*, but with slightly more detailed annotations. These are now submitted for printing, briefly stating the original intent, hoping that eminent scholars will instruct me on my shortcomings.

Written in the spring intercalary third month of the Renwu year of Daoguang (1822) by Li Xuechuan, courtesy name Sanyuan, at Dihua Caotang.

[General Rules]
1. The *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* discuss the correspondence between Zang-Fu organs and meridians, interior-exterior relationships, and detail acupoints and needling methods, opening the source of medical practice. However, the complete classics are voluminous. Recent editions such as *Su Ling Lei Cuan* and *Yi Jing* have been abridged for brevity. This collection extracts relevant scriptures from the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, highlighting the essentials of acupuncture and moxibustion for readers' convenience. Annotations are selected concisely after comparing those of Wang Bing, Ma Shi, Wu Kun, and Zhang Jingyue's *Lei Jing*.

2. The *Ming Tang Zhen Jiu Tu* (Illustrations of the Bright Hall for Acupuncture and Moxibustion), three volumes, discusses human acupoints and contraindications for cauterization, tracing back to the Yellow Emperor's teachings. During the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song, a decree ordered Wang Weide to verify acupuncture methods, casting bronze models as standards, categorizing treatments by the twelve meridians, resulting in the *Tong Ren Zhen Jiu Tu* (Bronze Man Acupuncture Illustrations), three volumes. Wang Shuya's *Zi Sheng Jing* (Classic of Nourishing Life) selected 360 acupoints, classifying them by front/back and head/tail, associating points with diseases, and integrating methods from the *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) and *Wai Tai Mi Yao* (Prescriptions from the Outer Cabinet). Hua Borun's *Shi Si Jing Fa Hui* (Elucidation of the Fourteen Meridians) detailed the essentials of opening/closing, flow/transmission, intersection, and divergence, comprehensively covering 657 acupoints. This edition corrects the count to 618 acupoints on the left and right of the twelve regular meridians, and 52 acupoints on the Ren and Du vessels, totaling 670 acupoints. Among these, there are 301 named acupoints in the regular meridians, and 96 acupoints in the extraordinary vessels, with 35 specific names.

3. The printed edition of *Zhen Jiu Da Cheng* (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) is verbose and contains methodological errors, making verification difficult for students. This collection first records the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, incorporates various schools of thought, corrects the acupoints based on the Bronze Man classic, and references arguments on treatment methods, organized into six volumes. It is largely similar to the *Zhen Jiu Da Cheng* but differs in details.

4. Children have fragile bodies, timid spirit, and weak intestines and stomachs; acupuncture and moxibustion should not be attempted hastily. Herbal decoctions may also not always be suitable. Therefore, massage (Tui Na) is added to supplement these limitations.

5. The syndrome differentiation and treatment in this collection are entirely based on previous texts, abridged and integrated for clarity, aiming to ensure accuracy in clinical practice and adherence to ancient methods. Some chapter headings and sentences are not fully detailed, and author names are omitted for conciseness. Occasional personal insights are marked with "An" (Comment). Due to limited insight, I only hope for correction and instruction from eminent scholars.

Recorded by Li Xuechuan, Mountain Dweller of Dengwei.