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Difficulty 65 states: The Classics say, "What emerges is the Jing-Well point, what enters is the He-Sea point." What is the principle behind this?

The answer is: "What emerges is the Jing-Well point." The term "Jing" (Well) corresponds to the East and Spring, the time when all things begin to grow; hence it is said that "what emerges is the Jing-Well point." "What enters is the He-Sea point." The term "He" (Confluence/Sea) corresponds to the North and Winter, when Yang Qi enters the Zang organs; hence it is said that "what enters is the He-Sea point."

The "Classics" mentioned here refer to the *Lingshu · Ben Shu* chapter. The Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea points cycle like the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, just as the four directions of East, South, West, and North circulate endlessly.

Spring and Summer govern growth and nourishment, with Yang Qi residing on the exterior; Autumn and Winter govern storage and conservation, with Yang Qi residing within. The Jing-Well points belong to Spring, so Qi emerges and ascends from them. The He-Sea points belong to Winter, so Qi enters the Zang organs at these points. Just as heaven and earth have four seasons in a year, and a day also has four phases, the human body circulates Qi according to these rhythms. Therefore, with every breath, Yin and Yang Qi permeate the entire body without exception.

Commentary: The *Ben Shu* chapter states that the Lung Meridian's Jing-Well (Wood) point is Shaoshang (LU11), located on the medial side of the tip of the thumb. Its Qi flows to Yuji (LU10) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Taiyuan (LU9) as the Shu-Stream point, travels along Jingquan (LU8) as the Jing-River point, and enters Chize (LU5) as the He-Sea point. The Heart Meridian's Jing-Well (Wood) point is located at the tip of the middle finger. For the Pericardium Meridian, Zhongchong (PC9) is the Jing-Well point, Laogong (PC8) is the Ying-Spring point, Daling (PC7) is the Shu-Stream point, Neiguan (PC6) [Note: Text says Jianshi PC5, but standard is Neiguan for Jing-River, however text says Jianshi, I will translate strictly as text]... wait, text says "Jianshi" (PC5) as Jing-River? Standard is Neiguan (PC6). Let's stick to text: Jianshi (PC5) is the Jing-River point, Quze (PC3) is the He-Sea point. Why do the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea of the Heart Meridian run through the Pericardium Meridian? This is because the Heart governs Blood, and the Pericardium governs the Vessels; this represents the union of the Ministerial Fire and the Sovereign Fire. The Heart and Pericardium are connected via blood vessels, so the Qi and Blood emerging from the Heart sometimes travel through the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and sometimes through the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian.

The Liver Meridian's Jing-Well (Wood) point is Dadun (LR1), located at the tip of the big toe. Its Qi flows to Xingjian (LR2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Taichong (LR3) as the Shu-Stream point, travels along Zhongfeng (LR4) as the Jing-River point, and enters Ququan (LR8) as the He-Sea point. The Spleen Meridian's Jing-Well (Wood) point is Yinbai (SP1), located on the medial side of the big toe. Its Qi flows to Dabu (SP2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Taibai (SP3) as the Shu-Stream point, travels along Shangqiu (SP5) as the Jing-River point, and enters Yinlingquan (SP9) as the He-Sea point. The Kidney Meridian's Jing-Well (Wood) point is Yongquan (KI1), located in the center of the sole. Its Qi flows to Ran Gu (KI2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Taixi (KI3) as the Shu-Stream point, travels along Fuliu (KI7) as the Jing-River point, and enters Yin Gu (KI10) as the He-Sea point. These are the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea points of the five Zang organs.

The Bladder Meridian's Jing-Well (Metal) point is Zhiyin (BL67), located at the tip of the little toe. Its Qi flows to Tonggu (BL66) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Shugu (BL65) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Jinggu (BL64) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Kunlun (BL60) as the Jing-River point, and enters Weizhong (BL40) as the He-Sea point. The Gallbladder Meridian's Jing-Well (Metal) point is Qiaoyin (GB44), located between the fourth and fifth toes. Its Qi flows to Xiaxi (GB43) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Linqu (GB41) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Qiuxu (GB40) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Yangfu (GB38) as the Jing-River point, and enters Yanglingquan (GB34) as the He-Sea point. The Stomach Meridian's Jing-Well (Metal) point is Lidui (ST45), located between the second and third toes. Its Qi flows to Neiting (ST44) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Xangu (ST43) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Chongyang (ST42) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Jiexi (ST41) as the Jing-River point, and enters Xiaguan (Zusanli ST36) as the He-Sea point.

The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian connects superiorly with the Hand-Shaoyang Meridian. Its Jing-Well (Metal) point is Guanchong (TE1), located between the fourth and fifth fingers. Its Qi flows to Yemen (TE2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Zhongzhu (TE3) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Yangchi (TE4) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Zhigou (TE6) as the Jing-River point, and enters Tianjing (TE10) as the He-Sea point. However, the lower Shu-point of the Sanjiao emerges at Weiyang (BL39), which is anterior to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian; this is the Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. This is because the Qi of the Sanjiao originates from the Kidneys and circulates through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Burners. Its oblique branches form Luo-vessels connecting to the Bladder, while its straight trunk forms the Jing-Meridian, which is the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. Thus, the Sanjiao has two Shu-points.

The Small Intestine Meridian's Jing-Well (Metal) point is Shaoze (SI1), located at the tip of the little finger. Its Qi flows to Qian Gu (SI2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into Houxi (SI3) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Wang Gu (SI4) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Yang Gu (SI5) as the Jing-River point, and enters Xiao Hai (SI8) as the He-Sea point. The Large Intestine Meridian's Jing-Well (Metal) point is Shangyang (LI1), located between the index and thumb fingers. Its Qi flows to Er Jian (LI2) as the Ying-Spring point, pours into San Jian (LI3) as the Shu-Stream point, passes through Hegu (LI4) as the Yuan-Source point, travels along Yangxi (LI5) as the Jing-River point, and enters Quchi (LI11) as the He-Sea point. These are the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Yuan-Source, Jing-River, and He-Sea points of the six Fu organs.

Regarding the Jing-Well points of the Zang and Fu organs: those of the Zang originate from Wood, and those of the Fu from Metal, because Wood and Metal represent the beginning and end of generation and completion. The Zang organs store Essence, and their Qi is Yin; however, transforming Qi must be born from Yang. Therefore, although the Zang are Yin, their origin is consistent, arising from the generating Wood of Shaoyang. The Fu organs perform functions, and their Qi is Yang; however, abundant Qi must return to Essence. Therefore, although the Fu are Yang, their formation arises from the completing Metal of Dui (West). Hence, the Jing-Well points of the Zang are Wood, and those of the Fu are Metal. Generating Qi resides in the Zang, and completing Qi resides in the Fu, analogous to Spring and Autumn in the four seasons. This is the fixed principle of Yin and Yang and the fundamental investigation required for acupuncture methods. However, this excerpt only covers the general outline of the Classic text. The specific locations and measurements of the acupoints must be carefully verified against the illustrations in the *Bronze Man Acupuncture and Moxibustion Atlas* to avoid errors.