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Chapter 13 states: The classics say that if one observes the facial complexion but fails to find the corresponding pulse, and instead finds a pulse of the overcoming (controlling) relationship, death will ensue; if a pulse of the generating (promoting) relationship is found, the disease will resolve. Facial complexion and pulse should be cross-referenced and correspond with each other; how should this be understood?

The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter "Pathogenic Factors, Zang-Fu Organs, and Disease Manifestations," states: The correspondence among facial complexion, pulse, and Cun-Chi skin (the skin on the inner forearm from elbow to wrist) is as inseparable as the striking of a drumstick against a drum or the immediate echo of a shadow; they must not deviate from one another. This is also the manifestation of the root and the branches; thus, if the root dies, the branches wither. Facial complexion, pulse, body form, and flesh must not contradict each other. Therefore, a physician who understands one aspect is considered skilled; one who understands two aspects is considered divine; and one who understands all three is both divine and enlightened. When the complexion is cyan (blue-green), the pulse should be Xian (String-like); when red, the pulse should be Gou (Hook-like); when yellow, the pulse should be Dai (Intermittent); when white, the pulse should be Mao (Feather-like); and when black, the pulse should be Shi (Stone-like). If the complexion is observed but the corresponding pulse is not found, and instead an overcoming-pulse is detected, death will occur; if a generating-pulse is found, the disease will heal. "Yi" (resolve/heal) means recovery. "Can" (cross-reference) means to combine and verify. The statement in the classics refers to the meaning of this chapter.

However: The Five Zang organs each have five corresponding colors, all of which manifest on the face, and they should also correspond with the pulses at the Cun-kou (radial artery at the wrist) and within the Chi region. For example, if the complexion is cyan, the pulse should be Xian and rapid; if red, the pulse should be Fu (Floating), large, and scattered; if yellow, the pulse should be moderate, slow, and large; if white, the pulse should be Floating, Choppy (Se), and short; if black, the pulse should be Chen (Deep), Soft (Ru), and Slippery (Hua). This is what is meant by the five colors and the pulse needing to be cross-referenced and corresponded.

This discussion addresses the principle that color and pulse must be cross-referenced and corresponded. "Color" refers to the five colors manifesting on the face; "Pulse" refers to palpation, indicating the circulation of Ying-Blood (Nutritive Blood); "Chi" refers to the skin, specifically the Qi and Blood outside the vessels, which change and manifest on the Cun-Chi skin via the Luo-connecting vessels of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine channel, while the Qi and Blood inside the vessels change and manifest at the Cun and Chi positions via the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel. These are all manifestations of the Qi and Blood generated by the Stomach Fu organ and the Five Zang organs, representing the signs of the root and branches. Thus, by observing the color and feeling the pulse, one can determine the condition.

If the pulse is Shuo (Rapid), the Cun-Chi skin also feels tense/rapid; if the pulse is Ji (Tense), the Cun-Chi skin also feels tense; if the pulse is Huan (Slow/Relaxed), the Cun-Chi skin also feels relaxed; if the pulse is Se (Choppy/Rough), the Cun-Chi skin also feels rough; if the pulse is Hua (Slippery), the Cun-Chi skin also feels smooth.

The *Ling Shu*, Chapter "Pathogenic Factors, Zang-Fu Organs, and Disease Manifestations," states: By regulating the pulse's characteristics of Slowness/Tension, Size, and Slipperiness/Roughness, the pathological changes can be determined. If the pulse is Tense, the Cun-Chi skin is Tense; if Slow, the skin is Relaxed; if Small, the skin is diminished and lacks Qi; if Large, the skin bulges; if Slippery, the skin is Smooth; if Choppy, the skin is Rough. All these variations range from mild to severe. Therefore, a physician skilled in examining the Cun-Chi skin does not need to rely on the Cun-kou pulse; a physician skilled in palpating the pulse does not need to rely on the facial complexion. One who can integrate and apply all three methods can be called a Shang-Gong (Superior Physician), who cures nine out of ten cases; one who applies two methods is a Zhong-Gong (Middle Physician), curing seven out of ten; one who applies only one method is a Xia-Gong (Inferior Physician), curing six out of ten. This section elucidates this meaning. The Qi and Blood of the Cun-Chi skin originate from the essence of water and grain in the Stomach Fu, are injected into the Zang-Fu and meridians, and spread externally to the skin. The Qi and Blood of the Cun-Kou and Chi pulses also originate from the essence of water and grain in the Stomach Fu, circulate nutritively within the Zang-Fu and meridians, and manifest at the two pulse ports of the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel. These are all sites where the Qi and Blood of the Five Zang organs pour forth; thus, the pulse's slowness/tension, size, and slipperiness/roughness correspond like a drumstick and its sound. Mr. Xu argued that changing "Large" to a number implies that "Shuo" (Rapid) refers to a pulse beating six or seven times per breath cycle, asking how skin could be "rapid." This demonstrates ignorance of the *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), Chapter "Rare Diseases," which states: "There are people whose Chi pulse is extremely rapid, presenting with tense sinews," proving that the Cun-Chi skin also has signs of rapidity.

Each of the Five Zang organs has corresponding sounds, colors, odors, and tastes, which should correspond with the pulses at the Cun-kou and within the Chi region; if they do not correspond, it indicates disease. For instance, if the complexion is cyan but the pulse is Floating, Choppy, and Short, or Large and Slow, this represents an overcoming (controlling) relationship; if the pulse is Floating, Large, and Scattered, or Small and Slippery, this represents a generating relationship.

Each of the Five Zang organs has corresponding sounds, colors, odors, and tastes, which should correspond with the pulses at the Cun-kou and within the Chi region; if they do not correspond, it indicates disease. The response only mentions cross-referencing color and pulse, omitting sound, odor, and taste; is this a missing text? Yu Shi stated: The Liver pulse is Xian (String-like), its color is Cyan, its sound is Hu (calling/shouting), its odor is Sao (fishy/pungent), and its taste is Sour; the Heart pulse is Hong (Surging), its color is Red, its sound is Xiao (laughing), its odor is Jiao (burnt), and its taste is Bitter; the Spleen pulse is Huan (Slow/Relaxed), its color is Yellow, its sound is Ge (singing), its odor is Xiang (fragrant), and its taste is Sweet; the Lung pulse is Se (Choppy), its color is White, its sound is Ku (crying), its odor is Xing (raw fishy), and its taste is Pungent; the Kidney pulse is Chen (Deep), its color is Black, its sound is Shen (groaning), its odor is Fu (rotten), and its taste is Salty; this is what is meant by correspondence. If there is no correspondence, taking Liver Wood as an example: Cyan is the color of the Liver; if a Floating, Choppy, and Short Lung pulse (Metal) appears, Metal overcomes Wood, termed Ze-Xie (Thief Evil); if a Large and Slow Spleen pulse (Earth) appears, Wood overcomes Earth, which is also an overcoming relationship. If a Floating, Large, and Scattered Heart pulse (Fire) appears, Wood generates Fire; if a Small and Slippery Kidney pulse (Water) appears, Water generates Wood; since the Heart is the Son of the Liver and the Kidney is the Mother of the Liver, this constitutes a generating relationship. If Liver disease presents with a white complexion, frequent crying, preference for raw fishy smells, and liking for pungent tastes, these sounds, colors, odors, and tastes are all manifestations of the Lung, belonging to Ze-Xie (Thief Evil), and the disease will necessarily be severe.

The classics state that knowing one aspect makes one a Xia-Gong, knowing two makes one a Zhong-Gong, and knowing three makes one a Shang-Gong. A Shang-Gong cures nine out of ten, a Zhong-Gong eight out of ten, and a Xia-Gong six out of ten; this is what is meant. A Shang-Gong thoroughly understands the three methods of color/pulse, skin, and odor/taste, as well as the favorable and unfavorable dynamics of generating and overcoming relationships, thus curing nine out of ten cases. A Zhong-Gong knows two aspects and cannot fully achieve efficacy, thus curing eight out of ten. A Xia-Gong knows only one aspect, thus curing six out of ten. This reiterates the meaning of the earlier *Ling Shu*, Chapter "Pathogenic Factors, Zang-Fu Organs, and Disease Manifestations."