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Ping An: This section, from the beginning to the end of the chapter, is found in *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), Volume 2, Chapter 7 "Guan Zhen" (Official Needles), and also in *Jia Yi Jing* (Classified Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Volume 5, Section 2. The only difference lies in the slightly different order of arrangement.

The essence of the Nine Needles lies in the fact that the Guan Needles are the most exquisite. ("Guan" refers to the application of needles during needling. Ping An: *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* read this as "Fan Ci Zhi Yao" [The General Principle of Puncturing].) The suitability of the Nine Needles varies, each having its specific function; their length and size have respective applications. If their usage is not mastered, diseases cannot be eliminated. If the disease is superficial but the needle insertion is too deep, it will injure healthy flesh internally, causing skin abscesses; (Ping An: *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* read "Yong" [Abscess].) If the disease is deep but the needle insertion is too shallow, the pathogenic qi will not be drained, potentially leading to large suppurative lesions. If the condition is mild but a large needle is used, excessive draining of healthy qi and rapid progression of the disease will inevitably cause harm later; if the condition is severe but a small needle is used, the major pathogenic qi will not be drained, also resulting in failure. Regarding the suitability of needles, large needles are used for draining major pathogens, while small needles are used when minor pathogens do not shift. Having discussed the errors above, let us now explain their specific applications. (This explains that the uses of the Nine Needles vary in suitability and describes their methods of use. Ping An: "Da Ji" [Major Disease/Emergency] in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Tai Shen" [Too Severe]. "Bi Hou Wei Hai" [Harm Will Follow Later] in *Ling Shu* reads "Ji Bi Wei Hai" [Disease Must Cause Harm], and in *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Bing Hou Bi Wei Hai" [After Illness, Harm Will Surely Occur"]. "Da Qi Bu Xie" [Major Qi Not Drained] in *Ling Shu* reads "Qi Bu Xie Xie" [Qi Not Drained/Leaking]. "Yi Fu Wei Bai" [Also Becomes Failure] in *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Yi Wei Hou Bai" [Also Becomes Later Failure].)

When the disease is located in the skin without fixed locations, use Chan Needles (Cinnabar Needle, pointed at one end) on the affected area; do not needle if the skin color is white. (Chan Needles have a large head and sharp tip, primarily used to drain Yang Qi. Thus, pain in the skin without fixed location indicates excess Yang Qi. The painful area's skin should be red; therefore, areas with white skin where pain has shifted should not be needled.)

When the disease is located between the muscle bundles, use Yuan Needles (Round Needles) on the affected area. (The shape of Yuan Needles is like an egg; they are used to rub and massage between the muscles without injuring them internally, thereby draining the Qi of the intermuscular spaces. Ping An: In the commentary, the character "Feng" [Tip] is missing after "Zhuang" [Shape] in the Yuan edition, and an extra character "Xing" [Form] appears after "Luan" [Egg].)

When the disease involves deficient pulse Qi requiring tonification, use Di Needles (Beating Needles) on the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points. (The shape of Di Needles is like the tip of millet grains, primarily used to apply tonification at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points to guide Qi to arrive. Ping An: "Xing" [Spring Point] in *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Ying" [Nutrient], and in the Yuan edition reads "Rong".)

For diseases presenting as large abscesses, use Pi Needles (Bistoury Needles). (The shape of Pi Needles ends like a sword blade, used to drain large pus. Ping An: "Da Nong Zhe" [Those with Large Abscesses] in *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Da Nong Xue" [Large Pus and Blood]. *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* read "Pi".)

For sudden onset of Bi Syndrome (Obstruction Syndrome) Qi, use Yuan Li Needles (Sharp and Round Needles). (Yuan Li Needles resemble ox hair. Hao means hair. They are used to treat acute Bi Syndrome.)

For Bi Syndrome with persistent pain that does not resolve, use Hao Needles (Filiform Needles). (The shape of Hao Needles is sharp like the beak of a mosquito or horsefly. Used quietly and slowly inserted, retained to nourish Shen [Spirit], treating painful Bi Syndrome. Ping An: "Bi Bing" [Bi Disease] in *Ling Shu* reads "Bing Bi" [Disease Bi].)

When the disease is located internally, use Chang Needles (Long Needles). (The shape of Chang Needles is sharp, thin, and long, used to treat distant Bi Syndrome within the Zang-Fu organs.)

For diseases presenting as edema that cannot pass through the joints, use Da Needles (Great Needles). (The shape of Da Needles is pointed like..., ...like flat..., with a slightly rounded tip, used to unblock the joints. Ping An: "Guo" [Pass] in *Ling Shu* reads "Tong" [Unblock]. In the commentary, the character "Jian" [Pointed] is missing after "Zhuang" [Shape] in the Yuan edition.)

When the disease is fixed in the Zang organs, use Feng Needles (Three-edged Needles), applying drainage at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, selecting points according to the Four Seasons. (The shape of Feng Needles has three edges, used to disperse fixed diseases, applying drainage at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, selecting based on the four seasons. Ping An: "Shu" [Transport Point] in *Jia Yi Jing* reads "Yu".)