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[Ping An]: This passage appears in *Suwen* (Basic Questions), Volume 11, Chapter 41 "Needling for Lumbar Pain", and also in *Jiayijing* (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Volume 9, Chapter 8.

The Yang Linking Vessel (Yang Wei Mai, a奇经 Eight Extraordinary Vessels that links all Yang meridians) causes lumbar pain. The painful area does not present with swelling. To needle the Yang Linking Vessel, locate the point one chi below where it joins the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The Feiyang vessel (Feiyang, the Luo-Connecting point of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, located two cun above the lateral malleolus) is located two cun above the medial malleolus, anterior to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, meeting with the Yin Linking Vessel (Yin Wei Mai, a奇经 Eight Extraordinary Vessels that links all Yin meridians). (*Nanjing* [Classic of Difficult Issues], Chapter 81 states: The Yang Linking Vessel originates from the convergence of various vessels, meaning the convergence of all Yang vessels; the Yin Linking Vessel originates from the intersection of various Yin vessels, specifically the Sanyinjiao point. The Yang Linking Vessel links the Yang, governing all Yang vessels; the Yin Linking Vessel links the Yin, governing all Yin vessels. If Yin and Yang cannot link each other, one feels lost and disoriented, unable to maintain self-control, because Yang fails to link Yang and Yin fails to link Yin. The Yang and Yin Linking Vessels form a network throughout the body. When qi and blood overflow and accumulate without returning to irrigate, the blood and qi of all meridians become excessive, overflowing into the eight extraordinary vessels without returning.) "One chi below" refers to the Yangjiao point, which belongs to the Yang Linking Vessel. "Meeting of Yin Linking" refers to the Zhubin point, which belongs to the Yin Linking Vessel. [Ping An]: In *Suwen* and *Jiayijing*, "Fuoran maizhong" is written as "Furan zhong"; "Shangdi" is written as "Quedi". In *Suwen*, "Er cun" is written as "Wu cun". In *Suwen* and *Jiayijing*, "Taiyin" is written as "Shaoyin", and "Yinwei hui" is written as "Yinwei zhi hui".

[Ping An]: This passage appears in *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), Volume 8, Chapter 52 "Wei Qi" (Defensive Qi), and also in *Jiayijing*, Volume 2, Chapter 4.

Huangdi said: The Five Zang Organs (Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney) are used to store spirit, soul, and essence. (The Kidney stores Jing [Essence]; the Heart stores Shen [Spirit]; the Liver stores Hun [Soul]; the Lung stores Po [Corporeal Soul]. The Spleen stores Yi [Intellect] and Zhi [Willpower], serving as the root of the five Zang organs, so it is not discussed separately here.) The Six Fu Organs (Gallbladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Urinary Bladder, Sanjiao/Triple Burner) receive water and grain and transform them. (The Gallbladder only receives three he of refined juice transformed from wood, and does not perform comprehensive transformation; this statement refers to its predominant function. [Ping An]: The character "Xing" is absent in *Jiayijing*.) Their qi enters internally into the five Zang organs and externally connects to the collateral branches of the limbs. (The grain qi from the six Fu organs transforms into blood and qi. Internally, it enters the five Zang organs to nourish their blood and qi; externally, it circulates between the muscle layers, connecting the meridians and limb joints. [Ping An]: "Ruyu" is written as "Gan" in *Lingshu* and as "Xun" in *Jiayijing*.) The floating qi that does not follow the meridians is called Wei Qi (Defensive Qi, which protects the body and resists external pathogens); the essential qi that travels within the meridians is called Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi, which nourishes the body and generates blood). Yin and Yang follow each other, penetrating internally and externally, like a circle without beginning or end. Who can exhaustively describe its chaotic and profound nature? (Floating qi is Yang and constitutes Wei Qi, following Yin from outside to inside; essential qi is Yin and constitutes Ying Qi, following Yang from inside to outside. Yin and Yang interpenetrate to form harmony, knowing no beginning or end, thus resembling a circle without endpoints. [Ping An]: "Hunhu" is written as "Tingting Chunchunhu" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) However, when distinguishing Yin and Yang, there are distinct locations for Biao (Branch/Manifestation) and Ben (Root), as well as Xu (Deficiency) and Shi (Excess). (The Yin and Yang qi in the body has both Biao and Ben, Xu and Shi, and specific paths it traverses.) One who can distinguish the twelve Yin and Yang meridians knows the origin of diseases. (The twelve meridians have Yin and Yang aspects. Knowing the locations of the Ben and Biao of the twelve meridians allows one to understand how pathogenic factors enter and cause disease.) One who knows how to observe the location of Xu and Shi can determine the high or low position of the disease. (In the twelve meridians, excess above and deficiency below result in disease in the lower part; excess below and deficiency above result in disease in the upper part. Disease location (high or low) can be known through Xu and Shi. [Ping An]: The character "Zhi" is absent in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) One who knows the Qi Jie (Qi Streets/Highways) of the six Fu organs can untie meridian knots and reconnect severed qi at the gates (acupoints). (Jie refers to the important pathways of Qi flow in the six Fu organs. Menhu refers to acupoints. The six Fu organs are Yang. Knowing the important pathways of Qi flow in the six Fu organs allows one to reconnect acupoint gates and untie meridian knots. Shao means succession/connection. [Ping An]: The character "Zhi" precedes "Jie" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*. "Jingjieqie" is written as "Jieqi" in *Lingshu* and as "Jie" (without "Jingqie") in *Jiayijing*.) One who knows the firmness or softness of Xu and Shi knows where to apply tonification or sedation. (Knowing that Xu manifests as softness and Shi manifests as firmness allows one to sedate firmness and tonify softness. Softness implies suppleness avoiding stiffness. [Ping An]: The character "Neng" is absent in *Jiayijing*. "Shi" is written as "Shi" [Stone] in *Lingshu*. "Ruan" is written as "Ru" in both *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) One who knows the Ben and Biao of the six meridians can be free from confusion regarding medical principles under heaven. (Three Yin and Three Yang constitute the six meridians. Ben and Biao are like roots and branches. Knowing the roots and branches of the six meridians clarifies all medical principles under heaven, eliminating confusion.) Qibo said: Magnificent is the discourse of the Sage Emperor! I respectfully request to explain it thoroughly and completely. (Praising the Emperor's knowledge of the ultimate principles of things. "Jinyi" means desiring to exhaust one's understanding. "Xiyan" means desiring to articulate principles fully. [Ping An]: "Jinyi" is absent in *Jiayijing*.)

The Ben (Root) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is located five cun above the heel, and its Biao (Branch/Manifestation) is at the Mingmen (Gate of Life) on both sides of the eyes. Mingmen refers to the eyes. (Blood and qi originate from the Zang organs. Why are the Ben of the six meridians located in the four limbs, while the Biao is above the Liver Shu point in the axilla? Although qi generation takes the Zang organs as its root, its extremities are in the limbs. This is akin to nature: qi flows from heaven, but the root is established on earth. Five cun above the heel, just below Chengjin and above the calcaneus, is where the Foot-Taiyang meridian serves as its root. Its branch travels to Tianzhu and reaches the inner corners of the eyes, serving as the Biao. The Kidney is the Mingmen, connecting upward via the Taiyang meridian to the eyes; thus, the eyes are called Mingmen. Huan means large, as Mingmen is a major aperture. [Ping An]: "Huan" is written as "Luo" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.)

The Ben of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is between the Xiaojin points, and its Biao is anterior to the Chuanglong. Chuanglong refers to the ear. (The Foot-Shaoyang meridian roots at Xiaojin. Its branch ascends to Tianchuang, enters the ear, exits anterior to the ear, thus being anterior to Chuanglong. Since the ear is the window-house of the body, and long sounds like long [deaf], it is called Chuanglong.)

The Ben of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is at Lidui, and its Biao is at Renying below the cheek, ascending to clasp Hangsang (the nasopharynx). (The Foot-Yangming meridian roots at Lidui, and its branch ascends to Renying below the cheek. [Ping An]: "Jia xia shang xia" is written as "Shang xie" in *Jiayijing*; "Xia shang" is absent in *Lingshu*.)

The Ben of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is four cun anterior and superior to Zhongfeng, and its Biao is at the Back-Shu point and the root of the tongue. (The Foot-Taiyin meridian emerges from the medial tip of the great toe, travels to Shangqiu slightly anterior to the medial malleolus, ascends to the medial malleolus, near Zhongfeng. Although Zhongfeng is traversed by the Jueyin meridian, the Taiyin meridian uses this area four cun anterior and superior to Zhongfeng as its root. Its branch is at the Pishu point, one and a half cun lateral to the eleventh thoracic vertebra, and connects to the root of the tongue, dispersing under it. [Ping An]: "Shang" is absent in *Jiayijing*. "Shu" is written as "Shu" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*, same below, not repeated. Note: In *Lingshu*, the Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin sections follow the Foot-Jueyin section.)

The Ben of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is two cun below the medial malleolus, and its Biao is at the Back-Shu point and the two vessels under the tongue. (The Foot-Shaoyin meridian originates below the little toe, slants toward the sole, and roots at two cun below the medial malleolus. Its branch is at the Shenshu point, one and a half cun lateral to the fourteenth thoracic vertebra, and follows the throat, clasping the root of the tongue. [Ping An]: "Er cun" is written as "Shang san cun" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*. Note: The fourteenth thoracic vertebra, according to *Qixue* chapter of this book and *Beishu* chapter of *Lingshu*, should be the fourteenth. One and a half cun was erroneously printed as one chi and a half by Yuan edition. Note: In *Jiayijing*, the Foot-Shaoyin section precedes the Foot-Shaoyang section.)

The Ben of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is five cun superior to Xingjian, and its Biao is at the Back-Shu point. (The Foot-Jueyin meridian originates above the hair on the great toe, travels medially between the toes, and roots five cun superior to Xingjian. Its branch is at the Ganshu point, one and a half cun lateral to the ninth thoracic vertebra. [Ping An]: In *Jiayijing*, the Foot-Jueyin section precedes the Foot-Taiyin section.)

The Ben of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is posterior to the outer malleolus, and its Biao is three cun superior to Mingmen. (The Hand-Taiyang meridian originates at the tip of the little finger, follows the lateral hand up to the wrist, and roots posterior to the outer malleolus. At the wrist, the side corresponding to the thumb is the inner malleolus, and the side corresponding to the little finger is the outer malleolus. Its branch is three cun superior to the eye. [Ping An]: "San cun" is written as "Yi cun" in both *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.)

The Ben of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is two cun superior between the ring and little fingers, and its Biao is inferior to the upper outer angle behind the ear. (The Hand-Shaoyang meridian originates at the tips of the ring and little fingers, ascends two cun superior between the two fingers as its root. Its branch is at Wanggu behind the ear, below the occiput, above the hairline, emerging from the upper ear angle, descending to the outer canthus. [Ping An]: "Er cun" is written as "San cun" in *Jiayijing*. Note: "Chu liang zhi jian" - the character "Chu" was printed as "Zai" by Yuan edition.)

The Ben of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is in the elbow bone up to Bieyang, and its Biao is below the cheek, merging at Qianshang. (The Hand-Yangming meridian originates at the tip of the index finger, follows the radial aspect of the finger to the lateral elbow bone, ascends to the back. The collateral of the Hand-Yangming on the back is named Bieyang. Descending from Bieyang to the elbow bone serves as the root of the Hand-Yangming meridian. Its branch is one cun below the cheek, posterior to Renying, superior to Futu, named Qian. Qian means neck iron; the place corresponding to this iron is called Qianshang. Pronounced Qu Lian fan. [Ping An]: "Jia" is written as "Yan" in *Lingshu* and "Ye" in *Jiayijing*.)

The Ben of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian is in the Cun Kou (Radial Pulse), and its Biao is at the arterial pulse in the axilla. (The Hand-Taiyin meridian emerges from the tip of the index finger, ascends to Cun Kou as its root. Its branch is at the Tianfu arterial pulse in the axilla. [Ping An]: "Ye" is written as "Ye" [Axilla] in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*. "Nei maidong": "Mai" is written as "Ye" in *Lingshu*; "Xia" precedes "Nei" in *Jiayijing*.)

The Ben of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian is at the end of the Dui bone, and its Biao is at the Back-Shu point. (The Hand-Shaoyin meridian emerges from the tip of the little finger, ascends to the end of the Dui bone behind the wrist, the Shenmen point, as its root. Its branch is at the Xinshu point, one and a half cun lateral to the fifth thoracic vertebra. Question: Does the Shaoyin meridian lack Back-Shu points? Answer: Saying Shaoyin lacks Shu points refers to the absence of the Five Shu points corresponding to the Five Elements, not the absence of Back-Shu points. Hence, Back-Shu points exist here. According to *Mingtang*, the Shaoyin meridian has Five Shu points, as explained elsewhere. [Ping An]: "Dui" is written as "Rui" in *Lingshu*. Note: "Mo zai yu bei" - the character "Yu" was omitted by Yuan edition. "Da Yue Shaoyin wu shu" - "Wu" was printed as "Tian" by Yuan edition.)

The Ben of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian is two cun between the two tendons behind the palm, and its Biao is three cun below the axilla. (The Hand-Jueyin meridian emerges from the tip of the middle finger, ascends between the two tendons behind the palm, rooting between the upper and lower two cun of the Neiguan point. Its branch is at the Tianchi point, three cun below the axilla. [Ping An]: "Er cun zhong" is absent in *Jiayijing*. "Ye xia" repeats "Xia" in *Lingshu*.)

Those examining these Ben and Biao sites: Deficiency below leads to Jue (cold extremities); Excess below leads to heat and pain. Deficiency above leads to dizziness; Excess above leads to heat and pain. (This "Ci" refers to Ben and Biao. Xia refers to Ben; Biao refers to Shang. For all Ben with Yang deficiency, cold Jue occurs in hands and feet. For all Ben with Yang excess, heat Jue with pain occurs in hands and feet. For all Biao with Yin deficiency, dizziness and fainting occur. For all Biao with Yin excess, heat and pain in the head and neck occur. [Ping An]: "Zhu" precedes "Xia xu" in *Jiayijing*. "Xia sheng ze re tong" lacks "Tong" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) Therefore, treat Excess by cutting off and stopping it; treat Deficiency by guiding and raising it. (For Yin-Yang excess and fullness, use cutting/sedation to stop the excess. For Yin-Yang deficiency, guide the qi to tonify and raise it. [Ping An]: "Shi" is written as "Shi" [Stone] in *Lingshu*.)

Let us speak of Qi Jie (Qi Streets): (Jie means pathway. Tonification and sedation methods must follow the pathways of blood and qi, hence the request to explain.) There is Qi Jie in the chest, Qi Jie in the abdomen, Qi Jie in the head, and Qi Jie in the legs. (Chest, abdomen, head, and legs are the four vital parts of the body; the pathways of Qi flow in these four areas are called Qi Jie. [Ping An]: "Jing" is written as "Jing" in *Lingshu* and "Jing" in *Jiayijing*.)

Thus, for Qi in the head, stop treatment at the brain. (The brain is the Qi Jie of the head; thus, for head Qi disorders, select Baihui. [Ping An]: "Zhi" is written as "Shang" in *Jiayijing*, same below.) For Qi in the chest, stop treatment at the Ying (chest) and Back-Shu points. (Feishu in the Ying region is the Qi Jie of the chest; thus, for chest Qi disorders, select these two Shu points. [Ping An]: "Zhong" follows "Xiong" in *Jiayijing*.) For Qi in the abdomen, stop treatment at the Back-Shu point and the pulsating Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) left and right of the navel. (Pishu and the Chong Mai pulsating left and right of the navel serve as the Qi Jie of the abdomen; thus, for abdominal Qi disorders, select these two sites. [Ping An]: "Mai" follows "Dong" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) For Qi in the legs, stop treatment at the Qicheng (Stomach) point, Chengshan, and above and below the ankle. (The three Yin Qi Jie, along with Chengshan, extending above and below the ankle, serve as the Qi Jie of the legs; thus, for leg Qi disorders, select these three sites. [Ping An]: "Shang xia" is written as "Shang yi xia" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.)

To treat these sites, use Hao Zhen (Fine Needles). (To gather Qi from these four Jie, use the seventh-grade Hao Needle. [Ping An]: Note: "Si jie" was erroneously printed as "Si shi" by Yuan edition.) First, press and hold for a long time until there is a tactile response, then needle and administer treatment. (This is the method for needling Qi Jie. One must press for a long time; if there is pain under the hand or pulsation responding to the hand, then proceed with tonification or sedation. [Ping An]: "Zai jiu" is written as "Jiu cun zhi" in *Jiayijing*. Note: "Huo shou xia tong" - "Shou" was omitted by Yuan edition. "Huo shou xia mai dong" was printed as "Dong mai" by Yuan edition.)

The conditions treated include headache and dizziness, abdominal pain, fullness, and sudden distension. (Headache, dizziness, and fainting can be treated at the brain, i.e., Head Qi Jie. Abdominal pain, etc., are treated at the Chest and Abdomen Qi Jie. [Ping An]: "Zhi" is written as "Ci" in *Jiayijing*. "Fu zhong tong man" is written as "Fu zhong man" in *Lingshu* and *Jiayijing*.) New accumulations that are painful and movable are easy to cure; accumulations that are painless and immovable are difficult to cure. (Accumulations in the chest and abdomen that are movable are easy to cure; accumulations that are painless and immovable are difficult to cure. [Ping An]: The character "Tong" is absent in "Ji tong" in *Jiayijing*.)