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Huangdi asked, saying: "How should one prepare the decoctions and fermented wines from the five grains?" Qibo replied, saying: "One must use rice as the grain and burn rice straw as fuel. Rice is complete/perfect, and rice straw is firm/solid." The Emperor said: "Why is this so?" Qibo said: "This is because they obtain the harmony of Heaven and Earth and the suitability of high and low places, thus achieving completeness; being harvested at the proper time, they achieve solidity." The Emperor said: "In ancient times, the sages made decoctions and fermented wines, but why were they prepared yet not used?" Qibo said: "Since ancient times, when sages made decoctions and fermented wines, it was for preparation/defense. In ancient times, decoctions were made but not taken. In the middle antiquity, virtue and morality slightly declined, and pathogenic factors frequently arrived; taking them ensured complete recovery." The Emperor said: "Why is it that in today's world, even if taken, the disease does not necessarily resolve?" Qibo said: "In today's world, one must definitely use medicinal drugs to attack internally, and use Bian stones, needles, and moxa to treat externally." The Emperor said: "What is the reason that when the form is exhausted and blood is depleted, therapeutic efficacy is not established?" Qibo said: "It is because the Shen (Spirit) does not respond/enable." The Emperor said: "What do you mean by 'Shen does not enable'?" Qibo said: "Needles and stones are the Dao/methods. If Jing (Essence) and Shen do not advance, and Zhi (Will) is not regulated, then the disease cannot be cured. Now, if Jing is ruined and Shen departs, Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi) cannot be recovered. Why? Because desires are endless, and worries and anxieties never cease; Jingqi becomes lax and ruined, Ying becomes stagnant, and Wei is eliminated. Thus, Shen departs, and the disease does not heal." The Emperor said: "When a disease first begins, it is extremely subtle and refined, and must first enter and knot in the skin and hair. Now, skilled physicians all say: 'The disease is named 'Ni' (Rebellious/Difficult), and then needles and stones cannot treat it, and good medicines cannot reach it.' Now, skilled physicians have obtained the methods and守 (guard/maintain) their numbers/principles. Relatives and brothers, near or far, their voices are heard daily in the ears, and their colors are seen daily in the eyes, yet the disease does not heal. Is it not because they did not treat it early enough?" Qibo said: "The patient is the Ben (Root), and the physician is the Biao (Branch). If Root and Branch do not match/cooperate, the pathogenic factor will not be subdued. This is what is meant." The Emperor said: "There are cases where the disease does not arise from the hair and skin, but the Yang Qi of the Five Zang organs has been exhausted. Jin Ye (Body Fluids) fill the chest and abdomen, Po (Corporeal Soul) dwells alone, Jing is isolated internally, Qi is consumed externally, the form cannot be maintained with clothes, the four extremities are urgent/tight and move the interior. This is Qi resisting internally and the form changing externally. How should it be treated?" Qibo said: "Balance and weigh the situation, remove the accumulated stale matter, slightly move the four extremities, wear warm clothing, and apply Miu Ci (Lateral Puncture) at the sites, to restore the form. Open the Ghost Gates (sweat pores), purify the Clean Fu (bladder/intestines), let Jing serve regularly, let the Five Yangs be distributed, dredge and cleanse the Five Zang. Thus, Jing generates itself, the form prospers itself, bone and flesh protect each other, and the Great Qi becomes peaceful." The Emperor said: "Excellent."