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In years of Zi and Wu, Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) governs the Heaven (upper half of the year). Shaoyin belongs to Sovereign Fire, so heat qi descends. The guest qi governing Heaven constrains the host qi in the human body; humans are subject to this constraint, so Lung Metal qi ascends to follow.

White appears, Metal qi exerts its function, causing damage to grass and trees. This is similar to when Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) governs Heaven: it is also Metal qi following Fire, with Metal punishing Wood. Symptoms include wheezing, vomiting, alternating chills and fever, sneezing, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, and nasal obstruction, which are also diseases of the Lung. Great heat prevails due to the abundance of heat qi. In severe cases, sores and ulcers appear with burning sensations, as if metal melts and stones flow, resembling fire and flames. When Shaoyin governs Heaven, Yangming (Greater Yang) governs the Earth (lower half of the year). Yangming belongs to Metal; its qi is dry and clear, so the earth becomes dry and cool. Dryness and coolness cause frequent chilly weather; Metal punishes Wood, resulting in hypochondriac pain and Liver disease, frequent sighing, and Gallbladder disease, while the desiccating qi acts and grasses and trees change.

When Taiyin (Greater Yin) governs Heaven, dampness descends, and Kidney Water qi ascends to follow. Black appears, indicating a Water transformation; dust fills the air like smoke, and clouds and rain prevail. There is a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the chest, impotence, extreme decline of Qi, and failure of Yang Qi to rise or function. At this time, there is often lower back pain and difficulty in turning or moving. Cold limbs occur; the Earth stores Yin, and severe cold arrives early, causing hibernating insects to shelter early. There is epigastric stuffiness and pain, ice forms firmly in ground cracks, lower abdominal pain occurs, and digestion is frequently impaired. If constrained by Metal, symptoms cease; if Water increases, flavors become salty, and diuretic methods should be employed to reduce Water.

"Pian" is pronounced with the level tone; "Zang" is pronounced as written; "Pi" is pronounced with the rising tone. In years of Chou and Wei, Taiyin governs Heaven. Taiyin belongs to Dampness, so dampness descends. The guest qi governing Heaven constrains the host qi in the human body; humans are subject to this constraint, so Kidney Water qi ascends to follow. The Kidney color is black, belonging to Water, hence black appears and Water transforms. When black appears, dust fills the air; when Water transforms, clouds and rain arise. Water controls Fire, leading to chest discomfort and impotence. The anterior yin flaccidifies, Qi declines greatly, and generating Yang Qi fails to rise or function. During the appearance of black and Water transformation, not only does Water suffer, but lower back pain and movement difficulties also occur. Lower back pain indicates deficiency of Kidney Essence; deficiency of Kidney Essence leads to movement difficulties. This is because Yin and Yang Qi fail to interact, termed "Jue Ni" (Cold Limbs/Reversal Cold).

When Taiyin governs Heaven, Taiyang (Greater Yang) governs the Earth. Taiyang belongs to Cold Water, so the Earth stores Yin, severe cold arrives, and cold qi comes early, causing hibernating insects to shelter early. Fire Qi is deficient, causing epigastric stuffiness and pain. Cold Water condenses, causing ground cracks and firm ice. Cold Water qi reverses downward, causing lower abdominal pain; Cold Water qi stagnates in the middle, impairing digestion; Cold Water qi attacks Lung Metal from above, uniting Heaven and Water Qi in rotation and operation, so upon attacking Metal, pain ceases. Metal generates Water, so Water increases and flavors become salty. When Water increases and flavors become salty, diuretic treatment should be used to reduce Water, thereby calming Cold Qi. Thus, for all governing Heaven and Earth, among the Three Yang and Three Yin, Heavenly Qi constrains from above, and Qi follows accordingly.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Why are there years of infertility and incomplete treatment? What Qi causes this?

Qibo replied: When Heavenly Qi constrains from above, Qi follows. If there is infertility or incomplete treatment in such years, what Qi constrains to cause this?

Qibo said: Among the Six Qi and Five Categories, there is mutual restriction. Those that are same flourish; those that are different decline. This is the way of Heaven and Earth, the constant of generation and transformation.

Six Qi governing Heaven do not exceed the Five Elements; thus, among Six Qi and Five Categories, there is mutual restriction. If the governing Qi matches the biological category, organisms flourish (same flourishes). If the governing Qi differs from the luck Qi and is restricted, organisms decline (different declines). This is the principle of Heaven and Earth's waxing and waning, the constant of generation.

Therefore, when Jueyin (Terminal Yin) Wind-Wood governs Heaven, Hairy creatures (mammals) remain quiet, Feathered creatures (birds) reproduce, and Armored creatures (reptiles/amphibians) do not mature. When Jueyin governs Earth, Hairy creatures reproduce, Naked creatures (humans/reptiles without scales/shells) waste away, and Feathered creatures do not reproduce.

When Jueyin governs Heaven, Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) Ministerial Fire governs Earth. Jueyin is Wood, so it makes Hairy creatures (Wood creatures) quiet. Shaoyang is Fire, so it makes Feathered creatures (Fire creatures) reproduce. In Si and Hai years, Jueyin governs Heaven (Gui-Si, Gui-Hai years), subjected to the restriction of Fire Luck, so Metal-category Armored creatures do not mature. When Jueyin governs Earth, Shaoyang governs Heaven. Jueyin is Wood, so it makes Hairy creatures (Wood category) reproduce. Wood restricts Earth, so Naked creatures (Earth creatures) waste away. In Yin and Shen years, Shaoyang governs Heaven (Bing-Yin, Bing-Shen years), subjected to the restriction of Water Luck, so Fire-category Feathered creatures do not reproduce.

When Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) Sovereign Fire governs Heaven, Feathered creatures remain quiet, Armored creatures reproduce, and Hairy creatures do not mature. When Shaoyin governs Earth, Feathered creatures reproduce, Armored creatures waste away, and do not reproduce.

When Shaoyin governs Heaven, Yangming (Greater Yang) Dry-Metal governs Earth. Shaoyin governs Heaven, making Fire-category Feathered creatures quiet and Metal-category Armored creatures reproduce. In Zi and Wu years (Geng-Zi, Geng-Wu), subjected to Metal Luck restriction, Hairy creatures (original category) do not mature. When Shaoyin governs Earth, Yangming governs Heaven. Shaoyin is Fire, so Feathered creatures reproduce. In Mao and You years (Gui-Mao, Gui-You), subjected to Fire Luck restriction, Metal-category Armored creatures waste away and do not reproduce.

When Taiyin (Greater Yin) Wet-Earth governs Heaven, Naked creatures remain quiet, Scaled creatures (fish) reproduce, and Feathered creatures do not mature. When Taiyin governs Earth, Naked creatures reproduce, and Scaled creatures do not mature.

When Taiyin governs Heaven, Taiyang (Greater Yang) Cold-Water governs Earth. Taiyin governs Heaven, making Earth-category Naked creatures quiet and Water-category Scaled creatures reproduce. In Chou and Wei years (Xin-Chou, Xin-Wei), subjected to Water Luck restriction, Fire-category Feathered creatures do not mature. When Taiyin governs Earth, Taiyang governs Heaven. Taiyin is Earth, so Naked creatures reproduce. In Chen and Xu years (Jia-Chen, Jia-Xu), subjected to Earth Luck restriction, Water-category Scaled creatures do not mature.

When Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) Ministerial Fire governs Heaven, Feathered creatures remain quiet, Hairy creatures reproduce, and Naked creatures do not mature. When Shaoyang governs Earth, Feathered creatures reproduce, Armored creatures waste away, and Hairy creatures do not reproduce.

When Shaoyang governs Heaven, Jueyin (Terminal Yin) Wind-Wood governs Earth. Shaoyang governs Heaven, making Fire-category Feathered creatures quiet and Wood-category Hairy creatures reproduce. In Ren-Yin and Ren-Shen years, subjected to Wood Luck restriction, Earth-category Naked creatures do not mature. When Shaoyang governs Earth, Jueyin governs Heaven. Shaoyang is Fire, so Feathered creatures reproduce. Fire prosperity and Metal decline cause Armored creatures to waste away. In Yi-Si and Yi-Hai years, subjected to Metal Luck restriction, Wood-category Hairy creatures do not reproduce.

When Yangming (Greater Yang) Dry-Metal governs Heaven, Armored creatures remain quiet, Feathered creatures reproduce, and Armored creatures do not mature. When Yangming governs Earth, Armored creatures reproduce, Hairy creatures waste away, and Feathered creatures do not reproduce.

When Yangming governs Heaven, Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) Sovereign Fire governs Earth. Yangming governs Heaven, making Metal-category Armored creatures quiet and Fire-category Feathered creatures reproduce. In Gui-Mao and Gui-You years, subjected to Fire Luck restriction, Metal-category Armored creatures do not mature. When Yangming governs Earth, Shaoyin governs Heaven. Yangming is Metal, so Armored creatures reproduce. Metal prosperity and Wood decline cause Hairy creatures to waste away. In Bing-Zi and Bing-Wu years, subjected to Wood Luck restriction, Fire-category Feathered creatures do not reproduce.

When Taiyang (Greater Yang) Cold-Water governs Heaven, Scaled creatures remain quiet, Naked creatures reproduce. When Taiyang governs Earth, Scaled creatures waste away, and Naked creatures do not reproduce.

When Taiyang governs Heaven, Taiyin (Greater Yin) Wet-Earth governs Earth. Taiyang governs Heaven, making Water-category Scaled creatures quiet and Earth-category Naked creatures reproduce. When Taiyang governs Earth, Taiyin governs Heaven. In Ji-Chou and Ji-Wei years, subjected to Earth Luck restriction, Water-category Scaled creatures waste away. In Ding-Chou and Ding-Wei years, subjected to Earth Luck restriction, Earth-category Naked creatures do not reproduce. As mentioned earlier for Jueyin and Shaoyin, when governing Heaven, the corresponding creature is quiet, implying reproduction when governing Earth. Quietness is the basis of reproduction. For Taiyang governing Heaven, Scaled creatures are quiet; governing Earth should imply Scaled creatures reproduce. However, it states they waste away to illustrate that reproduction has constants and variations. Citing Taiyang allows inference for Jueyin and Shaoyin. There are cases where quietness does not lead to reproduction.

When various Qi attack the unformed luck, the restriction is severe. Thus, Qi masters have constraints, and yearly establishment has generation.

Summarizing the above, Six Qi governing Heaven and Earth, subjected to Five Luck restrictions, cause various creatures to waste away, fail to reproduce, or not mature. Hence, attacking unformed luck results in severe restriction. However, the principle of Five Elements is restriction followed by generation. Thus, if Qi masters are restricted, yearly establishment generates. Meaning, Six Qi master upper and lower with restrictions, while Five Elements in the middle establish Yearly Luck and generate.

Earth Qi restricts what it overcomes; Heaven Qi restricts what overcomes it. Heaven restricts Color; Earth restricts Form.

Earth Qi refers to Qi governing Earth. Earth restricting what it overcomes: e.g., Jueyin governing Earth, Naked creatures waste away; Shaoyin governing Earth, Armored creatures waste away and do not reproduce; Taiyin governing Earth, Scaled creatures do not mature; Shaoyang governing Earth, Armored creatures waste away; Yangming governing Earth, Hairy creatures waste away. Heaven Qi refers to Qi governing Heaven. Heaven Qi restricting what overcomes it: e.g., Shaoyang/Shaoyin governing Heaven, Fire/Heat descends, White appears, Metal functions; Yangming governing Heaven, Dryness descends, Green appears, Wood functions; Taiyang governing Heaven, Cold descends, Red appears, Fire functions; Jueyin governing Heaven, Wind descends, Yellow rises, Earth functions; Taiyin governing Heaven, Dampness descends, Black appears, Water transforms. Heaven Qi constrains from above, and White, Green, Red, Yellow, Black colors appear in response—this is Heaven restricting Color. Earth Qi constrains from below, and creatures waste away or fail to reproduce—this is Earth restricting Form.

The five categories' decline and prosperity follow the suitability of Qi.

As stated before, Six Qi and Five Categories have mutual restriction; same flourishes, different declines. This reiterates the meaning of form and color restriction, stating that the five categories' decline and prosperity depend on the suitability of Heaven and Earth Qi.

Thus, there is infertility and incomplete treatment; this is the constant of Qi. It is said that the central root exists; roots outside also number five. Thus, differences in generation include Five Qi, Five Flavors, Five Colors, Five Categories, and Five Suitabilities.

Decline and prosperity of five categories lead to incomplete generation, hence infertility and incomplete treatment in years; this is the constant of Qi and Luck. Five Luck in the middle, generating all things, is the "central root." Six Qi outside, combining with Five Elements, are "roots outside," also numbering five. Thus, differences in generation include Five Qi, Five Flavors, Five Colors, Five Categories, and Five Suitabilities.

The Yellow Emperor asked: What does this mean?

What are the differences in generation?

Qibo replied: Rooted internally, it is called Shen Ji (Spirit Mechanism); if Spirit departs, mechanism stops. Rooted externally, it is called Qi Li (Qi Establishment); if Qi stops, transformation ceases. Thus, each has restriction, victory, generation, and completion. Therefore: Not knowing the added year and similarity/difference of Qi is insufficient to discuss generation/transformation. This is what is meant.

Five Luck in the middle, rooted internally, is Shen Ji; if Spirit departs, mechanism stops. Six Qi outside, rooted externally, is Qi Li; if Qi stops, transformation ceases. Internal and external roots mean Luck has restriction, victory, generation, and completion. One must know the added year and Qi similarity/difference to discuss generation. Without this, one cannot discuss generation. Quoting *Liu Jie Zang Xiang*, this refers to Shen Ji and Qi Li.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Qi begins generation; Qi disperses to form shape; Qi spreads to multiply; Qi ends to change image. Their essence is one. Yet, based on Five Flavors, generation varies in thickness/thinness, maturation in few/much, beginning/end differ. Why?

Continuing the theme of five categories' decline/prosperity, it states that in four seasons, all things receive Qi: begin generation, disperse to form, spread to multiply, end to change image. All things are thus, essence is one. Yet, why do Five Flavors result in varying generation thickness and maturation quantity? Beginning and end differ, hence the question.

Qibo replied: Earth Qi restricts it. It is not that Heaven does not generate, nor Earth does not grow.

Variations in generation thickness and maturation quantity are caused by Earth Qi restriction. This is not Heaven failing to generate, but Earth Qi restricting growth.

The Yellow Emperor asked: I wish to hear the method.

I wish to hear the method of restriction.

Qibo replied: Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness have different transformations.

The method of restriction: Cold is not Heat, Heat is not Cold, Dryness is not Dampness, Dampness is not Dryness. Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness transform differently, restricted as follows.

Thus, when Shaoyang governs Earth, Cold toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Pungent. Treatment uses Bitter and Sour. Grains are Green and Red.

Earth Qi restricts, so only Earth-governing Qi is discussed. Shaoyang is Fire. Shaoyang governing Earth is Hot, not Cold, so Cold toxicity does not arise. "Toxicity" here means exclusivity/extremity; Yin-Yang disharmony and excess constitute toxicity. Fire restricts Metal, so Pungent flavor (Metal) does not arise. Bitter is Fire flavor, Sour is Wood flavor, Green is Wood color, Red is Fire color. Shaoyang Fire governing Earth receives support from Jueyin Wood, so treatment uses Bitter/Sour, grains Green/Red.

When Yangming governs Earth, Damp toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Sour. Its Qi is Damp. Treatment uses Pungent, Bitter, Sweet. Grains are Red and White.

Yangming governing Earth is Dry, not Damp, so Damp toxicity does not arise. Metal restricts Wood, so Sour flavor (Wood) does not arise. "Its Qi is Damp" clarifies that Sour flavor is like Damp Qi, similar to Damp toxicity not arising. Pungent is Metal flavor, Bitter is Fire flavor, Sweet is Earth flavor. Yangming governing Earth holds Metal/Earth Qi, receiving support from Shaoyin Fire, so treatment uses Pungent/Bitter/Sweet. Red is Fire color, White is Metal color, so grains are Red/White.

When Taiyang governs Earth, Heat toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Bitter. Treatment uses Bland and Salty. Grains are [Black/Dark].

Taiyang governing Earth is Cold, not Hot, so Heat toxicity does not arise. Water restricts Fire, so Bitter flavor (Fire) does not arise. Bland attaches to Sweet; Bland is Earth flavor, Salty is Water flavor. [Dark] is Earth color. [Black millet] is Water grain. Taiyang governing Earth receives support from Taiyin Earth, so treatment uses Bland/Salty, grains [Dark].

When Jueyin governs Earth, Clear toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Sweet. Treatment uses Sour and Bitter. Grains are Green and Red. Its Qi is specialized; its flavor is correct.

Jueyin governing Earth, Wind belongs to Yang, so Clear toxicity does not arise. Wood restricts Earth, so Sweet flavor (Earth) does not arise. Jueyin governing Earth receives support from Shaoyang, so treatment uses Sour/Bitter, grains Green/Red. Receiving Shaoyang, the governing Qi is Jueyin, and its paired internal aspect is also Jueyin. No two Qi, so Qi is specialized. No two flavors, so flavor is correct. Specialized means undivided; Correct means unbiased.

When Shaoyin governs Earth, Cold toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Pungent. Treatment uses Pungent, Bitter, Sweet. Grains are White and Red.

Shaoyin and Shaoyang both belong to Fire, so Cold toxicity does not arise. Flavor Pungent is same as Shaoyang, explanation same. Shaoyin governing Earth receives support from Yangming, which holds Metal/Earth Qi, so treatment uses Pungent/Bitter/Sweet, grains White/Red.

When Taiyin governs Earth, Dry toxicity does not arise. Its flavor is Salty. Its Qi is Hot. Treatment uses Sweet and Salty. Grains are [Dark]. If transformation is pure, Salty is preserved; if Qi is specialized, Pungent transforms and is treated together.

Taiyin governing Earth is Damp, not Dry, so Dry toxicity does not arise. Earth restricts Water, so Salty flavor (Water) does not arise. "Its Qi is Hot" implies Dry equals Heat; if Dry toxicity doesn't arise, Heat toxicity doesn't either. By analogy, Cold equals Damp, Wind equals Dry, Clear equals Cold, illustrating one to infer others. Sweet is Earth flavor, Salty is Water flavor. [Dark] is Earth color. [Black millet] is grain. Taiyin governing Earth receives support from Taiyang, so treatment uses Sweet/Salty, grains [Dark]. Pure means gentle. Pure transformation receives Taiyang's gentle Water transformation. If transformation is pure, Salty is preserved: Taiyin Earth restricts Water, Salty doesn't arise; receiving Taiyang's pure Water, Salty is preserved. If Qi is specialized, Pungent transforms and is treated together: Pungent belongs to Dry Metal. Taiyin governing Earth, Dry toxicity doesn't arise. If Taiyin Qi is specialized, Earth generates Metal, Pungent transforms, treating together with Taiyin. Taiyin thus, others inferred. This is the sage's method of speech.

Therefore: To tonify Upper/Lower, follow the Qi; to treat Upper/Lower, oppose the Qi. Adjust based on local Cold/Heat excess/deficiency. Thus: Treat Upper by taking from Lower, Lower by taking from Upper, Middle by taking from sides. Those who can tolerate poison use strong medicine; those who cannot use mild medicine. This is the meaning.

Upper/Lower refer to Governing Heaven/Earth. Deficient Qi is tonified, Excess Qi is treated. Tonifying Upper/Lower follows Qi (complies): e.g., Wood/Fire deficiency uses Sour/Bitter to tonify; Metal/Water deficiency uses Pungent/Salty to tonify. Tonify means assist. Treating Upper/Lower opposes Qi (reverses): e.g., Wind excess treated with Pungent/Cool; Heat excess with Salty/Cold; Cold excess with Sweet/Warm. Treat means balance. Following/Opposing adjusts based on local Cold/Heat excess/deficiency to harmonize. Governing Heaven/Earth has Upper/Lower; Five Luck in Middle has Inner/Outer. Take the excessive part to treat, hence Upper/Lower, Inner/Outer to find the fault. Excess Qi tolerates strong medicine; Deficient Qi tolerates mild medicine, i.e., finding the fault by inquiry.

Qi reversal: Disease in Upper, take from Lower; Disease in Lower, take from Upper; Disease in Middle, take from sides.

Clarifying Upper/Lower/Inner/Outer, if disease Qi reverses: Disease in Upper (Qi stagnates up), take from Lower (descend). Disease in Lower (Qi stagnates down), take from Upper (ascend). Disease in Middle (Qi rebels in middle), take from sides (open meridians, spread laterally).

Treat Heat with Cold, administer Warm; Treat Cold with Heat, administer Cool; Treat Warm with Clear, administer Cold; Treat Clear with Warm, administer Hot.

Clarifying Cold/Heat excess/deficiency, there is Concomitant Treatment and Counter Treatment. Treat Heat with Cold, administer Warm: Cold medicine taken warm allows cold nature to act in Heat division. Treat Cold with Heat, administer Cool: Heat medicine taken cool allows heat nature to act in Cold division. This is Concomitant Treatment (using opposite nature administration). Treat Warm with Clear, administer Cold: Clear medicine taken cold. Treat Clear with Warm, administer Hot: Warm medicine taken hot. This is Counter Treatment (using opposite temperature administration).

Thus, dissipate, reduce, vomit, purge, tonify, drain. Old and new diseases use same methods.

Clarifying Upper/Lower/Inner/Outer, if disease Qi reverses, there is Direct Treatment. Thus, internally dissipate...