典藏书目

Males and females possess different constitutions, and the Chi pulse (pulse position at the wrist proximal to the transverse crease, reflecting the Kidney and Mingmen) therefore differs between them. One can predict longevity or premature death from the current pulse examination, as easily as Wen Qiao burning rhino horn to illuminate the underwater realm (*Book of Jin*: Wen Qiao passed Niuzhu Ji, where the water was unfathomably deep, so he lit a rhino horn to shine upon it. Soon after, aquatic creatures appeared with strange shapes and forms, some riding carriages or horses wearing red clothes. That night, Wen Qiao dreamed that someone said to him: "Day and night, the living and the dead are separated by Yin and Yang; why do you intrude thus?"); one can determine prosperity or decline under the fingers, as inescapable as Qin's mirror revealing the heart and gallbladder (*Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital*: Qin Shi Huang possessed a square mirror capable of illuminating one's heart and gallbladder). In males, the Chi pulse should be concealed; maintaining simplicity and guarding the True Qi is the foundation of virtue and longevity. Gathering spirit and condensing Qi characterizes an elder blessed with fortune and status. If the male Chi pulse presents as floating, surging, and short, the ensuing disaster is beyond description. Such individuals are mediocre and idle, waiting for rabbits by a tree stump all day long (*Liezi*: A countryman encountered a rabbit running and crashing into a tree stump to its death, which he picked up and took home; subsequently, he guarded the stump waiting for more rabbits); years drift by leisurely, yet there is no path to admire the flowers of Chang'an (Meng Jiao's poem: "In the spring breeze, riding proudly, the horse's hooves are swift; in one day, I see all the flowers of Chang'an"). Moreover, they often lament such ailments, incurable once the disease has reached the Gao-Huang (vital organs); they will surely face the grief of losing their wives, as their lifespan is difficult to extend. In females, the Chi pulse should be vigorous, exhibiting elegant and refined demeanor, like the fragrance of orchids on a jade terrace, with bright and piercing spirit, akin to ripe peaches in the Yaochi (Jade Pool). If the female Chi pulse is hidden, sunken, and faint, the resulting disaster is again beyond description. There is no spiritual offspring at home, vainly treading in the footsteps of ancestors; though adopted children exist (mingsling, larvae of certain moths, traditionally believed to be adopted by other insects), only voices resembling oneself are heard. Furthermore, the Lion's Roar from Hedong causes begging for mercy from scholars (*Collected Works of Su Dongpo*: Chen Jike was devout in Buddhism, but his wife, Lady Liu, had a fierce temper. Guests often heard scolding sounds when visitors arrived. Su Shi teased him: "Poor Longqiu Scholar, chanting scriptures and preaching Dharma sleepless at night, suddenly hearing the Lion's Roar from Hedong, his staff falls from his hand in confusion." Note: "Lion's Roar" refers to a Buddhist scripture title meaning the Buddha's voice shakes the world; in novels, it metaphorically describes a domineering wife, like a lion's roar causing all beasts to hide); riding a calf-drawn cart in Luoyi leads to mockery by high ministers (*A New Account of the Tales of the World*: Wang Dao of Luoyang had a wife, Lady Cao, who was fiercely jealous. Afraid of her, Wang Dao built a separate residence outside his father-in-law's home. Upon learning this, Lady Cao led maidservants armed with knives to search for him. Terrified, Wang Dao fled on horseback, gripping the carriage rail with his left hand and holding a dust whisk in his right, striking the ox with the handle. Censor Cai Mo teased him: "The court intends to bestow upon you the Nine Bestowals." Wang Dao did not realize the irony, merely acting humble. Cai Mo continued: "I hear nothing else, only a short axle, a calf-cart, and a long-handled dust whisk." Wang Dao became furious*).