五行者，水火木金土也。何云乎行？五者之气行乎两间，所以神变化而妙万物者也。古人以五行配干支、配
八卦、配四方、四时暨身体、脏腑、声色、臭味，无不相配，言之数数，再见不鲜。但相生相克处，据医理多有
不符，谁曰无疑，顾可存而不问焉。是故赵养葵曰∶世人皆曰水克火，而予独曰水养火。世人皆曰金生水，而予
独曰水生金。世人皆曰土克水，而予独于水中补土。世人皆曰木克土，而予独升木以培土。益水克火者，后天有
形之水火也。水养火者，先天无形之水火也。海中之金不着况土，淘以砂石，不假 炼。人声肺金所系，清浊轻
重出自丹田。且肺金之气，夜卧则归藏于肾水之中，肾中有火，金畏热而不敢归；肾中无火，金畏寒亦不敢归。
故气从脐下逆奔而上者，此肾虚不能纳气归元也。土有坤有艮，坤土是离火所生，艮土生于坎水。每湿胜肿满者，
导之不得，补土以制可也。若寒泄洞泄，必补命门相火，俾火能生土，土强则有以防水，阳能化阴，阴化秽溺分
通矣。木藉土生，岂有相克之理。惟土郁于上，则其根下克，雷以动之，风以散之，雨以润之，日以暄之，自然
生机勃发。逮既说乎兑矣，于是艮以止之，坤以藏之，以为来春发生之本，焉可以其克土而动欲伐之也？况五行
生克，独木无苛政，纵具颓垣断井之能，不知历几多甲子，顾一日二日之木病，遂谓其克土而遽伐之耶。不尘子
曰∶世人只谓水生木，不知土亦生木。世人只谓土生金，不知火亦生金。世人只谓火生土，不知土自为土。世人
只谓金生水，不知水由土生。夫木之发也，气也，春升之气也，阳气
也，元气也，胃气也，同出而异名也，虽得水则生，假无土以栽培，是水自旺而木自凋也。观归脾、逍遥二方，
则滋水不若疏土之为快者，可概见矣。金在矿中，非火不能炼出，出则又非火不成器，不克木，不畏火。所以洛
书火七居西，金九居南，亭之毒之，荡摩其形质也。以故养心诸汤，强半都是肺药，不啻金土相生，而兼理脾胃
也。土衰补火，欲其暖而育物耳，生字断讲不去。悬想自古及今，同此天地，何有损益？使期间沧桑迭变，不过
移东就西，并不从生化得来。或有以陶器取譬，去理益远。夫生者自无而有，化者自有而无，化生者无而复有。
器固火化，实土坯也，谓之火生石似矣。土云乎哉，至若甲己化土、戊癸化火暗生土，朱元晦曰∶混沌初开，何
尝有土，自天一生水，而水之凝成处乃为土，坚者为石，最坚者为金，涌起者为山，故山具水浪之形。然则水银、
丹砂、石炭、石膏、绿矾、硫磺等，软坚、寒热、五色、五味同出山土，却是何物凝成？又曰天在地外，天外无
水，地下是水载，故地浮在水上，与天相接。夫既云天在地外，则载地者天也，洪钧，一气也。岐伯曰∶地居天
中，大气举之。邵尧夫因其说曰∶天根据形，地附气，其气最紧，故能扛得地住，何以言水。地浮水上，不崩必沉，
讵能接天？且地须水载，而载水者却是什么？若曰仍是地，则水而地、地而水，将千万重而未有底止也。不经
说，乍可田父樵子，豆棚斗茗，一资噱 。肺金生水，气化有之，若大江东去，不舍昼夜，特地气上腾耳。看高
山之上瀑布飞流，僻壤之中清泉溢出，汝、汉、淮、泗，由此汇而下注。李白诗曰∶黄河之水天上来，奔流到海
不复回。曾谓何物，金神而能生生若是乎？抑且水火随处有生机，端不全仗金木，如方诸聚，金茎取水，呵气取
水，锤铁取火，击石取火，圆镜取火。水中有火，火
中有水，有木中水火，金中水火，土中水火，水有阳有阴，火有阴有阳。阳火者，天日之火也。六气为暑病，即
伤暑中热，可以凉水沃之，可以苦寒解之；阴火者，灯烛之火也，须以膏油养之，不得杂一滴水气，得水即灭矣；
水中火者，龙雷之火也，无质有形，得雨而炽，得阳而熄。人身相火亦犹是也，平日不能节欲，致阳衰阴盛，龙
火无藏身之位，时游于上而不归，是有上隔烦热咳嗽等症，善治者以温肾之药投之，一霎乌有矣；土中之火者，
乃炉灶中无焰炭火，得木则然，见湿徐灭，实以温灰，经宿不烬。故脾胃中火多以甘温养之，职是故也；木中之
火，缘有活水滋灌，略不外现。若干柴生火，燎原不可遏抑，力穷乃止。人身肝火内炽，郁闷烦躁，须以辛凉发
达之品使遂其性，否则，寒药投之恐愈郁，热药投之恐愈炽矣；金中之火，凡山中旧有金银矿或五金瘗埋处，日
久夜常耀熠，此金郁土中，不得泄其向导，时有坚光发越于外。人身皮毛空窍中，觉如针刺蚊咬，及项背如火炙
者，此肺金气虚，火乘虚而现也。又或珠藏川媚，玉韫山辉，宝气使然。观人气盛则丰仪华丽，可会其意；阴水
者，雨、露、雾是也，在人身为汗、为泪、为涕；阳水者，沟渎是也，在人身为便为淋；木中之水，木中之脂液
是也，在人为髓；火中之火，冶中之熔金是也，在人为血；土中之水，井泉是也，在人为唾；金中之水，水银是
也，在人为精。又五行生中有克，克中有生。生不敢生，克不敢克，亦有至理未经阐发，故举一以该其余。生肝
者肾也，有日干涸，不能得水而反得火，木既失水，容易枯槁，再受火传，则龙雷并发，必致焚裂之祸。克水者
土也，不制其胜，火不敢近，何以生物？然水得土为疆界，则渊源有自，故水衰补
肺以滋之，尤当培土以蓄之。心为肝子，木不敢生火何也？不见肺邪盛而肝畏克乎，己身不保，安能庇人。要知
欲其生，防其克则生不掣肘，忽其克，助其生，则克且剥肤。水虽阴险，土奚畏而不敢克？盖肺金之气王尔。金
旺生水，势益跋扈，心知纵恣不可奈，权已下移，骤欲威屈奉命，变生叵测。其他有曰君火生土，土复能生相火，
故五行独一，惟火有二，究竟似是而非；有曰木乃生生之源，天地无木成何世界；有曰肺金位高，百脉皆朝于肺；
有曰心火一身之主，主不明则十二官危；有曰土为万物之母，补肾不如补脾；有曰水为万化之源，于脉为尺，人
之有尺，犹树之有根，虽困无能为害，似乎责重太偏；再则有曰，惟土与金随母寄生。夫金为干为天，土为坤为
地，干父坤母，万物资生，万物资其生，自身恶得言寄？岂女娲属渠母氏，而盘古乃外祖乎。即就五脏而言，金
主肺，居身极上，统气摄血以养百骸，不信系出脾土。脾土运化水谷，众胜倚为性命，何乃寄食心火。且金生于
土，土生于火，火未托生时，竟无脾肺、竟无天地尔？开眼遗溺，令人喷饭。有曰戊土生寅死申，己土生申死寅，
不闻坤浓载物，悠久无疆，戊己人世何土，寅申迭为生死。穿凿纰谬，求道之明，为道之晦矣。嗟夫！一五行耳，
一脏腑耳，颠倒持论如此，而犹不得其情，此所以神变化而妙万物者也。若夫天数五，地数五，五位相得而各有
合，因而干支错配五行八卦，流行对待，以成律历、星卜、风监、地舆之书，后人奉为津梁，岂五行之外别有一
木火土金水乎？然则不尘、养葵之说，非惟有乖经旨，于自家著作仍多不符，是尚望后人之敬听者哉，存而不问，
又谁曰不然。
五行，指的是水、火、木、金、土这五种物质。为什么说它们是“行”呢？因为五行的气运行于天地之间，所以能神奇地变化并精妙地化生万物。古人将五行与天干地支相配，与八卦相配，与四方、四季以及身体、脏腑、声音、颜色、气味等相配，没有不相配的，反复谈论，屡见不鲜。但是在相生相克的道理上，依据医学原理往往多有不符合之处，谁说没有疑问呢？但这就可以存疑而不加探究吗？
因此赵养葵说：世人都说水克火，而我唯独说水养火。世人都说金生水，而我唯独说水生金。世人都说土克水，而我唯独在水中补土。世人都说木克土，而我唯独升发木气以培补土气。所谓水克火，是指后天有形的水火；所谓水养火，是指先天无形的水火。海中的金不附着于土，淘洗时只需砂石，不需要冶炼。人的声音由肺金所主，清浊轻重出自丹田。而且肺金之气，夜间卧睡时则归藏于肾水之中，如果肾中有火，金因畏热而不敢归藏；如果肾中无火，金因畏寒也不敢归藏。所以气从脐下逆奔而上，这是肾虚不能纳气归元。
土有坤土和艮土之分，坤土是由离火所生，艮土生于坎水。每当湿气胜导致肿胀满闷时，疏导不得法，可以通过补土来制约它。如果是寒性泄泻或洞泄，必须补益命门相火，使火能生土，土强盛了就有能力防水，阳气能化阴，阴液化为秽浊溺液分别通利。
木依靠土而生，哪里有相克的道理呢？只有当土郁结在上部时，其根部才会向下克制（指木根穿透土壤）。雷来震动它，风来疏散它，雨来滋润它，日光照耀它，自然生机勃发。等到进入兑卦（秋季）之时，于是由艮卦止之，坤卦藏之，作为来年春季生发的根本，怎么能因为它克土就想要砍伐它呢？况且五行生克中，唯独木没有苛政，纵然具备颓垣断井的破坏力，不知经历多少个甲子，却仅仅因为一两天的木病，就说它克土而立刻去伐除它吗？
不尘子说：世人只说水生木，不知道土也生木。世人只说土生金，不知道火也生金。世人只说火生土，不知道土自成为土。世人只说金生水，不知道水由土生。木的发荣，是气，是春天升发之气，是阳气，是元气，是胃气，同出而异名。虽然得水则生，假如没有土来栽培，是水自旺而木自凋谢。观察归脾汤、逍遥散这两个方剂，就知道滋水不如疏土来得痛快，可以概见一斑。
金在矿中，不是火不能炼出来，出来后如果不是火也不能成器，既不克木，也不畏火。所以洛书中火七居西，金九居南，亭毒之，荡摩其形质。因此养心的诸种汤药，大半都是治肺的药，不仅是金土相生，而且兼理脾胃。土衰补火，是想让它温暖而养育万物罢了，“生”的字义绝对不能讲丢。悬想从古至今，同样的天地，有什么损益呢？假使期间沧桑迭变，不过是移东就西，并不从生化得来。有人用陶器打比方，那就离真理更远了。所谓生是从无到有，化是从有到无，化生是无而复有。器皿固然由火化成，实质是土坯，说是火生石似乎有理。至于土呢？至于甲己化土、戊癸化火暗生土，朱熹说：混沌初开，何尝有土，自从天一生水，而水凝结的地方就成了土，坚硬的是石，最坚硬的是金，涌起的是山，所以山具有水浪的形状。那么水银、丹砂、石炭、石膏、绿矾、硫磺等，软硬、寒热、五色、五味同出于山土，到底是什么东西凝结成的？又说天在地外，天外无水，地下是水承载，所以地浮在水上，与天相接。既然说天在地外，那么承载地的是天，洪钧，是一气。岐伯说：地居天中，大气举之。邵雍根据这个说法说：天根据形体，地依附气，那气最紧，所以能扛住地，为什么说是水？地浮在水上，不崩沉必沉，怎能接天？况且地须水载，而载水的又是什么？如果说仍是地，那么水而地、地而水，将千万重而没有底止。这是不经之谈，暂且让农夫樵子在豆棚下斗茶，当作一笑料罢了。
肺金生水，气化方面或许有，像大江东去，不舍昼夜，特地气上腾罢了。看高山之上瀑布飞流，僻壤之中清泉溢出，汝水、汉水、淮水、泗水，由此汇合而下注。李白诗说：黄河之水天上来，奔流到海不复回。曾说是什么物，金神而能生生不息如此呢？况且水火随处有生机，端的不全仗金木，如方诸聚露，金茎取水，呵气取水，锤铁取火，击石取火，圆镜取火。水中有火，火中有水，木中有水火，金中有水火，土中有水火，水有阳有阴，火有阴有阳。
阳火，是天日之火。六气中的暑病，就是伤暑中热，可以用凉水浇淋，可以用苦寒药解除；阴火，是灯烛之火，必须以膏油滋养，不能夹杂一滴水气，得水就灭了；水中的火，是龙雷之火，无质有形，得雨而炽烈，得阳而熄灭。人身相火也是这样，平日不能节制欲望，导致阳衰阴盛，龙火没有藏身之位，时常游走在上面而不归，出现上膈烦热咳嗽等症状，善于治疗的人用温肾药投之，一瞬间就没有了；土中之火，是炉灶中无焰的炭火，得木则燃烧，见湿慢慢熄灭，实以温灰覆盖，经过一夜不烬。所以脾胃中的火多以甘温药滋养，就是这个缘故；木中之火，缘于有活水滋润，略微不外现。如果像干柴生火，燎原不可遏制，力穷才停止。人身肝火内炽，郁闷烦躁，必须以辛凉发达之品使其顺遂本性，否则，投寒药恐怕更加郁结，投热药恐怕更加炽烈；金中之火，凡是山中旧有的金银矿或五金埋藏处，日久夜晚常闪耀，这是金郁土中，不得泄其向导，有时坚光发越于外。人身皮毛空窍中，感觉如针刺蚊咬，以及项背如火炙者，这是肺金气虚，火乘虚而显现。或者像珠藏川媚，玉韫山辉，宝气使然。观人气盛则丰仪华丽，可以领会其意。
阴水，是雨、露、雾，在人身为汗、为泪、为涕；阳水，是沟渎，在人身为便、为淋；木中之水，是木中的脂液，在人为髓；火中之火（此处原文似有误，应为火中之水或类似对应，但依原文翻译），冶中的熔金，在人为血；土中之水，是井泉，在人为唾；金中之水，是水银，在人为精。
另外五行生中有克，克中有生。生不敢生，克不敢克，也有至理未经阐发，故举一以概括其余。生肝的是肾，如果有日子干涸，不能得水反而得火，木既失水，容易枯槁，再受火传，则龙雷并发，必致焚裂之祸。克水的是土，如果不制约其胜势，火不敢靠近，凭什么生物？然而水得到土作为疆界，则渊源有自，所以水衰补肺以滋之，尤其应当培土以蓄之。心是肝之子，木不敢生火为什么呢？不见肺邪盛而肝畏克乎，自身不保，怎能庇佑他人。要知道欲让其生，防止其克则生不掣肘，忽视其克，助长其生，则克且剥肤。水虽阴险，土为何畏惧而不敢克？盖因肺金之气王（旺）尔。金旺生水，气势越发跋扈，心知道纵恣无可奈何，权已下移，骤然想要威屈奉命，变故叵测。其他有人说君火生土，土复能生相火，所以五行独一，惟火有二，究竟似是而非；有人说木乃生生之源，天地无木成何世界；有人说肺金位高，百脉皆朝于肺；有人说心火一身之主，主不明则十二官危；有人说土为万物之母，补肾不如补脾；有人说水为万化之源，于脉为尺，人之有尺，犹树之有根，虽困无能为害，似乎责重太偏；再有就是说，惟土与金随母寄生。夫金为干为天，土为坤为地，干父坤母，万物资生，万物资其生，自身恶得言寄？难道女娲属她母亲氏，而盘古乃外祖吗？即就五脏而言，金主肺，居身极上，统气摄血以养百骸，不信系出脾土。脾土运化水谷，众脏倚为性命，何乃寄食心火。且金生于土，土生于火，火未托生时，竟无脾肺、竟无天地尔？开眼遗尿，令人喷饭。有人说戊土生寅死申，己土生申死寅，没听说坤厚载物，悠久无疆，戊己人世何土，寅申迭为生死。穿凿纰谬，求道之明，为道之晦矣。
唉！一个五行罢了，一个脏腑罢了，颠倒持论如此，而还不得其情，这就是神奇变化而精妙万物的原因啊。至于天数五，地数五，五位相得而各有合，因而干支错配五行八卦，流行对待，以成律历、星卜、风监、地舆之书，后人奉为津梁，难道五行之外别有一木火土金水吗？那么不尘、养葵的说法，不仅有乖经旨，于自家著作仍多不符，这还指望后人敬听吗？存疑而不问，又有谁说不对呢。
The Five Elements refer to Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth. Why are they called "Xing" (Moving/Proceeding)? Because the Qi of these five moves through the space between Heaven and Earth, thereby miraculously transforming and exquisitely generating all things. The ancients correlated the Five Elements with Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, with the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), with the Four Directions, the Four Seasons, as well as the body, Zang-Fu organs, sounds, colors, and odors. There was no correlation that was not made, discussed repeatedly, and seen often. However, regarding the principles of mutual generation and restriction, according to medical theory, there are often inconsistencies. Who can say there is no doubt? Yet, can we simply preserve this doubt without inquiry?
Therefore, Zhao Yangkui said: People all say Water restricts Fire, but I alone say Water nourishes Fire. People all say Metal generates Water, but I alone say Water generates Metal. People all say Earth restricts Water, but I alone tonify Earth within Water. People all say Wood restricts Earth, but I alone raise Wood Qi to cultivate Earth. What is meant by Water restricting Fire refers to the postnatal, tangible Water and Fire. What is meant by Water nourishing Fire refers to the prenatal, intangible Water and Fire. Gold in the sea does not adhere to Earth; when washed, it requires only sand and gravel, not smelting. Human voice is governed by Lung Metal; its clarity or turbidity, lightness or heaviness originates from the Dantian. Furthermore, Lung Metal Qi returns and stores itself in Kidney Water during sleep at night. If there is Fire in the Kidney, Metal fears the heat and dares not return; if there is no Fire in the Kidney, Metal fears the cold and also dares not return. Therefore, when Qi rushes upward from below the navel, this is due to Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Qi and return it to its source.
Earth is divided into Kun Earth and Gen Earth. Kun Earth is generated by Li Fire, while Gen Earth is born from Kan Water. Whenever dampness prevails causing swelling and fullness, if dredging fails, one can control it by tonifying Earth. If there is cold-type diarrhea or profuse watery stool, one must tonify the Ministerial Fire of the Gate of Life (Mingmen) so that Fire can generate Earth. When Earth is strong, it has the capacity to control Water; Yang can transform Yin, and Yin transforms into turbid urine which is then separated and excreted.
Wood relies on Earth for growth; how could there be a principle of restriction? Only when Earth is stagnant in the upper part does its root (Wood) restrict downwards. Thunder shakes it, Wind disperses it, Rain moistens it, and Sunlight warms it, allowing natural vitality to flourish. Once entering the Dui trigram (Autumn), Gen stops it, and Kun stores it, serving as the foundation for next spring's germination. How can one wish to chop it down just because it restricts Earth? Moreover, among the Five Elements' generation and restriction, only Wood lacks harsh governance. Even if it possesses the power to destroy ruined walls and broken wells, knowing it takes many Jiazi cycles, yet due to a Wood disease lasting only one or two days, one claims it restricts Earth and immediately chops it down?
Bu Chen Zi said: People only say Water generates Wood, not knowing Earth also generates Wood. People only say Earth generates Metal, not knowing Fire also generates Metal. People only say Fire generates Earth, not knowing Earth becomes Earth by itself. People only say Metal generates Water, not knowing Water is generated by Earth. The sprouting of Wood is Qi, it is Spring ascending Qi, it is Yang Qi, it is Yuan Qi (Original Qi), it is Stomach Qi; they originate from the same source but have different names. Although it grows with Water, if there is no Earth to cultivate it, Water will flourish while Wood withers. Observing the formulas Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) and Xiaoyao San (Free Wander Powder), it can be generally seen that nourishing Water is less effective than soothing Earth.
Metal in ore cannot be extracted without Fire; once extracted, it cannot form vessels without Fire. It neither restricts Wood nor fears Fire. Thus, in the Luoshu, Fire 7 resides in the West, Metal 9 resides in the South, refining and shaping its substance. Therefore, most decoctions for nourishing the Heart are actually Lung medicines; this is not only Metal generating Earth but also regulating the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifying Fire for deficient Earth aims to warm and nurture all things; the concept of "generation" cannot be discarded. Imagining from ancient times to now, under the same Heaven and Earth, what gain or loss is there? If changes occur like vicissitudes, it is merely moving East to West, not derived from generation and transformation. Using pottery as an analogy strays far from truth. Generation is from non-existence to existence; transformation is from existence to non-existence; huasheng (transformative generation) is non-existence returning to existence. Vessels are indeed formed by Fire, but essentially are clay molds; saying Fire generates Stone seems plausible. As for Earth? Regarding Jia-Ji transforming into Earth, Wu-Gui transforming into Fire secretly generating Earth, Zhu Xi said: At the beginning of chaos, where was Earth? Since Heaven One generates Water, where Water condenses becomes Earth. Hard becomes Stone, hardest becomes Metal, rising up becomes Mountain, thus Mountains have the shape of water waves. Then Mercury, Cinnabar, Coal, Gypsum, Green Vitriol, Sulfur, etc., varying in hardness, temperature, color, and taste, all emerge from mountain Earth. What substance condensed them? It is also said that Heaven is outside Earth, there is no Water outside Heaven, and underground is Water carrying [Earth], so Earth floats on Water, connecting with Heaven. If Heaven is outside Earth, then what carries Earth is Heaven, Hongjun (Great Harmony), which is One Qi. Qibo said: Earth resides in the center of Heaven, lifted by Great Qi. Shao Yong based his theory on this: Heaven relies on form, Earth attaches to Qi; that Qi is tightest, thus it can support Earth. Why speak of Water? If Earth floats on Water, it would either not collapse or sink; how can it connect to Heaven? And if Earth needs Water to carry it, what carries the Water? If one says it is still Earth, then Water-Earth, Earth-Water, will be thousands of layers without end. This is unorthodox talk, suitable only for farmers and woodcutters chatting under bean trellises over tea, as a joke.
Lung Metal generating Water may apply to Qi transformation, like the Great River flowing east day and night, specifically due to Earth Qi ascending. Looking at waterfalls on high mountains, clear springs overflowing in remote areas, Ru, Han, Huai, and Si rivers converge and flow down from here. Li Bai wrote: The Yellow River's waters come from Heaven, rushing to the sea never to return. Who or what is this Metal Spirit that can generate life thus? Moreover, Water and Fire have vitality everywhere, not relying solely on Metal and Wood. For example, Fangzhu gathers dew, metal stems collect water, breath collects water, hammering iron produces fire, striking stone produces fire, round mirrors produce fire. Water contains Fire, Fire contains Water, Wood contains Water and Fire, Metal contains Water and Fire, Earth contains Water and Fire. Water has Yin and Yang; Fire has Yin and Yang.
Yang Fire is the Fire of the Sun. Summer-heat illness caused by the Six Qi is injury from summer heat, which can be cooled with cold water or resolved with bitter-cold herbs. Yin Fire is the Fire of lamps and candles, requiring grease/oil to sustain it; it cannot tolerate a drop of Water Qi, extinguishing upon contact with Water. Fire within Water is Dragon-Thunder Fire, formless yet having presence, intensifying with rain and extinguishing with Yang. Human Ministerial Fire is similar. Daily failure to restrain desires leads to Yang deficiency and Yin excess, leaving Dragon Fire without a hiding place, wandering above and not returning, causing symptoms like upper diaphragm irritability, heat, and cough. Skilled practitioners treat this with Kidney-warming herbs, and it vanishes instantly. Fire within Earth is the ember fire in stoves/hearths; it burns with Wood, slowly extinguishes with dampness, and stays unburnt overnight if covered with warm ash. Therefore, Fire in the Spleen and Stomach is mostly nourished with sweet-warm herbs for this reason. Fire within Wood, due to living water irrigation, rarely manifests externally. Like dry wood generating fire, spreading uncontrollably until strength is exhausted. Internal blazing Liver Fire causing depression and irritability requires acrid-cool dispersing agents to allow its nature to proceed; otherwise, cold herbs may increase stagnation, and hot herbs may increase blazing. Fire within Metal: In old gold/silver mines or places where metals were buried, nights often shine brightly after long periods. This is Metal stagnating in Earth, unable to release its guiding function, occasionally manifesting hard brightness externally. In humans, sensations like needle pricks or mosquito bites in skin pores, or burning heat in the neck and back, indicate Lung Metal Qi deficiency with Fire exploiting the void. Or like pearls hidden in rivers, jade shining in mountains, it is the aura of treasures. Observing that abundant Qi brings handsome appearance helps understand this.
Yin Water is rain, dew, fog; in the human body, it is sweat, tears, nasal mucus. Yang Water is ditches; in the human body, it is urine and strangury. Water within Wood is the resinous fluid in wood; in humans, it is marrow. Fire within Fire (Note: Text likely implies Water within Fire or similar correspondence, translating literally): Molten gold in smelting; in humans, it is blood. Water within Earth is well springs; in humans, it is saliva. Water within Metal is mercury; in humans, it is essence.
Furthermore, within generation lies restriction, and within restriction lies generation. Generation dare not generate, restriction dare not restrict; there are profound principles unexplored, hence citing one to cover the rest. Generating Liver is Kidney. If days pass dryly, unable to get Water but instead getting Fire, Wood loses Water and easily withers; receiving further Fire transmission causes Dragon-Thunder to erupt simultaneously, leading to burning/cracking disaster. Restricting Water is Earth. If its dominance is not controlled, Fire dares not approach, how can it generate life? However, Water gains boundaries from Earth, giving it a source. Thus, when Water is deficient, tonifying Lung to nourish it is important, but especially cultivating Earth to store it. Heart is the son of Liver. Why does Wood not generate Fire? Do you not see that when Lung pathogen is excessive, Liver fears restriction? If self cannot be preserved, how can it protect others? Know that to allow generation, prevent restriction so generation is not hindered; ignore restriction, assist generation, and restriction will peel the skin. Water is insidious, why does Earth fear and not restrict it? Because Lung Metal Qi is prosperous. Metal prosperity generates Water, making momentum arrogant. Heart knows indulgence is unbearable, power shifts downward, suddenly wanting to coerce obedience, changes become unpredictable. Others say Lord Fire generates Earth, Earth re-generates Ministerial Fire, so among Five Elements, only Fire has two, ultimately似是而非 (seemingly correct but incorrect). Others say Wood is the source of life, what world without Wood? Others say Lung Metal is high, all vessels face Lung. Others say Heart Fire is master of the body, if master is unclear, twelve officials are endangered. Others say Earth is mother of all things, tonifying Spleen is better than tonifying Kidney. Others say Water is source of ten thousand transformations, corresponding to Chi pulse in diagnosis; having Chi is like tree roots, even if troubled, cannot harm, seemingly too heavy a responsibility. Again, some say only Earth and Metal parasitize the mother. Metal is Qian/Heaven, Earth is Kun/Earth. Qian Father, Kun Mother, all things rely on generation. All things rely on their generation, how can they speak of parasitism? Is Nuwa her mother clan, and Pangu her maternal grandfather? Speaking of the Five Zang, Metal governs Lung, residing highest, governing Qi and controlling Blood to nourish bones/body, denying origin from Spleen Earth. Spleen Earth transforms food/grain, relied upon by all for life, how can it parasitize Heart Fire? And Metal generates from Earth, Earth from Fire. Before Fire exists, are there no Spleen/Lung, no Heaven/Earth? Opening eyes and urinating, making people laugh. Some say Wu Earth lives in Yin, dies in Shen; Ji Earth lives in Shen, dies in Yin. Never heard of Kun thickly carrying things, enduring forever. Wu/Ji worldly Earth, Yin/Shen alternating life/death. Forced and erroneous, seeking clarity of Dao, obscuring Dao. Alas! Just the Five Elements, just the Zang-Fu, arguing upside down like this, yet not grasping the truth. This is why it miraculously transforms and exquisitely generates all things. As for Heaven Number 5, Earth Number 5, five positions meeting with respective combinations, thus Stems/Branches cross-match Five Elements and Bagua, circulating and opposing, forming books on rhythm/calendar, astrology, wind observation, geography. Later generations revere them as bridges. Are there separate Wood/Fire/Earth/Metal/Water outside the Five Elements? Then Bu Chen and Yangkui's theories not only deviate from classic intent but also contradict their own works. Can we still expect later generations to listen respectfully? Preserving doubt without asking, who says otherwise?