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Chapter 71 Comprehensive Discourse on the Policies and arrangements of the six Principal [Qi].1 71-457-2 Huang Di asked: “The transformations of the six [qi] and the [catastrophic] changes of the six [qi],2 domination and revenge, excess and order,3 the earlier and the belated4 [formation of] sweet, bitter, acrid, salty, sour and bland [flavors],5 − I have come to know all this. now, the transformations of the five periods, 1 Cheng shide et al.: “The ‘six principal [qi]’ include the six ‘principals’ of climatic changes, i.e., wind, fire, dampness, heat, dryness, and cold. In other words, these are the six qi ruling a year. 正 is 政, ‘policy.’ 紀 is 記其事, ‘to record these events.’ from how the present chapter records how the six qi control heaven above and are at the fountain below, how the intervening [visitor] qi are arranged to the left and to the right, as well as how the periods and the qi govern together and how the visitor and the host [qi] join from the above, it appears that 30 years represent one ‘arrangement’ and 60 years constitute one ‘cycle.’ Within these [years] there is transformation and change,there is domination and revenge,there is operation and illness.The laws of the development and changes of their respective policies and manifestations differ. Hence the name of this chapter is ‘recording the policies of the six principal [qi].’” 2 Zhang Zhicong: “The ‘six transformations’ is to say: the six qi controlling heaven and at the fountain do all undergo transformations. The ‘six changes’ is to say: the changes of restraint and domination.” Cheng shide et al.: “ ‘six transformations’ [refers to the] generation and transformation of the six qi. ‘six changes’ [refers to the changes in the] abundance and weakness of the six qi.” fang yaozhong: “ ‘six transformations’ refers to the regular changes of the six qi. ‘six changes’ refers to the abnormal changes of the six qi.” 3 Cheng shide et al.: “勝 refers to 勝氣, ‘dominating qi’; 復 refers to 復氣, ‘qi taking revenge.’淫 is ‘excessive evil causing illness’; 治 is 治理,‘to govern.’”fang yaozhong : “淫 refers to disproportionate domination or excess. 治 refers to normal.” 4 fang yaozhong: “ ‘earlier and later’ is to say that the generation and maturing of the five flavors do not occur at the same time each year; sometimes they occur earlier, sometimes they occur belated.” 5 fang yaozhong: “ ‘sweet, bitter, acrid, sour, salty’ refers to the five flavors and also to all kinds of food and medicinal drugs.” 358 Huang Di nei jing su wen sometimes they follow the qi of heaven,6 sometimes they oppose the qi of heaven;7 sometimes they follow the qi of heaven and oppose the qi of the earth;8 sometimes they follow the qi of the earth and oppose the qi of heaven; sometimes they agree, sometimes they do not agree.9 These issues I cannot understand yet. 6 lin yi et al.: “五氣 may be an error for 天氣. This would link it to the following text.” Zhang Jiebin: “五氣 should be 天氣.” Cheng shide et al.: “ ‘They follow the qi of heaven’ is: the transformations of the five periods parallel the qi of heaven. ‘Qi of heaven’ refers to the qi controlling heaven.” We agree with lin yi and Zhang Jiebin and have read 五氣 as 天氣. 7 Gao shishi: “The transformations of the five periods, sometimes they follow the qi controlling heaven, sometimes they oppose the qi controlling heaven.” Cheng shide et al.: “ ‘oppose the qi of heaven’ is: the five periods and the qi controlling heaven are contradictory.” 8 Gao shishi: “sometimes they follow the qi controlling heaven and oppose the earth qi at the fountain. sometimes they follow the earth qi at the fountain and oppose the qi of heaven controlling heaven. 從 is like 同, ‘to be identical to,’ ‘to agree with.’ 逆 is like 異, ‘to differ from.’” 9 Wang Bing: “When the qi are identical, that is called 從, ‘to follow.’ When the qi differ, that is called 逆, ‘to oppose.’ In case there is domination or restraint, that is 不 相得, ‘they do not agree.’ When they generate one another, that is 相得, ‘they agree.’ Treatment patterns exist for [situations where] the qi controlling heaven and earth exceed or dominate one another, or seek revenge. If one wishes to balance and adjust the natures of the qi, it is not advisable to act against the qi of heaven and earth. [This way it is possible] to achieve quietude and peace.”Zhang Zhicong: “ ‘sometimes they agree, sometimes they do not agree’ refers to the qi...

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