Spent over two hours with Ji Xiuwen at the Ninth Hospital.

On the way back.

Ji Xiuwen seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Lu Xuan, why don't you just move to my place? The apartment I'm renting has two bedrooms and a living room, it's just wasted space otherwise. If you move in, it'll be much closer to the Health Center, and you won't have to rush to catch the bus every day."

Lu Xuan thought about what Ji Xiuwen said and agreed, "Alright, let's move this weekend. But let's be clear, I'll cover half of the rent, water, electricity, gas, or I'm not doing it."

"Sure, half it is."

Ji Xiuwen had anticipated Lu Xuan would say that, and he had no objections.

"This way, if there's something I don't understand, I can ask you face to face." Ji Xiuwen grinned widely.

Lu Xuan rolled his eyes.

"By the way, there was something about that lady's condition this afternoon that I still don't quite understand, especially the phrase 'all diseases arise from Qi.' This afternoon she seemed a bit out of sorts and resistant to medical treatment, so I didn't get a chance to ask then."

"The concept of all diseases arising from Qi indicates that pathogenic factors cause illness when they disrupt the balance of the body's Qi processes. Therefore, treating all diseases should focus on regulating Qi."

"Why?"

Lu Xuan asked and answered himself: "When Qi processes flow smoothly, the functions of the five organs operate normally. In our traditional Chinese medicine concepts, Qi is the most fundamental substance that forms the body and maintains its life activities.

When Qi processes are smooth, the transformation functions of the organs run normally. Conversely, if Qi processes are disrupted, organ transformation functions become abnormal, the body's metabolism becomes imbalanced, and countless diseases will inevitably arise.

Therefore, in pathological situations, it's important to regulate the movement of Qi – its ascent, descent, entry, and exit – using methods such as 'supplement what is deficient, diminish what is excessive, disperse what is constrained, gather what is dispersed, lower what is raised, raise what is lowered' to restore Qi processes to a relatively balanced and coordinated normal state.

As 'Spiritual Pivot·True Pathology' puts it: 'Using needles involves regulating Qi.'

And 'Suwen·Great Truth and Theory' states: 'Release blood and Qi so that they flow, achieving peace.'

'Complete Writings of Jingyue' explains the significant role of Qi in the human body with the statement, 'The function of Qi reaches everywhere; if Qi is not regulated, no disease will be free from it. Thus externally there is the invasion of the six Qi, and internally there is the chaos of the nine Qi. The nature of disease, whether deficient, excess, cold, or heat, and their changes cannot be named. The root of all should be sought; a single word, Qi, is adequate for it. Where there is a lack of regulation in Qi, that is where the root of disease lies'; 'Therefore, the cause of disease cannot be separated from Qi, and the treatment of disease by doctors cannot depart from Qi. What is valued is knowing whether Qi is in deficiency or excess, and where Qi arises from.'

Hence, in the treatment of disease, the concept of 'regulating Qi as the key' is particularly emphasized.

At the same time, one should also maintain mental health, nourish Qi, ensuring the body and spirit are complete, live to the end of natural life, making sure that Qi doesn't 'rise' or 'fall,' doesn't 'slow' or 'dissipate,' doesn't 'condense' or 'scatter,' thus making the ascent and descent of Qi processes return to normal. As 'Suwen·Great Truth and Theory' states: 'Carefully observe the location of Yin and Yang and adjust it, taking balance as the goal,' then 'if healthy Qi remains within, evil cannot invade.' "

Ji Xiuwen looked at Lu Xuan with envy; even if he read aloud, he might not be as fluent as Lu Xuan in these topics.

The contents in ancient medical books are mostly in classical Chinese, making them even more obtuse and difficult to memorize than common Mandarin.

Yet, even so, Lu Xuan easily remembered all the content, word for word.

The talent for photographic memory brings such an overwhelming advantage in learning Chinese medicine.

However, Ji Xiuwen's envy only flashed briefly, and he immediately resumed listening attentively.

"And regulating Qi can also help pathologic products be expelled from the body smoothly. Disruption of Qi processes can result in the accumulation of pathologic products like 'phlegm, stasis, and damp obstruction' in the body. Phlegm-rheum, dampness, and blood stasis are foundations for disease occurrence and complexity, so regulating 'Qi' is a priority in disease treatment.

As 'Danxi Heart Method' says, 'Flowing Qi first'; 'a good treatment for phlegm is not to treat phlegm but to treat Qi, for once Qi flows, the body's fluids will also follow and flow smoothly.'

Based on the interrelationship of Qi, blood, and body fluids, flowing Qi leads to flowing water, and then to flowing blood, resolving constraints and stagnation.

'Suwen·Tiao Jing Lun' says, 'The pathways of the five organs come from the meridians, circulating blood and Qi, and when blood and Qi are not harmonious, countless ailments transform and arise. Therefore staying on the meridians is crucial.'

The accumulation of pathologic products can also obstruct the meridians, so when regulating 'Qi,' one should also open up the cavities and give an outlet for evil.

In summary, by regulating 'Qi,' pathologic products like phlegm-rheum, dampness, and blood stasis can be expelled from the body under the influence of 'Qi,' allowing the body to achieve 'Yin is balanced and Yang is concealed, and the spirit is treated.'

"Regarding clinical applications, I'll tell you more next time we encounter such patients."

Ji Xiuwen also knew that discussing at length isn't easy to digest: "I need recordings for everything you say, let's talk clinical, and I'll be up all night listening to recordings again."

"Don't forget, you also have the acupuncture recordings." Lu Xuan felt it was necessary to remind his old classmate.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ji Xiuwen slapped his thigh: "Whoa, I almost forgot I still need to review acupuncture tonight. If I had known, I wouldn't have asked you these questions. Another sleepless night!"

Ji Xiuwen sighed, looking thoroughly disheartened.

Lu Xuan couldn't help but interrupt, "You're going to burn out if you keep doing this every day."

"I know!"

Ji Xiuwen replied helplessly, "But what choice do I have? If I don't push myself while I'm young, am I supposed to wait till I'm in my thirties or forties? By then, even if I wanted to push myself, I wouldn't have the energy."

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