I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 251 - 113: Acupuncture Mastery Reborn

"What is Dr. Lu's understanding of the 'Medical Introduction'?" Zhou Jiande, knowing that there were several patients in the consultation room and two of his students, still couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

Zhou Jiande had also flipped through the 'Medical Introduction,' but didn't remember much of its contents. It's extremely difficult for an average person to retain the contents of one or two books; being able to remember all medical texts would make one exceptional, a genius.

Only a genius could possess such ability.

In Zhou Jiande's eyes, Lu Xuan was that genius.

His talent was truly enviable.

Lu Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Apart from its similarity with the 'Acupuncture Inquiry,' where both agree on 'first shallow then deep' and 'first deep then shallow' concerning needle insertion and withdrawal, the most noteworthy part of the 'Medical Introduction' is interpreting 'slow lifting and tight pressing' and 'tighten and slow press' as weights of insertion.

The book points out: 'In all insertions, quick lift and slow press make it cold and draining; slow lift and quick press ignite the fire and replenish.'

It combines with Nine Yang numbers and Six Yin numbers to rightly explain the meaning of the 'Golden Needle Poem.' However, its content remains vague, such as the lines 'first shallowly insert the needle, then gradually deepen to replenish Lao Yang numbers' and 'first deeply insert the needle, then gradually shallowly withdraw to drain Shao Yin numbers.' How to combine insertion and withdrawal with Lao Yang numbers or Shao Yin numbers remains elusive and practically challenging.

Additionally, both 'Acupuncture Inquiry' and 'Medical Introduction' point out that after applying techniques, the Qi Movement Method must be used to guide the qi to the diseased area, a point not mentioned in the 'Golden Needle Poem.'

Lu Xuan spoke of the similarities and differences between the 'Medical Introduction' and 'Acupuncture Inquiry,' the most crucial being the comparison made with the 'Golden Needle Poem,' initially mentioning Mountain Burning Fire and Heart-piercing Cold. Such a comprehensive understanding of several books' content is unattainable without extensive knowledge.

This made Zhou Jiande question what he had been researching all these years about Mountain Burning Fire and Heart-piercing Cold. He even felt that his years of research results were less thorough than Lu Xuan's understanding.

"Anything else?" Zhou Jiande took a deep breath and quickly asked as soon as Lu Xuan finished speaking.

Lu Xuan nodded and said, "Elder Zhou should have read the 'Great Achievement in Acupuncture,' right?"

"I have."

Zhou Jiande looked at Lu Xuan: "However, I can't remember much of its content. Not everyone is like you—a genius who remembers everything they've read. This makes me think of a certain phrase."

Zhou Jiande paused before continuing, "Photographic memory."

Lu Xuan was taken aback, then smiled.

He hadn't intended to say it, but Elder Zhou's remark hit the truth.

Even so, Lu Xuan didn't admit it. Instead, he smiled and said, "Then let me talk about 'Great Achievement in Acupuncture,' where it mentions 'Mountain Burning Fire, which can expel coldness, three advances and one retreat with surging heat, inhale through the nose once and exhale through the mouth five times...'

'Whenever using needles, employ the Qi Movement Method within five points, following the Nine Yang numbers. For one inch, it's first shallow then deep; if qi is attained, move the needle according to the path. Movement is: left for men and right for women, gradually advancing within one inch, three exits and three entries, slow lifting and tight pressing. If the needle feels heavy and tight, upon insertion, heat regenerates, and cold dispels. If it doesn't work, reapply the method.'

'Heaven-piercing Cold can remove heat, three retreats, and one advance with icy coolness, inhale through the mouth once and exhale through the nose five times...'

'Whenever using needles, advance within one inch following the Six Yin numbers. For five points, it's first deep then shallow; if qi is attained, withdraw and extend (lift), withdrawing to five points, three entries and three exits, tighten and slow press. When the needle feels heavy and tight, slowly lift it, and coolness generates to remove heat disease.'

'If ineffective, repeat the previous method.'

But to be honest, the understanding of 'first shallow then deep' and 'first deep then shallow' in 'Great Achievement in Acupuncture' is similar to 'Acupuncture Inquiry,' and there's a conflict between two-part and three-part needle advancements and withdrawals.

The book states: Mountain Burning Fire with three advances and one retreat, Heaven-piercing Cold with one advance and three retreats, indicating three-part needle advancements and withdrawals, yet it also mentions that Mountain Burning Fire must first be quickly operated within five points and then proceed to one inch, while Heaven-piercing Cold must first advance one inch before withdrawing to five points. Aren't these contradictory?

Furthermore, the application of Nine Yang numbers and Six Yin numbers is not clearly explained.

Regarding the application of the insertion and withdrawal method, once it's indicated to apply 'Three Advances and Three Retreats' or 'Three Exits and Three Entries,' it obviously shouldn't be combined with the nine-six numbers. The 'Golden Needle Poem' lacks such a basis for combination.

As for 'inhale through the nose once, exhale through the mouth five times' and 'inhale through the mouth once, exhale through the nose five times,' these are the words of the Yang Family, not recorded in the 'Golden Needle Poem.'

Zhou Jiande remained silent for a long time before raising his head to look at Lu Xuan, deliberating, "Can you comprehensively discuss your understanding of Mountain Burning Fire and Heart-piercing Cold? I plan to compare it with my years of research."

Lu Xuan was taken aback, not expecting Zhou Jiande to say this. After all, acupuncture was still a new field for him, far from being on par with an acupuncture master like Zhou Jiande.

However, since Zhou Jiande asked, Lu Xuan didn't shy away or claim ignorance. He might not know, but his teachers did!

Who in the world knew more than his group of teachers?

With thousands of years of knowledge accumulated, even all the Chinese medicine practitioners in the world combined might not outmatch them.

"Then I'll give it a try. Please correct me if I'm wrong, Elder Zhou."

Lu Xuan humbly said, then thought for a moment before beginning, "Let me first discuss my understanding of some content, namely the meaning of 'first shallow then deep' and 'first deep then shallow,' which should refer to the procedure of needle insertion and withdrawal. On this point, ancient documents have relatively consistent opinions; there's no need for debate."