Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Dagger-axe (gē) Kangxi stroke count: 7 Page 411, Entry 11 Ancient form. Pronounced cheng. According to the Tangyun (Tang Dynasty Rhyme Dictionary), the Jiyun (Compilation of Rhymes), the Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes), and the Zhengyun (Correct Rhymes), the pronunciation is cheng. Shuowen (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters): To complete or achieve. Guangyun (Expanded Rhymes): To finish. Generally, when work is concluded or an objective is realized, it is called cheng. Also, to pacify or reconcile. Book of Rites (Liji), Bureau of Earth, Mediators: In all cases where one unintentionally kills or injures another, they are to be reconciled through the mediation of the people. Commentary: Cheng means to pacify. It refers to a case where there was no intent to kill or injure, so the parties reconcile within the local community. Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes: Yu and Rui brought their disputes to a resolution. Also, Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), Sixth Year of Duke Yin: The people of Zheng came to discuss a peace agreement. Gongyang Commentary: Discussing a peace agreement is similar to establishing a reconciliation. Seventh Year of Duke Wen: Huibo established it. Also, to conclude. Generally, in music, one full performance is called one cheng. Book of Documents (Shangshu), Yi and Ji: The Xiao Shao music performed in nine movements. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Banquet Rites: The sheng reed pipe enters for three movements. Commentary: Three movements mean three complete performances. Also, good or fine. Record of Rites (Liji), Tan Gong: Bamboo not yet perfected for use. Commentary: Cheng means good or suitable. Also, Zhou Rites (Zhou Li), Bureau of Heaven, Grand Minister: The fifth of the eight statutes is the official standard. Commentary: Official standard refers to the established regulations and patterns of government offices. Also, Bureau of Autumn, Master of Law: In charge of the eight standardizations of the law. Commentary: The eight standardizations refer to eight sections of administrative procedures, similar to modern legal precedents. Explication of Texts: Whenever the term cheng is used, it refers to pre-existing established procedures and patterns. Also, must or certain. Narratives of the States (Guoyu), Discourses of Wu: Victory is not yet certain. Commentary: Similar to must or bound to. Also, to pair or join. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Post-Funeral Rites: Two meat stands placed as a pair. Commentary: Cheng means to pair or combine. Also, Record of Rites (Liji), Royal Regulations: The Minister of Finance presents the annual summary to the Son of Heaven. Commentary: A summary of accounts. Zhou Rites (Zhou Li), Bureau of Heaven, Minister of Finance: Use comparative verification to audit daily totals, monthly summaries to audit monthly totals, and annual summaries to audit annual totals. Also, Sima’s Art of War: A unit of ten is called a cheng. Zhou Rites (Zhou Li), Bureau of Winter, Records of Tradesmen: An area of ten square li is called a cheng. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), First Year of Duke Ai: Possessing one cheng of land. Also, to layer or stack. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Explaining Earth: A mound with one layer is called a dun mound. Commentary: Cheng means to layer or repeat. The Zhou Rites state: Construct an altar of three layers. Commentary: This refers to a mound upon which another mound is placed, layered one upon another. Also, Shiming (Explaining Names): Cheng means to flourish. Also, regarding the rules of posthumous titles: One who brings peace to the people and establishes a government is called cheng. Also, name of a state. Ancient state of the Baima clan of the Western Rong; Western Wei established Cheng Prefecture, Tang Dynasty renamed it Tonggu Commandery. Also, a surname. Descendants of the Cheng Earl, son of King Wu of Zhou. Also, Pencheng and Yangcheng are both double-character surnames. Also, according to Jiyun, pronounced cheng. Originally written as the character for the state of Cheng. Sometimes simplified as cheng. A place name. Also, according to Yunbu (Rhyme Supplement), rhyming with chang. Fan Li said: If you possess the timing but do not complete the objective, you will conversely suffer the calamity. Also, Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on Tortoise Divination: If locusts and grasshoppers occur throughout the year, the five grains will not mature. Rhymes with xiang above.