Hai Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Fish (yú) Character: geng Kangxi strokes: 18 Page 1471, Entry 01 Pronounced geng (falling tone). In the Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen), it is written in its original form as a term for fish bones. In the Guangyun, it is described as a fish bone stuck in the throat. In the commentary to the Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), it states that dried fish taken from near the fat is often bony and stubborn. In the Biography of Jia Shan in the History of the Former Han (Qianhan), it mentions an admonition stuck in the throat like a fish bone. Also, in the Guangyun, it refers to an official who is upright, outspoken, and unyielding. In the Biography of Lai Xi in the History of the Later Han (Houhan), it is noted that the Grand Master Duan Xiang was upright and unyielding, and thus could be entrusted with responsibilities. The commentary explains that being upright and unyielding is a metaphor for integrity. Also, in the Huainanzi (Huainanzi), it states that dragons produce progeny and bony fish. Also written in a variant form (gěng), as seen in the Biography of Yin Ying in the History of the Later Han (Houhan), where the commentary confirms it is synonymous with the variant form. Also, according to the Jiyun, pronounced geng (level tone), with the same meaning.