Yin Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Work (gōng); Kangxi strokes: 3; Page 325, Entry 01. Ancient form. Pronounced gong. According to the Shuowen Jiezi, it refers to skillful decoration; it resembles a person holding a carpenter's square. The Guangyun states it means skilled. The Yupian defines it as being good at one's work. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Xiao Ya section: The skilled celebrants present their petitions. The commentary states: To be skilled at one's work is called gong. The sub-commentary adds: Gong refers to one who is skillful at what they can do. It also means an official, as in the Book of Documents (Shangshu), Canon of Yao: He truly regulated the various officials. Also, Gonggong is the name of an official, as in the Book of Documents (Shangshu), Canon of Yao: The Gonggong gathered the tribes and calculated the merit. It also refers to a craftsman, according to the Yunhui. In the Book of Rites (Liji), Quli section: The Son of Heaven has six classes of craftsmen, which are earth-workers, metal-workers, stone-workers, wood-workers, animal-workers, and grass-workers. The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Bureau, Record of Artificers states: Examine the curves and the surfaces, organize the five materials, and distinguish the tools of the people; these are called the hundred craftsmen. It also refers to a task or duty, as in the Book of Documents (Shangshu), Counsels of Gao Yao: Do not leave the various offices vacant, for the work of heaven must be performed by men. The commentary notes: The matters governed by the various officials are all the works of heaven. Also, the shegong is a type of insect. The Bowuzhi states: The shegong insect has a crossbow-shaped organ in its mouth; it shoots its energy at a person's shadow, and wherever it lands, a sore develops. It is also used interchangeably with the character for merit (gong). In the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Weizhi), Biography of Guan Lu, it is noted: Lu's younger brother, Chen, said: To distinguish people's characters, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, explain subtle meanings, and discuss right and wrong with Lu, I am clumsy and not as skilled. Textual verification: In the Rites of Zhou, Winter Bureau, Record of Artificers, it mentions examining the curves and the surfaces. The character for surface has been corrected to conform to the original text.