Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Vessel (mǐn) 盬; Kangxi strokes: 18; Page 798, Entry 07 Pronounced gu. According to the Explanation of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to a salt pond in Hedong, fifty-one li long, seven li wide, and sixteen li in circumference. Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan), Sixth Year of Duke Cheng: One must reside in the land of the Xunxia clan, for it is fertile, rich, and near the salt pond. Commentary: Xunxia is the name of an ancient state, located in Xie County of Hedong. The salt pond mentioned is the salt pond of Yi County. Rites of Zhou (Zhou Li), Office of Heaven, Salt Official: Regarding all matters of preparing food, boil salt to fulfill the requirements of the mandate. Sub-commentary: The salt produced from the salt pond is what is known today as granular salt. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biographies of Money-makers: Yidun became wealthy through salt from the salt pond. Commentary: This refers to salt that is used directly as it is produced, without refinement. Another interpretation is that salt pond salt refers to the great salt pond of Hedong. Scattered salt refers to salt produced by boiling seawater in the East Sea. It also refers to things that are not finely processed. Another interpretation is that it means not solid. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Tang: The duties of the royal house have not ceased. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Biography of Xifu Gong: Vessels and implements that are coarse and of poor quality. It also means to suck or slurp. Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan), Twenty-eighth Year of Duke Xi: The Marquis of Jin dreamed of the Viscount of Chu lying upon him and sucking out his brain matter. Additionally, according to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it means for the time being. According to Yangzi's Regional Speech (Fangyan), it means to be about to. It also refers to being disorderly or hurried. Commentary: All these meanings relate to being in a hurried state. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced gu (falling tone). Refers to fine processing. Also, according to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun), the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui), and the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), pronounced gu (level tone). People of the Chu region call salt ponds by this name.