Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Entry: Hou Kangxi strokes: 12 Page 233, Entry 14 Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): Pronounced hou (falling tone). Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced hou (falling tone). Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui) and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced hou (falling tone). The pronunciation is the same as the word for behind or after. It refers to a fortification built of earth. It also refers to a high terrace built of piled earth used to mark distance. One single marker is placed every five miles, and a pair of double markers is placed every ten miles. Han Yu, Poem on the Roadside Markers: Piled up, the roadside markers, a pair and then one. Principles of the Six Writings (Liushu Gu): Written as the variant form (hou). Also commonly written as another variant form (hou). The character hou evolved from this variant form.