Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Salt (lǔ) Kangxi Strokes: 24 Page 1508, Entry 04 Pronounced yǎn. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): Salt. Also, pronounced qiān. Guangyun (Broad Rhymes): Water mixed with salt. Also, pronounced jiǎn. Meaning is the same. Also, Zhengzitong (Correction of Characters): Commonly, lye produced by leaching water through stove ash is called alkali water, used for removing dirt and grime. Also, stone alkali. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu): It comes from various places in Jining, Shandong. The local people gather Artemisia and Polygonum plants, dig pits to soak them in water, strain them out, and sun-dry them. They burn these into ash and leach the liquid through the original water. When added to flour or juices, it solidifies over time like stone and can be used to wash clothes. Its appearance is similar to salt, and thus it also carries the name alkali.