Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Salt (lǔ) Kangxi strokes: 24 Page 837, Entry 01 Pronounced yǎn (falling tone). According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to salt. Pronounced qiān. According to the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it refers to water mixed with salt. Pronounced jiǎn (falling tone). The meaning is the same. According to the Proper Character Mastery (Zhengzitong), it is a common term for the liquid obtained by leaching ashes from a hearth, used for removing dirt and grime. Also refers to stone alkali. According to the Materia Medica (Bencao), it is found in various places in Jining, Shandong. The local people gather plants such as mugwort and smartweed, dig pits, soak them in water, strain them out, dry them in the sun, and burn them into ash. They then leach the ash with the original soaking water and mix it into flour-based liquids; over time, it solidifies like stone and can be used for laundering clothes. Its appearance is similar to alkali, hence it also bears the name alkali.