Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Lian Kangxi strokes: 17 Page 1313, Entry 09 Pronounced lian (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): To smelt metal. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Dictionary of Characters): To smelt copper and iron until refined and mature. Lin, Wuku Fu (Rhapsody on the Armory): The armor is of the Qu and Gong types from Eastern Wu, refined a hundred times to be pure steel. Huangji Jingshi (Supreme World Ordering Principles): Gold becomes pure only after a hundred smeltings; people are the same. Also, pure gold. Wang Bao, Sizi Jiangde Lun (Discourse on the Four Masters Discussing Virtue): Refined gold hidden within ore. Also, anything refined and mature is called lian. Huainanzi (Masters of Huainan), Dixing Xun (Treatise on Topography): Refining earth produces wood; refining wood produces fire. Note: Refining is synonymous with managing or processing. Tang Liudian (Six Statutes of the Tang Dynasty): Daoist practitioners whose virtue is high and thoughts refined are called masters of refining. Also, when cruel officials craftily implicate someone in a crime, it is called lian. Book of Han (Hanshu), Biography of Lu Wenshu: Forging and refining, then encircling them with guilt. Note: It is said that officials skilled in strict legalism involve people in crimes just as a metalworker uses a furnace and mold to refine and shape, making the crime complete. Commonly written as lian. Also commonly written as lian. Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), Dongguan Kaogongji (Records of Tradesmen): If the mixture of metal and tin is modified, it will not be wasted. Note: The refinement of scraping and boiling does not result in further loss. Also, pronounced jian (falling tone). Guangya (Expanded Encyclopedia): Iron used for axle ends on carriages.