Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Kangxi strokes: 16 Page 454, Entry 08 Pronounced niao (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): To disturb or confuse. Shiming (Explanation of Names): When things are numerous, they become mixed and disturbed. Zuo Zhuan (Zuo’s Commentary): Disturbing our alliance. Note: Pronounced nai mao. Also written as jiu. Additionally, according to Shuowen Jiezi, it also means to save. Pronounced niao (rising tone). To scratch, to scrape, and also to disturb. Also means to yield. Mencius: Even if the skin is pierced, one does not retreat or yield. Zhao Qi note: Read with a level tone. Also written as [variant]. Pronounced nao (falling tone). The meaning is the same. Zuo Zhuan: Fearing the majesty of the lord, the army was defeated. Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian): Regarding those he favored, he would twist the law to spare their lives. Hanshu (History of the Former Han): Not yielding to the many who distort the truth. Pronounced hao (level tone). To stir up or agitate. Hanshu: The forces of the Xiongnu are easily stirred up. Note: Pronounced huo gao; this character is formed with the hand radical. Pronounced rao (falling tone). Means to yield. The same as the character for kneading or bending. Pronounced rao (falling tone). To entwine or wrap around. The same as the character for winding. Shiji: The School of Names is cumbersome and entangling. Also written as [variant]. Pronounced xiao (level tone). Niao tiao, meaning winding or tortuous. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Dictionary of Correct Characters): The characters for niao (disturb) and rao (oar), formed respectively with the hand and wood radicals, were used interchangeably in ancient times. They share the same pronunciation as the metal-radical character for a small bell, but possess different meanings. Textual verification: Hanshu, Biography of Liu Xiang: Standing firm in the right path and not yielding to the many who distort the truth. I have noted that the original text treats standing firm as one phrase and not yielding to those who distort the truth as another. Based on this, it has been amended to read: not yielding to the many who distort the truth.