Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Lead Kangxi Strokes: 13 Page 1301, Entry 18 Pronounced yan (level tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Writing and Analysis of Characters): Blue metal. Yupian (Jade Chapters): Black tin. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Correction of Characters): A type of tin. It originates from the flat marshlands of Shujun; it is found wherever there are silver mines. Also called black tin. Since tin is white, lead is referred to as black tin. Li Shizhen said: Lead easily flows or extends, therefore it is called lead (qian). Book of Documents (Shujing), Tributary of Yu: Lead, pine wood, and strange stones. Baozang Lun (Discourse on Treasures): There are several types of lead. Persian lead is firm and white, ranking as the best. Caojie lead comes from Jianwei and is the essence of silver. Xianyin lead is found in silver mines and contains five colors. Lead from Leping in Shangrao is secondary; fuban lead is iron-bearing ore. Dugu Tao said: Yiazhou diaojiao lead is shaped like a soap pod, as large as a tadpole, black in color, and found in sand; it can also be used to produce mercury. Also, lead powder, also called foreign powder. It is lead veneer. Cao Zhi, Ode to the Goddess of the Luo (Luoshen Fu): Do not apply lead veneer. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Correction of Characters): Lead powder is what is currently made by processing lead. Some say it is tin powder, but it is not made from tin. The method involves suspending lead blocks inside a wine jar and sealing it for forty-nine days, after which the lead turns into powder; that which is not white is stir-fried to become minium. Su Gong claimed it was made by stir-frying tin, and Zhu Zhenheng claimed that foreign powder was indeed tin powder, considering Tao Hongjing’s explanation of processing lead to be a mistake, but this is incorrect. Also the name of a county. Book of Tang (Tangshu), Treatise on Geography: Xinzhou, Qianshan County. Also interchangeable with the word meaning to extend. Name of a person. History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), Table of Ancient and Modern People: Qianling Zhuozi. Also, Zheng Yun (Correct Rhymes): To follow or nurture. Xunzi, Chapter on Glory and Disgrace: To nurture it and make it important. Commentary: This means to comfort, nurture, and treat it with importance.