Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Lead Kangxi Strokes: 13 Page 1301, Entry 01 Pronounced yan (level tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): Blue-black metal. Yupian (Jade Chapters): Black tin. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Compilation of Characters): A type of tin. It originates in the flatlands of Shu Commandery, and today it is found in all silver mines. Another name for it is black tin. Tin is white, therefore lead is called black tin. Li Shizhen said: Lead is easily malleable and flows, therefore it is called lead. Book of Documents (Shangshu), Tribute of Yu (Yugong): Lead, pine, and strange stones. Baozang Lun (Treatise on Precious Treasures): There are several types of lead. Persian lead is hard and white, making it the finest. Caojie lead comes from Jianwei and is the essence of silver. Xianyin lead, found within silver mines, contains five colors. Shangrao Leping lead is of the next quality; fuban lead is iron-bearing ore. Dugu Tao said: Yazhou 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 dry mercury. Also, lead powder, also known as Hu powder. This is lead polish. Cao Zhi, Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River (Luoshen Fu): Do not apply lead polish. Zhengzitong: Lead powder is what is currently produced by chemically processing lead. One source calls it powder tin, though it is not made from tin; the method involves suspending lead blocks in a vat of wine and sealing them for forty-nine days, after which the lead transforms into powder. The parts that are not white are roasted to make red lead. Su Gong claimed it was made by roasting tin, and Zhu Zhenheng claimed that Hu powder was tin powder, mistaking the theory of Tao Hongjing regarding the chemical processing of lead; this is incorrect. Also a county name. Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Treatise on Geography: Lead Mountain (Qianshan) County in Xinzhou. Also used interchangeably with the word for extend (yán). Used in personal names. History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), Table of Ancient and Modern People: Lead Mound (Qianling) Zhuozi. Also from Zheng Yun (Orthography): To follow or nurture. Xunzi, Chapter on Glory and Disgrace (Rongru Pian): Nurture them and give them weight. Annotation: This means to nurture, follow, and emphasize them.