Chou Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Earth (tǔ). Qian. Kangxi strokes: 14. Page 237, Entry 03. Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Meetings (Yunhui), and Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced qian (falling tone). Explanatory Text on Characters (Shuowen): A pit. Also, a water-filled channel surrounding a city wall. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Qin: Digging through mountains and filling valleys for one thousand eight hundred li. Also written as qian (falling tone). Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Qin: A channel beside the river. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Gaozu: Deep channels and standing guard. Also written as qian (falling tone). Biography of Sima Xiangru: Collapsing walls and filling channels.