Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 920, Entry 26 Guangyun: Pronounced shi. Jiyun and Yunhui: Pronounced shi. According to the Xu commentary on the Shuowen, although commonly written as a variant form (shi) today, this is incorrect. Record of Food and Money in the Book of Tang (Tangshu): Every adult male shall pay two zhang of silk damask and thin silk (shi) annually. Also, according to the Guangyun: Pronounced chi. The meaning is the same. The character (chi) was originally written with the radical for shell and the element for many.