Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Kangxi Strokes: 17 Page 241, Entry 04 Pronounced lan (rising tone). Hard soil. Book of Guanzi (Guanzi), Earth Resources chapter (Diyuan Pian): After the soil suitable for hemp comes the five lan; the appearance of the five lan is loose like chaff and fertile. Commentary: The soil color is yellow and porous. Also, pronounced lan (falling tone). Lan-tan, level and elongated land. Commonly written in the variant form lan.