Xu Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Food (shí)
Character: ye
Kangxi strokes: 19
Page 1424, Entry 12
Pronounced ye (falling tone).
In the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it refers to food brought to the fields.
In the Approaches to the Classics (Erya), Interpretation of Ancient Terms, it is stated that ye means to present food.
The commentary states that food provided in the wilderness is called ye.
In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Bin, it is written: Bringing food to those in the southern fields.
In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), in the thirty-third year of Duke Xi, it is recorded that Ji of Jiu caused Guo Ji to see Ji Que weeding, and his wife brought him food.
Also, in the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Office of Summer, Grand Minister of War, it is written: To present the captured birds and beasts in the suburbs.
The commentary states that this means to gather the captured birds and beasts and use them to sacrifice to the gods of the four directions in the suburbs.
Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced yan (falling tone), meaning food provided in the wilderness.
Textual Research Note: In the Rites of Zhou, Office of Spring, Minor Prefect of Ceremonies, it is written: To present the captured birds and beasts in the suburbs. This has been corrected to Office of Summer, Grand Minister of War, according to the original text.