Wei Collection, Middle Volume
Radical: Silk (mì)
Kangxi Strokes: 18
Page 938, Entry 25
Pronounced ceng. According to the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to silk fabrics. The zhuàn (seal script variant) form is written as 緈. In the Biography of Guan Ying from the History of the Former Han (Qian Han Shu), it mentions a merchant selling silk in Suiyang. The commentary by Shigu states that this is a general term for silk textiles.
It also refers to the name of a state. In the Guliang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Guliang Zhuan), entry for the fourteenth year of Duke Xi, it notes that Lady Ji and the Viscount of Zeng met at Fang. The Discourses of Zhou (Zhou Yu) states that the states of Qi and Zeng descended from Tai Si. The commentary notes that both the states of Qi and Zeng held the surname Si and were descendants of Yu the Great of the Xia dynasty.
It also refers to the name of a county. The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Wu Taibo, states that after defeating the Qi army at Ailing, they arrived at the Zeng territory. The commentary identifies this as Zeng County in Langya Commandery.
It also refers to a surname. The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Xia, states that Yu held the surname Si, and his descendants were enfeoffed in various regions, adopting the names of their states as surnames, including the Zeng clan. In the Annals of Emperor Wen from the History of the Former Han (Qian Han Shu), it mentions General Zeng He, the Marquis of Qi.
Also pronounced as zeng, ceng, or zeng; the meanings are the same. It is also interchangeable with the character zeng (referring to a short arrow used for shooting birds). The Records of the Three Prefectures (Sanfu Huangtu) notes that the Cifei guards prepared zeng (silk cords) and arrows to shoot wild geese.
Textual research: In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Wu Taibo, the text states defeated the Qi army at Ai and arrived at Zeng. According to the original text, Ai has been corrected to Ailing.
