Who knows the secret of forging nod?
Wang Zijin
The director of the TV series Hanwu the Great is defined as "historical drama", which is also called "adaptation" according to historical records and Hanshu. Therefore, while people are full of enthusiasm for the history of the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, they will naturally think about whether the plot in the play really conforms to the historical truth.
For example, in the 34th episode of the play, there is a dialogue between Zhang Qian and the craftsmen of Xiongnu blacksmith's shop. Zhang Qian asked: What do you add here? The craftsman replied: This is the treasure knife for forging fine steel.
The secret material, the treasure of the big moon kingdom, must be used to build a treasure knife. In episode 44, Zhang Qian said to Empress Yue: This is an additive I got from Xiongnu to refine fine steel. I'd like to invite the queen. ...
The audience therefore questioned the so-called Xiongnu "fine steel nodded". A reporter interviewed Mr. Qiu Shi, the historical adviser of Hanwu Emperor, on some issues in the play, so this dialogue came into being:
Does "fine steel" come from the Western Regions?
In Hanwu the Great, Liu Che was surprised to see the "path" of Xiongnu Bao Dao presented by Xiongnu Ambassador Wang Hui, and sent Zhang Qian to Yue's country to bring back fine steel technology. Is the inducement of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions really related to Emperor Wu's desire to introduce fine steel technology? However, the earliest appearance of iron in China can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and even the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, so some viewers wondered how the backward nomadic Xiongnu's knife-making technology was higher than that of the Han Dynasty.
According to reality, China's "sword" was originally introduced from nomadic people. "Path" is the name given to Bao Dao by northern nomads, and its chorus is "Sword". According to textual research, this word may come from Iranian or Turkic. China's Iron Age happened late, and bronze was still the main weapon in the Warring States Period, as evidenced by the weapons of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in the Qin Mausoleum. The real breakthrough of ironmaking technology was in the Western Han Dynasty.
Mr. Qiushi went on to say that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up transportation in the western regions, which actually contributed to the "major breakthrough in steel production technology" in the Western Han Dynasty:
As far as the world metallurgical history is concerned, West Asia, India, North Africa and Europe entered the Iron Age in the 10th century BC, and the technology of manufacturing high-quality steel weapons was earlier than that of China. In the Western Han Dynasty, China entered the era of large-scale application of iron, and made a major breakthrough in steel production technology, which should be related to the fact that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up transportation in the western regions and introduced steel technology in the western regions (including Iran and India). According to records, a new type of steel was introduced into China from the Western Regions at this time, which was called "wrought iron", also known as "King Kong" or "fine steel". This kind of wrought iron was also introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages, and westerners called it "Indian steel".
Cambre, a French scholar, pointed out: "Afghanistan (that is, Yueshi/Guishuang) produces what westerners call the most precious' Indian steel'. The best swords are made in Persia and Syria. Ancient Indian steel is famous all over the world, and people compete for it. " Seeking truth from facts, citing the works of Feng Jiasheng, a famous historian of science and technology, pointed out: "Since the Han and Jin Dynasties, the wrought iron that China said is fine steel, that is, Indian steel from Persia in the western regions." These historical materials are the historical basis for Zhang Qian to obtain fine steel refining technology from Da Yue (Afghan) in the drama Hanwu the Great. That black additive, called "Golden Silk Fan", can shine brilliantly when used to make steel knives. Of course, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions, not just to introduce sophisticated steel technology. The fundamental reason for Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions was the strategic plan of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty to seek allies for the crusade against Huns.
Mr. Qiushi said that the main motive of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions was to "seek allies for the crusade against Xiongnu", which was in line with the historical truth. According to Mr. Qiu Shi, "acquiring fine steelmaking technology" seems to be another harvest.
People still have doubts about the explanation of the historical adviser of Hanwu Emperor. It seems necessary to discuss the so-called "wrought iron" and the time when it was introduced into China.
In fact, the statement that "bronze is still the main weapon of the Warring States" needs to be proved. Because the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Array of Qin Shihuang Mausoleum embodies special military elements, the nature of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is still unknown, and some people think that the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Array has ceremonial significance. Therefore, "the weapons of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in the Qin Mausoleum" is not enough to prove the overall situation of the use of weapons by the army at that time. Just like although the cavalry performance of the Royal Guard is world-famous, it cannot be mistaken that the British army today is dominated by cavalry.
The historical fact is that during the Western Han Dynasty, the Central Plains surpassed the Xiongnu in iron smelting technology. Xiongnu history researchers pointed out that "the most important handicraft industry in Xiongnu is iron smelting" and "the iron smelting industry in Xiongnu may have formed an independent handicraft department at that time". However, "judging from the similarity of many swords with Chinese style, it not only reflects that the iron culture of Xiongnu was greatly influenced by Chinese culture, but also infers that the blacksmiths at that time were mostly Han craftsmen from the Central Plains." (Gan Lin: Revised History of Xiongnu, Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House 1979 1 edition; There is also a general history of the Xiongnu People's Publishing House (August 1986). As for the countries in the western regions, according to the Han Dynasty? Legend of the Western Regions records that some countries have iron-making industries. For example, Qiang has "iron in the mountains and bows, spears, knives, swords and armour in the soldiers", but it is difficult to win the country's "silver, copper and iron, and the soldiers are with other countries". But through these words, it is obviously difficult to conclude that "introducing fine steel technology" is one of the incentives for Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty to send Zhang Qian to the Western Regions. And "Historical Records? The Biography of Dawan records that some countries in the western regions introduced ironmaking technology from the Han Dynasty: "I have come to rest in Dawan West, and there is no silk paint in the territory, so I don't know how to make money. The Han Dynasty made the dead soldiers surrender and taught them to cast as his weapon. The "forepart" mentioned here is quoted in Pei Jieji and also written as "iron". Hanshu? " "Biography of the Western Regions" is recorded as follows: "I don't know about cast iron. The Han dynasty sent the dead soldiers to surrender and taught them to cast them into weapons. "
Historical records? "Biography of Zheng Ji" said that there was a strict prohibition system for the exchange of materials between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu: "When evil spirits arrived, Jia people and city people sat for more than 500 dead people." Ji An said, "An Zhi fools buy things in Chang 'an, but officials think it has something to do with property? "Pei's Xie Ji has this explanation:" Ying Shao said,' Stop, it's ridiculous. Law: "In Hushi, officials and civilians are not allowed to go out with weapons." Although it was bought in Beijing, its method is also the same. "For the Han law," When you are in a lake division, officials and civilians are not allowed to go out with weapons ",Hanshu? Ji An Biography Yan Shigu quoted Ying Shao's words and clearly pointed out that the materials prohibited from going out of the customs include "iron", that is, "weapon iron": Law: "Officials and civilians are not allowed to go out of the customs with weapon iron." "Visible, huns in iron technology is not more advanced than the han dynasty, the real situation may be just the opposite.
Mr. Qiu Shi, a historical adviser to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, said, "In the Western Han Dynasty, China entered the era of large-scale application of iron, and made a major breakthrough in steel production technology, which should be related to the fact that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up transportation in the western regions and introduced steel technology in the western regions (including Iran and India). According to records, a new type of steel, called wrought iron, also called King Kong or fine steel, was introduced to China from the Western Regions. " It is considered that the "major breakthrough in steel production technology" in the Western Han Dynasty is "related to the opening up of transportation in the western regions by Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty and the introduction of steel technology in the western regions (including Iran and India)". Now it seems that this statement is unfounded.
The word "wrought iron" first appeared in the ancient historical documents of China, and was discovered in Shu Wei? The record of "Persian country" in the Biography of the Western Regions: "Persian country, the capital of Suri City, is in the west of the country, and the ancient writings support the country. Replace it in 24228. The city is ten miles away, and there are more than100000 households. The river flows south through its city. Land leveling, gold, silver, stone, coral, amber, car canal, horse brain, many pearls, pears, colored glaze, refined water, noise, diamond, wax, wrought iron, copper, tin, cinnabar, mercury, silk, brocade, overlapping, drifting, brocade. At this time, it is quite far from the era of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. It is also worth noting that in Shu Wei's description of Persian products, "King Kong" is juxtaposed with "wrought iron", which is different from "wrought iron" and "King Kong" or "fine steel". Yuan Zhen's poem "Diamond Cone Pierces Jade, Iron Sword Blows Hair" (423 volumes of all Tang poems) also shows the same understanding.
According to Records of Jin Taizu, "The name of the Liao Dynasty was forged iron. Although the wrought iron is strong, it will eventually be sold out. " "Golden history? Emperor Taizu Ji said, "Liao took Bintie as its name and took its strength. "It can be seen that the Khitan people who travel to and from the grassland desert have mastered the smelting technology of this special steel. The real "introduction" of this technology may be based on "Yuanshi? The record of "setting up an iron bureau" seen in the election record 3 is a sign. Mr. Qiushi said, "According to records, a new type of steel called' wrought iron' was introduced to China from the Western Regions. The so-called "at this time" in the book recognizes that "wrought iron" has been "introduced" in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. If there is no conclusive textual research, it will inevitably be considered as a departure from the basic chronology standard of historical research.
Mr. Yang Kuan once pointed out: "The wrought iron of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia was a high-quality steel made of wrought iron with a certain amount of carburizing agent and catalyst, sealed and heated. This wrought iron product was introduced to China in the Northern Wei Dynasty (History of China's Ancient Metallurgical Technology, Shanghai People's Publishing House, 1982, 10, page 2 12). American scholar Schaefer also talked about "wrought iron" and "Indian steel" in foreign civilizations in the Tang Dynasty: "In the Middle Ages, China people already knew". According to the records of the sixth century, it is said that this kind of steel was produced in Persia. But in the seventh century, it was said to be the product of tourists. People think that this kind of metal is "solid, which can cut jade". The high-carbon "Indian steel" produced in India in the Middle Ages also has the same wavy stripes as Damascus steel. In China, this metal is called "wrought iron". The word "neptunium" may come from an Iranian dialect, similar to "Pi Na" in Indian parac. If the Tang people got the Damascus knife, it may be mediated by India or an Indian nation. " (Foreign Civilization in the Tang Dynasty, translated by Wu Yugui, China Social Sciences Press, August, 1995, p. 574) It should be noted that, according to Mr. Schaefer, China people didn't know about "wrought iron" or "Indian steel" until the Middle Ages, and whether the Tang Dynasty was introduced or not needs to be investigated. Mr. Yang Kuan thinks it was introduced from the Northern Wei Dynasty. Even so, it is five or six hundred years since the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
By the way, it should also be pointed out that the so-called "golden fan" related to the production and processing of wrought iron swords should be the mistake of "golden alum", which can be found in Fang Yizhi's "Physical Knowledge" in the Ming Dynasty. But "Alumen" is not a "black additive" used in "fine steel Refining Technology". According to ancient documents, "Alum" does not have the function of "making steel knives with it, which can shine brilliantly", but is used to identify whether it is wrought iron. It seems that this is actually a "fake" use. "Gegu Yaolun" said: "The wrought iron is a western fan, with whirling flowers on the surface and sesame snowflakes. Where the sword is polished, it is made of golden alum, and then its flowers can be seen. The price of silver is too high. As the old saying goes,' It is better to know gold than iron'. The forger is a black flower and should be carefully examined. " "Tips of Physics" writes: "Hami Wei Zhi" says: Sharpening a knife does not miss the woodcutter. Today, there are spiral flowers, sesame snowflakes, and Wan Jian are all bright. When the flowers are seen, golden alum is used immediately, and the fake ones are black flowers. "The article" Alum "in the fifty volumes of Gezhi Jingyuan quoted Shi as saying:" Yellow alum is golden alum. Burning iron can be refined into gold thread. " It can be seen that "golden alum" should be yellow, not black. The "black additive" in the play may be more reasonable if it is interpreted as "quantitative carburizing agent and catalyst" mentioned by Yang Kuan.
As far as historical data are concerned, it seems that "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up transportation in the western regions" not only did not have the motive of "introducing steel technology from the western regions (including Iran and India)", but also the progress of the iron smelting industry in the Western Han Dynasty (seeking truth from facts, the so-called "major breakthrough in steel production technology") did not seem to have a direct relationship with Zhang Qian's western expedition.
Some scholars once thought that the "sword" of the Central Plains came from the nomadic people in the north. As Mr. Li Xueqin pointed out: "An important reason for this view is that the sword before the Spring and Autumn Period was not found." In 1950s, swords from the west to the early Spring and Autumn Period were unearthed in Zhangjiapo, Chang 'an, Shaanxi, and Shangcunling, Sanmenxia, Henan. Mr. Lin Shoujing's On the Origin of Bronze Sword in Zhou Dynasty (Archaeology,No. 1963,No. 1 1) points out that the ancient culture swords around China have nothing to do with the shape of China's sword, or they are later than China's, so they cannot be used as bronze swords in China. In the article Sword and Knife (On Ancient Weapons in China), Mr. Yang Hong analyzed that the bronze sword discovered by Lin Yuzhe in Baode, Shaanxi Province may have been made in the late Yin Dynasty, and its style "exudes the flavor of the northern grassland people", while Zhangjiapo's sword "has southwest characteristics". Mr. Li Xueqin believes that the Liu-shaped sword has been unearthed in the local Shang Dynasty site in Chengdu, Sichuan, and the Zhangjiapo sword may have originated in Shu. In the late Shang dynasty, two swords were also unearthed in the tomb of Oceania in Xingan, Jiangxi Province, which was also related to the swords from the southwest. Both Mr. Yang Hong and Mr. Li Xueqin pointed out that the effective use of bronze daggers in Shang Dynasty and Western Zhou Dynasty can actually be said to be similar to daggers. This short weapon will only play a role when soldiers from both sides fight together. Lin's dagger, which "exudes the national flavor of the northern grassland", may even be just a sharp weapon for hunting or eating. Mr Li Xueqin also pointed out that the length of Lei Yun Wen Jian in Changxing Zhicheng, Zhejiang Province has reached 35.8 cm. He speculated that "strictly speaking, the sword may start from the southeast, that is, wuyue." "The origin of the sword is mostly in the south, and the standard sword is more likely to rise from the southeast," said Kao Gongji. "The sword of wuyue has been moved to its original place, but it can still be used well." "This not only shows that the sword-making technology in wuyue is developed, but also shows that the sword has a long history in the local area." (Origin of Bronze Sword, Ancient Collection) It seems that it is not easy to say that "China's sword was originally introduced from nomadic people". As for the so-called "path", it is the name given to Bao Dao by northern nomads, and its chorus is "sword", which can also be discussed. Where's Yi? Yin Kejie said that the corpse week was "lightly attacked by Lu and beheaded". Some people say that "Guanglu" and "Tao" are antonyms of "sword". However, "Guanglu", in Historical Records? In Zhou Benji, Sima Qian wrote Lightsaber. It can be seen that whether "Lu Qing" and "Lu Jing" are opposites of "sword" or whether their combination is "sword" is still uncertain. Hanshu? Xiongnu Biography: "To punish a white horse, it is better to scratch the wine with a knife." Yan Shigu said to Ying Shao, "The Huns have good swords. Gold, deed gold also. Save a meal for dinner. Scrape, too. " Li Xueqin's statement that "alley knife" and "rice knife" are blended with wine can be confirmed from one side that this "alley knife" may be "just a cutting tool for hunting or eating".
According to archaeological findings, in the simple remains of Xiongnu cultural relics, besides arrowheads, knives are the main weapons. For the so-called "sword" found, it may be more reasonable to use the expression of "dagger" in the fifth chapter "Xiongnu Archaeology" of Mr. Feng Enxue's Archaeology of Eastern Siberia and Far East of Russia (Jilin University Press, 2002, 65438+February edition).
In the report of Mr. Qiu Shi's Answer to a Reporter's Question, he said: "Qiu Shi quoted the works of Feng Jiasheng, a famous historian of science and technology, and pointed out:' Since the Han and Jin Dynasties, the wrought iron that China said was fine steel, that is, Indian steel from Persia in the western regions. "These historical materials are the historical basis for Zhang Qian to obtain fine steel refining technology from Da Yue (Afghan) in the drama Hanwu the Great." Feng Jiasheng's Collected Works (Zhonghua Book Company, 1987, 10 edition) contains the first article "Textual Research on the Place Names of Qidan", the third chapter "Interpretation of Qidan" and the second section "Talking about Tiezhi Qidan", which is a passage entitled "Tiejie". However, it is clearly pointed out that the word "zhong" is "as far as I know, it was first seen in Yu Bi of Liang Wang Guye and Wei Shou's" Wei Shu "? Biography of the western regions Mr. Qiushi's quotation, on the other hand, blurs the time limit, saying that it is "since the Han and Jin Dynasties" and that it is "the historical basis for Zhang Qian to obtain fine steel's refining technology from Da Yue (Afghanistan) in the play Hanwu the Great". This explanation is not only difficult to convince the audience who asked questions, but also makes the director's self-evaluation of "historical drama" somewhat discounted.