Cold knowledge: How did the ancients keep out the cold when it was so cold?

in the spring and autumn period, appliances were used to burn charcoal for heating, and the name of the appliances was called Liao furnace. Burning stoves are generally attached with charcoal dustpans, which are used to transfer kindling and add charcoal. However, people at this time have been much smarter, and the way to keep warm from the cold is not just burning charcoal to keep warm. In the Qin dynasty, there were "fireplaces" and "fire walls" in the nobles and palaces to keep warm. Archaeologists found three fireplaces next to the bathing pool in Xianyang Palace site, two of which were used for bathrooms, and the third floor was close to the largest room, which should be dedicated to the Qin Dynasty. In the fireplace, charcoal is mainly used to keep out the cold, and the smoke hole is placed outdoors to avoid charcoal poisoning. In addition, the practice of fire wall was found in the ruins of Qin Xingle Palace, that is, two tube tiles were interlocked to make a pipe wrapped inside the wall and connected with the stove, which already had the embryonic form of fire resistance and heating.

In the Qin and Han Dynasties, rooms that could adjust the indoor temperature in winter appeared, which were called "temperature-adjusted rooms". The "warm tone" in the phrase "Chao Tang inherits the east, warm tone extends the north" in the poem "Xijing Fu" by Zhang Heng, a scientist in the Eastern Han Dynasty, refers to this kind of warm tone room. At that time, most aristocratic families had such rooms, and the royal family was no exception. The royal temperature-adjusted room has a larger space and is more advanced, so it is called the "temperature-adjusted hall". In winter, Wendiao Hall is the place where the emperor, queen mother, queen and concubines live, and it is also the place where the emperor and his core courtiers discuss and receive important guests. What makes the room warm? There is a saying that "pepper is the mud coating room". "Han Gong Yi" said, "The queen called the pepper room, painted the room with pepper, and warmed the room to eliminate evil spirits." At that time, Zanthoxylum bungeanum was regarded as a kind of cold-proof and warm-keeping material, which was mashed and mud to make wall insulation layer. There are splendid tapestries hanging on the walls of pepper room temple. The ground is covered with thick tribute blankets from the western regions, with fire screens and draperies made of geese feathers. Living in such a room naturally won't feel cold in winter. This luxurious and warm building method has also been imitated by later generations. According to Shi Shuo Xin Yu, Shi Chong, the richest man in the Western Jin Dynasty, "painted the room with pepper as mud".

The ancients didn't have modern electric heaters, and the main heating tools were braziers and stoves, among which hand stoves, foot stoves and smoking stoves were the most commonly used heating tools in China ancient people in winter. Hand stove is a small stove used to warm hands. It is exquisite and varied in shape, with charcoal or stove ash with residual heat inside and a cover outside. Hand stoves can even be put in sleeves to warm hands, also known as hand warmers and fire cages. In the Ming dynasty, the styles of hand stoves began to become various and smaller, which could be put in sleeves. In the Ming Dynasty, people knew more and more about enjoying and keeping in good health. In addition to charcoal ashes for heating, some aromatherapy and medicinal materials were also put in hand stoves. Hand stoves gradually became works of art played by nobles, and materials and workmanship were gradually refined.

There was also a special kind of warm-keeping appliance in the Song Dynasty, which was called "Tangpozi", also known as "Mrs. Tin", "Tangtuo" and "Jiaopo", similar to hot water bottles. Generally, it is an ellipsoidal or pumpkin-shaped bottle made of tin or copper, with a hat at the top opening. Hot water is poured from this opening and put in the quilt before going to bed.

Smokers are fire storage appliances made of clay or copper and iron. Generally, they are made of copper in the palace, which is exquisite in workmanship. Most people use clay and iron. Smokers, also known as heaters and red stoves, are specially used for indoor use. Bai Juyi, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty, called the fuming stove "Biechun Furnace", and there is a poem saying: "The warm pavilion is in the early spring, and the warm stove is gradually fading. The night breeze is still cold, so stay and watch the night fire. Stay alone for a long time, and it's not difficult to have more lust. Who can * * * talk in the sky, and be cold at four o'clock. "

in addition, there will be a smoking cage indoors. The origin of the smoking cage has been difficult to verify. Smoked cages are divided into two parts: pots and cages, which are very beautifully made. The large smoked cages are hundreds of pounds, more than one meter high, and some are even bronze-gilded and enameled.