"Bin Iron" and Zhang Qian's motivation for traveling west
Prince Jin
The TV series "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty" is positioned as a "historical drama" by the director and director. It is said to be "adapted" from "Historical Records" and "Hanshu". So while people are enthusiastically paying attention to the history of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, they will also naturally think about whether the plot in the play is really consistent with historical reality.
For example, in episode 34, there is a dialogue between Zhang Qian and the craftsman in the Xiongnu blacksmith shop. Zhang Qian asked: What did you add here? The craftsman replied: This is the secret material for forging fine steel swords.
It is a treasure from the Dayue clan. It must be used to make the sword. In Episode 44, Zhang Qian once again said to Queen Yuezhi: This is the additive I got from the Xiongnu for refining fine steel. I want to invite the queen...
The audience therefore developed a suspicion of the so-called Xiongnu " "Stainless Steel Sword" question. A reporter interviewed Mr. Qiu Shi, the historical consultant of "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty" about several issues in the play, and they had this conversation:
Did "fine steel" come from the Western Regions?
In "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty", Liu Che was shocked when he saw the Xiongnu sword "Jilu" that was as sharp as iron as clay and was presented by Wang Hui before he went on an envoy to the Xiongnu. He sent Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Yuezhi Kingdom and brought it back Refined steel technology. Is the incentive for Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions in history really related to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's desire to introduce refined steel technology? However, since the appearance of iron in China can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and even the Shang and Zhou dynasties, some viewers wondered how the knife-making technology of the Xiongnu, a backward nomadic people, could be higher than that of the Han Dynasty.
According to Qiushi, China’s “swords” were originally introduced from nomadic peoples. "Jinglu" is the name given to the sword by the northern nomads, and its homophonic sound is "sword". According to research, this word may come from Iranian or Turkic languages. China's Iron Age occurred relatively late, and the weapons of the Warring States Period were still mainly bronze, as evidenced by the weapons of the Qinling Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The truly major breakthrough in iron-making technology came 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 led to "a major breakthrough in steel production technology" in the Western Han Dynasty:
Looking at the history of world metallurgy, West Asia, India, North Africa and Europe entered the Iron Age around the tenth century BC, and the technology for making high-quality steel weapons preceded that of China. During the Western Han Dynasty, China entered the Iron Age on a large scale and made major breakthroughs in steel production technology. This should be related to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opening up transportation to the Western Regions and introducing steel technology from the Western Regions (including Iran and India). According to records, at this time, a new type of steel was introduced to China from the Western Regions, called "Bin Iron", also known as "King Kong" or "Fine Steel". This type of steel was also introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages and was called "Indian steel" by Westerners.
French scholar Canbul pointed out: "Afghanistan (i.e. Da Yuezhi/Kushan) produces what Westerners call the most precious 'Indian steel'. The best swords are cast from Persia and Syria. Ancient Indian steel "It is famous all over the world and people strive for it." Quoting the work of the famous historian of science and technology, Feng Jiasheng pointed out: "Since the Han and Jin Dynasties, the iron iron referred to in China is fine steel, which is Indian steel from Persia in the Western Regions." These historical materials are. In the play "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty", Zhang Qian obtained the historical basis for steel refining technology from the Dayue clan (Afghanistan). That kind of black additive is called "Golden Silk Brahma". Steel knives made from it can emit a dazzling cold light. Of course, the reason why Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Western Regions was not just to introduce fine steel technology. The fundamental reason for sending Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Western Regions was the strategic plan of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to seek allies for attacking the Xiongnu.
Mr. Qiushi said that Zhang Qian's main motivation for sending an envoy to the Western Regions was "to seek allies to attack the Huns", which is consistent with historical reality. And "acquiring fine steel refining technology", according to Mr. Qiu Shi, seems to be another gain.
People still have doubts about the explanation of the historical consultant of "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty". It seems that it is necessary to discuss the so-called "iron" and the time when it was introduced into China.
In fact, the statement that "the weapons of the Warring States Period were still mainly bronze" still needs to be proven. Because the terracotta warriors and horses in the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum embody a special military composition, and the nature of the Qin Terracotta Warriors is still unclear, there is an opinion that the Qin Terracotta Warriors have ceremonial significance. Therefore, "the weapons of the Qinling Terracotta Warriors and Horses" are not enough to prove the overall situation of the army's use of weapons at that time. Just as the British Royal Guards' cavalry performances are world-famous, we should not mistakenly think that the British army is dominated by cavalry.
The historical fact is: During the Western Han Dynasty, the Central Plains surpassed the Xiongnu in iron smelting technology. Researchers of Xiongnu history pointed out that "the most important of the Xiongnu handicrafts was the iron smelting industry" and "the Huns' iron smelting industry may have formed an independent handicraft sector at that time." However, "the form of many swords resembles that of the Han style This situation not only reflects that the iron culture of the Huns was greatly influenced by Han culture, but also it can be inferred that most of the blacksmiths at that time were also Han craftsmen from the Central Plains." (Lin Qian: "History of the Xiongnu" revised edition, Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House. January 1979 edition; also, "General History of the Xiongnu" People's Publishing House, August 1986 edition) As for the countries in the Western Regions, according to the "Hanshu: Biography of the Western Regions" records, some countries have ironware manufacturing industries, such as the "Nuo Qiang Kingdom" The mountains have iron, and they can make their own troops, and the soldiers have bows, spears, knives, swords, and armor." And the country of Nandou has "silver, copper, and iron, and the troops are the same as those of other countries."
However, from these words, it is obviously difficult to conclude that "the introduction of fine steel technology" was one of the "inducements for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to send Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Western Regions." The "Historical Records? Biography of Dayuan" records that some countries in the Western Regions introduced ironware-making technology from the Han Dynasty: "From the west of Dayuan to Anxi,...there is no silk lacquer in the land, and no coin tools are known. And Han envoys When the soldiers surrendered, they were taught how to make other weapons. "The "money tools" mentioned here are also written as "iron tools" as quoted by Xu Guang in Pei's "Jijie". "Book of Han? Biography of the Western Regions" records exactly this: "I don't know how to cast iron weapons. When the Han Dynasty envoys surrendered, I taught them how to make other weapons."
"Historical Records? Biography of Jizheng" says that Han Dynasty There was a strict confinement system for material exchanges between the dynasty and the Xiongnu: "When Hunxie arrives, more than 500 people from Jia and the market will die." Ji An said: "The foolish people know how to buy goods from Chang'an. And the civil servants thought that Lan was responsible for leaving property at the border? "Pei's "Jijie" has this explanation: "Ying Shao said: 'Lan is a fool.' "Law": "In Hu City, officials and people are not allowed to leave the border with weapons." 'Although you buy it in the capital market, the law is the same. '" Regarding the Han law "In Hu City, officials and people are not allowed to leave the customs with weapons", Yan Shigu's commentary in "Hanshu Ji'an Biography" quotes Ying Shao as saying. It is clearly stated that the materials prohibited from leaving the customs include "iron", that is, "weapons and iron": ""Law": 'In Hu City, officials and people are not allowed to leave the customs with weapons and iron.'" It can be seen that the Xiongnu may not be better than others in terms of iron-making technology. The Han Dynasty was advanced, but the real situation may be exactly the opposite.
Mr. Qiushi, who is the historical consultant of "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty" said, "During the Western Han Dynasty, China entered the large-scale application of iron and made major breakthroughs in steel production technology. This should be due to the opening up of transportation in the Western Regions and the introduction of transportation to the Western Regions with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is related to the steel technology of the Western Regions (including Iran and India). According to records, a new type of steel was introduced from the Western Regions to China, called 'King Kong' or 'Jingang Steel'. "A major breakthrough" is "related to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opening up transportation to the Western Regions and introducing iron and steel technology from the Western Regions (including Iran and India)." Now it seems that this statement has no solid evidence.
The word "锔铁" first appeared in ancient Chinese historical documents. It is found in the records of the "Persian Kingdom" in "Book of Wei? Biography of the Western Regions": "The capital of the Persian Kingdom is Li City, located in Fomi. In the west, there is the Gutiao State. It covers an area of ??24,228 li. There are more than 100,000 households in the city. The river flows south through the city. The land is flat and produces gold, silver, stone, coral and amber. , chariots, horse brains, big pearls, pear, glass, water essence, sesel, diamond, fire, iron, copper, tin, cinnabar, mercury, damask, brocade, stack, 毼, 氍毹...etc. ." At this time, it was already quite far away from the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is also worth noting that in the description of Persian products in "Book of Wei", "King Kong" and "Bin Iron" are juxtaposed, which is related to the truth-seeking statement of "'Bin Iron', also known as 'King Kong' or 'Fine Steel'". different. Yuan Zhen's poem of the Tang Dynasty, "The diamond cone penetrates the jade, the iron sword blows the hair" (Volume 423 of "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty") also expresses the same understanding.
According to the "Records of Taizu of the Jin Dynasty", "The Liao Dynasty took Bintie as its national name. Although the Bintie was strong, it would eventually be destroyed." "History of Jin Taizu Ji" said: "The Liao Dynasty took Bintie as its national title. The name is given by its strength." (Today's name: "Bintie", Sikuquanshu "Jinshi" is called "Bintie") It can be seen that the Khitan people who traveled to the grassland and desert mastered the smelting technology of this special steel at that time. The real "introduction" of this technology should probably be marked by the record of "setting up a iron and steel bureau" found in "Yuan Shi Xuan Zhi III". Mr. Qiushi said, "According to records, at this time, a new type of steel was introduced to China from the Western Regions, called 'bin iron'." The so-called "at this time" means that "bin iron" had been "introduced" during the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. If there is no conclusive evidence Examination and discussion will inevitably be regarded as a departure from the basic chronological principles of historical research.
Mr. Yang Kuan once pointed out: "The 'iron' of the Sasanian Dynasty in Persia is high-quality steel made by using wrought iron with a certain amount of carburizing agent and catalyst, sealed and heated. This kind of iron Products have been introduced into my country during the Northern Wei Dynasty." ("History of the Development of Iron Smelting Technology in Ancient China", Shanghai People's Publishing House, October 1982, page 212) American scholar Schaefer also wrote in "Foreign Civilizations in the Tang Dynasty". Speaking of "Bin Iron" and "Indian Steel": "In the Middle Ages, the Chinese already knew about 'Damascus Steel', but we are not yet sure whether this steel was imported into the Tang Dynasty. According to records in the sixth century, it is said that this This kind of steel was produced in Persia. However, it was said that it was a product of Jibin in the seventh century. It is believed that the high-carbon 'Indian steel' produced in India in the Middle Ages also had the same properties as Damascus steel. The wavy stripes. In China, this metal is called 'pin iron'. The word 'pin' is likely to come from an Iranian dialect similar to 'pina' in the Indian Palak language. If the Tang Dynasty people obtained the Damascus knife. It may be mediated by India or Indianized nations." ("Foreign Civilization in the Tang Dynasty", translated by Wu Yugui, China Social Sciences Press, August 1995, page 574) It should be noted that according to Mr. Schaeffer’s opinion is that the Chinese only knew about “iron” or “Indian steel” in the Middle Ages. Whether it was introduced in the Tang Dynasty still needs to be discussed. Mr. Yang Kuan believes that it was introduced during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Even so, it was five or six hundred years ago from the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
By the way, it should also be pointed out that the so-called "Jin Si Fan" related to the production and processing of iron swords should be a misspelling of "Jin Si Fan". "Golden silk vitriol" can be found in the Ming Dynasty Cao Zhao's "Essential Theory of the Ancients" and in the seventh volume of Fang Yizhi's "Little Knowledge of Physics".
However, "gold vitriol" is not "the kind of black additive" used in "steel refining technology". According to ancient documents, "gold vitriol" does not have the function of "making steel knives with it, which can emit a dazzling cold light", but is used to identify whether it is made of iron or not. It seems that this is actually a kind of "anti-counterfeiting" tool. "Gegu Essentials" says: "When iron comes out of Western Tibet, there will be convolvulus flowers on the surface, and there will be sesame and snowflakes on the surface. If the sword is polished and polished, use gold wire to alum it, and the flowers will be visible. The price is straight. Too silver. There is an ancient saying, "Knowing iron is better than knowing gold." The counterfeiter is a black flower, so you should check it carefully. ""Hami Wei Zhi" says: "To sharpen a stone is to eat an iron stone." Now, if there are convolvulus flowers and sesame snowflakes, if the sword is made of gold and alum is used, the flowers will be visible, and the fake ones will be black flowers." "Ge Zhi Jing Yuan" Volume 50. The "alum" article quoted from "Shi Cyan Pearl" says: "Yellow alum is also called golden alum. Burning iron and quenching it can lead to it like gold thread." It can be seen that "golden alum" should be yellow, not "black". If the "black additive" in the play is interpreted as the "quantitative carburizing agent and catalyst" mentioned by Yang Kuan, it may be more reasonable.
According to the historical data currently available, "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up transportation to the Western Regions" not only had no motive for "introducing iron and steel technology from the Western Regions (including Iran and India)", but also the progress of the iron smelting industry in the Western Han Dynasty at that time (Qiushi’s so-called “major breakthrough in steel production technology”) does not seem to be directly related to Zhang Qian’s westward journey.
Some scholars once believed that the "swords" of the Central Plains came from the nomadic peoples of the north. As Mr. Li Xueqin pointed out: "An important reason for this view is that no swords from before the Spring and Autumn Period have been found." In the 1950s, there were swords from Zhangjiapo, Chang'an, Shaanxi and Shangcunling, Sanmenxia, ??Henan, from the Zhou Dynasty to the early Spring and Autumn Period. Unearthed, Mr. Lin Shoujin's "On the Origin of Bronze Swords of the Zhou Dynasty" ("Archaeology" 1963 Issue 11) pointed out that swords from ancient cultures around China, either have nothing to do with Chinese sword shapes, or are later than Chinese swords, cannot be regarded as Chinese swords. The origin of the bronze sword. Mr. Yang Hong analyzed in the article "Swords and Knives" ("Ancient Chinese Weapons") that the bronze sword discovered in Zheyu, Baodelin, Shanxi, may have been made in the late Yin Dynasty, and its style "exudes the atmosphere of the northern grassland people" ", and the Zhangjiapo sword "has the characteristics of the southwest." Mr. Li Xueqin believes that willow leaf-shaped swords have been unearthed from Shang Dynasty sites in Chengdu, Sichuan, and the Zhangjiapo sword may have originated from the Shu Kingdom. Two swords were also unearthed from the tombs of the late Shang Dynasty in Oceania, Xingan, Jiangxi, and they are also related to swords from the southwest. Mr. Yang Hong and Mr. Li Xueqin both pointed out that the effectively used edge part of the bronze daggers of the Shang Dynasty and Western Zhou Dynasty can be said to be similar to that of a dagger. This short weapon will only work when warriors from both sides are fighting together. Lin Zheyu's style of dagger "exudes the atmosphere of the northern steppe people" may even be just a cutting tool for hunting or eating. Mr. Li Xueqin also pointed out that the length of the Yunlei pattern sword from Pheasant City, Changxing, Zhejiang has reached 35.8 centimeters. He speculated that "swords in the strict sense may have originated in the southeast, that is, the Wuyue region." "The origins of swords are mostly in the south, and the standard long sword is more likely to have emerged from the southeast," "Kaogong Ji" said, " The swords of Wu and Yue are not good after being moved to this place. "This not only indicates the development of sword-making technology in Wu and Yue, but also shows that the sword has a long history in the local area." ("The Origin of Bronze Swords", "Zhu Gu Ji"). Now, it cannot be simply concluded that "China's swords were originally introduced from nomadic peoples." As for the so-called "'Jinglu' is the name given to the sword by the northern nomads, and its homophonic sound is 'sword'", it can also be discussed. "Yi Zhou Shu Ke Yin Jie" says that King Wu of Zhou "strike it with Qing Lu and kill it with yellow Yue" on Zhou's corpse. Some people say that "Qing Lu" and "Jing Lu" are both antiphonal to "Jian". However, "Qing Lu", in "Historical Records? Zhou Benji", Sima Qian wrote "Light Sword". It can be seen that the statement that "Qing Lu" and "Jing Lu" are the antiphons of "Jian" or that "their consonant sound is "Jian"" is not very certain. "The Book of Han? The Legend of the Xiongnu": "To punish the white horse, the Shanyu uses the path knife and the gold plow to scratch the wine." Yan Shigu's ancient annotation quotes Ying Shao as saying: "The path is the Xiongnu's sword. Gold is also the deed gold. The plow is left behind." "Jinglu knife" and "Fan dagger" are both used for mixing wine, which can prove from one aspect that Mr. Li Xueqin proposed that this "Jinglu" may be "only used for hunting or eating." cutting tools".
According to archaeological discoveries, among the pure cultural relics of the Xiongnu, in addition to arrowheads, the weapons are mainly knives. The so-called "sword" discovered may be based on the "Dagger" in Chapter 5 "Archaeology of the Huns" in the book "Archaeology of Eastern Siberia and the Far East in Russia" written by Mr. Feng Enxue (Jilin University Press, December 2002 edition) The expression is more reasonable.
The report about Mr. Qiu Shi’s answer to a reporter’s question said, “Qiu Shi quoted the work of the famous historian of science and technology Feng Jia Sheng and pointed out: ‘Since the Han and Jin Dynasties, the iron we refer to in China is fine steel, which comes from Persia in the Western Regions. "Indian Steel." These historical materials are the basis for Zhang Qian's acquisition of refined steel refining technology from Da Yueshi (Afghanistan) in the play "Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty".
"The second section of the third chapter "Explanation of the meaning of Khitan" in the first article "Explanation of Khitan Names" in "Collection of Feng Jiasheng's Works" (October 1987 edition of Zhonghua Book Company) "Jin Taizu said that "Bin Iron" refers to Khitan "", a section of argument titled "Bintie Jie" is divided into "Chinese explanation" and "Western explanation". This should be Mr. Feng Jiasheng's main treatise on the "Bintie" issue, but among it Feng Wen did not see the words "since the Han and Jin Dynasties". Instead, Feng Wen made it clear that the word "锔", "as far as I know, was first recorded in "Yupian" written by King Guye of Liang Dynasty, and in Wei Shou's "Book of Wei? Biography of the Western Regions". 》. "Mr. Qiu Shi's "quotation" blurred the time limit by saying "since the Han and Jin Dynasties", and said that this "is the time when Zhang Qian obtained the refined steel refining technology from Da Yuezhi (Afghanistan) in the play "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty" "Based on historical data." Such an explanation not only makes it difficult to convince the questioning audience, but also makes the director's self-evaluation of "historical drama" somewhat compromised.