匠心獨(dú)具的造車之術(shù)

文/五花肉

上一期，本專欄首次推出“考工記”系列，以《王權(quán)至上的營(yíng)國(guó)之道》開篇，透過(guò)營(yíng)國(guó)匠人的視角，勾勒出古人在城建規(guī)劃中的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)化智慧。這一期，我們以輪輿（特指造車工匠）視角為切入點(diǎn)，共同感受古人匠心獨(dú)具的造車之術(shù)。

In the last issue, this column launched the "Kaogongji" (Book of Diverse Crafts in ancient China) series for the first time. It starts with "Regalism in Governance of Nation"and outlines the ancient Chinese standardization wisdom in urban construction planning from the perspective of the builders of the governing country. In this issue, we will take the perspective of wheel chariot (especially the chariot maker) as the starting point to experience the unique chariot-making skills of ancient people.

車，在我國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)和軍事發(fā)展歷程中，始終占據(jù)著不可替代的特殊地位。尤其在先秦時(shí)期，車的數(shù)量多寡、品質(zhì)高低，往往是衡量各方國(guó)力的重要指標(biāo)，專事造車的工匠，更被視為手工藝最高水平之集大成者。

Chariots occupied an irreplaceable special position in China's economic and military development.Especially in the Pre -Qin era, the quantity and quality of chariots were often important indicators to reflect the national strength of all nations. The craftsmen who specialized in making chariots were regarded as the epitome of the highest level of handicrafts.

造車首重材美

Material Selection Standards

造車之術(shù)首重材美。時(shí)人以木質(zhì)馬車為主，木的選材是決定造車品質(zhì)的基礎(chǔ)。評(píng)判材美與否的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)有三條：一是根據(jù)不同部件特點(diǎn)選用不同木材，如車轂多用雜榆，車幅則以檀木為宜；二是根據(jù)時(shí)令選擇最佳取材時(shí)間，通常按南北面光照不同將木材分為陽(yáng)木和陰木，“仲冬伐陽(yáng)木，仲夏伐陰木”；三是根據(jù)關(guān)鍵部件的特殊需要進(jìn)行必要的加工，如輻條會(huì)合之處，當(dāng)選陽(yáng)木與陰木共聚之材，以火烤使其受熱自然收縮，方能負(fù)力均勻、持久耐用。

First of all, the art of chariot-making was highly valued for its material selection. At that time, people mainly used wooden wagons. The selection of wood was the basis for determining the quality of wagons.There were three standards for judging whether the wood is beautiful or not. First, different wood was selected according to the characteristics of different parts, such as multi-purpose elm for the hub and sandalwood for the width of the chariot. Second, the best time for material selection depended on seasons,and usually wood was divided into Yang Wood (wood from trees facing the sun) and Yin Wood (wood from trees back to the sun) .Yang Wood was to cut in midwinter and Yin Wood was to cut in mid-summer.Third, necessary processes were needed according to for key components. For example, the joint of spokes shall be selected combination of Yang Wood and Yin Wood and were to heated by fi re to naturally shrink, so that the material could achieve uniform force and duration.

輪徑應(yīng)有定規(guī)

Wheel Diameter Standards

造車之術(shù)關(guān)鍵在輪，尤其是輪徑的打造。輪徑太長(zhǎng)，人上車不便, 輪徑太短，馬牽引辛苦。經(jīng)過(guò)長(zhǎng)期實(shí)踐，匠人們發(fā)現(xiàn)，按照“兵車之輪六尺有六寸, 田車之輪六尺有三寸”的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)打造輪徑，能夠最大程度地發(fā)揮車的最佳功效，既可負(fù)重載物，又能沖鋒陷陣。

秦陵一號(hào)銅馬車

秦陵二號(hào)銅馬車

The key techniques of chariot lies in the wheel,especially the wheel diameter. If the wheel diameter were too long, it would be inconvenient for people to get on and if the wheel diameter were too short, it would be too heavy for horses to pull. After long-term practice, artisans found that the wheel diameter should be built according to the standard of " the wheel diameter for war chariots with the length of 6 Chi and 6 Cun (about 151.8cm), and the wheel diameter for farmer chariots with 6 Chi and 3 Cun (about 144.9cm)", which could give full play to the best effect of the vehicle, for charge in war fi eld and heavy load respectively.

驗(yàn)收精益求精

Rigorous Acceptance Standards

造車之術(shù)追求精益求精，在驗(yàn)收環(huán)節(jié)體現(xiàn)得更加淋漓盡致。合格的造車工匠，不僅要具備豐富的操作經(jīng)驗(yàn)，還要熟練掌握?qǐng)A規(guī)、曲尺、垂線、秤等各種測(cè)量工具，確保車輪為正圓形，兩側(cè)車輪孔徑相同、重量相等，上下車輻成一條直線等等，符合“圓者中規(guī)、方者中矩、立者中縣、衡者中水”的工藝要求。

The art of chariot-making pursued excellence and was fully reflected in the acceptance. Qualified chariot craftsmen should not only have rich experience in making, but also master various measuring tools such as compasses, curved rulers, vertical lines, scales to ensure wheels in round shape, with the same diameter and weight on both sides of the wheels, and the upper and lower wheels in a straight line to meets the technological requirements of " centering on the circle,centering on the square, centering on the upright,centering on the county, centering on the balance".

結(jié) 語(yǔ)

Conclusion

《考工記》記載的輪輿之術(shù)，取材科學(xué)、工藝精確、驗(yàn)收嚴(yán)格，儼然已有現(xiàn)代工業(yè)質(zhì)量管控的雛形，這些樸素的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)化理念，經(jīng)過(guò)代代傳承改良，至今依然在現(xiàn)代制造業(yè)大放異彩。

The technique of chariots-making in "Kaogongji"reflected science in material selection; accuracy in craft and acceptance. It symbolized a rudiment of modern industrial quality control. These simple and standardized concepts have been passed down and improved from generation to generation and still shine brilliantly in modern manufacturing.