匠心独具的造车之术

文/五花肉

上一期，本专栏首次推出“考工记”系列，以《王权至上的营国之道》开篇，透过营国匠人的视角，勾勒出古人在城建规划中的标准化智慧。这一期，我们以轮舆（特指造车工匠）视角为切入点，共同感受古人匠心独具的造车之术。

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.

车，在我国经济和军事发展历程中，始终占据着不可替代的特殊地位。尤其在先秦时期，车的数量多寡、品质高低，往往是衡量各方国力的重要指标，专事造车的工匠，更被视为手工艺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.

造车首重材美

Material Selection Standards

造车之术首重材美。时人以木质马车为主，木的选材是决定造车品质的基础。评判材美与否的标准有三条：一是根据不同部件特点选用不同木材，如车毂多用杂榆，车幅则以檀木为宜；二是根据时令选择最佳取材时间，通常按南北面光照不同将木材分为阳木和阴木，“仲冬伐阳木，仲夏伐阴木”；三是根据关键部件的特殊需要进行必要的加工，如辐条会合之处，当选阳木与阴木共聚之材，以火烤使其受热自然收缩，方能负力均匀、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.

轮径应有定规

Wheel Diameter Standards

造车之术关键在轮，尤其是轮径的打造。轮径太长，人上车不便, 轮径太短，马牵引辛苦。经过长期实践，匠人们发现，按照“兵车之轮六尺有六寸, 田车之轮六尺有三寸”的标准打造轮径，能够最大程度地发挥车的最佳功效，既可负重载物，又能冲锋陷阵。

秦陵一号铜马车

秦陵二号铜马车

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.

验收精益求精

Rigorous Acceptance Standards

造车之术追求精益求精，在验收环节体现得更加淋漓尽致。合格的造车工匠，不仅要具备丰富的操作经验，还要熟练掌握圆规、曲尺、垂线、秤等各种测量工具，确保车轮为正圆形，两侧车轮孔径相同、重量相等，上下车辐成一条直线等等，符合“圆者中规、方者中矩、立者中县、衡者中水”的工艺要求。

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".

结 语

Conclusion

《考工记》记载的轮舆之术，取材科学、工艺精确、验收严格，俨然已有现代工业质量管控的雏形，这些朴素的标准化理念，经过代代传承改良，至今依然在现代制造业大放异彩。

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.