According to current historical records, when these nine tripods were cast, there were no unified requirements for their shape and style.
There are also certain differences in the forging techniques and shape choices of craftsmen from various regions.
The "Qingzhou Cauldron" in front of everyone is a three-legged, round-belly cauldron.
Basically, it is the most common type among the various types of tripods unearthed.
I usually talk about words like "One word, nine tripods", but when I actually see that this is a representative of the supreme imperial power of the Chinese nation, it is just a scaled-down replica, and it also makes people feel the weight of history. The feeling came over me.
However, the fate of this "Qingzhou Cauldron" was bumpy. After changing hands several times, it was displaced.
After being soaked in water for hundreds of years, it was finally able to see the light of day again.
Although Lin Yi used an ultra-high-definition camera, the patterns on it were blurred and difficult to identify. After being scaled down and printed out, it was simply blurry, but the unique temperament still existed.
"No wonder this thing can become a symbol of 'imperial power'. If this thing were enlarged ten times and placed in the square, let alone the princes, who would not be confused after seeing this scene?"
Qian Sheng stroked the lines on the replica with trembling hands, feeling unable to calm down for a long time.
"It's a pity that my water quality is not good and my physical condition does not allow it. Otherwise, I would go down with my elder brother so that I can see the true appearance of this 'Qingzhou Cauldron' with my own eyes.
Our Qian family has been dealing with antiques for so many years. If we could see and touch this Qingzhou Tripod with our own eyes, we would really die without regrets. "
"Then when you saw this high-definition picture and this 3D printed replica today, do you think you should go and knock one on your ancestral grave?"
"Brother Qiang, you are absolutely right. We will always tell Naiweng about the family sacrifices. On the day of our old man's memorial day, I must let him know that we have done such a big thing."
The two were teasing each other, and Mr. Bai on the side happily stopped him:
"Okay, okay, no joking, let's get down to business!
Although the decoration is not clearly visible, in addition to the autobiography of Wang Sunman recorded in "Zuo Zhuan", regarding the decoration on the Jiuding, there was a man named Wang Xidan in the Ming Dynasty. He once published a book "Illustrated Description of the Nine Cauldrons of Dayu".
This man is said to have been entrusted with a dream and told him what the decorations on the Jiuding were.
Then he wrote down the names: Luoshu Ding, Qianxiang Ding, Jiuhe Ding, Jiuzhou Ding, Wuyue Sidu Ding, Jiuyou Ding, Yaoqiao Yixiang Ding, Foreign Material Lingyi Ding, and Fei Zhaorui Ding.
As the name suggests, these nine tripods are engraved with Luoshu, Yin and Yang Bagua, rivers, territory of Kyushu, five mountains and four waters, crops, auspicious celestial phenomena, foreign objects, spiritual animals, and birds and animals. "
Qian Sheng continued what Mr. Bai said and added:
"Sir, I know this book. In the past, everyone read it for fun, and no one thought there was any basis for what he said. Everyone in the industry also believed that this was Wang Xidan's fantasy work. Now listen to When sir mentions it again, and compare it with the Ding Liang in front of us, it seems that what he said makes some sense."
Lin Yi shook his head.
"I think that the description of Wang Sunman in "Zuo Zhuan" and the records in Wang Xidan's book can explain the true meaning of the decoration on the Jiuding.
The ancients did not have the conditions now to understand the world we live in from a 'God's perspective'.
How do the people in charge of their various state capitals know the contents of Luo Shu, Bagua, the mountains, rivers, and territories of the world? "
"That makes sense. Then tell me what you think."
Qian Sheng and Mr. Bai nodded together to express their agreement with him.
“I think that in order to study the decorations on this Jiuding, we have to consider the historical background at that time.
At that time, the tripod was not only a ritual vessel and sacrificial instrument, but also a tool for recording history and inheriting culture.
If this attribute is taken into consideration, then the decoration on the Jiuding is likely to be composed of two parts.
First, as recorded in "Zuo Zhuan", various state capitals engraved local customs, geographical environment and other factors on the tripod, and finally transported it to the capital of the Xia Dynasty, and then King Yu found craftsmen to make the tripod. Information such as books, hexagrams, territory of Kyushu, geography and hydrology, rare birds and animals were recorded on the Jiuding one by one.
This completely constitutes the decorative content of the entire tripod. "
Lin Yi's idea is absolutely subversive and creative.
At least in the industry, no one has made such speculations, and no one has made similar remarks.
One of the main reasons is that Jiuding has been denied its inheritance long ago in the history circle, that is, it has been lost.
Now, the research by the relevant departments only started with the mural "King Zhou Mu presented the tripod" that Lin Yi and others brought out from the tomb of Queen Jingjue.
Plus this "Qingzhou Ding" was discovered from the underground lake in the cave.
It can be said that the information held by the government may not be much more than that of Lin Yi and others, and it is almost a stage of starting from scratch.
The idea proposed by Lin Yi may be close to the truth.
"Lin Zi's analysis makes sense, but let's not forget that the Feng family also had a hand in this matter. The Feng family has been keen on collecting various rare ancient books in ancient tombs since ancient times. After Chongba changed their family's identity and gave them the title of Guanshan Taibao, it became even more serious.
There were rumors before that when Emperor Chengzu compiled the "Yongle Dadian" written by Xie Jin and Yao Guangxiao, the Feng family secretly helped a lot.
I think that it won’t take long for the Feng family to get this little thing we have in our hands. By then, if they are ahead of us, then all our efforts will have been wasted. "
Mr. Luo said seriously.
"As per sir's wishes."
Mr. Luo raised his head and glanced at Mr. Bai beside him. The two of them nodded to each other and exchanged opinions.
"Before you came back, I discussed with Old Baitou that our apprenticeship ceremony will be postponed for a while. You guys can strike while the iron is hot and go to the southwest. We can't make anything behind closed doors.
When I asked about the hexagram this morning, I got the hexagram sign of "water and sky need". Qiangzi, tell me, what does this hexagram say? "
Wang Qiang's name was suddenly called by Mr. Luo, and he felt as if he was electrocuted. He stood up from his chair all of a sudden.
He looked at a loss, like a scumbag who was suddenly called up by the teacher to answer a question.
"What, 'Shui Tian Xiu' belongs to the sixty-fourth hexagram."
He was muttering in his mouth, looking up at the sky, and counting the numbers one by one with his fingers.
"Fifth, yes, the fifth hexagram, the hexagram text is: Keep upright and wait, it belongs to the middle and upper hexagram image, the hexagram word is. Hexagram word"
While Wang Qiang was trying to remember, Mr. Luo had already held the tickle in his hand, got up and walked to him.
"Tell me, there are twenty-eight words in total. If you say one word correctly, you will avoid getting punished."
"Then sir, you'd better smoke."
Wang Qiang stretched out his palm with a grimace. Mr. Luo was not polite and slapped him more than twenty times in a row. Wang Qiang grinned and his face turned red from holding back his teeth.
"The pearl has been buried deep in the earth for a long time, and it has lost its light and brightness until now. Suddenly, the strong wind blew the earth away, and it naturally appeared again.
There is an opportunity, but we need to find the right time to act as soon as possible before we can have a chance to clear the clouds and see the sun. Therefore, this matter should be done sooner rather than later. You should prepare carefully in the past two days.
Qiangzi, let me tease you here. If you still can't memorize these sixty-four hexagrams before departure, you should not go this time and stay with us two old men to look after the house. "
(End of chapter)
