China Popular Itineraries |
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| Dynamite refers to a kind of mixture which has saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur as its main components and can burn quickly or explode when lighted. Both saltpeter and sulfur are combustible and had served as medicine in ancient China, so they are called dynamite, which means "flaming medicine" in Chi-nese. In Sheng Nong Ben Cao Jing, written in the Qin and Han dynasties, the authors illustrated the medical characteristics of saltpeter and sulfur, and recorded the experimental results of smelting saltpeter. Qing Xuzi of the Tang Dynasty recorded the method of dealing with dynamite powder in the course of alchemy, which marked the real birth of the primitive dynamite powder. However, it was not until the 10th century or so that dynamite powder began to be used as a weapon. A few works have recorded the formulas for making artillery, fireballs and poisonous smoke balls, and the setting up of dynamite powder production workshops. After that dynamite powder making skills were steadily developed. In 1126, the army of the Song Dynasty attacked its enemy, the army of the Jin Dynasty, with "the thunderbolt artillery, " while the Jin Army fought with "the thunder artillery. " In 1359, the army of the Yuan Dynasty used "the fire canister" on the battlefield. Until the Ming Dy-nasty, the formula for dynamite powder recorded in Ji Xiao Xin Shu by Qi Jiguang had been similar to the standard military black powder of today. The alchemy and saltpeter of ancient China began to spread into the area of Arabia from the 8th or 9th century, while the production skills of dynamite powder and powder weapons spread gradually first into Arabia and then into Europe from the 13th century on. |
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