Analysis of Doubts in the Artificers' Record

The reason why later blades are superior is likely because the water used for quenching the metaloriginal: "cuijin" (淬金). This is the process of rapidly cooling hot metal in liquid to increase its hardness. is different. Thus, the sharpness of the points and edges naturally varies; this originates from whether the Earth QiThe vital energy or environmental essence of a specific location. is clear or turbid.

Take, for example, the foreign blades of various island foreignersoriginal: "daoyi" (島夷). In this historical context, the author is likely referring to Japanese "wakizashi" or European sabers, which were highly prized for their steel quality. today. Some remain firm even after being stored in a granary for a long time, while others are so sharp they can cut a falling hairoriginal: "chuimao" (吹毛), literally "to blow a hair [across the edge]." A traditional idiom for extreme sharpness. or slice through bamboo. These differences are all caused by the Earth Qi of their respective lands.

Heaven has seasons for birth and seasons for killing. Plants and trees have times to grow and times to die. Stones have times to splitoriginal: "le" (泐). This refers specifically to the natural cracking or veining of stone along its grain.. Water has times to freeze and times to become moistoriginal: "ze" (澤). In this context, it refers to the glossy, damp appearance of ice as it begins to thaw.. This is the Timing of Heavenoriginal: "tianshi" (天時). The idea that certain physical processes are only possible or optimal during specific seasons or astronomical alignments..

"Stones have times to split" refers to the height of summer, when they easily break apart and cannot be burned to make lime. If they simply peel and fall off over a long period of time, then that cannot be said to be caused by the Timing of Heaven.

The Songs of Chu and the Zhuangzi Two foundational texts of Chinese literature and philosophy. both claim that metal and stone can melt and flow during an extreme scorching droughtoriginal: "hanhan" (旱暵)., but I suspect these are metaphors and not factual occurrences. "Moist" means to be glossy and damp. When ice is about to melt, it must first appear moist, and only then does it transform into water.