Analysis of Doubts in the Artificers' Record

In this context, the "length of the hub" refers to its diameter. There are cases where hub length is described in terms of its circumference and diameter. For instance, in the section on the Chariot Makers original: che ren, a specific office or craft role described in the Rites of Zhou, the hub length is half a ke ke: a standard unit of measure, traditionally the length of an axe-handle, approximately 3 feet, and its circumference is one and a half ke. This is the rule.

The reason the outer bore chuan: the hole or opening through which the axle passes is smaller than the inner bore is that a large inner bore allows the axle to be thick and sturdy, thereby providing strong support for the weight of the carriage yu: the box or seating area of the vehicle. A smaller outer bore ensures the structure of the hub remains solid and firm, so that it is not easily damaged upon impact. After all, at busy intersections original: jiao qu, refers to where roads meet or high-traffic areas or winding roads, the hubs of passing chariots are the most likely parts to strike one another and cause mutual damage.

The housing of the hub must be straight. The placement of the ornamentation zhuan: decorative patterns or seal-style engravings on the hub must be aligned. The application of glue must be thick. The application of sinew must be frequent. The wrapping chou: a protective covering, often made of leather or silk must be tight against the core gan: the structural wood of the wheel or hub.

"Housing the hub" original: rong gu means that the spoke tenons zai: the part of the spoke carved to fit into the hub's mortise enter evenly and clasp together, so that the hub stands balanced and steady at its center. "Must be straight" means that the numerous spokes on the left and right sides must be perfectly aligned with one another. Because the hub is hollowed out and holds many spokes, they must be bound...