There is not much rust on this Tang Dynasty miniature Qingzhou Ding, and the little fat man Zhao Yun said to Wu Duo, saying that because there is not much rust, the decoration can be seen clearly.

"You mean, this 'Qingzhou Ding' is a little different from ordinary bronzes, and the process or material is special when casting, so it is not easy to rust?"

Quan Haoran nodded, "In terms of material, it is not out of the category of bronze. Moreover, there is not much rust, and it is also rusty. We suspect that it is the issue of the proportion of tin added, which also seems to involve the so-called issue of female gold and male gold. ”

Wu Duo couldn't help asking: "The bronze is a copper-tin alloy, I know, is there any fine division of this ratio?"

Quan Haoran slowly spoke: "In terms of ancient law, gold has six qi. Gold here refers to copper. ”

"Liuqi? In other words, the ancients cast different bronzes with six different copper-tin ratios?"

"Yes. Quan Haoran continued to introduce, "Six points of gold, and tin is one of them, which is called the Qi of Zhong Ding." ”

Wu Duo nodded, "Casting bells and tripods and other ritual utensils, the ratio of copper and tin is six to one, and the proportion of copper is very large." ”

"Well, among the 'Six Qi', the proportion of copper is the largest, and under the ratio of six to one, the color of the bronze cast is similar to orange and yellow, which is the best, and at the same time, the sound is also the best. ”

Seeing that Quan Haoran had no intention of stopping, Wu Duo didn't ask questions, and was ready to listen to him first. In addition to the matter itself, listening to the explanation of the bronze master is also a rare learning opportunity for Wu Duo.

Kwon continued:

"Five points of gold, and tin is one, which is called the axe and catty.

Four points of gold, and tin in one, called the halberd.

Axes, catties, ge, and halberds are all weapons, and this kind of weapons requires toughness; in bronze ware, the tin component is about 17 to 20 percent the toughest; therefore, the ratio of these two copper-tin to five to one and four to one is also very consistent with scientific principles.

Three points of gold, and tin is one, which is called the Qi of the big blade.

Five points of gold, and tin is two, which is said to be the same as cutting and killing.

These two are also weapons, but the hardness requirements are higher than those of axes, jin, ge, and halberds, and the ratio of these two copper-tin, three to one and five to two, is to improve the hardness.

The last 'Qi': Jin Xi half, which is called the Qi of the Sui. ”

Quan Haoran stopped here, it was easy to understand the front, this last sentence, Wu Duo was still a little difficult.

First of all, is the ratio of copper and tin half to 1, that is, 1 to 1, or is the tin half of copper, that is, the ratio of copper to tin to 2 to 1?

According to what Quan Haoran said earlier, it seems that two is more unified and smooth than one. However, Wu Duo doesn't understand bronzes, and this should also be based on the actual reasonable ratio of bronzes.

Then there is the "Jiansui", which is not easy to understand just by listening.

"Mr. Quan, the last sentence ······" Since he heard it, Wu Duo simply asked.

"Oh, Jiansui is a bronze mirror and an impotence, and the impotence is similar to a concave mirror, which is used for fire. Such a thing needs a white luster, so the proportion of tin is required to be the largest, reaching more than 30 percent. ”

Wu Duo then understood, "gold and tin half", and sure enough, the ratio of copper and tin was two to one.

Quan Haoran further explained, "In bronzes, the more tin is occupied, the lighter the color will be, and the color of bronzes, from yellow to orange and then to light yellow, when the proportion of tin reaches more than 30%, it is basically white." But this white color is not the same as cupronickel, which is a copper-nickel alloy, and bronze is a copper-tin alloy after all. ”

"Understood. Wu Duo digested these and continued to ask, "So, what is the special proportion of this Tang imitation Qingzhou Ding?"

"The proportion of tin is not only higher than that of the conventional 'Zhong Ding Zhiqi', but the proportion of copper is not only lower than this part, because other metals are also added. ”

"No, Mr. Quan, didn't you say at the beginning that you didn't leave the category of bronze?

Quan Haoran knocked on his forehead and smiled again, "Speaking to you, it's a bit troublesome, if it's Old Man Wu Qixing, I'm afraid it will be much easier." ”

"Whew, I'm also learning while understanding, you're tired. If it's complicated, then don't say it. ”

"It's not that complicated, it's rare that you're so studious. Quan Haoran said, "To put it simply, in the Bronze Age, only hardware can be extracted from ores, which are gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead. There could be no gold or silver in the bronzes, only tin and lead. Bronze ware is dominated by copper tin, but lead is also often used as an additive, although the lead content is generally not too high, about 1 to 3 percent is the most common. ”

"I understand, this Tang imitation Qingzhou Ding, the lead content exceeds the general situation. ”

"Yes, I didn't take a sample, but in my experience, it should be as high as 8 to 10 percent. Therefore, it is softer than the average bronze tripod. And because the proportion of tin is not low, it is even tougher. Overall, it is less prone to rust. ”

Wu Duo now understood better: "Qingzhou Ding is a four-legged female tripod, that is to say, 'female gold' is also used! This shows that the so-called female gold and male gold, at least one point is the difference in hardness, female gold is softer than male gold!"

"Yes, then what?" Quan Haoran looked at Wu Duo with interest.

"Then?" Wu Duoluo groaned slightly, "Well, this Tang imitation Qingzhou Ding, although it has shrunk a lot in proportion, but in terms of the proportion of raw materials, it is likely to be based on the real Qingzhou Ding!"

"Anything else?"

Also, in the Tang Dynasty, although Jiuding no longer has a physical object, there may be some copper smelting formula circulating. Perhaps, Wu Zetian recast Jiuding also used this formula. According to legend, Wu Zetian's Jiuding was destroyed by Li Longji, so the 'Little Jiuding' model cast in Li Longji's official imitation yard may also have used this formula!"

"Not bad, not bad!" Quan Haoran nodded again and again, "Wu Di also analyzed it this way back then. ”

"Therefore, you will leave this tripod for research, so that after finding the real Qingzhou tripod, it can be better repaired and maintained!"

Quan Haoran suddenly sighed: "It's a pity!"

"It's a pity?"

"It's a pity that Zhending hasn't been found, and it's a pity that Wu Di is missing. ”

When Wu Duo heard this, he couldn't help but sigh slightly.

Quan Haoran looked at Wu Duo again, "I still have some experience, but it's quite trivial, and it may not be useful to find Zhending, so let's have a chance to communicate in detail." Don't worry, after I went back last night, I immediately moved the storage place!"

"That's good. My grandfather said he would think about it too, and if he did, he would contact you. ”

"I have to meet with Old Man Wu Qixing, so let's wait for his news. Or wait for you to convey it, and I will take the initiative to contact him. In front of him, I am a junior, so it is more appropriate. ”