论墨学技术理念与秦文化的关系——以“连弩”为标本

On “Repeating Crossbow” and the Relationship Between the Technical Concepts of Mohism and the Qin Culture

秦始皇海上出行的故事中可见以“连弩”“射杀”海上“巨鱼”的情节。秦军重视“弩”,“连弩”很可能已用于实战。《汉书·艺文志》有“《望远连弩射法具》十五篇”,应是有关“连弩射法”的军事教程或训练条令。汉代军事史也有使用“连弩”的战例。《墨子·备高临》说到“连弩”形制,似与一般的“射兵”不同。墨学之“秦墨”的社会存在和文化影响,可以通过有关“连弩”的考察从一个侧面有所说明。《墨子》“连弩”说体现的技术追求和科学理念的实用主义倾向值得注意。这种倾向与秦文化基本风格的一致性,也有必要深入考论并详尽说明。

The scenario of “shooting the giant fish” in the sea with “repeating crossbows” could be found in the legend of Qin Shihuang’s safari on East Sea.Considering crossbows’ prominent role in Qin’s army,the repeating crossbow was likely to be used in combat.In Treatise on Literature in the 30 th volume of Hanshu,there is “15 Articles About the Shooting Arts of Long-range Crossbows”,which can be treated as military combat or training manuals for repeating crossbow.The shape of the repeating crossbow as described in Mozi:Bei Gaolin seems to be different from ordinary shooting weapons.This weapon reflects the social and cultural influence of Mohism in the Qin state,i.e.pragmatism,technical excellence and reliance on science,which characterize the culture of Qin.