《燕山夜话》中有文引《北史》说:北周大政治家吕思礼“昼理政事,夜即读书,令苍头执烛,烛烬有数升”。邓拓接着解释道:“光烛灰一夜就有儿升之多,……”显然,这里的烛灰是实有所指。但用现在眼光来看,很令人费解。那么,如此多的烛灰究竟从何而来呢?这要从“烛”说起。古时之烛,实为火炬。《诗·小雅·庭燎》:“庭燎之光”。毛传:“庭燎(liào,笔者注),大烛。”《说文》与此说 “Yanshan Night Talks” has cited the “Northern History”: North Zhou Dynasty politician Lu Sili Deng Tuo then explained: “The candlelight ash will rise as quickly as night....” Obviously, the candlelight here is a real reference. But looking at it now, it is puzzling. So, where do so many candlesticks come from? This starts with the “candles.” The candle of ancient times is actually a torch. “Poetry Xiaoya Tingyan”: “The Light of the Court”. Mao Chuan: “Tian Ying (liào, author’s note), big candle.” “Said Wen” and this