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-- secrets continued--
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One perfect example is the beautifully preserved
Jade Gate. Built in 101 BC, it is 28 feet high and 66 feet
square. Close by they built a fort for the Han soldiers guarding
the wall. This section of the wall is 453 feet long, 115 feet
wide and 23 feet high. The wall became more than a trade route
and a barrier to keep out the enemy, it became vital for communications.
Along its ramparts messages could be sent at amazing speeds
from one end of the empire to the other. All along the northern
border beacon towers were built every 15 to 30 miles.
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From these towers the Han troops used smoke
by day and torches  by
night to send messages along the length of the wall. They
burnt wood, and straw mixed with wolf dung, which produced rich
black columns smoke. Statues strictly governed the code of these
signals. One column of smoke indicated an impending attack
by a force of less than 500. Two columns indicated an attack
by a force less than 3,000 and four columns indicated an attack
by a force of up to 10,000.
Continued...........
 
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