Describing one Chinese fireworks display in the 16th century, Ricci wrote: “When I was in Nankin I witnessed a pyrotechnic display for the celebration of the first month of the year, which is their great festival, and on this occasion I calculated that they consumed enough powder to carry on a sizable war for a number of years. ”
See on suur sündmus, ja ma arvestasin, et selleks kulus nii palju püssirohtu, et sellega oleks saanud mitu aastat sõda pidada. ”