Spence 1996, p. 67 "The two men discuss Hong's dream, and feel that some of it, at least, can be understood literally. So together they ordered a local craftsman to forge two double-edged swords – each sword nine pounds in weight, and three feet in length – with three characters carved upon each blade, 'Sword for exterminating demons'." Spence, Jonathan D. (1996), God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan, W.W. Norton, ISBN0-393-03844-0
Li 2012, p. 165. Li, Xiaobing (2012), "Hong Xiuquan", in Li, Xiaobing (ed.), China at War: An Encyclopedia, Santa Barabara, CA: ABC-CLIO, pp. 165–168, ISBN978-1-59884-415-3, retrieved 21 May 2012