Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 33

Military Equipment: Fire — Illustrated Explanations of Firearms II

Page 11

Each soldier can carry ten or so units Likely referring to the components or the smaller variety of these weapons mentioned previously., yet their power is even greater than that of the Frankish culverins Folangji original: "Fo-lang-ji" (佛狠機). These were breech-loading swivel guns based on European designs introduced to China in the 16th century.. When fired, the sound shakes the earth, and their force can reach as far as seven or eight hundred paces bu A unit of distance; 700-800 paces would be approximately 1,100 to 1,300 meters.. For this reason, they are named "The General" original: "jiangjun" (將軍). to honor their awesome might.

Even if a formidable enemy encounters this—though they may possess "livers of bronze and gallbladders of iron" A Chinese idiom describing an enemy who is exceptionally brave, tough, or seemingly indestructible.—they will be pulverized to dust seven or eight hundred paces away. How then could they ever get close enough to stain our blades with their blood?

Each camp should possess several dozen of these, mounted at the front of the battle formation and divided into more than ten ranks to be fired in succession. Additionally, place several units at the two wings, or at bridgeheads, field ridges, or ferry crossings—anywhere the enemy might travel—to prepare for a sudden assault. These are superior to several hundred elite soldiers; why then should we fear an assault?

If manufactured for use at the northwestern frontiers, they must be numbered in the tens of thousands. In the vast wilderness and open plains, deploy hundreds as a single rank and fire them in succession. Once the enemy draws slightly closer, use various types of fire arrows original: "huojian" (火箭). These were early rockets propelled by gunpowder tubes or incendiary arrows shot from bows. in a continuous, unbroken stream. Though the barbarians original: "lu" (虜). A derogatory term historically used to refer to northern nomadic enemies, such as the Mongols or Manchus. may be numerous...