Xuan Feng Pao (旋風砲)

Drawing of a Xuan Feng Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Xuan Feng Pao (旋風砲, lit. 'Whirlwind trebuchet') was a type of traction trebuchet first invented in China but later spread westwards to Middle East and Europe. It was a "single pole" type trebuchet with its axle and frame mounted on the top of a single pole.

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Si Chuan Fei Shi (四川飛石)

Drawing of a Si Chuan Fei Shi, from 'Zhan Shou Quan Shu (《戰守全書》)'.

Si Chuan Fei Shi (四川飛石, lit. 'Sichuanese flying stone') was a type of lightweight, two-man operated traction trebuchet. True to its namesake, the trebuchet was commonly found in Sichuan, although it was also manufactured in Beijing during the twilight years of the Ming Dynasty.

Unlike other Chinese trebuchets, Si Chuan Fei Shi had a A-shaped arm mounted on a single pole, which allowed it to be propped on narrow places and pivot easily. This was presumably an adaptation to the mountainous, narrow and uneven terrain of western Sichuan, where many Tusi mountain fortresses stand.

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Fei Gang (飛杠)

Drawing of a Fei Gang, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'.

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Chinese multiprod crossbow

MINOR UPDATE OCTOBER 2, 2024

Credited with the invention of crossbow, the Chinese were keen on tinkering with their crossbow and coming out with ever more efficient and powerful designs. Apart from repeating crossbow, which was invented as early as 4th century BC, Chinese bowyers also created another unique crossbow design—the multiprod crossbow, sometimes also known as multiple bow arcuballista. The weapon mounted multiple prods to extend the draw length (and powerstroke) of the crossbow, thus getting more power out of the same draw weight. It was also more efficient and portable than a single prod crossbow of equal power.

There were several variants of multiprod crossbow in use during Tang and Song period, which will be detailed below:

Shuang Gong Chuan Nu (雙弓床弩, lit. 'Double-prod bed crossbow')

Also known as Liang Gong Nu (兩弓弩, lit. 'Two prod crossbow') during Tang period, this crossbow had two prods mounted facing opposite directions of each other. It was spanned by a simple windlass.

Da He Chan Nu (大合蟬弩, lit. 'Great combined cicada crossbow')

Drawing of a Da He Chan Nu, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

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Gong Cheng Lin Chong Lu Gong Che (攻城臨衝呂公車)

Stylised illustration of a Lu Gong Che, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志 》)'.

Gong Cheng Lin Chong Lu Gong Che (攻城臨衝呂公車, lit. 'City-siege approaching assault cart of Lord Lu'), often shortened to Lin Chong Lu Gong Che (臨衝呂公車, lit. 'Approaching assault cart of Lord Lu') or simply Lu Gong Che (呂公車, lit. 'Cart of Lord Lu'), is the Chinese siege tower. It was named after the semi-legendary Lu Shang (呂尚), better known as Jiang Zi Ya (姜子牙).

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Pao (礟)

Side view of a Pao, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Top view of a Pao, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Pao (礟, trebuchet) was the Chinese name for traction trebuchet. Also known as Pao (砲) during the previous dynasties, the latter term gradually became associated with guns and cannons. Traction trebuchet originated in China and its use reached zenith during Song period. While the importance of trebuchet diminished after the invention of cannons, it still remained a useful weapon in Ming arsenal.

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Jing Lan (井闌)

Drawing of a Jing Lan, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'.

Jing Lan (井闌, lit. 'Water well lining') wa sthe last of the 'Classic Trio' of Chinese siege engine. It was an immobile wooden tower, usually constructed just outside of enemy fortifications during a siege, so that archers on the tower could attack enemy troops stationed on the wall.

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Yun Ti (雲梯)

Drawing of a Yun Ti, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》'.

Yun Ti (雲梯, lit. 'Clour ladder') was also one of the 'Classic Trio' of Chinese siege engine. It was a wheeled wagon with a foldable scaling ladder.

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