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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Chong Che (衝車)

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

Chong Che (衝車, lit. 'Assault cart') was one of the 'Classic Trio' of Chinese siege engines that had been in use since Warring States period. Though called by the same name, Ming period Chong Che was a very different beast compared to its predecessors, as the invention of gunpowder weapon changed the nature of siege warfare drastically. Instead of assaulting the wall directly, it was used to blast down enemy fortifications with cannons before sending the troops in.

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