Mi Zhan (秘戰) — the original Yuan Yang Zhen (鴛鴦陣)

Rendition of a five-man team forming Tang Shun Zhi's Mandarin Duck Formation. Pikemen were kept at some distance (about 7 to 10 feet) from the shieldmen and Lang Xian until the battle was joined. This image is cropped and doctored from 'Wu Bian Qian Ji (《武編前集》)' and 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

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Kuai Qiang (快鎗)

Drawing of a Kuai Qiang, from 'Lian Bing Shi Ji (《練兵實紀》)'.

Kuai Qiang (快鎗, lit. 'Fast gun'), also known as Qiang Bang (鎗棒, lit.'Gun staff'), was a type of single shot iron handgonne mounted on an unusually long (five chi) wooden pole so that it could double as a quarterstaff. It was one of the most widely used handheld firearms among Ming Northern troops during mid to late Ming period, likely surpassing both San Yan Chong (三眼銃) and arquebus in total numbers.

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Bows of the Ming Dynasty

Despite the importance of archery in Chinese culture and warfare, very little is known about Ming bows because of their eventual complete replacement by Manchu bow and its derivatives. In fact, much of the knowledge about Ming bows come from studies of written records, period artworks as well as experimental reconstructions. While these studies produced fruitful results, they remain (and will continue to remain) speculative.

Generally speaking, Ming bows exhibited strong influence from other Asiatic composite recurve horsebows such as Mongol, Tartar and Turkish bows. They could be categorised into two general groups: Xiao Shao Gong (小稍弓) and Da Shao Gong/Kai Yuan Gong (大稍弓/開元弓).

Xiao Shao Gong (小稍弓, small siyah bow)

Drawing of a Xiao Shao Gong, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

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