Piao Shi (飃石)

Drawing of a Piao Shi, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Piao Shi (飃石, lit. 'Whirlwind stone'), also known as Shou Pao (手砲, lit. 'Hand trebuchet') during Song period, was the Chinese name for staff sling. It consisted of a short cord tied to one end of a five chi bamboo pole, and was usually employed in siege defence alongside larger stone throwers.

Sling was actually comparatively rare in China, as sheep husbandry wasn't an important part of ancient China's agricultural economy.

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Qi Ji Guang's Yuan Yang Zhen (鴛鴦陣) — Part 4

Transfer to Northern Frontier

After the conclusion of the campaign against Wokou (倭寇, Japanese coastal pirates), Qi Ji Guang spent some time as the deputy general of Shen Ji Ying (神機營) in Beijing, before being transferred to Ji Defence Region (薊鎮), taking charge of the military matters of Jizhou, Changping and Baoding. Despite having a much larger army under his command, all was not as well as it seemed—the command structure of the defence region was chaotic and inefficient, military equipment and fortifications in disrepair, and the troops were undisciplined, unmotivated and lacked training.

Bu Ying (步營) and the new Mandarin Duck Formation

Qi Ji Guang realised that he was now commanding a completely new army, gained access to new equipment while losing others, and most importantly, facing a completely new threat. Unlike the foot-slogging Wokou, the Mongols were a highly mobile mounted force, but had virtually no access to firearms. Qi Ji Guang modified the Mandarin Duck Formation accordingly, incorporating North China-specific equipment into the formation. Bu Ying (步營, foot regiment) thus formed the infantry branch of Qi Ji Guang's new army.

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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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