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| Basic layout of the late formation. Note the lack of Ai Pai (挨牌). From second edition 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. |
A hero's end
Unfortunately for Qi Ji Guang (戚繼光), political fallout following the death of Zhang Ju Zheng (張居正), then Grand Secretariat of the Ming Dynasty, eventually caught up with him. After serving at Ji Defence Region (薊鎮) for sixteen years, Qi Ji Guang was sidelined to
Guangdong, a relatively unimportant post, before being discharged from military service altogether. Disheartened and having nothing better to do, Qi Ji Guang began reorganising his life's works and military experience and wrote the second edition of Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》).
Back to square one
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| Rendition of a full Mandarin Duck squad, without its squad leader and porter. This image is cropped, edited and pieced together from the training manuals of 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Weapons are edited to show realistic length. |
Save for some minor differences, Mandarin Duck squad of the second edition Ji Xiao Xin Shu reverted back to its
original form. It consisted of two identical teams of five, plus one squad leader and one porter. Each team consisted of one swordsman with
rattan shield, one
Lang Xian (狼筅), two pikemen armed with
long spears, and one troop armed with a
Tang Pa (鎲鈀). Unlike the original version however,
Ai Pai (挨牌) was no longer used, so the teams were now completely identical.
Da Bang (大棒) was also removed from the squad, except as backup weapon for the porter (who also used it as
carrying pole).
Qi Ji Guang also incorporated the idea of dual role unit into this Mandarin Duck squad.
Javelins were given back to the swordsmen, troops armed with Lang Xian were given swords (Lang Xian was considered "long reach" weapon), pikemen given either
bows or
crossbows (depending on his skill in archery), and troops armed with Tang Pa were equipped with
rockets. Additionally, entire squad would be armoured in
Qi Jia (緝甲) designed by Qi Ji Guang, most probably inspired by the
iron armour of Northern troops. Qi Ji Guang also advised that every
arquebusier should be given a
Chang Dao (長刀).
While Qi Ji Guang attempted to implement this revised formation to Guangdong troops during his office at Guangdong, he was relieved from duty before his plan was put into motion. However, his former subordinates from
Zhejiang likely picked up his book and at least tried to implement it after his death.
