Fei Yun Pi Li Pao (飛雲霹靂砲)

A Fei Yun Pi Li Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Fei Yun Pi Li Pao (飛雲霹靂砲, lit. 'Flying cloud thunder cannon/bomb') was a type of cannon that shot explosive shell. It was superficially similar to Ba Mian Xuan Feng Tu Wu Hong Lei Pao (八面旋風吐霧轟雷砲), although unlike the aforementioned cannon, explosive shells launched from this cannon were filled with only one type of gunpowder (usually incendiary, although poison smoke, ceramic fragmentation and blinding dust can be used as well).

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Gang Lun Fa Huo (鋼輪發火)

Components of Gang Lun Fa Huo, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Gang Lun Fa Huo (鋼輪發火, lit. 'Steel wheel igniter'), originally known as Zi Fan Gang Lun Huo (自犯鋼輪火, lit. 'Self-tripped trespassing steel wheel fire'), was a passive firing mechanism used to trigger land mines. The device was invented by renowned Ming commander Qi Ji Guang (戚繼光) during his post at Ji Defence Region (薊鎮) to bolster defence against Mongol incursions (the notion that this device was invented during fourteenth century was unsupported).

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Fei Cui Zha Pao (飛摧炸砲)

A man firing three Fei Cui Zha Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Fei Cui Zha Pao (飛摧炸砲, lit. 'Flying destroyer explosive cannon') was an iron mortar, possibly a repurposed Wan Kou Chong (碗口銃, lit. 'Bowl-muzzle gun'), that was used to shoot cast iron shells. The shells were filled with small caltrops, which served as fragmentation during detonation but would stick on the ground to deter enemy advance afterwards. The mortar was typically loaded with multiple shells, allowing even one volley to cover a wide area.

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