There are also cannons and hidden weapons in the long-range weapon.
cannon
The stone thrower that we often mention is cannon, which means throwing stones from a long distance. There are many types of ancient cannons, long range and great power. A relatively large cannon can play the role of artillery. The ancient celestial originated from hunting tools in the Paleolithic era. Stone balls have been found in many Stone Age sites. For example, stone balls have been found in two early Paleolithic sites in Lantian and Chenjiawo, Shaanxi, about 700,000 years and 500,000 years respectively. These stone balls are several kilograms large, hundreds of grams small, and Neolithic stone balls are more and more refined.
With the help of ethnology research, the evolution of cannon should be from catapults to meteor cables, and finally forming cannons.
1, Trailer : is a tool that uses wooden sticks or rope pockets to throw stones. It has simple shape and many types. There are three main types:
One is a stick catapult, This tool directly cuts off a piece of wood, bamboo sticks or sorghum straw and splits the upper end to clamp the stone. When using it, hold the lower end of the stick directly and throw it forward, with a range of about 50 meters; second is a rock-floating stone catapult. records in the "Martial Arts and Records": "Every time you use a bamboo, it is five feet long. Two long ropes are tied to the bamboo, and one end is a ring. Use a leather pocket in the rope, with a diameter of five inches. Shaking the rod is a force, and it is thrown. It is suitable to use it to guard the city, and stone is easy to get, but the hand is not far away. Use this method to use it to be far or heavy. It is necessary to get it in daily life, and it is better to have a haircut." From this we know that the stone catapult is a rope with a leather pocket on the stick. This is also an important stage of the transition to cannons; third is rope catapults. catapults are widely distributed and have been used by most ethnic groups in China and abroad, and some still retain this tool. Take flying stone rope of Naxi tribe , which is a rope about 130cm long and has a net pocket in the middle. When used, one end is tied to the fingers, tie a knot at the other end and hold it on the hand. Rotate and loosen the knot at the end and throw out the stones, which can reach more than 60 categories, and some can reach a hundred meters.
2. meteor rope : is to tie a stone ball with a rope or a pie. When using it, throw the rope together with the stone ball, or hit or wrap it to hunt wild animals, and then recycle the meteor rope. There are one or three stone balls on the rope and placed in a net pocket or leather bag on the rope.
One-ball meteor cable, net bag only one ball is put in the other end of the rope, tie a knot when used, hold the knot and rotate it out, which can hit small animals, and the rope can also be thrown horizontally or trip over or trip over prey. Some ethnic minorities in the southwest are still in use. two-ball meteor cable, connects a stone ball at each end of the long rope, and can also be thrown and hit or entangled. three-ball meteor cable, Warring States copper pot unearthed from Baihuatan, Chengdu, is a meteor cable with three balls at one end. "Darwin's Diary" introduces the three-ball meteor rope from South America, which is slightly different. The middle is used as the node and the usage method is the same as above.
3. Cannon: is a long-range weapon that uses the principle of leverage to shoot stones. In the literature, it is said that cannon appears in spring and autumn . "Book of Han·Biography of Gan Yanshou" records: "Fan Li's Art of War": Flying stone weighs 12 kilograms, and it is launched for the air, and it takes two hundred steps." The early cannon was called "kuài", and " Shuwen " records: "Build a large wood and place it on it, and use it to chase the enemy."
1. The structure of the cannon is relatively simple and the initial structure of the cannon is relatively simple. In " Wujing Zongyao ", there is a kind of "cannon" that should be similar to the early cannon. According to records, the cannon is mainly composed of four parts: the cannon rack used to support the cannon rod; the core component cannon rod , also known as the "tip", is used to fire stone bullets; the skin at the end of the cannon rod is connected through the lanyard, which is used to load the stone bullets. The lanyard at the other end of the lanyard also has a loop, which is used to back-stuck at the end of the cannon rod; several sling rope with roots tied to the front end of the cannon rod, pulling the rope to send the cannon. The cannon rods, skin holes, and ropes of the cannon will not change in the future, but the number of ropes will change according to the weight of the cannon, and the heavy cannons can reach more than a hundred heavy cannons. The structure of the cannon holder has many changes.
candle is launched using the principle of leverage. The figure below is a simplified schematic diagram. According to the size listed in "Wu Jing Zongyao", AO accounts for about 1/3 to 1/5 of the total length. The end of the cannon rod B is connected to the tether C, and the other end of the leather socket is connected to D. There is a small collar on D, which should be placed on B before launching.
cannon launches three groups of members: one group should pull a rope in front of the cannon rod to launch , called "pull hand" ; one group should place stones into the skin hole at the back end of the cannon rod; the other group is an aiming hand standing at a high place, also known as fixed letting hand , directing the "pull hand" to launch to the target position. For the principle of launching the cannon, you can see the picture below. When you pull your hand and pull the rope, the stones in the foil fly forward under the action of the centrifugal force , and the small collar at the end of the foil will automatically take off during the swing. After completing a launch, the aimer will adjust the position of the pole and the number of people pulling the hand according to the rockfall location, and then shoot again.
stands at a high place and directly commands the hand to launch it is convenient and easy to expose the cannon and personnel, and is easily attacked. At the same time, in order to cooperate with the aiming hand to observe the location, the placement of the cannon will also be restricted. Northern Song generals Chengui used indirect aiming method, put the cannon in a hidden place, only aiming the hand to observe, and then direct the hidden cannon with flag words or simple commands. Therefore, the principle and structure of the cannon are not complicated, but the launch technology and professional quality are very high, and it requires long-term and rigorous training. In addition, the number of stones can be one or multiple. Generally, one large stone is used to increase its power and destroy facilities, and multiple stone bullets will also be used to kill straitors.
2, the development of cannon
As early as the book "Mozi", it was mentioned that using cannons should be used to defend the city. By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when Cao Cao attacked Yuan Shao, he ordered the manufacture of a cannon chariot to attack Yuan Shao's tall buildings, and the army called it the thunder chariot. The cannon car here is to install wheels under the cannon rack, so that the cannon has mobility and can gallop on the battlefield. This is a major improvement in the cannon car. There are many records of cannon trucks in subsequent documents. By the Northern Song Dynasty, the organization of the army accounted for a large proportion. However, in 1132 AD, the military strategist Chen Gui invented the tubular firearm. Shortly after , the metal tubular firearm "cannon" also appeared. The power of the cannon was not comparable to that of the cannon. It soon withdrew from the stage of history.
Yuan seized many cannons in Song and captured many of Song's cannon craftsmen, so the level of cannon craftsmen in Yuan's cannon is not low, and he also created a "Huihui cannon" with great power. It is said that in 1274 AD, when the Mongolian army attacked Xiangyang , the city was strong and the pool was thick, and it could not be captured for a long time. Later, a Hui Hui changed to Sima developed a cannon for the Mongolian army, which could shoot 150 kilograms of stone bullets. It is known as the "Xiangyang Cannon" and is also called "Hui Hui Cannon".
" Yuanshi " mentions the power of "Huihui cannon", such as "a cannon in a cannon, the sound is as loud as thunder." "The sound shakes the heaven and earth, and the attacks are destroyed, and the man and the earth are seven feet away." These records fully demonstrate that its power is unprecedented. The heaviest stone bullets in the Song Dynasty were 90 kilograms. The Hui cannon should have been achieved by changing the launch method. "Chinese Military History·Volume 1·Weapons" is a picture of "Yuan Yang cannon". There are two changes in the structure. One is to hang a huge iron or stone on the front end to replace manpower. The other is to add an iron hook to the cannon rack to hook the cannon rod. Just pull the iron hook when firing. However, this book does not say where to get this statement and graphics, so the authenticity is questionable. Can giants exceed 100 thugs by relying solely on giants and how to make giants rise? It remains to be continued to be studied? The book also introduces the 15-tip and 9-tip cannons made in the Yuan Dynasty, which shows that the power and technology of the 15-tip cannons are further improved.
3. Types and performance of cannons
cannons were the most complete period in the Song Dynasty. There are 19 types of cannons recorded in "Wu Jing Zongyao": two types of cannons, cannon cars, and single-tip cannons (two). Double-shot cannon, five-shot cannon, seven-shot cannon, cyclone cannon, tiger squat cannon, cylindrical cannon, one-legged cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, cyclone cannon, fire cannon, hand cannon. However, the book only provides detailed explanations for 8 types of cannons.
The above dozen cannons, can be divided according to mobility. has wheeled movable cannons, and has non-stable cannons. Some fixed cannons will also be buried in the ground to increase stability, but it is only suitable for defense; can be divided into heavy cannons and light cannons according to the weight of the stone bullet. However, it is still difficult to accurately classify. Seven-shot and five-shot cannons should be heavy cannons, single-shot and whirlwind should be light, and the hand cannons are lightest, and cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons, and cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons cannons can Half a pound of stone bullet; can determine whether it is a cyclone cannon cannon based on whether the cannon rod can rotate relative to each other. Cannons such as do not need to move the cannon rack to adjust the launch direction, which is highly spiritual; can be divided according to the shape and structure of the cannon rack. There are as many as 12 types of cannon racks in the above cannon racks, including trapezoidal or rectangular columns, and triangular sides. can be divided according to the cannon method, has single tips, double tips, five tips, etc. In addition to firing stone bombs,
can also fire other substances. arson objects: can set fireballs, turkeys, etc., and of course it can also fire gunpowder , but this type of bullet can only set fire to cause fire. Death Toxicity: "Wu Jing Zongyao" has a "death cannon method", which is to break the feces, put them in the can, put the poison arsenic, arsenic yellow, and aconitum , croton , soap beans, lime, fermented oil and other items in the pot, then put them in the can, and fill them with the grass. When attacking the enemy, it can penetrate iron armor. If the middle is in the body, it will become sores and ulcers. The emitter should contain black plum and licorice to prevent the poison. Iron juice: Wu Jing also has a "gold fire cupping method". Prepare a round container and apply it layer by layer with sesame peel, mud, wheat flour mud, pig bristle mud, etc., and then fill it with gold fire juice after it is warmed up, and then seal it with wheat flour mud. The enemy will disperse, but the launch must be fast, otherwise the iron juice will condense and the effect will not work.
Several types of cannons in "Martial Arts General Yao"
hidden weapon
hidden weapon is also considered a long-range weapon. It is generally not far-range and has a large power, but it is more concealed and has a strong suddenness. "Open guns are easy to avoid, but hidden arrows are difficult to defend against." It is difficult to prevent people from launching at close range when they are not prepared.
1. Sleeve arrow: , as the name suggests, is a short arrow hidden in the sleeve. " Wubeizhi " describes: "The arrow is short and heavy, and suddenly it fires from the sleeve, which can control people thirty steps away." The launching device is cast from copper and iron, and is in a cylindrical shape. The barrel is equipped with a spring, and the sleeve arrow is fired by the spring.
sleeve arrows have single sleeve arrows and continuous sleeve arrows.
Single-shot sleeve arrow: can only shoot one arrow, the arrow is shorter than the barrel. There is a cover with holes on the top of the barrel, and there is a movable metal piece next to the cover, that is, a butterfly piece, which is used to open and close small holes. There is a spring at the bottom of the barrel, and a round iron plate is pressed on it. When loading an arrow, the spring will be pressed down through the iron plate, and then the small hole will be closed with the butterfly piece. When firing, just pull the butterfly piece away.
continuous shot sleeve arrow: can install several arrows for continuous shot. The quiver is slightly larger than a single-sleeved quiver, with a diameter of more than an inch. There are several small tubes in the barrel, one in the middle, and a few around it, shaped like plum blossoms, so it is also called "Plum Blossom Sleeve Arrow" . There is also a butterfly piece control on the barrel, and there is an iron ring on it. You can turn the cover of the barrel by shooting an arrow to fire the small arrow in the next tube.
2. Hand arrow: refers to a hidden weapon that can be emitted with bare hands, with many types. There is a hand arrow fired through a quiver. is called , and the arrow is , and it can put more than 20 poison-coated arrows into a special bamboo tube. There is a tripping belt behind the tube, which can trip the arrow. When launched, the handheld quiver is thrown directly. There is a kind of "whip arrow" in "History of Jin: Qiang Tsun" , which is fired with a whip barrel. The whip barrel is a whip thrower, and can only fire one arrow at a time. "Wu Beizhi" has a kind of "Meteor Arrow" . The shaft is made of iron and lead is added. It is heavier and throws it directly with bare hands. Jin Dynasty There is a general who wiped Shi's arms. He is short but very brave. His armor contains 100 short arrows. When fighting, he will secretly hold a few and throw them out with his hands. For example, the person who is caught does not know where the arrows are, and he is suspected to be helped by God.
In addition to making arrows, the hidden weapon can also be made into different shapes, darts , flying knives, flying swords, etc. dart has a dart head larger than arrowhead , and a silk cloth behind it. It works the same as the arrow feathers, and the dart head will be coated with poison.There is also a kind of dart that will tie a long rope after it, which can be recycled. When Liu Ying led his army to fight against Japan and aid Korea, he carried a variety of hidden weapons with him.
3. Slingshot: Use a bow to shoot projectiles, use bamboo as bow tires, and the strong bow will also be lined with copper pieces. The projectiles include Niwan, Shiwan, Iron, porcelain, and golden pills. The slingshot originated very early and is still used today. In the Spring and Autumn Period, Chen Yin, a Chu man who was good at shooting, said when talking to King Yue: "I heard that the crossbow was born from a bow, and the bow was born from a bullet. It was a filial son in ancient times. He couldn't bear to see his parents being eaten by animals, so he pretended to make bullets to guard it." The ancients often used slingshots to shoot birds.
Western Han There was an Mr. Emperor Wu favorite Han Yan , and he used the "Golden Pill" as the bullet. At that time, there was a song saying: "It's bitter, hungry, cold, and chase the bullet." Children in the capital would follow Han Yan every time and go to pick it up when they saw the bullet landing.
4. Special crossbow: If crossbow is made into a hidden weapon, it must be small to facilitate hiding.
Back crossbow: is also known as a tight back and lowered flower-mounted crossbow. There are two ropes placed on both shoulders, so that the crossbow is flat on the back, and the crossbow arrow faces upwards. A thread is used to lead it out of the crossbow machine and connect it to the waist to control the launch. Before the enemy, install crossbow arrows first. When firing, bend down and lower your head, then pull the rope around your waist, and the arrow will burst out from behind the neck. The Song army often used it. It is said that the Song "White-Browed Hero" Xu Liang was a backrest crossbow that won several victories.
crossbow: This is smaller than a backbow. It is installed under kick , with the crossbow arrow facing forward and pedaled to launch. This also requires a rope to connect from the crossbow machine to the horse rider's shin. When facing the enemy, when aiming at the enemy, use your feet to trigger the crossbow, and the arrow shot out from the kickstick, which can injure the enemy's troops.
Generally speaking, the hidden crossbow has a small size and has a set of devices that control the triggering. When used at close range, the hit rate is higher. Of course, there are also flying claws or meteor hammers.
