The Kingdom of Laos

Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume 12, Humanity

The Kingdom of Laos original: "Laozhua guo." During the Ming Dynasty, this referred to the Lan Xang Kingdom, centered in modern-day Luang Prabang and Vientiane is located to the northwest of Annam Vietnam. It is the land of the ancient Yueshang people The Yueshang are recorded in early Chinese history as a southern tribe that supposedly sent a "south-pointing chariot" as tribute to the Duke of Zhou around 1000 BCE.

The character of the people is fierce and obstinate. If they find themselves at odds with someone, they will secretly set up a hidden bow hidden bow (wogong); a mechanical crossbow trap or spring-gun triggered by a tripwire, commonly used for hunting or ambush to shoot and kill them. When they capture a person, they use a stone to grind away the skin of their heels, rendering them unable to walk This likely describes a method of preventing captives or slaves from escaping into the dense jungle.

The land produces elephants and yields precious shells, gold, and silver. A curious habit of the people is that for all solid foods that require chewing mastication, they eat through the mouth; however, they consume liquids, such as water and broths, by inhaling them through the nose.