Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 81

Military Training System: Drill and Practice Methods

Page 2

Once the resonance of the Heavenly Startle signal original: 天驚 Tianjing; a specific, sharp trumpet blast used for signaling concludes, the second five-man squad original: 伍 Wu shall fire their cannons in unison. When the trumpet blows the Heavenly Startle signal again and the sound ends, the third squad shall fire together. Each time the trumpet is heard blowing a single Heavenly Startle note, the cannons are to be fired in rotation, one after another. Those who have fired must reload with haste; those who have finished reloading shall fire again.

However, if firearms original: 銃 Chong; referring here to hand-cannons or matchlocks are few, or if the reloading cannot keep pace with the rotation, or if the enemy's main force has already drawn near, a single signal rocket original: 起火 Qihuo must be launched urgently.

Upon seeing the signal rocket, all fire-arrows original: 火箭 Huojian; rockets propelled by gunpowder and Crouching Tiger cannons original: 虎蹲砲 Hudunpao are to be fired in rotation as a single body. The gunners must continue to listen for the Heavenly Startle signal, maintaining their rotational fire without pause.

If the enemy is not repelled and continues to advance until they reach the edge of the camp, the drums shall be struck rhythmically. At this signal, the archers These soldiers acted as dual-purpose units, carrying both projectile and melee weapons shall place their spears, staffs, and rakes on the ground, pinning them firmly with their feet. In this position, they shall loose arrows like falling rain.

When the drumming stops and then begins again, the outer layer of infantry shall return their bows and arrows to their bags. They shall then take up their melee weapons and, with heads lowered, charge forward. To the sound of rolling drums and the Heavenly Startle signal, they shall raise a great shout and engage the enemy in close combat. After advancing no more than several dozen paces, the enemy's momentum will typically break into a retreat. At this point, the gong is sounded original: 鳴金 Mingjin; a signal to cease engagement or retreat to stop the pursuit. Then, the drums are rolled again for the battalions...