...to drift toward the enemy vessels. Once the drifting device makes contact with the target's hull, the timed fuse triggers the internal gunpowder charge. The resulting explosion from beneath the waterline is capable of shattering even the sturdiest warships, making it a peerless weapon for maritime ambushes.

Compendium of Military Preparations, Volume 123

The Wubei Zhi is a massive military encyclopedia compiled by Mao Yuanyi in 1621, during the Ming Dynasty, documenting centuries of Chinese military technology.

Military Assets: Fire — Illustrated Descriptions of Firearms, Part 12

This character, meaning "Primary" or "First," serves as a folio signature for organizational purposes within the volume.

The Eight-sided Divine Power Wind-Fire Cannon

original: 八面神威風火砲 (Bamian Shenwei Fenghuo Pao). The name reflects the weapon's perceived ability to project power in all directions with the speed of wind and the destruction of fire.

Firearm original: 火器 (huoqi). A general classification for gunpowder weapons, ranging from incendiary arrows to heavy artillery.

This weapon is a specialized incendiary device designed to unleash a devastating barrage. As depicted in the accompanying diagram, it features a wide, reinforced muzzle and a sturdy breech. The barrel is often cast from bronze or forged from iron to withstand the internal pressure.

The "Eight-sided" designation refers to the weapon's efficacy in clearing wide areas; when loaded with a combination of lead pellets and "fire-poison" incendiary chemical mixtures, it creates a localized storm of flame and shrapnel. The fuse is located at the rear breech, allowing the operator to ignite the charge while directing the muzzle toward enemy formations or sails. It is particularly effective during boarding actions or when defending narrow coastal passes where the "Wind-Fire" the rapid spread of the incendiary blast can cause maximum panic and structural damage.