"Illustrated Guide to Ancient Chinese Weapons" - 5000 Years of Swords and Blades

To achieve true peace

You must understand the real war

The development of ancient Chinese weapons

It is an important part of understanding ancient Chinese wars.

Let us follow the footsteps of weapons

Explore stories from the past

according to

Chronology of Wars in Chinese Dynasties

Incomplete statistics

The largest wars in my country with written records

More than 2,000 cases

Since the beginning of Chinese civilization

War is always around

(A battle scene on a drum-shaped shell storage vessel from the Western Han Dynasty. One side seems to have been defeated. Photographer: @马龙颖)

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In countless times

On the battlefield where fate can be decided

People do their best

The strongest financial resources

For weapons

The best craftsmanship

For weapons

The most advanced technology

For weapons

(The Sword of Goujian, King of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period, has only slightly rusted after 2,500 years, which can be regarded as the top level of weapon manufacturing at that time. Photographer @吴沛捷)

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5000 years of glory and disgrace

What kind of years have ancient Chinese weapons gone through?

What kind of China have we witnessed?

01

Battle of Stone

- The first signs of war -

Millions of years ago

Humans walking towards the wilderness with bare hands

Facing an existential threat

Learn to use fire to drive away wild animals

Use stone tools for production and life

The beginning of the rise

(Schematic diagram of primitive stone flaking technology, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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With the wisdom of pioneering

About 10,000 years ago

Humans began to enter the agricultural age

But happier days

Did not arrive

As productivity continues to increase

The rich-poor divide in society

And plunder other people's territory and wealth

It is far more tempting than producing it yourself

Violent conflicts frequently broke out

Eventually, different tribes and clans came into being.

war

(Painted pottery jar with stork, fish and stone axe in the Neolithic Age. The stork and fish on it may be clan totems, and the stone axe next to it is both a weapon and a symbol of power. Photographer: @柳叶氘)

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To destroy the enemy

To protect yourself

The tools in your hands become weapons of war

Originally used for fishing and hunting

Stone axes, stone balls, stone spears, bows and arrows, etc.

Stained with the blood of the same kind

(Human bones shot by arrows in the Dawenkou culture. The shot male may be a clan warrior. Image source: @Huitu.com, drawn by @Hanqing/Xingxing Research Institute)

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The success or failure of the war

It is a matter of life and death for the entire tribe.

So it is a tool suitable for fighting

Separation from production and strengthening

The original weapon

Because the material is mainly hard stone

Also known as

Stone Soldier

(Primitive weapons also include clams, bones, horns and other materials; the picture below is a schematic diagram of stone tools unearthed in the primitive period, photographers @Guanzhi, Wu Peijie, map @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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They look rough

But it already has deadly lethality

Thus, armor for protection was born.

The warrior's body is covered with animal skins and vines.

This further promoted the improvement of weapons

Make the blade thinner and sharper

(The rattan armor tribe in Anshun, Guizhou still retains the tradition of making rattan armor, picture source @Visual China, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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As the saying goes

"The winner is the king, the loser is the enemy"

With constantly upgraded weapons

A clan chieftain who can win every time

Accumulated more wealth and prestige

Become a special person who stands above others

His close family also profited from this

Increasing class divisions

(At the end of primitive society, the concentration of wealth and religious and secular power led to class differentiation; the picture below shows the figures on the bronze shell storage vessel of the ancient Dian Kingdom in the Western Han Dynasty, including nobles, soldiers, slaves, etc., and the slaves tied on the bronze shell storage vessel of the ancient Dian Kingdom in the Western Han Dynasty. Photographer @苏李欢、观止)

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Class differentiation

Brought a stronger desire to conquer

Legend has it that there were several tribes in China at that time.

The Huaxia Group with Huangdi and Yandi as the core

Developing along the Yellow River to the North China Plain

The Dongyi group headed by Chiyou

Developing westward from Shandong

About 5000 years ago

The Battle of Zhuolu breaks out

Huangdi finally captured and killed Chiyou

(The image of Chi You on the Han Dynasty brick painting is wearing weapons from head to toe, with a murderous look. Map by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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Afterwards

A war against the Miao barbarians in the south begins

The ancestral temples of the defeated were razed to the ground

Prisoners of war and their descendants were enslaved for generations

On one side is a brutal war

On the one hand, it is the integration of tribes

About 4000 years ago

This land established a documented

The earliest country

summer

(There is still controversy in the academic community about whether Xia existed; illustration of the scope of the Xia Dynasty, drawn by @松楠&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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To consolidate rule

Large numbers of slaves were used to build cities

Professional military establishment

Specialized weapon formation

But only so

It is difficult to meet the needs of war

With the application of new materials

A weapons revolution that has completely changed its appearance

Coming soon

02

Bronze War

- Battle of Nations -

In fact, long before summer

People have known and used metals

copper

(Bronze knife, Majiayao culture, the earliest copper-tin alloy bronze ware discovered in China so far, photographer @器, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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It is flexible and not hard enough

After several generations of exploration

A bronze alloy with tin and lead added

Higher hardness and lower melting point

Becoming a "high-tech" product and being widely used

Shang and Zhou Dynasties

The scale of copper casting has expanded unprecedentedly

The area of ​​a single copper casting workshop can reach 10,000 square meters

The number of bronze artifacts produced doubled

(Single mold method and ingredients for bronze ware, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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As the saying goes

"The most important affairs of a country are sacrifice and war"

To enhance military strength

Bronze technology was quickly used on the battlefield

Harder, stronger, and better weapons are emerging

Because the material is mainly bronze

Also known as

Bronze Soldier

It can be roughly divided into three types

(The above quote is from Zuo Zhuan; the armed forces shown in the Shang Dynasty graphics and texts are provided by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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The first one is

Close combat weapons

Like a bronze dagger

It evolved from a dagger that was lengthened.

The initial manufacturing and maintenance costs are extremely high

Mostly worn by noble children

(Double swords with sheaths from the Warring States Period, bronze dagger with gold handle from the Warring States Period, photographers @李苏欢、柳叶氘)

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With the improvement of technology

Only then did it appear for military combat

Bronze long sword

(The sword-making technology in Wu and Yue regions at that time far surpassed that in the Central Plains; the following pictures show the sword of King Fuchai of Wu and the sword of King Goujian of Yue, photographer @苏李欢)

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Bronze Axe

Then the blade of the stone axe will be enlarged.

Create a wider arc edge

This type of structure is also called "Yue (yuè)".

(Bronze axes gradually moved away from the category of weapons and became a symbol of royal power; the picture below shows some bronze axes, a copper axe with a cicada pattern, photographers @肖怡宁, 苏李欢, 翟东润, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Bronze dagger used for hooking and pecking

Improved the method of attaching the handle to the spear head

Improved firmness

Increased cutting area

(Wu Wangguang Spear, openwork feather pattern spear, photographer @Zhang Yan, Yuan Huanhuan)

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The bronze spear

There are also many forms

Narrow-leaf spearheads are better for stabbing than wide-leaf spearheads

(Spear of King Fuchai of Wu, bronze spear of a hanging man, photographer @俆勤、观止)

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Even more fantastic is

People combined the halberd and the spear to create a bronze halberd.

It has both assassination and hooking functions.

(The Western Zhou Dynasty "shooting" the halberd, photographer @脉影、柳叶氘)

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besides

There is also a bronze halberd (pí) that looks like a long sword with a handle.

Bamboo wood pole

Bronze Shu (shū) with a bronze head at the front, etc.

(Shu is a stick-like weapon, and the head of the Shu is generally without a blade; the picture below shows the Shu used by Zenghou, which has a blade at the head. Photographer: @徐勤)

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The second is

Long-range weapons

At this time, arrowheads were made of bronze.

Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period

Crossbows that are easier to aim and more powerful have appeared

Depending on the usage

It is divided into arm-drawn crossbows that are pulled open by arm strength.

And the crossbow that can be pulled open by pedaling

(Reconstruction diagram of the Warring States crossbow, drawn by @郑伯蓉&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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The third is

Protective weapons

The helmet worn on the head was already cast in bronze

The armor they wear

In addition to leather, bronze breastplates also appeared.

Some "shields" are inlaid with bronze shield decorations

(Western Zhou human-faced shield, image source @Huitu.com, map @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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Maybe they are larger

Give craftsmen enough creative space

There are many eye-catching patterns on it.

Such wild designs can enhance one's confidence.

It can also deter enemies

(In ancient times, soldiers wearing helmets and armor were called "Hu Ben (bēn)"; the picture below is a bronze helmet with animal face pattern, the picture is from @Huitu.com)

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at the same time

Copper adzes, chisels, cutters and other production tools

Increasingly common

Promoted the advancement of wood craftsmanship

Created another glory of mechanized weapons

Chariot

Its function is similar to that of today's "tanks"

Enter the battlefield due to its powerful mobility

The basic unit of the military organization is called "Cheng".

(Generally, each "carriage" has about 25 to 75 people; schematic diagram of the chariot and passengers in the Pre-Qin Dynasty, map by @罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute, bronze wheel hub with inlaid silver cloud pattern, photographer @吴沛捷)

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Spring and Autumn Period

Chariot warfare is the main form of combat

Chariots become the main force

Spears, halberds, and daggers became longer due to chariot warfare.

Even up to 3 meters

When both sides rush

Generally use bows and crossbows to shoot at long distances

When two cars collide

Then use longer weapons to fight

When the chariot is destroyed

Fight the enemy with sword and shield etc.

(The powerful countries at that time were also called "countries with ten thousand chariots"; the picture below is a painted dragon and phoenix lacquer shield from the Warring States period, which is covered with traces of time, and a leather armor from the Warring States period, photographer @徐勤)

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About 3000 years ago

A famous battle against the tyranny of King Zhou of Shang

Battle of Muye

This is the earliest recorded chariot battle.

King Wu of Zhou's coalition army marched to Muye with 300 chariots

The unexpected King Zhou of Shang

They had to hastily arm a large number of slaves and prisoners of war to fight

Finally, the soldiers turned against their own side.

King Zhou of Shang, who was once a brave warrior, was completely disappointed.

Suicide after defeat

(Li Gui (guǐ) from the Western Zhou Dynasty, the inscription inside the vessel provides an example for verifying the specific time when King Wu defeated King Zhou, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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The enfeoffment was based on patriarchal blood relations.

The ritual and music civilization has reached its peak

Zhou Dynasty

It was like a dream-like era

As the royal family declined, the princes split and divided

Also rapidly collapsing

(There were hundreds of wars recorded in the Warring States Period; the vassal states in the Spring and Autumn Period are shown in the figure. Map by @松楠&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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To the end of the Spring and Autumn Period

There were more than 100 vassal states.

War! War! War!

Competition among major powers has become the theme of the times

Frequent wars are like a breeding ground for military technology

Let everything change

First is

Expansion of combat space

The chariot troops, which were not suitable for complex terrain, gradually declined.

Different combat modes spawned by different geographical environments

Cavalry battles in the north and naval battles in the south

Keep on going

(Image rubbing of a bronze kettle with land and water attack patterns from the Warring States Period, bronze kettle with land and water attack patterns, photographer @包浩霖, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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followed by

The various vassal states expanded their armies crazily

Infantry replaced chariots and regained the main position

Another reason is that the competition for cities is increasing.

The development of siege and defense equipment

For example, to observe the enemy

Nest car

Used to throw stones into the city

Trebuchet

For climbing the city walls

Ladder

(Sketch of the Nest Car, Yaksha Ling, drawing by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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The purpose of each country

From a simple struggle for hegemony to a massive resource-swallowing

The “ritual system” finally became a thing of the past

One of the countries is called

Qin

Reforms are being vigorously implemented

One of the reforms was to abolish the hereditary aristocracy system.

Implementing the "Military Merit System"

This means that ordinary people can

You can also gain wealth and honor

Excited the people

(The Qin green-faced kneeling archer shows the elegance of the Qin army in those days, photographer @张天柱, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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221 BC

Qin Shi Huang led his army to sweep across the six kingdoms

Ending more than 500 years of chaos

Chinese History

The first unified dynasty was established

(Sketch of the territory of the Qin Dynasty, drawn by @松楠&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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On the other side

A new technological revolution is quietly coming

The growing country

A new problem has also emerged

03

Steel War

- Expanding territory -

In the Seven Kingdoms of the Warring States Period

When they were competing for the Central Plains

A fierce nomadic people rose up in the north

Huns

To strengthen the northern border

During the Warring States Period, rulers built walls

Built the greatest

Military defense project Great Wall

(There are beacon towers standing on the Jinshanling Great Wall, photographer @杨东)

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This long stretch of

Resisted foreign invasions countless times

The loss of money and manpower also accelerated the demise of the Qin Dynasty.

The fortresses and passes in the border areas became battlefields

Nomads are making a comeback

Frequent testing here

(The heavy snow in Jiayuguan Pass, Gansu Province, reminds me of Li Bai's "Guanshan Yue" (Moon over the Pass): "No one has ever returned from a battlefield." Photographer @杨东)

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Until about 200 BC

Early Han Dynasty

The Xiongnu invaded Taiyuan from the south

Liu Bang personally led an army of more than 300,000 to counterattack

However, the Han infantry

Very unsuitable for the Xiongnu's mobile cavalry warfare of "galloping and shooting"

In the end, they had to make peace with each other

In exchange for a short-term stability

Becoming a disgrace in people's hearts

(War scene on the stone relief of the battle between the Hu and Han peoples, photographer @肖怡宁)

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at the same time

Another important military mission

Weapon smelting

It is in full swing

But at this time the main smelting material has been replaced by

iron

Compared with copper

Higher iron ore reserves

Lower smelting cost and better performance

(The jade-handled iron sword from the Western Zhou Dynasty is the earliest artificial iron product discovered in my country. Photographer: @观止, map: @汉青/星球研究院)

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Spring and Autumn Period

Craftsmen tried to use this material

After thousands of experiments

Summarizes various methods to control performance

Gradually became popular across the country

Since the Qin and Han Dynasties

The "black technology" of steel smelting is upgraded step by step

During the Han Dynasty, more than 40 iron offices were set up across the country.

A 1,500-square-meter armory complex was built in Chang'an City

Military production capacity has been greatly enhanced

(Iron smelting scene on Han Dynasty brick reliefs, drawn by @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Bronze weapons used directly in combat

Begins to evolve

Iron Soldier

And these weapons are meant to suppress the number one enemy

The Hun cavalry

A large number of long weapons suitable for cavalry charges

The cavalry-specific spear can be up to 4 meters long

Also called "Ma Shuo"

(Han bronze knight holding a spear, photographer @柳叶氘)

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Crossbows that can suppress cavalry attacks

The lethality continues to increase

The powerful crossbow has a range of up to 600 meters

What is even more special is

The Han Dynasty also launched a new weapon

Name

Han Ring-headed Sword

As the name suggests

The handle of this knife has a flat ring

Generally more than 70 cm in length

Very useful for swinging arms and slashing during cavalry attacks

It is the main melee weapon of soldiers.

Can be called the ancestor of Chinese swords

(Steel knife from the "Yongchu Sixth Year" of the Eastern Han Dynasty, photographer @Guanzhi, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The sword that once dominated the world

The assassination function is rarely used on horseback

The additional process is more complicated

Gradually withdraw from the battlefield

Facing a powerful killer

Protective weapons become more hardcore

Like the "fish scale armor" made of countless iron pieces in series

A combination of hook and shield

The fashionable weapon "hook inlay" that can be used for both attack and defense

Also appeared out of nowhere

(Due to the change of material, the name of "甲" was gradually changed to "甲" from gold; the picture below is a schematic diagram of the hook inlay shape, drawn by @Hanqing/Xingxing Research Institute, the restoration of the fish scale armor from the tomb of the King of Qi in the Western Han Dynasty, the picture source is @Huitu.com, the photographer is @Sun Yelin)

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besides

The Han Dynasty also vigorously raised fine horses

Introducing cavalry talents from border counties

Research cavalry tactics for long-range raids

As the saying goes

"Maintain troops for a thousand days and deploy them for a moment"

119 BC

The decisive battle with the Xiongnu ended with the Han victory

The Xiongnu, who suffered heavy losses, began to weaken.

The Han army marched straight to Lake Baikal

Known in history as the "Battle of Mobei"

(The above quote is from "Southern History·Biography of Chen Xuan"; the picture below is a stone sculpture of a horse trampling the Xiongnu in the Western Han Dynasty, photographer @李顺武, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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However, the vast northern grasslands

Giving birth to extremely tenacious life

Several ethnic minorities marched southward one after another

Brought countless wars

To the early Tang Dynasty

The Tang army first defeated the Eastern Turks and destroyed the Xueyantuo

Subdue the tribes in northern desert

He also attacked the Western Turks and destroyed the Gaochang Kingdom.

Only then did it lay the foundation for a vast territory

Then came the coming of all nations.

The Great Tang Dynasty

(Sketch of the territory of the Tang Dynasty, drawn by @松楠&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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A wider territory

It also means more crises

Equipment upgrades to increase power

At this time, the Tang army was generally equipped with stirrups

Cavalry can perform difficult maneuvers such as "hiding on the side of the horse"

Large metal discs on the chest and back

The "Bright Light Armor" that can dazzle the enemy's eyes has made its debut

The Mo Dao used in the army to kill horses

It is one of the four major styles of Tang swords.

(The crystal cross-embellished iron knife is the only complete Tang sword unearthed in my country so far, drawn by @Hanqing/Xingxing Research Institute, the Northern Qi painted pottery warrior figurine holding a shield, the picture comes from @Huitu.com, the photographers are @柳叶氘、观止)

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As early as the Wei and Jin Dynasties

Heavy cavalry became a popular weapon on the battlefield

Both people and horses are tightly wrapped

The charge is terrifying

However, due to its poor mobility

In the Tang Dynasty, it was mainly changed to light cavalry.

The majestic and awe-inspiring "special forces" of ancient times

(Northern Wei Dynasty horse-riding warrior terracotta warriors, photographer @刘晓宁)

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External defense and expansion are needed

Internally, stability maintenance and suppression are needed

South China's dense rivers breed water wars

Become the second focus besides cavalry warfare

Various types of warships emerge in endlessly

A huge ship

The ship has multiple cabins

Even carriages and horses can run on the deck.

Like a "water castle"

(Restored model of the Sui Dynasty "Wu Ya" warship, picture source @Huitu.com, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Lightweight

There are long and narrow warships (chōng), etc.

Flexible and maneuverable wins with speed

The famous Battle of Red Cliffs was fought on both land and water

However, both internally and externally

After separation and reunion

"Great Unification"

It has gradually become the will of some people

But things don't always go as planned

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms split at the end of the Tang Dynasty

The ethnic war is also intensifying

And new changes emerge in chaos and crisis

The first sprouts

04

War of Firearms

- Unified Integration -

The war unleashed a bloody storm

It also brings diverse culture

This diversity drives a myriad of changes

Weapons are no exception

By the Song and Yuan Dynasties

There are already "scimitars" imitating West Asia and North Asia

The hidden weapon "Flying Claw" that can be used on horseback

The "whip mace" is a striking weapon that can counter armored cavalry

There are many strange shapes

(Sketch of some weapons in the Song Dynasty, drawn by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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However, amidst the complexity

There is a weapon that appears like a "monster"

It uses gunpowder

firearm

1240 AD

The Mongol cavalry on their crazy westward expedition arrived in Warsaw, Poland

Using the firearm "smoke ball" to attack the city

The Polish people guarding the city thought they were spraying poison to "drive away monsters"

Who could have imagined that this kind of power is so infinite

Weapons that will change the world in the future

It actually originated from the alchemy furnace of ancient Chinese alchemists.

(Gunpowder is a byproduct of "fire alchemy"; schematic diagram of the spread of gunpowder and firearms in ancient times, map by @Song Nan/Planetary Research Institute)

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Even more surprising is that

The Song Dynasty was known for its poverty and weakness

The level of science and technology has reached an unprecedented peak

More than 10 types of firearms have been invented.

According to performance, it is mainly divided into 3 categories

The first

It uses the flammable properties of gunpowder

Incendiary firearms

Such as "poison smoke ball"

Can release toxic fumes and cause fires

(Imaginary image of a smoke ball of poison from a burning firearm, courtesy of @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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The second

It uses intense combustion

The volume suddenly expands thousands of times and causes an explosion

Explosive firearms

Such as "Thunderbolt"

The explosion was as loud as thunder and could shake the city walls.

It can be called the "hand grenade" of ancient times

(Xixia porcelain thorn, photographer @君作刀, Li Peng, map @汉青/Planet Research Institute)

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The third

It uses the explosive properties of gunpowder to push ammunition

Tube-shaped firearms

1259

The "Tuhuoqiang" used by the soldiers and civilians of Shouchun Prefecture in the Southern Song Dynasty

It is recognized as the earliest

A tubular firearm that uses gunpowder gas to launch a projectile

The originator of the world's guns

(Shouchun Prefecture is in Shou County, Anhui Province today; illustration of a musket, image source: @Huitu.com, map by @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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There is also a

Powered by gunpowder gas

A reverse thrust side-rod rocket capable of multiple launches at once

"A swarm of bees"

(“A flock of bees” illustration, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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When many firearms

When the Chinese battlefield sounded

Western countries are still unaware of this

As Chinese gunpowder and firearms technology spread to the surrounding areas

The world is now dominated by physical attacks using cold weapons

Finally, a fundamental change occurred

(Some guns and cannons are shown, photographers @风沉郁, 包浩霖, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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From different countries

Soldiers and craftsmen innovate

More advanced firearms from Europe were introduced to East Asia

For example, the Portuguese merchants introduced the Portuguese

Bird gun with high shooting accuracy

Longer barrel, more powerful

Red Cannon

(Sketch by Portuguese, drawn by @Zhang Jing & Han Qing/Planetary Research Institute)

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Firearms gradually replaced bows and arrows

Become the main long-range weapon in the army

"Guangbei siege works" in the Song Dynasty

It is the world's first arsenal for large-scale production of military gunpowder.

The Ming Dynasty established

The world's first new army unit equipped exclusively with firearms

"Shenjiying"

They cooperate with cavalry and infantry

He made great achievements on many battlefields

(Schematic diagram of the bird gun unit array, drawn by @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The power of firearms

Also shines in water battles

The Battle of Poyang Lake between Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang at the end of the Yuan Dynasty

Thousands of warships were dispatched

Equipped with flamethrowers, gunpowder burning arrows and many other firearms

The Yuan Dynasty's powerful ocean-going fleet

Even extended its rule to the South China Sea

(The Yuan Dynasty had the largest ruling area in ancient China; the following figure is a schematic diagram of the Yuan Dynasty’s territory, drawn by @松楠&罗梓涵/星球研究院)

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To the middle of Ming Dynasty

Japanese pirates are rampant along the southeast coast

Becoming a major concern on the border

The "Qi Family Army" formed by the famous anti-Japanese general Qi Jiguang

They often attack with firearms first.

(Model reproduction of the Ming Dynasty "Tuen Mun Naval Battle", photographer @Wang Tao, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Looking at the other side of the sea

The new era of maritime hegemony begins

The technological level of European countries

Rapid development like a rocket

At this time, China

Still facing internal and external troubles and turmoil

Until 1636 AD

The last feudal dynasty of China

Qing Dynasty

Entering the historical stage

(Sketch of the territory of the Qing Dynasty, drawn by @松楠&罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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Unfortunately

In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, China's firearms manufacturing reached the highest level.

Although the early Qing Dynasty

Famous firearms such as the Wucheng Yonggu General Cannon appeared

But it basically stagnated in the later period

I want the Qing Dynasty to last forever.

The country closed itself off from the outside world and refused to keep pace with the Industrial Revolution

The emperor who wanted eternal life

Taking the outdated horse riding and archery of our ancestors as the standard for a century

When the Western ships and guns

When the door to China was blown open

The Qing army was armed with swords, rattan shields and outdated firearms.

Only a lonely courage

(Schematic diagram of the Opium War, image source @Visual China, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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So far

The curtain falls on ancient Chinese weapons

The curtain rises on China’s modern history

After the 1860s

A large number of military enterprises have emerged

Like a flash of light

1888

China established its first modern naval fleet

Beiyang Navy

This navy

Once known as the strongest fleet in Asia

But as the court became corrupt

Development has stagnated again

Until a war broke out in 1894

It's too late

This is the famous

Sino-Japanese War

(Please watch in horizontal mode, schematic diagram of the route of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, map by @松楠/Planetary Research Institute)

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Weak military strength

The Qing Dynasty was in chaos

Under the fierce attack of the Japanese army, they were unable to resist

Ding Ruchang, the Beiyang Admiral

Committed suicide by taking poison for refusing to surrender

Liu Buchan, Vice Admiral of Beiyang

He committed suicide because of the loss of his ship.

Deng Shichang, captain of the Beiyang Zhiyuan

After running out of ammunition and food, he led his ship to ram the enemy ship

Suicide by drowning with dog

Beiyang Fleet was completely destroyed

Since then, the Chinese nation

After countless hardships and humiliations

With the bodies of countless people of noble character and lofty ideals

With the blood and tears of countless Chinese people

Only then did it rise again in the world

05

end

1964

China's first atomic bomb exploded successfully

1967

China's first hydrogen bomb exploded successfully

1970

China's first nuclear submarine launched

1980

China's Dongfeng-5 intercontinental missile test launch was successful

2017

China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier launched in Dalian

now

China's national defense strength has entered the forefront of the world

Since the Opium War

Just over a hundred years of technological development

The "Golden Swords and Iron Horses" that lasted for thousands of years

Becoming more blurred

(Most of the weapons held by Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Warriors had disappeared without a trace when they were unearthed. Photographer: @张天柱)

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However, the power they possess

Still cleansing people's hearts

This land has experienced many battles

That is

(Du Mu's "Red Cliff")

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"The broken halberd has sunk into the sand, but the iron has not yet been corroded. I will polish it and recognize the past dynasty."

Experienced the peak of prosperity

That is

(Wang Changling, "Joining the Army")

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"I will wear my golden armor after a hundred battles in the yellow sand, and I will not return until I have conquered Loulan."

After going through ups and downs

That is

(Lu You, "November 4th, the wind and rain were strong")

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"Lying in bed late at night listening to the wind and rain, I dreamed of iron horses on an icy river."

This is also our past

Flowing with hatred, suffering and fighting

It also flows with perseverance, sacrifice and struggle

If you want to find them

Just like China's 5000-year-old magic weapon

Reflecting those times

(The cold ancient weapons hide the passionate lives of ancient kings, generals, and unknown people. Photographer @苏李欢)

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This article was created by

Written by: Zhou Heping

Image: Daytime sleep map: Songnan

Design: Luo Zihan Hanqing

Proofreading: Wang Changchun, A Shao, Chen Jingyi

Head Photographer: Su Lihuan

Expert review

School of History and Culture, Henan University

Professor Zhang Lidong

ps Some of the weapons shown in the pictures are ceremonial weapons. Because they are better protected underground, they have become a microcosm for us to peek into ancient Chinese wars. Thousands of years of war and conquest are a history written with the blood of tens of millions of people, and this cruel period will become a mirror, constantly alerting the hearts of all people in the future.

【References】

[1] Zhou Wei. History of Chinese Weapons[M]. Beijing: China Friendship Publishing Company, 2015.09.

[2] Yang Hong. Collection of Essays on Ancient Chinese Weapons[M]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House, June 1980.

[3] Sun Ji. Ancient Chinese Material Culture[M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2014.07.

[4] Tian Zhaolin. A History of Chinese Wars[M]. Nanjing: Jiangsu People's Publishing House, February 2019.

[5] Wang Zhaochun. History of Chinese Firearms[M]. Beijing: Military Science Press, 1991.

[6] Li Boqian et al. Bronze Ware and the Chinese Bronze Age[M]. University of Science and Technology of China Press, 2018.4.

[7] Qiang Zhonghua. Research on the application of gunpowder in the Song Dynasty[D]. Shanghai Normal University, 2009.

[8] Liao Guoyi. Research on Neolithic Culture in the Middle and Upper Reaches of the Pearl River Basin[D]. Minzu University of China, 2011.

Planetary Research Institute

Focus on exploring the extreme world from a geographical perspective

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