However soon after the chemical formula for gunpowder was recorded in the Wujing Zongyao of 1044, evidence of state interference in gunpowder affairs began appearing.
Gunpowder and explosives Īlthough its destructive force was widely recognized by the 11th century, gunpowder continued to be known as a "fire-drug" (huo yao) because of its original intended pharmaceutical properties. The fuse travels through a passage of goats' intestines and ignites the submerged explosives in a wrought iron case. The trigger mechanism consists of a floating incense stick which lights the fuse once it finishes burning. Contents Ī naval mine system known as the 'marine dragon-king' ( shui di long wang pao) from the Huolongjing. After the end of the Ming dynasty, the Qing dynasty outlawed reprinting of the Huolongjing for using expressions such as 'northern barbarians,' which offended the ruling Manchu elite.
Ī second and third volume to the Huolongjing known as Huolongjing Erji ( Fire Dragon Manual Volume Two) and Huolongjing Sanji ( Fire Dragon Manual Volume Three) were published in 1632 with content describing weapons such as the musket and breech-loading cannons. In the preface Jiao Yu claims to describe gunpowder weapons that had seen use since 1355 during his involvement in the Red Turban Rebellion and revolt against the Yuan dynasty, while the oldest material found in his text dates to 1280. The 1412 edition, known as Huolongjing Quanji ( Complete Collection of the Fire Dragon Manual), remains largely unchanged from its predecessor with the exception of its preface, which provides an account of Jiao Yu's time in the Hongwu Emperor's army. Īlthough the earliest edition of the Huolongjing was published in Xiangyang sometime prior to 1395, its preface was not provided until the Nanyang publication of 1412. The weapons described include bombs, fire arrows, rockets, land mines, naval mines, fire lances, hand cannons, and cannons mounted on wheeled carriages. Some formulas mentioned are given names such as "divine gunpowder", "poison gunpowder", and "blinding and burning gunpowder". The Huolongjing provides information on various gunpowder compositions and weapons. The Huolongjing's intended function was to serve as a guide to "fire weapons" involving gunpowder from 1280 to the mid-14th century.
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