The Huolongjing, also known as Huoqitu, is a Chinese military treatise compiled and edited by Jiao Yu and Liu Bowen of the early Ming dynasty (1368–1683) during the 14th century. The Huolongjing is primarily based on the text known as Huolong Shenqi Tufa, which no longer exists.
The 'divine fire flying crow' (shen huo fei ya), an aerodynamic winged rocket bomb from the Huolongjing
Hand cannon, Ming dynasty, 1377
A 'fire dragon rising out of the water' (huo long chu shui) multistage rocket from the Huolongjing.
The 'phalanx-charging fire-gourd' (chong zhen huo hu lu), one of many fire lance types discharging lead pellets in the gunpowder blast, an illustration from the Huolongjing.
Jiao Yu was a Chinese military general, philosopher, and writer of the Yuan dynasty and early Ming dynasty under Zhu Yuanzhang, who founded the dynasty and became known as the Hongwu Emperor. He was entrusted by Zhu as a leading artillery officer for the rebel army that overthrew the Mongol Yuan dynasty, and established the Ming dynasty.
An illustration of a fragmentation bomb from the Huolongjing. The black dots represent iron pellets.
Depiction of a fire arrow rocket launcher from the Huolongjing
Essentially a fire lance on a frame, the 'multiple bullets magazine eruptor' shoots lead shots, which are loaded in a magazine and fed into the barrel when turned around on its axis.
