Nanquan refers to a classification of Chinese martial arts that originated in Southern China.
Unarmed fighting instructions as depicted in Qi Jiguang's Jixiao Xinshu would form basis of Nanquan
Shi De Ru and Shi De Yang
The Jixiao Xinshu or New Treatise on Military Efficiency is a military manual written during the 1560s and 1580s by the Ming dynasty general Qi Jiguang. Its primary significance is in advocating for a
The 'secret formation,' a predecessor to Qi Jiguang's Mandarin Duck formation. The five man team consisted of a leader armed with a shield, a man wielding a wolf brush, and three pikemen. 'Secret formations' were deployed on flat terrain in large blocks so that the shieldmen and wolf brush soldiers protected the pikemen from arrows and melee weapons.
Qi Jiguang's 'mandarin duck formation' in standby and combat. It consisted of two teams of five, one leader, and one porter. Each team consisted of one swordsman who was the leader, one wolf brush soldier, two pikemen, and one trident soldier.
Qi Jiguang's 'new mandarin duck formation.' This modified formation was created to suit the conditions of North China where the primary opponents were mobile horse riding nomads. Due to their high mobility, firearms were not heavily emphasized and only two men wielded firearms: a matchlock and a hand cannon. Except for the squad leader, the archer, the rest stand ready to engage in melee combat.
Qi Jiguang's 'killer squad.' The killer squad was a reconfigured Mandarin Duck formation. It was often used in conjunction with the 'firearm squad' to provide melee support.