ABSTRACT
In 1127 Ming prefecture was besieged by the Jurchen, who were driven away after their machines to attack the city were destroyed by the huo-p'ao of the Chinese. Ever since 1790 there have been important contributions, both Chinese and foreign, to the literature on firearms in China. The loss to the Jurchen of the Sung capital and the capture of three thousand members of the court was a shock to the Chinese and provided a stimulus both to reflection and military invention. As a protection against the hui-hui p'ao, the Chinese made screens of various materials, according to the Sung shih 197/153. A certain Chinese named Yang, who had served the Mongols as a p'ao technician deserted in 1356 to Chu Yuan-chang. Martial law was proclaimed as the Mongols supposed that Chinese soldiers were making a surprise attack.
