Abstract

In our 3D-Modelling project, we have converted the drawings of weapons and tools in《火攻挈要諸器圖》(Huo Gong Qie Yao Zhu Qi Tu) into 3D models in order to illustrate the military technology of Late Ming Dynasty. In accordance with Adam Schall’s drawings, we have reinstated 35 hot weapons and tools using Sketchup. They consist of eight cannons and four other types of hot weapons, as well as four tools for cannon production, five for cannon inspection and maintenance, four for cannon auxiliary, four for cannon transportation, four other sorts of tools, and two buildings for cannon production. We have categorised them according to the above classification. 

Before sketching each model, we first searched for the relevant information about the weapon/tool we needed (i.e. size, ratio) in the book and other relevant research on the Ming-Qing weaponry. Once we had gathered adequate information regarding the weapon/tool and matched it with the drawing, we would use SketchUp to sketch it out. We have endeavoured to replicate the proportions and visual presentation of the original drawings.

In addition to the model, we have furnished a concise description of each weapon and instrument based on our research. In these descriptions, we would introduce the materials, functions, and characteristics of them to the readers. 

Lastly, we have made a panorama including all the models we have made into an arsenal as an overview of our project. 

Huo gong qie yao火攻挈要 (All essential matters on firearms) is a book on artillery and gunpowder dictated by Jesuit missionary Johann Adam Schall von Bell (湯若望, 1591-1666) and recorded by Jiao Xu焦勖 in 1643, the year before the historic 1644 when Beijing was taken by Qing.

In our project, we put Huo gong qie yao into the wider context of the history of knowledge.

Our project consists of four parts. Part one traces the interrelationship between Huo gong qie yao and other late-Ming books on artillery. Part two uncovers mid-Qing
military writers’ adaption of Huo gong qie yao in the post-First Opium War period. Part three sorts out its complicated gunpowder formulas into categories. Part four makes an experimental attempt to analyze the origin of knowledge in Schall’s book.

In terms of the digital tools we utilized, part one and part two were conducted on ctext.org while part three and part four were facilitated on Voyant-Tool.

We are video group of digital history project on the topic of: Adam Schall’s 火攻挈要 (1643): A Holistic Approach to Science and Warfare during the Qing Conquest. We aimed at visualizing the book 《火攻挈要》 and shedding light on the military development during the Ming Dynasty. We have produced three videos, total lasting 10 minutes, to effectively present the content to the audience.

To convey a comprehensive understanding of the military strategies and advancements employed during the Ming Dynasty era, our group utilized the video editing software, OpenShot, which offered advanced features for editing, including the integration of diverse background music, footage, subtitles, and cutscene effects. The selection of appropriate visuals and audio elements helped enhance the overall viewing experience and ensure a seamless video presentation.

In addition to video editing, we incorporated simple animations to illustrate the appearance and utilization of weapons prevalent during the historical period. This approach provided a visual representation of the war history of the Ming Dynasty and allowed for a deeper understanding of weaponry, including the introduction of landmines.

By utilizing the medium of video, the project effectively bridged the gap between a historical book and a modern audience, offering a dynamic and engaging means of digitalizing historical texts 《火攻挈要》

In conclusion, this digital history project successfully employed video production techniques and animations to visualize the military development of the Ming Dynasty, specifically focusing on the content of 《火攻挈要》. Also, it contributes to the dissemination of historical knowledge and demonstrates the potential of videos as a valuable tool for digitizing and presenting historical texts.

In this project, we used QGIS to create three maps with references to reports written by Western missionaries about the Battle of Macau, historical books written by both the Ming and Qing courts, and secondary literature.

The map of the Battle of Macau shows the importance of Western missionaries and technology during wartime. That could be one of the reasons why the Ming court was desperate for Western firearms and military knowledge.

The second map was about the three procurements of Hongyi cannons from Macau by the Ming court. These events highlight the significance of Macau as a centre for Western firearms in China and its role in introducing Western technology. The first two maps provided an overview of how Western firearms were employed and introduced into China, setting the context for the battles discussed in the third map.

The map of the battles in the late Ming aims to provide a background to the use of firearms in the battles of late Ming. These battles provided us with the historical context that the use of firearms was widespread in the late Ming. This situation explains why the Ming Empire needed a military book on the production of firearms. 

With the usage of Tableau, our group examined the development of firearms technology in Ming dynasty, in the context of world history. It reveals that the advancement of guns in Ming China was rapid, with late Zhengde years being a significant turning point, as the introduction of firearms like the Folangji and the Toucan opened up new possibilities for firearm development in China. We argue that the integration of Chinese and Western firearm technologies, meticulous adherence to the “Method”, and the unification of sizes and structures were the main factors that contributed to the technological advancement.