Battle of Lang-shan Jiang

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The Battle of Lang-shan Jiang was a naval (river) battle which occurred in 919 (not 932 as is often cited) during the 10 kingdoms and 5 dynasties period in China between the states of Wuyue and Wu.

Contents 1 Forces 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 Source

[edit] Forces

The two forces would appear equal, roughly 500 dragon ships on each side. The Wuyue were commanded by Wen-Mu-King and the Wu by Chien Yuan Kuan. The Wuyue had an ace, a double pump flamethrower. This flamethrower may have used gunpowder to ignite the petrol (Greek fire). Wen-Mu-King apparently had the flamethrower (or flamethrowers) decorated with silver so that if the enemy captured it they'd take the silver and leave the petrol and apparatus.

[edit] Battle

The Wuyue managed to destroy with their flamethrower 400 enemy ships then captured 7000 prisoners.

[edit] Aftermath

The flamethrower would go on to be an effective but dangerous weapon for the Chinese. Gunpowder (probably already used in flaming arrows and primitive grenades) would go on to be used in more effective and terrorizing ways in China and the world.

[edit] Source

• Joseph Needham. Science and Civilisation in China V7:5 the Gunpowder Epic