I/13 Shang Chinese 1300-1017 BC

Author: Karl Heinz Ranitzsch

Under discussion

Cold

Agression: 3 WW, Rv, H(S), H(G), Wd, Rgo, M, Rd, BUA

Troop scale: 1 element = 256 men.

General In 3-man 2-horse Chariots Irr Kn(O) @ 19AP 1

Sub-generals, ditto Irr Kn(O) @ 19AP 1-2

Ally-general, ditto Irr Kn(O) @ 14AP 0-1

Zhong-ren militia ("the masses")

with dagger-axe Irr Bd(I) @ 4AP 50-120

with spear Irr Ax(O) @ 3AP 0-20

Trained Zhong-ren

Replace Irr Bd(I) by Irr Bd(F) @ 7AP or Reg Bd(I) @ 5AP,

Irr Ax(O) by Reg Ax(O) @ 4AP 0-12

Quan Wardogs Irr Wb(F) @ 3AP 0-2

Shu Rangers Reg Ax(X) @ 4AP or Reg Ps(S) @ 3AP 0-6

San-bai-she 300 Archers Reg Bw(S) @ 7AP 0-1

Duo-she Many archers Reg Bw(O) @ 5AP or Reg Ps(O) @ 2AP 0-5

Xin-she Archers in training Irr Bw(I) @ 3AP or Irr Ps(O) @ 2AP 0-5

Ma 'horse'(men) - chariot runners as separate troops All Reg Ps(O) @ 2AP or all Reg Bd(F) @ 7AP 0-2

Ma as mounted scouts Reg Ps(O) mtd @ 3AP 0-1

Li Convict infantry Irr Wb(F) @ 3AP 0-4

Boats Irr Bts(O) @ 2AP 0-4 {can carry Ax, Bd, Ps or Bw}

Copied from present list:

Elephants Irr El(O) @ 16AP 0-1

Jung or I allies: List: Early Northern Barbarians Book I/14

Only from 1100 BC:

Chou allies List: Western Chou Chinese Book I/32

Historical Notes

The notes in the official list are adequate for historical background

Detail Notes about this list

Agression: increased to 3 to balance ENB (I/14) There are a fair

number of aggressive actions against neighbours recorded.

Generals/ Regular/Irregular status: While the Shang administration

was quite well organised, the lack of evidence for training of the

Zhong-ren militia leads me to assign them mostly Irregular status.

Only a small number corresponding to about 3,000 men should be

upgraded. Their basic inferior status is primarily due to their poor

training, not to the supposed clumsiness of the dagger-axe as a

weapon mentioned in the rules.

The nature of the Shang state, with many fairly independent nobles,

leads me to assign Irregular status to the Sub-generals and Allies,

to simulate C&C problems, especially in a large army. A Regular

general element, but with PIPs handled as for Irregulars, might be a

better choice. Might 1-3 internal ally generals be used instead ?

Bulk forces: The numbers for the Zhongren masses are from the minimum

army points ( 200 AP + 2 generals @ 19 AP), up to the 30.000 men

maximum reported historically ( 480 AP ). This fits well with the

army scale.

Bow(S): The Bow-superior status of the San-bai-she is due to their

shield and close-combat weapons which should make them fairly

formidable against contemporary opponents

Ma: 'horse'-troops

When the Ma operate as chariot runners, they should not be

represented as separate elements, but as appropiate extra figures on

the chariot bases. Their infantry classifications are for them as

fast-moving archers or assault troops.

The best classification for early mounted scouts is under discussion

on the TNE list at present. When this is settled, the mounted Ma

should be classed accordingly.

Convicts: The convict infantry has been classed in analogy with other

such troops later in Chinese history. Some Horde class might be an

alternative.

Allies and elephant: Copied from existing list - not unreasonable. The

elephant is based on slim evidence, so it's mainly a "colour" element.

References:

The Dragon Bones army, Nov.2002 Slingshot