Ji Xiao Xin Shu - Mandarin Duck Formation

Mandarin Duck Formation

In the Ji Xiao Xin Shu general Qi introduces the so called 'Mandarin Duck Formation' (Yuan Yang Zhen, 鸳鸯阵). This formation consisted of a unit of eleven soldiers and one person for logistics.

1. 1 squad leader (with the squad flag) (队长)
2. 2 men with sabers and rattan shields (盾牌手)
3. 2 men with multiple tip bamboo spears (狼筅手)
4. 4 men with long spears (长枪手)
5. 2 men with tridents or swords (短兵手)
6. 1 cook/porter (logistical personnel) (负责伙食的火兵)

This squad was drilled in coordinated and mutually-supportive fighting with clearly defined roles for everyone. In a smallest fighting unit of 5 men (excluding the squad leader), there are the following roles:

1. One multiple tip bamboo spearman attached to one saber-and-shield man to protect him by entangling the Japanese pirate and his weapon, should the saber-and-shield man become vulnerable during combat.....
2. 2 spearmen to thrust at the enemy should the multiple tip bamboo spearman become vulnerable.
3. The saber-and-shield man to protect the spearmen should they themselves become overextended and vulnerable.
4. The trident man would act as a supportive backup.

If the squad leader was killed in battle, the whole squad would be put to death.