Suspended fire, also called hanging fire, was a device used to defend city walls. When Qin Huali asked Mozi ab…
Suspended fire, also called hanging fire, was a device used to defend city walls. When Qin Huali asked Mozi about siege defense, Mozi described measures such as sparrow holes, parapet walks, caltrops, and suspended fire. "For suspended fire, set a hooked post every four chi. Every five paces, build a brazier, with charcoal in the firebox."
When the enemy drew near, defenders released these suspended incendiaries at the beat of the drum, driving attackers back from outside the walls.