The Early Ming Shenji Camp

Timeline

1. c. 1407–1409Beijing · North ChinaThe Yongle Emperor ordered the establishment of the Shenji Camp in the capital, selecting skilled archers and gunners from the Three Great Camps to specialize in the drill of hand cannons, Shenji cannons, and rockets, standing alongside the Wujun Camp and Sanqian Camp.
2. c. 1409–1410Regions north of the desert (Mobei) · Mongolian PlateauDuring the Yongle Emperor's third northern campaign of 1409–1410, the Shenji Camp's firearms marched with the army, firing cannon volleys at places like Kherlen, demonstrating the tactical value of an independent firearms camp in field warfare.
3. c. 1450–1644Beijing · North ChinaAfter the Zhengtong reign the Shenji Camp was divided into left, central, and right camps, with an added Shenji Arsenal; besides accompanying the emperor on campaigns, it long-term guarded the capital and stored firearms, becoming one of the core combat forces of the mid- and late-Ming capital camps.