Song Shenbi Crossbow System

Timeline

1. 1075–1080Bureau of Armaments workshops, Kaifeng · Central PlainsThe Northern Song Bureau of Armaments produced the Shenbi crossbow with the participation of craftsmen such as Li Hong; after test-firing it was designated a standard crossbow type, fitted with wooden arms, an ox-horn-and-sinew string, and a spanning device. Its range and power exceeded those of ordinary crossbows of the time, and it was adopted by both the imperial guards and the xiang armies.
2. 1127–1210Song-Jin confrontation front · Central PlainsAfter the Jingkang Incident, the Southern Song retained and continued Shenbi crossbow production. Frontier fortresses at Huainan, Xiangyang and elsewhere used the Shenbi as their main crossbow for city defense and field battles, forming tiered firepower together with bed-mounted crossbows and firearms, indirectly slowing Jin advances in multiple Song-Jin engagements.
3. 1211–1220Southern Song Jianghuai defense line · JianghuaiFrom 1211 to 1220, as the Mongols launched a major invasion of Jin and North China was thrown into upheaval, the Southern Song strengthened its defenses north of the Yangtze. Shenbi crossbows and improved variants remained in service with the armies of various prefectures, and arsenals produced crossbow arms and arrowheads to unified specifications, maintaining the Song army's traditional ranged striking capability.