Shenjiying

The Shenjiying (simplified Chinese: 神机营; traditional Chinese: 神機營; pinyin: Shénjī Yíng; Wade–Giles: Shen-chi ying), which directly translates to "Divine Machine Battalion", was one of Ming dynasty's three elite military divisions stationed around Beijing collectively called the "Three Great Battalions" (三大營; Sān Dà Yíng), and was famous for its utilization of firearm weaponries.

[4] Established during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (1360–1424), the Divine Machine Battalion was specifically created to specialize in firearm warfare.

Later on the division provided half of Qi Jiguang's army with firearms and one cannon to every twelve soldiers.

The other two elite brethren divisions around the capital were the Five Barracks Battalion (五軍營; Wǔjūn Yíng), which drilled infantry in tactical manoeuvres; and the Three Thousand Battalion (三千營; Sānqiān Yíng), which specialized in reconnaissance, mounted combat and signalling.

[5] There was also a military unit called Shenjiying during the Qing dynasty but was known in English as the Peking Field Force.

Ming musketeers . The Chinese military organized their musketeers in three volley fire lines, the frontmost row fired while the two rows in the back reloaded and handed them to the first line.