Comments and Annotations

According to Annals of the States of Wu and Yue (《吴越春秋》) by Zhao Ye (赵晔), Goujian (勾践, 520—465 BC), King of the State of Yue, asked Chen Yin (陈音, a famous archer of the State of Chu) about the development of the bow and the crossbow, and the latter replied by citing the ancient poem as an explanation of the making and functioning of a catapult, from which the two weapons were developed.

The song features a style of natural ease and simplicity, and its language is succinct. In just eight characters it vividly and explicitly narrates how the catapult is made and how it works.

Another English translation available goes as follows:

Cut the bamboo;

Make a bow.

Shoot the mud ball;

Drive off the beasts.

(王宏印, 2014: 3)