Liu Ji’s Fire Lance

Origin
Liu Ji was a military strategist who helped China transition from the Yuan to Ming Dynasties. He first had worked as a civil servant for the Yuan, trying to prevent its collapse. He was promoted to military status, where secessionists successfully bribed higher ranked officials. Liu left his homeland and brought his services to the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu Emperor. During this time, he successfully rebelled rebels and pirates with the fire lance, an early gunpowder weapon that shot projectiles from a bamboo tube. This design was detailed in the military treatise known as the Huolongjing, which he co-authored. He became a highly trusted advisor for years until a conniving office-seeker lied to the Emperor about Liu’s desire to establish his own power. Liu was expelled from power, and the shame associated with his disowning caused his fatal illness and death.

Collection
Artifact hunter and Axis supplier Subhas Chandra Bose located the lance protected in a 16th century temple. After he was placed in Warehouse custody, Agent Sybil Pierce recovered it on July 24, 1945 from (ironically) his warehouse.

Effects
Firing the empty tube releases a powdery dust that encompasses the entire area. Any object or person of good qualities, such as dependability or trustworthiness, will have their durability and work output significantly increased. However, anyone it encounters that intends harm on the user will be bonded head to toe in the dust, which will ignite and slowly burn the victim.