The Spread of Xiangqi The early version of Bao Yin Xiangqi, laid down the foundations for the rules of the modern Xiangqi during the Song Dynasty . However, unlike the modern Xiangqi, each piece has a picture carved onto the back. The general carries a sword dressed in his uniform, sitting in a military tent. Guards were females, wearing armors. The ministers are literally elephants.
Rooks are wagons for transporting rocks for the rock-slingers.
Knights are horses. Cannons are actually rock-slinging machines. Pawns are depicted to hold spears. This set was unearthed in Kai Feng in Beijing. The documentation of Xiangqi was generally attributed to Niu ZengYu who was the Prime Minister of Tang Dynasty .