墨子 MOZI

Qin Guli questioned Master Mo, saying: ‘According to the sage’s words, when the phoenix did not come forth, the feudal lords rebelled against the King of Zhou. Weapons and armies (i.e. warfare) then arose in the world, large [states] attacked small [states], and the strong seized the weak. If I wished to defend a small state, how would I go about it?’ Master Mo asked: ‘Defence against what kind of attack?’ Qin Guli replied, saying: ‘The [methods of] attack in frequent use at the present time are “approachers” (lin), hooks (gou), battering rams (chong), ladders (ti), mounds (yin), water (shui), tunnels (xue), sudden attacks (tu), kong-tong, “ant approach” (massed infantry assault – yifu), tanks (fenwen) and high carts (xuanche). May I ask about defence against these twelve things?’ Master Mo said: ‘My city walls and moats would be in good repair, the instruments of defence would be prepared, fuel and grain would be sufficient, superiors and inferiors would be well disposed towards each other and I would get help from the neighbouring feudal lords on the four sides. This is how my defence would be managed. Furthermore, even if the Defender is skilful but the ruler doesn’t use him, it remains impossible to mount a successful defence. If the ruler does use the Defender, he must be capable in defence. If he is not capable and the ruler uses him, it remains impossible to mount a successful defence. So then, the Defender must be skilful and the ruler must respect and use him. Only then can there be a [successful] defence.’

In general, the methods of defending a besieged city involve walls that are thick and high; moats and ditches that are deep and wide; towers and parapets that are in good repair; defensive preparations that are appropriate and advantageous; fuel and food supplies that are sufficient for more than three months; a populace that is capable, with officers and people in harmony; many high officials of meritorious service to the ruler; a ruler who is himself trustworthy and principled; and people who are happy to defend to the death. Apart from these things, the ancestral graves of the defenders should be there; the mountains, forests, grasslands and marshes should be abundant and sufficient to be of benefit; the topography of the land should be such that it is difficult to attack and easy to defend; there should be deep enmity towards the foe and extraordinary attachment towards the ruler; the ruler’s rewards should be understood clearly enough to be relied upon, while his punishments should be severe enough to be intimidating. If these fourteen conditions are all met, the people will not harbour doubt about the ruler. Subsequently, there can be a successful defence of the city. If [any] one of these fourteen is lacking, then although the man responsible for defence may be skilful, he cannot effectively defend [the city].

In general, with regard to the methods of defending a city, city gates are prepared that are ‘hanging gates’ (portcullis gates), with a mechanism for raising and lowering them. They should be 2 zhang high and 8 chi wide, and consist of two equal leaves. The two leaves of the gate should overlap by 3 cun, and there should be a covering of earth on each leaf not exceeding 2 cun. A trench should be dug that is 1 zhang 5 [chi] deep in the middle, with a width comparable to that of the gate leaves. The length of the trench is determined by the strength of those digging it. At the head of the trench there should be a sluice gate and a place which can hold one man. When the enemy comes, give the order to bore holes in both gate leaves and cover them. Each gate leaf should have two holes and two covers, with a rope of 4 chi in length attached to one of them. At all four corners of the wall build high towers and parapets and depute the scions of noble houses to live in them. There they should await the enemy and observe the enemy’s appearance and the movements of their advance. Those who fail to wait should be executed.

If the enemy makes tunnels and approaches through them, I urgently send the tunnel master to select officers to meet the enemy within the tunnels, equipping them with short bows with which to confront the enemy. The materials of people’s houses – wood, tiles and stones – can be added to the resources for the city’s defence and are all transported to the city. Those who don’t comply with the command are executed. Prepare all the construction implements as follows: every 7 chi have one hoe; every 5 bu have one basket for carrying earth; for every five constructions have one iron hoe and one long axe with a handle 8 chi in length; every 10 bu have one sickle with a handle 8 chi in length; every 10 bu have one chopper and one long awl with a handle 6 chi in length and a head 1 chi in length. Sharpen the two points with an axe. Every 3 bu have one large lance (ting) 1 chi long and sharpened at the end for 5 cun. Two ting can be joined together and placed flat. If they are not placed flat, they are not convenient to use. The two ends of each ting are kept sharpened. If underground tunnels are used to counter [the enemy’s] underground tunnels, careful attention must be given to knowing the width or narrowness of the enemy’s underground tunnels. Orders must be given to make one’s own tunnels at an angle to the enemy tunnels and at the same level.

Pieces of wood are gathered together and when there is enough are used to make bundles of brushwood with no pieces protruding from the ends of the bundles. A piece of wood 1 zhang 7 chi long is placed on the outside of the bundles and they are bound together and piled up crosswise. The outside is covered with a strong coating of earth, so as not to allow leakage in from above. There should be bundles of such a size that they can provide protection for a wall more than 3 zhang 5 chihigh. Use brushwood, wood and earth to add somewhat to the barrier, the objective being strength. Prepare the whole of the outer surface beforehand, so it can bear the smeared-on material and is adequate to act as a parapet. Coat the outer surface well so it can’t be burned or pulled up.

In the large wall, there should be small gates 1 zhang 5 [chi] high and 4 chi wide. Make outer-wall gates (guomen). On the outer aspect of the outer-wall gates make a horizontal bar of two pieces of wood matching the gate. In the pieces of wood drill holes through which ropes are threaded and then led up to the battlements. Build a suspended bridge across the moat to allow people to cross into the city by means of the wooden bridge which has a slope to the outside of the wall and can be added to with additional timber. The angle of inclination is determined by the form of the wall. Have a supplementary parapet (?moat) within the wall. Rely on the inner parapet (?moat) in making the outer parapet (?moat). Between the two parapets (?moats) dig a trench 1 zhang 5 chi deep, in which an obstruction can be established using sharp stakes. Fire can be set there to meet the enemy. Near the wall, build ling-er towers which have two levels. At the lower level, outside the wall and between it and the parapets, dig a trench measuring 1 zhang 5 [chi] deep and 1 zhang 2 [chi] wide. The appearance of the tower is like a ling-er. [From] all [these ling-er towers] order strong, able-bodied men to go forth to confront the enemy. The skilled archers who are responsible for firing arrows should be provided with sharp arrows.

Set up a bamboo fence. In all cases extend it to join the parapet. Make it 6 chi high with spaces 4 chi wide, where all those armed with crossbows can take their positions. There should be ‘revolving shooting machines’ (zhuansheji), which are 6 chi high and buried 1 chi in the ground. Two pieces of wood joined together are used to make protective shields (wen), which are 2 chi long. Through the centres of these drill holes to accommodate a connecting arm straight against the wall. Every 20 bu there should be one of these (i.e. a ‘revolving shooting machine’ plus its protective shield). [Put someone in charge of it and] order skilled archers to assist him. No one is allowed to leave his post.

On the wall, there should be a tower with four pillars every 100 bu. All the pillars should have a connecting foundation. The lower (level of the tower) should be 1 zhang high and the upper (level) 9 chi high. Each tower should be 1 zhang 6 chi in width and length, and all should have a door. On the wall, there should be a connecting passage (tu) 9 chi long, 10 chi wide and 8 chi high every 30 bu. A door 3 chi wide and 2 chi long should be cut in the connecting passage. On the wall, there should be fire javelins (zanhuo), which are of a length commensurate with the height of the wall and which can be lit at the tip.

At intervals of 9 chi on the wall, place one crossbow, one halberd, one bludgeon, one axe and one hacker. In all cases, pile up ‘thunder stones’ and caltrops. Qu (shields) 1 zhang 5 chi high and 1 zhang 6 chi wide are made. Their poles should be 1 zhang 2 chi high and their limbs 6 chi high. They should be buried to a depth of 3 chi with the wooden shield no nearer than 5 cun to the parapet. [Make] screens 8 chi high and 7 chi wide. The thickness of the wood should be 5 chi and in the middle of the screen make a ‘bridge’ with a rope attached to the ends. When the enemy approaches, one man is delegated to raise and lower this and must not leave his post. On the wall, there should be one jiche (trebuchet) every 20 bu. When the enemy approaches by tunnelling, don’t use this number. On the wall, there should be one movable furnace every 30 bu.

The utensils for holding water must have a ladle of lacquered hemp and should be made of hide. There should be one (such utensil) every 10 bu. The handle should be 8 chi long and the ladle should have a capacity of 2 to 3 dou. Old or new hemp, 6 chi in length, is used (to fashion the handle). The middle of the handle is curved and should be 1 zhang long. There should be one every 10 bu and it should be strong and durable. On the wall, every 10 bu there should be one shovel. There should be earthenware pots for water with capacities of 3 dan and upwards, small and large [pots] being mixed together. And there should be hide basins and calabashes as two additional utensils. For the soldiers, there should be 2 dou of dried food per man. This should be prepared and protected from rain, and stored in a dry place. At the appropriate time, the defenders should be sent to a place between the inner and outer parapets to eat.

Utensils should be set up and prepared for scattering sand, small stones and pieces of iron. They should all be of rough earthenware in construction. Potters should be directed to make a small number of these, with the biggest being able to hold 1 to 2 dou. Until the time comes to use them, they should be bound together with rope. Tightly bound stakes are placed at certain points on the wall and levelled off at a height of 1 zhang 2 [chi]. These are sharpened at one end. Small doors are made with two leaves which can be opened and closed independently. To relieve the city gate and the moat, use flaming torches in fighting. Bring in bellows. In addition, use brushwood to make a barrier between the outer and inner parapets. Ling-ding (wide-bellied flasks) are placed at intervals of 3 zhang. And interdigitating ‘dog’s teeth’ are set up. One man is stationed every 10 bu within the brushwood [barrier], armed with a crossbow. Prepare stakes (gouxi) and [use them] to surround him.

In seeking relief from attack by fire delivered by flaming arrows shot at the gates in the wall, drill [holes] above the leaves of the doors, make posts and cover them with earth. Prepare hempen ladles and hide buckets to contain water for relief. The door leaves, the door surrounds and the bars supporting the doors should all have holes drilled in them to a depth of ½ chi. Every 1 cun, knock in a peg which is 2 cun in length and projects 1 cun. These pegs should be 7 cun apart and covered thickly with earth as a preparation against fire. Above the gates in the wall, excavate holes for relief from fire, each one holding a container of water with a capacity of 3 dan or greater; small and large containers are mixed together. The gate bar and lever must be made strong by plating them with a strong metal such as iron. The gate bolts should be double and coated with iron, as they must be strong. The locking bar should be 2 chi long and there should be one lock. It is sealed by means of the Defender’s seal. From time to time, men are sent to check whether the seal has been moved, and on the depth of insertion of the bar into the supporting pillars. All those responsible for the gate are prohibited from carrying axes of any sort, chisels, saws, or hammers.

On the wall, every 2 bu there should be one shield (ju) with an upright pole 1 zhang 3 chi long. The top of the shield should be 10 zhang in length and its transverse arms 6 chi long. Every 2 bu there should be one protective screen (da) which is 9 chi wide and 12 chi high. Every 2 bu place a lian-ting (linked flail), a long axe and a long hammer – one of each – and twenty lances, these being spread over every 2 bu. Every 2 bu there should be one wooden crossbow that must be able to fire [an arrow] 50 bu or more. As well, there should be many arrows. If these are not of bamboo, [then wood from] the hu, the peach, the zhe, or the elm will do. A substantial collection of iron arrows should also be added, these being distributed between the firing areas and the longcong (watchtowers). Every 2 bu pile up stones, each stone weighing 10 jun or more, there being five hundred stones. If there are no stones, use caltrops and tiles to withstand [the enemy]. Both of these can be good methods. Every 2 bu have piles of reed torches, 1 wei (span) in size and 1 zhang long, 20 in all.

Every 5 bu there should be an earthenware jar with a ladle to hold water; the capacity of the jar should be 1 dou of water. Every 5 bu there should be a pile of darts (goushi), 500 in all. The darts should be 3 chi long and covered over with rushes. The ends should be sharpened and the darts securely bound to a small wooden stake. Every 10 bu there should be a pile of firewood, each pile being greater than 2 wei in circumference and 8 chi long, 20 piles in all. Every 25 bu there should be one furnace with each furnace having an iron pot (qian) and each pot a capacity of greater than 1 dan. These can be used to prepare boiling water. As well, prepare sand – not less than 1,000 dan. Every 30 bu set up one houlou (observation tower), extending 4 chi beyond the parapet, 3 chi in width and 4 chi long. It should be surrounded by wooden planking on three sides. Mud is used to conceal it, and in summer it is covered to protect it above.

Every 50 bu there should be one jiche. The axle of the jiche must be of iron. Every 50 bu there should be a protected latrine completely surrounded by a wall 8 chi high. Every 50 bu there should be a door. The door must have a locking mechanism above to defend it. Every 50 bu there should be a pile of firewood weighing not less than 300 dan. It should be well covered with mud so fire from without cannot damage it.

Every 100 bu have one longcong (watchtower) which rises from the ground 5 zhang. It should have three levels. Its width at the bottom should be 8 chi at the front and 13 chi behind. As it gets higher it should become narrower according to circumstances. Every 100 bu have one wooden tower. The width of the tower should be 9 chi across at the front and its height should be 7 chi. The tower’s chimney and screen should be 12 chi away from the wall. Every 100 bu have one well. Each well should have ten water containers that are attached to a wooden post. The capacity of the water containers should range from 4 to 6 dou, [and there should be] a hundred [of them]. Every 100 bu there should be one pile of straw of different lengths – fifty bundles of a circumference greater than 2 wei. Every 100 bu there should be a large lu (shield). The large lu should be 4 chi wide and 8 chi high. They are for approaching the enemy in tunnels. Every 100 bu there should be a concealed drain, 3 chi wide and 4 chi deep. Every 200 bu there should be one lilou (standing tower). The part within the wall should be 2 zhang 5 chi high, while the part that projects crosswise should be 5 chi.

The top of the wall should be 3 to 4 bu wide to allow fighting to take place on it. There should be a small wall with holes for observation (embrasures); this wall should be 3 chi wide and 2 chi 5 cun high. The steps should be 2 chi 5 cun high, and their width and length should both be 3 chi. The width of the ascent should be 6 chi in each case. On the four corners of the wall there should be small dwellings 5 chi in height where the four commandants reside. On the wall, every 7 chi there should be one qu, 1 zhang 5 chi long, buried to a depth of 3 chi. It should extend beyond the parapet for 5 cun [so] the exposed part is 1 zhang 2 chi long and the [horizontal] arms are 6 chi long. In the middle of the wooden surface a hole is cut with an internal diameter of 5 cun. The front end of the qu should be lower than the parapet by 4 cun, this being appropriate. Drill the qu and excavate a hole, then cover it with tiles. On winter days, block it with horse dung, then await orders for its use. Alternatively, use tiles to make the pit. On the wall, every 10 bu there should be one post 1 zhang in length. In the case of those hurling water, they grasp the post to throw it. Every 50 bu there should be one latrine. The latrines on or below the wall are places for accumulation of filth. Those entering a latrine should not be carrying anything.

On the wall, there should be one jiche every 30 bu. When confronting tunnelling, don’t use [this number]. On the wall, every 50 bu there should be one set of steps (a staircase). The height (of the steps) should be 2 chi 5 cun and the length (overall) 10 bu. On the wall, every 50 bu there should be one small tower; this must have two levels. There should be one wooden tower every 100 bu with an external suspended door. On either side, there should be a pit. A screen should be added to the tower, and there should be a wooden walkway for the purpose of rescue from the outside. On the wall, there should be no other buildings at all. Certainly any building in which people can conceal themselves must be completely removed. Placed in a circle around the wall at 100 bu intervals, there should be collections of firewood, each collection being not less than 3,000 (?300) dan; skilfully cover these with earth. On the wall, every 10 men should have a file leader (platoon commander). The file leaders should be under a subordinate officer (lishi), and there should be one post captain. Every 100 bu there should be one post (ting). The height of the walls should be 1 zhang 4 chi and the thickness 4 chi. The doors should have two leaves which can be opened and closed independently. Each post should have one captain (wei). Those chosen for this position must be reliable and trustworthy men who can bear the responsibility.

Two lodgings (of the file leader and the post captain) should share one well and one furnace. Ashes, chaff, grain and horse dung are all carefully collected and stored. On the wall, prepare the following things: shielding screens (?shields and screens), jiche, trestle bridges, movable towers, chopping tools, well-sweeps, linked flails, long axes, long hammers, long hoes, rams, attack carts (flying battering-rams), suspended bridges and piqu. There should be one tower every 50 bu. Below the parapet make holes, one every 3 chi. Make well-sweeps with a circumference of 4½ chi, such that they can be moved by the strength of one man. Have tiles and stones to a weight greater than 2 jin. On the wall, there should be sand, one pile every 50 bu. A furnace is set up with an iron vessel on it with the sand in the same place. Pieces of timber of 2 wei in circumference and of lengths greater than 1 zhang 2 chi are skilfully joined together [to make] what are called a longzong (observation post). Every 50 bu there should be one. There should be wooden bridges 3 zhang in length, and not less than fifty of these. They can be used to send men for urgent construction of a breastwork which is covered with tiles. Use earthenware or wood to make pitchers which have a capacity of 10 dou or more. There should be ten of these every 50 bu; fill them with water in readiness for use. [Also,] every 10 bu there should be two pitchers with a capacity of 5 dou or more.

Family members who live in the wards below the wall are each required to defend to their left and right and to the front and rear, just like those on the wall. When the city is small but the people are many, send those who are old and frail to the capital and to other large cities for protection. If when the enemy comes, it is judged they will certainly attack, the commander [of the defence] first [orders the] destruction of the dwellings near to the wall, but not that they be burned. When the enemy is below the wall, he should change the duties of the officers and soldiers at the appropriate times, but not change their support personnel. The support personnel must not be on the wall. When the enemy is below (outside) the wall, there should be a collection of all bowls and jars which are then piled beneath the wall. Have one pile every 100 bu with five hundred items per pile. There must be no houses within the gate of the wall. The housing for senior officers responsible for defence must be closely guarded and places must be established for the support staff. The building should have parapets 4 chi high. The main gate should always be closed. There should be two men to defend the gate and one man for each parapet. The road outside the city should be kept clear. In the area for 100 bu beyond the moat, walls and trees, whether large or small, should be destroyed or cut down and then moved away. On the routes by which the enemy might approach, whether the main road or other thoroughfares, there should be large towers. Bamboo arrows should be set up in the water [of the moat].

Below the defence headquarters (Defender’s hall), construct a large tower that is high and near the wall and has free access on all sides below the building. If visitors come, they are met in the middle of the road. And the visitors must wait to be seen. At the appropriate time, three elders are summoned to the defence headquarters to take part in planning for the outcome (success or failure). When their policies are to be used and the plans and stratagems are in accord, then they enter the defence area. Having entered the defence area, they are not allowed to go on to the wall, or to leave their dwellings. Those of the defenders who have a good knowledge of the height of the wall and the depth of the moat should set up the defence. Morning and evening, the drum is sounded to stir on [the defenders]. Young men are used for ease of defence.

Methods of defence: every 50 bu there should be ten able-bodied young men, twenty able-bodied young women and ten old people and children; that is, a total of forty people every 50 bu. With respect to soldiers for the towers below the wall, there should be uniformly one every bu, so for 20 bu there are twenty men. Whether the city is large or small, if this is taken as the standard, it will, in fact, be enough to defend a besieged [city].

When the enemy relies on the ‘ant approach’ (mass infantry assault) from four sides, if the leader of the defence knows this beforehand, it is to his advantage and the enemy’s disadvantage. If the enemy attacks in lines and the number is one hundred thousand, then the attack does not exceed four lines. At the most, the width of the front is 500 bu, while the intermediate front is 300 bu and the smallest front is 50 bu. When it does not exceed 150 bu, the leader of the defence is at an advantage and the enemy is at a disadvantage. In the case of a 500 bu front, use one thousand able-bodied men, two thousand able-bodied women and a thousand old people and children, giving four thousand in all, which is sufficient to meet them. These are the numbers for defending against a front. And let the old people and children who do not serve [at the front itself] defend on the wall, but not face the front.

When a city’s general goes forth, he must have a clear signal flag to let the officers and people all know about it. When he has a retinue of anything from ten men to over a hundred men, or if a general goes forth but does not carry a signal flag, or if the retinue is not composed of his own troops or does not have a signal flag, the general leading a thousand men or more stops him and does not let him proceed. If he does go forth, and officers and soldiers follow him, they are all beheaded. All this is made known to the commander. These are important prohibitions in the defence of a city. That traitorous elements may arise is something that must be given careful attention.

On the wall, ‘goblets’ (torch holes) are excavated, 3 chi below the movable parapets. They are wide at the opening and narrow within; there should be one every 5 bu. A goblet can contain a flaming reed torch. The highest goblets are at a height of 6 chi and the lowest at 3 chi. The spacing is determined by the requirement of being able to see what is going on. Outside the wall, a ditch is dug at a distance of 7 chi from the wall and there is a suspended bridge (drawbridge). If the area outside the wall is too narrow and a ditch cannot be dug, it is permissible to have no ditch. On the wall, every 30 bu there should be one long-zao (movable furnace) and each person should grasp a torch 5 chi in length. If the enemy is outside the wall, the torches are lit when the sound of the drum is heard. When the drum sounds a second time, the torches are placed in the goblets to illuminate the outside.

The various jiche all have iron bands, their pillars are 1 zhang 7 chi long and they are buried to a depth of 4 chi. Their [throwing] arms are greater than 3 zhang and up to 3 zhang 5 chi. Their majia (slings) are 2 chi 8 cun long. The jiche’s strength is tested using a wooden bar [to strike against]. Three-quarters of the arm [of the jiche] lies above [the pivot]. In the case of the jiche, the arm is 3 zhang in length and three parts in four are above [the pivot]. The sling is situated in the centre of the exposed three-quarters; it must be 2 chi 8 cun in length. The arm should be 24 chi in length. Less than this it is of no use. Control the pivot using large cart wheels. The trebuchet’s posts are 1 zhang 2½ chi in length. Every trebuchet has iron bands. Behind, there is a supporting cart.

When the enemy attacks by filling in the moat, make water jars which are 4 chi deep, firmly sealed and buried in the ground, there being one every 10 chi. Cover them with an earthenware cover and await the order [for their use]. Use pieces of wood 1 wei in circumference and 2 chi 4 fen long, and make a hollow in the centre. In this, place burning charcoal and cover it. Then, using a jiche, project it [at the enemy]. Make [bundles of] caltrops to throw [at the enemy], 2 chi 5 cun long and 2 wei or above in size. [Above the gates,] fix wooden spikes, the spikes being 7 cun long with a gap of 6 cun between spikes. Their ends are sharpened. Have gouzou (stakes) which are 7 cun wide and 1 chi 8 cun long with a ‘claw’ 4 cun long. Set them like dog’s teeth (i.e. interdigitating).

Master Mo said: ‘Among the methods of defending a city, there must be a calculation of the amount of wood within the city wall. That which ten men can carry is taken as 10 qie. That which five men can carry is taken as 5 qie. In general, the amount is determined by the number of men. In respect to what constitutes a qie of firewood and fuel, those who are strong have their qie and those who are weak have their qie, this being designated as their responsibility. So, in each case, the actual weight of the qie determines what each person takes as their responsibility. If there is no food in the city, the magnitude (of the qie) is reduced.’

At a distance of 5 bu beyond the city gates, there should be a large trench. Where the ground is high, dig it 1 zhang 5 chi deep; where the ground is low, it should go down until there is water, or 3 chi, and then stop. Set up zei (?stakes) in the middle of it. Have above it a suspended bridge (drawbridge) with a concealed mechanism to control its movement. The upper surface (of the bridge) should be covered with brushwood and earth so it looks like a path. On either side, there should be a ditch that cannot be jumped across. (The defenders) should go forth to challenge the enemy and feign defeat, so the enemy pursues them to enter (the city). Then activate the bridge mechanism so the enemy can be seized. Then the enemy becomes fearful and stricken with doubt, and so retreats.