Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 32

Strategic Research

Qi

The Lord of Qi, Xiao Daocheng Emperor Gao, the founder of the Southern Qi dynasty (reigned 479–482 CE). He had recently seized the throne from the Liu Song dynasty., appointed Yuan Chongzu as the Regional Governor of Yuzhou Yuzhou A critical border province situated between the Huai and Yangtze rivers.. On this occasion, the Emperor said to him: “I have only recently come into possession of the realm. The 'Braided Barbarians' original: 索虜 (Suolu). A derogatory Southern term for the Northern Wei people, mocking their practice of wearing hair in braids. will surely use the pretext of restoring Liu Chang A Liu Song prince who had defected to the North, providing the Northern Wei with a legitimate excuse to 'restore' the previous dynasty. to invade our borderlands. Shouyang A vital fortress city, modern-day Shou County in Anhui. stands directly in the enemy’s path. No one but you can restrain them; therefore, I give you this command.”

Later, Liu Chang returned to the south with the forces of Wei. Yuan Jia, the King of Liang County of the Wei, joined Liu Chang to attack Shouyang. As they were about to engage in battle, Liu Chang bowed in all four directions, and his officers and soldiers shed tears. He spoke with great fervor, saying: “I wish for us to unite our efforts to wash away the shame of this enmity!”

The infantry and cavalry of the Wei were said to number two hundred thousand. The province of Yu The text cuts off at the beginning of 'Yuzhou' (豫州), indicating the start of the description of the southern defense or the size of the opposing forces.