Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 27

Formations, Part 16 (Continued)

Diagram of the Two-Winged Formation for Launching a Campaign Explanation original: 出師二翼 (Chushi Eryi). This tactical layout focuses on the deployment of two flanking units—or "wings"—to protect the main body of the army as it sets out on a military expedition.

Diagram of the Four Cardinals Formation original: 四正 (Sizheng). "Sizheng" refers to the four primary compass directions: North, South, East, and West. This formation aligns troops to face the primary axes of the battlefield.

Diagram of the Four Corners Formation original: 四隅 (Siyu). "Siyu" refers to the four diagonal directions: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. This formation is designed to cover the gaps or "corners" between the cardinal directions.

Diagram of the Five-Fold Formation original: 五陣 (Wuzhen). A foundational structural arrangement in Chinese military theory, usually consisting of a central unit surrounded by four exterior units.

Diagram of the Five Army Camps Formation original: 五軍營 (Wujunying). The "Five Army Camps" was the elite central infantry division of the Ming Dynasty's capital garrison. This diagram likely details their specific tactical organization.

Diagram of the Five Phases Formation original: 五形 (Wuxing). Also known as the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). In military science, these represent a system of mutual support and counter-measures, where each unit's "elemental" role dictates its movement and relationship to others.

Diagram of the Plum Blossom Formation original: 梅花 (Meihua). Named for its resemblance to the five petals of a plum blossom, this formation allows for a central command post with five peripheral units capable of rotating or providing 360-degree defense.

Diagram of the Orthogonal Five Phases Formation original: 正五形 (Zheng Wuxing). A variation of the Five Phases formation characterized by a more rigid, standard alignment (orthogonal) compared to fluid variations.

Diagram of the Five Phases Square Formation Explanation original: 五形方陣 (Wuxing Fangzhen). This combines the symbolic power of the Five Phases with the stability of a square (Fang) shape, used primarily for defensive positioning or slow, steady advances.