Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 67: Military Formations 18

Page 18

Miscellaneous Soldiers: Diagram of the "Three Talents" Victorious Formation

original: 雜兵三才捷陣圖 — Zábīng sāncái jiézhèntú. The "Three Talents" (Sancai) refers to the traditional Chinese triad of Heaven, Earth, and Man, which here represents a three-tiered tactical structure of front, middle, and rear forces.

Lead Cavalry: Skirmishersoriginal: 首騎挑戰 — shǒuqí tiǎozhàn; these are the vanguard horsemen sent ahead to provoke the enemy or initiate combat. Displaying Force: Front Commander

10-man Squads (Ten units)

original: 什 — shí; a standard military unit of ten soldiers.

Front Commander

Gongsoriginal: 金 — jīn; literally "metal," used to signal a halt or retreat. Drumsoriginal: 鼓 — gǔ; used to signal an advance.

Using unconventional forces to wait for the enemy's strength original: 奇以候強 — qí yǐ hòu qiáng.

5-man Squads (Five units) Middle Commander 5-man Squads (Five units)

original: 伍 — wǔ; a squad of five soldiers, the basic building block of the infantry.

Using unconventional forces to wait for the enemy's strength

Reserve Units (Four units)

original: 備 — bèi; backup or preparation forces kept in readiness.

Rear Commander

Left Wing Cavalry Drums and Horns Signal Horns Right Wing Cavalry

Platoons (Fourteen units)

original: 隊 — duì; larger tactical units or columns.

Support and Reinforcement

original: 策應 — cèyìng; forces designated to respond to changing conditions on the battlefield or reinforce weakening lines.