Treatise on Armament Technology: Logistics for River Crossings

Cattail Rafts

The Cattail Raft original: 蒲筏 (pufa); a specialized military float made from dried aquatic vegetation, valued for its buoyancy and the speed with which it could be assembled in the field is constructed by taking cattails and bundling them into nine large cylinders. These bundles are arranged in alternating directions staggering the thick and thin ends of the plants to ensure the raft remains level and structurally sound and secured with ten rounds of binding, creating a shape resembling a bundle of spears.

The length of the raft should be determined according to the specific requirements of the crossing. If cattails are unavailable, reeds original: 葦 (wei) may be used as a substitute; both materials are effective for floating across waterways.