Treatise on Armament Technology: Logistics for River Crossings

The Method of Flying Cables

Regarding Flying Cables Flying Cables original: 飛絙 (feiguan); a military engineering technique using tensioned ropes to facilitate water crossings for troops and gear, the commander must recruit soldiers who are skilled in swimming. Alternatively, men may be instructed to tuck buoyant objects under their armpits to assist in floating as they swim, while tying a guide rope around their waists.

The procedure is as follows:
1. The lead swimmers first cross the water to the opposite bank.
2. Next, they use the guide rope to pull a thick, heavy cable across the expanse to both banks.
3. Large pillars are then erected on each side to anchor the line.
4. The cable is quickly pulled taut and secured.

Once the line is established, it allows the rest of the men to hold onto the cable original: 絙 (guan); a thick rope or hawser made of twisted fibers or bamboo and float across the water. Their equipment original: 器械 (qixie); a general term for weaponry, armor, and military tools is carried upon their heads to keep it dry and accessible.

For the deployment of a large army, dozens of these crossing lanes can be established simultaneously to ensure a swift and orderly transit.