Records of Military Preparedness Volume 135: Military Logistics—Provisions

Records of Military Preparedness Volume 135

Compiled by Mao Yuanyi, style name Maofeng

Military Logistics

original: 軍資乘 (Junzi Cheng). This section of the encyclopedia deals with the "Record of Military Resources," covering everything from finances and food to equipment and transport.

Provisions

Master Mao referring to the author, Mao Yuanyi states: When an army marches, grain must follow; this has been recorded since ancient times. However, when provisions are transported over a thousand li a traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately 500 meters or 0.3 miles, the soldiers will still have the look of hunger on their faces. Therefore, for long-term warfare, nothing is more beneficial than the system of tuntian state-sponsored military-agricultural colonies where soldiers farm the land they are stationed on to remain self-sufficient.

When establishing these military-agricultural colonies, the study of farming matters is essential. In studying farming, one must value the use of human effort to assist the natural advantages of the land; in this way, the effort is singular but the profit is doubled. As for the daily routines of farming, one may simply consult an experienced old farmer.

When a light army ventures far out, its momentum must inevitably rely on the transport of supplies. When a large army suddenly congregates, its momentum must likewise rely on the transport of supplies. Transport does not occur outside of two paths: water and land. Regarding water, it is said—