Treatise on Armament Technology: Military Logistics and Provisions

Volume 36, Section 33

Military Colonies and Water Conservancy

original: 屯田水利. The "tuntian" or military colony system required soldiers to cultivate land during peacetime, making the army self-sufficient and reducing the cost of grain transport.

River Grain Transport

original: 河漕. This refers to the state system of transporting grain via the Grand Canal and other inland waterways to supply the capital and the northern frontiers.

Maritime Transport

Transport by Carriage

Appended with the "Classic on the Appraisal of Oxen"
The appraisal guide was a technical manual used to select the strongest draft animals for hauling heavy supply carts.

Transport by Pack Animal

original: 騎運. This refers to the use of horses, mules, or donkeys to carry supplies in terrain where carts could not travel.

Human Porterage

The use of laborers or soldiers to carry supplies on their backs, often the only option in steep mountain passes.

Rice and Salt Provisions

Rice and salt were the fundamental staples of the soldier's diet and were often used as a form of currency or bartering material.

Banquets and Rewards

original: 宴犒. This involves the ceremonial feeding and rewarding of troops, a vital practice for maintaining loyalty and morale after a victory or during festivals.

Sulfur and Minerals

original: 磺砂. These substances, particularly sulfur, were critical raw materials for the manufacture of gunpowder and other incendiary weapons.