[Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 112: Military Resources I — Provisions: Ancient Methods of Military Colonies]

Medicine

This heading appears in the source, though the content below focuses on agricultural logistics; in the original manuscript, medical and logistical sections were often grouped under the general physical welfare of the army.

Ancient Methods of Military Colonies

original: 屯田 (tuntian). This refers to the system where soldiers were assigned plots of land to farm during peacetime or between campaigns, ensuring the army could feed itself without draining the national treasury.

The Classic of the White Planet original: Taibai Yinjing, a Tang-dynasty military manual written by Li Quan in 759 CE. The "White Planet" refers to Venus, the celestial omen of war. says: In the "Eight Policies" of the Great Plan A chapter of the Classic of History (Shujing) which outlines the fundamental principles of governance, food is the highest priority. This is why when Shang Yang A famous Legalist reformer (d. 338 BCE) whose harsh but effective policies transformed the State of Qin into a superpower entered the state of Qin, he implemented the "Decree for Clearing the Wilds" original: 墾草 (kencao). A policy to bring fallow land under cultivation to increase tax revenue and food stores. When Yi Wu Better known as Guan Zhong (d. 645 BCE), the philosopher-statesman who made the State of Qi the first Great Hegemon of the Spring and Autumn period brought dominance to the state of Qi, he utilized the art of enriching the state through agricultural labor.

Indeed, the land is that which nourishes the people; the city is that which defends the land; and warfare is that which defends the city. When effort is devoted to farming, the people do not starve. When effort is devoted to defense, the city is not in peril. When effort is devoted to warfare, the city is not besieged.

Within the Four Seas and beyond the Six Directions The "Six Directions" refers to North, South, East, West, Above, and Below—essentially the entire known universe, what is most precious? I say: The Earth is precious. Why is the Earth precious? I say: It is the root of the people. Why are the people precious? I say: They are the root of the state.

Therefore, when raising an army for a campaign, if military prowess is exercised, the army will be victorious. When the army is held back for agriculture, if grain production is prioritized, the state will be wealthy. A strong state relies on both farming and warfare for its security; a ruler relies on farming and warfare for...