Treatise on Armament Technology: Coastal Defense of Liaodong

Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 218

Section on Divination and Mensuration: Coastal Defense, Part 10

Page 3

This page continues the visual survey of the Ming Dynasty’s northern coastal frontier. The map focuses on the area surrounding the Kuling River, featuring a network of "Forts" (Bao) that acted as secondary defense lines behind the major "Guards" (Wei). The presence of temples and altars highlights the integration of spiritual and military life in these frontier outposts.

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North to 33 li One "li" is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, roughly equal to 500 meters or one-third of a mile. East to Guangning Guard, 120 li Guangning Guard was the military headquarters for the Liaodong region during the Ming Dynasty.

Northeast to Panshan Post, 140 li Panshan was a vital courier station and transit point on the route between the frontier and the capital.

North

Kuling River Likely referring to a branch or historical name of the Daling River system.

Great Guangjiao Monastery

Great Enlightenment Monastery

River Mouth

East to the coast, 30 li

Kuduo Fort
North

East

Dangpu Fort

Kuling River Fort

Donghai Fort Literally the "East Sea" Fort, indicating its proximity to the coastline.

East to the coast, 30 li

Altar of Mountains and Rivers original: "山川壇" (Shanchuantan). These were official altars where local commanders performed sacrifices to the spirits of the local landscape to ensure peace and victory.

River Mouth

South

South to the sea Southeast to the coast, 35 li

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Technical