Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms

...at in the throat. For my part, I must secretly and rapidly prepare and transport large stones. I must hire a full complement of laborers. As soon as their ships withdraw even slightly, we must seize the opportunity to gather thousands of laborers and soldiers.

We must block the river channels throughout the night. Simultaneously, we should pile sandbags thickly on both banks. Over a thousand elite troops should be stationed on each bank. First, ensure the river has an outer barrier. Only then can we plan a suppressive offensive 进剿 (jin jiao): a military term for advancing to exterminate or suppress invaders.

This matter cannot be pursued slowly, and more importantly, no part of it can be neglected. If we only station heavy troops without blocking the waterway, the barbarian ships Referring to the British Royal Navy vessels can charge straight through; even if we have soldiers, it is as if we have none. If we only block the waterway without stationing heavy troops, the rebel barbarians can simply pull the obstructions out; even if the river is blocked, it is as if it were not. If we block the river and station troops but do not pile sandbags, then our soldiers will be forced to block cannon fire original: "礮" (pao) — an archaic term for heavy artillery with their own bodies. They will be unable to hold their ground and will flee one after another. This, too, would be as if nothing had been blocked or stationed.

After these two locations are successfully secured, we should direct our efforts toward Changzhougang Long Island Mound and Haohe Oyster Gully in the inner seas. Finally, we must plan for...