Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms

Page 71

Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms, Volume 80

Many methods for controlling and preparing for the enemy originate from these sources Referring to the foreign newspapers and intelligence reports mentioned on the previous page. Although there have been instances of forged reports in recent times, the truth can be verified by cross-referencing different accounts. It is beneficial to listen to all sides and observe everything simultaneously.

Regarding the Chinese traitors 漢奸 (hanjian): literally "Han traitors," referring to Chinese subjects who collaborated with or provided services to the British forces, the strategy of attacking them while simultaneously recruiting them to defect is an excellent way to "clip the wings" of the enemy. However, there are dozens of different grades of these traitors. Those capable of devising strategies, recruiting others, manipulating trade relations, or manufacturing ships and weapons are the "major traitors." One must eliminate these major ones first. Once they are gone, the minor ones—who do nothing more than provide food supplies—will be easy to track down and capture.

Report on Methods to Suppress and Control Barbarian Ships By the Commissioner of Jiangsu and Zhejiang

Upon investigation, the largest barbarian ships original: 夷船 (yichuan). The term "barbarian" was the standard official designation for Westerners in Qing Dynasty documents at this time are fifteen zhang 丈 (zhang): a traditional unit of length, approximately 3.3 meters or 11 feet long and over two zhang wide. The secondary ones are twelve zhang long and one zhang nine chi 尺 (chi): a traditional unit of length, approximately 0.33 meters or 1.1 feet wide. These vessels consist of five levels: the lower three levels are used for storing cargo, with a draft 喫水 (chishui): literally "water-eating," referring to the depth of the hull below the waterline of twenty to thirty feet. The upper two levels...