Wubei Zhi (Vol. 49)

Where there are many forts but few inhabitants, they must be merged 併堡 (bìng bǎo): The strategic consolidation of smaller, vulnerable outposts into a single, defensible stronghold. 、. By merging, strength is unified 、, and once strength is unified, weakness is transformed into power 、.

One must examine the sheltering features of the terrain to weigh its strategic risks 、, observe the drainage and obstructions of marshes to verify the "veins" original: "脉" (mài). Referring to the topographical "pulses" or energy lines of the land in a geomantic sense. or natural flow of the land 、, and consult the regulations and layout 規制 (guī zhì): The formal standards for construction and organizational design. to economize labor 、. ◦ Observe ◦ the ◦ climate ◦ and ◦ atmosphere ◦, the ◦ gathering ◦ and ◦ dispersal ◦ of people, and the ◦ distance ◦ to ◦ flowing ◦ springs ◦ to ensure maximum convenience.

Villages should be situated no more than ten li A traditional Chinese unit of distance; ten li is approximately 5 kilometers or 3 miles. from one another 、. ◦ Each ◦ fort ◦ must ◦ be ◦ able ◦ to ◦ accommodate ◦ several ◦ hundred ◦ or ◦ even ◦ a ◦ thousand ◦ people. The reason the populace does not always reside within the city walls is to facilitate farming and tillage 耕作 (gēng zuò): Agricultural labor essential for the fort's self-sufficiency. 、. ◦ To ◦ farm ◦ at ◦ a ◦ distance ◦ of ◦ five ◦ li ◦ cannot ◦ be ◦ considered ◦ too ◦ far. When hundreds or thousands of people live together, wisdom and courage 智勇 (zhì yǒng): The combined intellectual and martial capabilities of a community that emerge in times of crisis. will naturally emerge. This does not merely steady the hearts of the masses; it enables them to guard one another 、.

2. Resolving Doubts

Resolving doubts 決疑 (jué yí): The process of eliminating hesitation and clarifying command to ensure unified action. refers to the removal of divided loyalties 貳心 (èr xīn): Literally "two hearts"; a state of indecision, wavering allegiance, or conflicting motives. 、. If the eyes try to observe two things at once, vision becomes clouded 、. If the ears try to listen to two things at once, hearing becomes confused 、. If the mind dwells on two conflicting thoughts, the heart is plagued by doubt 、.

Orders to merge the forts have been issued repeatedly 、, yet the reason the fort garrisons have not yet merged is that those in command have failed to implement the orders with sincerity, resulting in divided loyalties.