Chapter 71: Miscellaneous Defense
Qinzi asked, “If the enemy is numerous and brave, disregards our presence, and attempts to intimidate the defenders; if they bring up firewood and earth together to build a ‘Yang Ling’ (Sheep Ridge, an earthen mound), piling up earth to make it high so as to overlook the city, while advancing with covered shelters (Meng Lu) right up to the walls, bringing up weapons and crossbows, what should be done?”
Master Mo replied, “Are you asking about defending against the Yang Ling? The Yang Ling is a clumsy method of attack; it is enough to exhaust the soldiers, but not enough to harm the city. The policy for defending against the Yang Ling is: if they attack from afar, harm them from afar; if they approach the city, harm them up close, so they never reach the walls. Arrows and stones must not cease; shoot from left and right, use long poles as backup, and observe carefully to hold firm. Sharpen our elite troops, and strictly forbid them to look back or retreat. Make the defenders regard retreating as a grave offense, and make the attackers reluctant to withdraw. Cultivate high morale, so the people’s spirit is multiplied a hundredfold. Capture many and reward frequently, and the soldiers will not slack.
If they pile up earth without rest and cannot be stopped, and the mound reaches the city, respond using the methods against cloud ladders. For all methods against smoke, battering rams, cloud ladders, and siege towers, one must defend according to the city’s conditions. If defenses are insufficient, reinforce them with wood. Within a hundred bu to the left and right, rain down arrows, stones, sand, and charcoal; supplement this with burning wood and boiling water. Select and sharpen elite troops, strictly forbid retreat, clarify rewards and punishments, maintain calm as the norm, act with urgency, and prevent them from having doubts. Inspire high indignation, multiply the people’s spirit a hundredfold, capture many and reward frequently, and the soldiers will not slack. Ram, siege towers, and ladders should all be countered by ramming them.
A barrier (Qu) is fifteen chi long, with three chi buried underground; arrows are twelve chi long. The barrier is sixteen chi wide, with a base of twelve chi, and a hanging part of four chi. When erecting barriers, do not let them touch the leaves within five cun. Place a ladder every ten zhang. The general number of barriers and shields (Da) per li is 258, meaning 129 barriers and 129 shields. Wherever outer roads can be fortified to hinder the enemy, especially at critical points, build three pavilions in a triangular formation (Weaver Girl formation) so they can rescue each other. Wherever there are mounds, forests, ditches, hills, paths, outer gates, or alleys, fortify them or set up hidden posts. By tracking footprints, one can know the number of people coming and going and where they are hiding.
To shelter the people, first assess the sizes of government offices, civilian houses, and quarters in the city, and allocate them properly. If those sheltered wish to join their brothers or acquaintances, allow it. Grain, livestock, and wealth from outside houses that can aid the defense must be brought into the city; if the situation is urgent, pile them inside the gates. When people contribute grain, cloth, money, cattle, horses, or livestock, set a fair price and issue a written receipt to the owner.
Let everyone use their strengths, and the affairs of the world will be proper; distribute duties evenly, and the affairs of the world will be achieved; let everyone do what they like, and the affairs of the world will be complete; when strength and weakness have their proper numbers, the affairs of the world will be fully prepared.
Build post pavilions in a circle, over three zhang high, with sharpened tops. Make Bi Ti (defensive ladders) with two arms, three chi long, connected to a three-chi door, linked by ropes. Interlace wooden boards to make suspended beams. Use soundproof stoves, and equip each pavilion with a drum. For enemy beacon, alarm beacon, and chaos beacon, transmit fire in sequence until it reaches the capital. In emergencies, transmit it rapidly up and down. When a beacon is raised, beat the drum five times to transmit, and connect it with fire to indicate the number of approaching enemy. If the enemy retreats and returns during the day, transmit in sequence; do not let the beacon go out. Upon seeing the enemy, raise one beacon; upon entering the border, raise two; approaching the outer wall, raise three beacons and one Lan; gathering at the outer wall, raise four beacons and two Lan; approaching the main city, raise five beacons and five Lan. At night, use fire in the same numbers. The duty of beacon guards is critical.
Scouts should not exceed fifty men. When the enemy arrives, follow and retreat, provided you are not surrounded and captured. Send them out at dusk to act as hidden posts. Ensure mounds and forests can show footprints; track them at daybreak. If there are no tracks, the scouts raise their markers, and the city responds. When scouts go out, set up field markers. Sentries sit inside and outside the outer wall, raising flags, with half the soldiers inside the gate, so the enemy cannot know our numbers. If there is an alarm, raise the Kong marker; upon seeing the enemy, raise the Mu marker. The city directs them with banners; the sentries beat drums and align flags, preparing for battle as the banners direct. Men in the fields follow the sentries in battle readiness; women must hurry inside. Upon seeing signals, transmit them until they reach the city. Three men guard the markers, taking turns standing, striking the marker, and watching. The commander frequently sends cavalry or officials to inspect them and know their actions. Each squad has one drum. Upon seeing the enemy, beat the drum and transmit to the city.
Those on Dou Shi (one dou of food) receive 36 shi a year; those on San Shi receive 24 shi; those on Si Shi receive 18 shi; those on Wu Shi receive 14 shi and 4 dou; those on Liu Shi receive 12 shi. Dou Shi eat five sheng per meal; San Shi eat three and a third sheng; Si Shi eat two and a half sheng; Wu Shi eat two sheng; Liu Shi eat one and two-thirds sheng, eating twice a day. In times of saving lives from famine, those eating two sheng a day last twenty days; those eating three sheng last thirty days; those eating four sheng last forty days. Thus, the people can survive ninety days of scarcity.
When the enemy approaches, quickly collect gold, copper, iron, and other useful items from the various townships. First inventory non-essential government and residential buildings, noting the size and quantity of materials; if urgent, send them first. When the enemy draws near, demolish houses and cut down trees; do not listen to any pleas to spare them. Bring in firewood; do not pile it like fish scales or hairpins, but pile it facing the enemy formation for easy access. Wood that cannot be brought in must be burned so the enemy cannot use it. Pile wood sorted by length, size, and quality. Pile it inward on all four sides of the city; make large logs into ringed handles for gathering.
In city defense, the parents, siblings, and wives of officials above the rank of Sima must have hostages held by the lord to ensure steadfast defense. Appoint a Du Si Kong: four for large cities, two Hou, one Xian Hou per face, and one each for Ting Wei, Ci Si Kong, and Ting. Officials serving near the defender must be honest and trustworthy, with parents, siblings, and wives in the Bao Gong (hostage palace) to serve as attending officials. All officials must have hostages to hold office. Two men guard the main gate, standing on either side, making pedestrians walk outside. Four halberds stand on either side, with the guards sitting below. Officials inspect five times a day and report the names of deserters.
Where the outer edge of the moat is critical and harmful, it is a place for suspects. Order night patrols to shoot at them and plan for gaps. Set bamboo arrows in the water outside the wall; the arrows are two bu wide, five cun below the water, of mixed lengths, with three rows on the front outer edge, pointing outward and inward. Set a crossbow shelter (Nu Lu) every thirty bu, ten chi wide and twelve chi long.
If a squad is in emergency, urgently dispatch the nearest squads to assist, and the next squads take over their position.
Guard tallies: For entering and exiting envoys, the tally master must write on bamboo slips, noting the circumstances, treat it as official business, and verify it with a sword upon the envoy’s return. When a tally leaves the city: immediately report the name of the bearer at the gate they exit.
One squad per hundred bu. Connecting passages lead to the defender’s quarters, with interlocking rooms. Build covered walkways and construct walls, treating the tops well.
Establish regulations: Order civilian households to store three years’ worth of vegetables and food to prepare for floods, droughts, and bad harvests. Regularly order border counties to pre-plant and store Yuan Hua, Yun Xiang, Wu Hui (aconite), and Zhu Ye. Outer ditches and wells can be filled; if not, place poison in them. In peace, show danger; in danger, show peace.
When the enemy arrives, bore two hole-like openings in all doors and gates, each with a four-chi, finger-thick rope attached. Upon the enemy’s arrival, first slaughter cattle, sheep, chickens, dogs, crows, and geese, collecting their leather, sinew, horns, fat, brains, and feathers. Skin all pigs. Officials use Paulownia wood to make iron Bi, using thick bamboo slips for the crossbar. In emergencies, when soldiers cannot go far, order the digging of outer city forests. Based on the amount of wood, if used for city construction or striking weapons, deploy them at three corners. Soak wood weighing over five jin in water, not exceeding one bundle. Coat thatched roofs or piled firewood with over five cun of mud. Officials must report all property in their jurisdiction that can aid defense.
There are slanderers, profit-seekers, evildoers, good people, capable people, strategists, brave warriors, skilled craftsmen, envoys, those who accept insiders, those who reject outsiders, those who are good at using people, and those who are good at guarding gates. The defender must investigate their true nature and admit them only if their name matches their reality. If people hate each other or discuss officials, officials must write down what they know on slips and hide them, to verify when accusations arrive. Those under five chi tall, unfit for soldiering, should be made clerks, serving in government offices or lodgings.
Lin Shi (rolling stones), sharpened arrows, and all materials must be carefully categorized, each with a stored quota. Make Jie Che (dismantling carts) from Tai wood, and use Yao Che (light carriages) for the city, with ten-chi wide wheels, ten-chi long shafts, and three three-chi wide spokes. Make wooden boxes equal in length to the shafts, four chi high, well-covered and treated to carry arrows.
Master Mo said, “There are five conditions under which a city cannot be defended: A large city with few people is the first; a small city with many people is the second; many people with little food is the third; markets far from the city is the fourth; and wealth and rich people residing outside the city is the fifth. A city of three li square typically houses ten thousand households.”
Note
This chapter answers Qin Guli’s questions on countering earthen siege mounds, covering beacon signals, ration standards, scorched-earth rules, hostage systems, equipment management and five fatal flaws for city defense.
Qin Guli (禽滑厘 / Qinzi):
The primary disciple of Mozi and the main interlocutor in the military chapters of the Mozi. His questions typically present extreme, worst-case siege scenarios, prompting Mozi to provide highly systematic and pragmatic engineering and tactical responses.
Yang Ling (羊坽 / Sheep Ridge):
A primitive and labor-intensive siege tactic where attackers pile up earth and wood to create an artificial mound, aiming to match or exceed the height of the city walls for a tactical advantage. Mozi dismisses this as a “clumsy” method, demonstrating the Mohist preference for mechanical engineering and efficient defense over brute-force attrition.
Beacon and Drum Signaling System (烽燧与鼓):
The text details a highly sophisticated, multi-tiered early warning system. Different combinations of raised beacons (during the day) and fire/lamps (at night), accompanied by specific drumbeats, were used to communicate the exact distance and scale of the approaching enemy. This represents one of the earliest recorded instances of binary-like optical communication in military history.
Hostage System and Internal Security (葆宫与质):
To prevent treason and ensure the loyalty of high-ranking officials during a siege, the Mohists mandated that the families of commanders be housed in a secure, guarded compound (Bao Gong). This reflects a pragmatic, albeit harsh, understanding of human nature and political loyalty under extreme duress.
Rationing and Famine Preparedness (食与备):
The chapter outlines a precise mathematical system for rationing food based on caloric needs during a siege, distinguishing between different tiers of rations (from “Dou Shi” to “Liu Shi”). It also emphasizes pre-siege preparations, such as stockpiling medicinal herbs and storing three years’ worth of vegetables, highlighting the Mohist focus on logistics and civilian survival.
Scorched Earth and Resource Denial:
The text mandates the demolition of outer buildings, cutting down of trees, and filling or poisoning of outer wells when the enemy approaches. This scorched-earth policy was designed to deny the besiegers any local resources or cover.
Meng Lu (蒙橹):
Covered wooden shelters or mobile screens used by attackers to protect soldiers from arrows and stones as they advanced toward the walls.
Bao Gong (葆宫):
The “Hostage Palace” or secure compound where the families of military and civilian officials were kept during a siege to guarantee their loyalty.
Lin Shi (蔺石):
Large stones or boulders used as projectiles, dropped from the walls onto attacking forces.
Jie Che (解车):
A specialized cart designed for dismantling or transporting heavy siege defense equipment, showcasing Mohist mechanical ingenuity.
71章 杂守
禽子问曰：“客众而勇，轻意见威，以骇主人；薪土俱上，以为羊坽，积土为高，以临民，蒙橹俱前，遂属之城，兵弩俱上，为之奈何？”
子墨子曰：子问羊坽之守邪？羊坽者，攻之拙者也，足以劳卒，不足以害城。羊坽之政，远攻则远害，近城则近害，不至城。矢石无休，左右趣射，兰为柱后，□望以固。厉吾锐卒，慎无使顾，守者重下，攻者轻去。养勇高奋，民心百倍，多执数少，卒乃不怠。
作士不休，不能禁御，遂属之城，以御云梯之法应之。凡待烟冲、云梯、临之法，必应城以御之，曰不足，则以木椁之。左百步，右百步，繁下矢、石、沙、炭，以雨之，薪火、水汤以济之。选厉锐卒，慎无使顾，审赏行罚，以静为故，从之以急，无使生虑。恚恿高愤，民心百倍，多执数赏，卒乃不怠。冲、临、梯皆以冲冲之。
渠长丈五尺，其埋者三尺，矢长丈二尺。渠广丈六尺，其弟丈二尺，渠之垂者四尺。树渠无傅叶五寸，梯渠十丈一梯，渠、荅大数，里二百五十八，渠、荅百二十九。诸外道可要塞以难寇，其甚害者为筑三亭，亭三隅，织女之，令能相救。诸距阜、山林、沟渎、丘陵、阡陌、郭门若阎术，可要塞及为微职，可以迹知往来者少多即所伏藏之处。
葆民，先举城中官府、民宅、室署，大小调处，葆者或欲从兄弟、知识者许之。外宅粟米、畜产、财物诸可以佐城者，送入城中，事即急，则使积门内。民献粟米、布帛、金钱、牛马、畜产，皆为置平贾，与主券书之。
使人各得其所长，天下事当；钧其分职，天下事得；皆其所喜，天下事备；强弱有数，天下事具矣。
筑邮亭者圜之，高三丈以上，令侍杀。为辟梯，梯两臂，长三尺，连门三尺，报以绳连之。椠再杂，为县梁。聋灶，亭一鼓。寇烽、惊烽、乱烽，传火以次应之，至主国止，其事急者引而上下之。烽火以举，辄五鼓传，又以火属之，言寇所从来者少多，旦弇还去来属次，烽勿罢。望见寇，举一烽；入境，举二烽；射妻，举三烽一蓝；郭会，举四烽二蓝；城会，举五烽五蓝；夜以火，如此数。守烽者事急。
候无过五十，寇至叶，随去之，唯弇逮。日暮出之，令皆为微职。距阜、山林皆令可以迹，平明而迹，无，迹各立其表，下城之应。候出置田表，斥坐郭内外，立旗帜，卒半在内，令多少无可知。即有惊，举孔表，见寇，举牧表。城上以麾指之，斥步鼓整旗，旗以备战从麾所指。田者男子以战备从斥，女子亟走入。即见放，到，传到城止。守表者三人，更立捶表而望，守数令骑若吏行旁视，有以知为所为。其曹一鼓。望见寇，鼓，传到城止。
斗食，终岁三十六石；参食，终岁二十四石；四食，终岁十八石；五食，终岁十四石四斗；六食，终岁十二石。斗食食五升，参食食参升小半，四食食二升半，五食食二升，六食食一升大半，日再食。救死之时，日二升者二十日，日三升者三十日，日四升者四十日，如是而民免于九十日之约矣。
寇近，亟收诸杂乡金器若铜铁及他可以左守事者。先举县官室居、官府不急者，材之大小长短及凡数，即急先发。寇薄，发屋，伐木，虽有请谒，勿听。入柴，勿积鱼鳞簪，当队，令易取也。材木不能尽入者，燔之，无令寇得用之。积木，各以长短、大小、恶美形相从。城四面外各积其内，诸木大者皆以为关鼻，乃积聚之。
城守，司马以上父母、昆弟、妻子有质在主所，乃可以坚守。署都司空，大城四人，候二人，县候面一，亭尉、次司空、亭一人。吏侍守所者财足廉信，父母、昆弟、妻子有在葆宫中者，乃得为侍吏。诸吏必有质，乃得任事。守大门者二人，夹门而立，令行者趣其外。各四戟，夹门立，而其人坐其下。吏日五阅之，上逋者名。
池外廉有要有害，必为疑人，令往来行夜者射之，谋其疏者。墙外水中为竹箭，箭尺广二步，箭下于水五寸，杂长短，前外廉三行，外外乡，内亦内乡。三十步一弩庐，庐广十尺，袤丈二尺。
队有急，极发其近者往佐，其次袭其处。
守节：出入使，主节必疏书，署其情，令若其事，而须其还报以剑验之。节出：使所出门者，辄言节出时操者名。
百步一队。閤通守舍，相错穿室。治复道，为筑墉，墉善其上。
取疏。令民家有三年畜蔬食，以备湛、旱，岁不为。常令边县豫种畜芫、芸、乌喙、祝叶。外宅沟井可置塞，不可，置此其中。安则示以危，危示以安。
寇至，诸门户令皆凿而类窍之，各为二类，一凿而属绳，绳长四尺，大如指。寇至，先杀牛、羊、鸡、狗、乌、雁，收其皮革、筋、角、脂、脑、羽。彘皆剥之。吏橝桐(缺一字)，为铁錍，厚简为衡枉。事急，卒不可远，令掘外宅林。谋多少，若治城□为击，三隅之。重五斤已上，诸林木，渥水中，无过一茷。涂茅屋若积薪者，厚五寸已上。吏各举其步界中财物可以左守备者上。
有谗人，有利人，有恶人，有善人，有长人，有谋士，有勇士，有巧士，有使士，有内人者，外人者，有善人者，有善门人者，守必察其所以然者，应名乃内之。民相恶若议吏，吏所解，皆札书藏之，以须告之至以参验之。睨者小五尺，不可卒者，为署吏，令给事官府若舍。
蔺石、厉矢诸材器用皆谨部，各有积分数。为解车以枱，城矣以轺车，轮轱广十尺，辕长丈，为三辐，广三尺。为板箱，长与辕等，高四尺，善盖上治，令可载矢。
子墨子曰：凡不守者有五：城大人少，一不守也；城小人众，二不守也；人众食寡，三不守也；市去城远，四不守也；畜积在外，富人在虚，五不守也。率万家而城方三里。
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