Papers by Wen Huang
Frontiers of Architectural Research, 2024
The Southern Song planned and constructed the Diaoyucheng Fortress at Hezhou of the Sichuan Theat... more The Southern Song planned and constructed the Diaoyucheng Fortress at Hezhou of the Sichuan Theatre, during the 13th century. This fortress became famous for its 36-year resistance against the Mongols and the death of Möngke Khan in 1259. Based on historical documents and data from re-analysis of archaeological report and field survey, this study explores its initiation, construction and transition, to build a coherent narrative for its transformation from a hinterland transport hub during the Song-Jin War (1125e1234) to a frontier stronghold during the Song-Mongol War (1235e1279), which experiences the establishment of Zhuanban Granary in the 1130s, the construction of Xinyuguan Fort in the 1160se1170s, the transformation into a refuge in 1240, and the expansion into the Diaoyucheng Fortress in 1243e1279. By combining spatial analysis with military history, this study discusses how the peninsular site, the "dustpan" form, and the fort cluster were formed under the influence of military strategies in different war periods and the topography in Sichuan. With the comparisons with the fortifications across Eurasia around the same period, this study illustrates this fortress epitomizes the development of knowledge system for fortification design in ancient China, especially the river defense fortress taking advantage of topography and navy.
Thesis Chapters by Wen Huang
Planning and Construction History of the Eight Columns, Anti-Mongol Stone Fortress in the Sichuan Theater, at the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, 2024
In 1279, Yao Sui, a Yuan official, documented the eight mountain fortresses planned by Yu Jie, th... more In 1279, Yao Sui, a Yuan official, documented the eight mountain fortresses planned by Yu Jie, the Military Intendant of the Sichuan Theater from 1242 to 1253, in the posthumous biography of Li Dehui, including the Yundingcheng Fortress, the Yunshangcheng Fortress, the Dahuocheng Fortress, the Dehancheng Fortress, the Baidicheng Fortress, the Diaoyucheng Fortress, and the Kuzhuai Fort. Collectively known as the "Eight Columns," these fortresses formed the core of Yu's Sichuan Mountain Fortress System and played a pivotal role. During the Song-Mongol War, Yu devised a defensive strategy based on Song's river defense strategy and the geographical advantages in the Sichuan Basin, and practiced it into a regional defense system. He commanded local governors and generals to lead their troops and populace in constructing mountain fortresses and to relocated the governments into these new fortresses. Relying on the mountain fortress system, the Song armies in Sichuan successfully repelled the Mongol cavalry and defended the upper reaches of the Yangtze River for 37 years. The pivotal event of the 13th century was the death of Möngke Khan during the siege of the Diaoyucheng Fortress, which had a profound impact on Eurasia and made the "Eight Columns" became wellknown in both the East and the West. Following the war, the majority of the "Eight Columns" were abandoned and enveloped in the earth. However, as systematic archaeological excavations advanced, well-preserved stone structures, including walls, stylobates, and ponds, gradually emerged from the ground. III planning ideology emphasizing on pragmatism and environment in the Song Dynasty, the welldeveloped management system of fortification planning and construction with flexibility in practice, and the flourishing local construction techniques provided the necessary conditions for this. These factors were crucial in enabling the Southern Song garrison in Sichuan to hold out for an extended period during the Song-Mongol War.
Uploads
Papers by Wen Huang
Thesis Chapters by Wen Huang