The Chinese made significant strides in military technology. Below is an excerpt from Zeng Kongliang's Collection of the Most Important Military Techniques (1044)

The crossbow is the strorigest weapon of China and what the four kinds or barbarians most fear and obey. . . . The crossbow is the most efficient weapon of any,even at distances as small as five feet.The crossbowmen are mustered in separate companies and when they shoot, nothing can stand in front of them, no enemy formation can keep its order. If attacked by cavalry,the crossbowmen will be as solid as a mountain, shooting off such volleys that nothing can remain alive before them.Although the charge may be impetuous it will not reach them.Therefore the barbarians fear the crossbow.Truly for struggling around strategic points among mountains and rivers and defiles, overcoming men who do not lackbravery, the...