The use of sharp weapons with long and short handles by disciplined companies of armoured soldiers in various combinations, including the drill of crossbowmen alternatively advancing and retiring this is something that even the Xiongnu cannot face. The strong crossbow (劲弩) and the ballista shooting javelins have a long range something which the bows of the Xiongnu can in no way equal. On the other hand, on plains light chariots can be used and cavalry charges made in such conditions the Xiongnu are readily thrown into confusion. Rain and storm, exhaustion and fatigue, hunger and thirst, nothing do they fear our Chinese soldiers can in these things hardly compare with them. Along the tracks at the edges of precipices still they ride and shoot our Chinese horse archers can hardly do the like. Their lands are nothing but mountain-slopes with ways going up and down and winding through gorges in and out in such regions our Chinese horses cannot compete with theirs. Now both the country and the tactics of the Xiongnu are different from those of the Chinese. The weakness of the Han army is already noted in Chao Cuo, why not just quote him here?
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