Judgment of Dayu.

Summary

Water battles differ significantly from land warfare, as naval combat poses unique challenges for those untrained in it. The majority of the navy consists of inexperienced landlubbers, requiring extensive training. Historically, warships were small, with early boats evolving from logs used in fishing. The development of larger ships progressed from hand-powered to animal-powered paddles, eventually leading to sailing vessels. The best ships of the Xia Yu era were still animal-powered. Meanwhile, the Qi Long Da Zu harassed local populations, prompting military leaders to sever their connections with local clans. Despite efforts to establish official positions within these clans, ties remained, particularly among fishermen. The Qi Long Da Zu maintained food supplies through secret exchanges with shore fishermen, undermining the court's efforts to starve them. In response, the Qi Long Da Zu improved their food production and trained their navy, launching attacks on the court's naval training efforts. They employed skilled divers, known as water ghosts, to sabotage court ships, prompting the court's navy to clear the docks of potential hiding spots for these attackers.

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