Mao Yuan

Mao Yuan (茅元)

Mao Yuan (birth and death dates currently unknown) was a Chinese scholar-official of the late Ming Dynasty. He is primarily known for his work in military theory and technology, particularly his compilation of the military treatise, the Wu Bei Zhi (武備志), also known as the Treatise on Military Preparedness.

Mao Yuan's Wu Bei Zhi is a massive encyclopedia of military knowledge, covering a vast range of topics including weaponry, fortifications, naval warfare, military organization, and historical battles. It incorporates and builds upon previous military texts, including the Sun Tzu's Art of War, and offers insights into the military thinking of the late Ming period. While the Wu Bei Zhi is a valuable resource, it also has been criticized for including some obsolete or impractical military strategies.

Despite the size and scope of the Wu Bei Zhi, relatively little is known about Mao Yuan's life beyond his role as its compiler. His name is most closely associated with this significant contribution to Chinese military literature. The Wu Bei Zhi remains a significant resource for understanding Ming Dynasty military practices and thought, and continues to be studied by scholars and military historians.