Knowledge, Power, and Technology

This article examines the epistemological nature, material forms, and social functions of zhentu (diagrams troop formation) in context early Northern Song history. The first two sections contextualize concept new political military institutions during this period. In Song, diagrams geographic knowledge came to be incorporated into imperial system a more systematic manner. third section divides categories according their forms purposes: involving relative positions that were used for training purposes, combining topographical components campaigns. last discusses how use was intertwined court debates. Their making circulation demonstrate changing power dynamics between emperor officials.