A Chinese siege of a Russian fort brought Chinese siege practice up against European defensive systems. One proposed explanation for the Chinese failure is unfamiliarity with French siege methods. Closer study of Vauban is suggested as something that could have changed the outcome. The comparison also raises the question of why Chinese siege artillery developed differently from its Western counterparts.
Notable Point · 34:06-35:09
When Chinese siege practice met a Russian fort
A brief aside contrasts Chinese siege practice with European fortification theory and asks why Chinese siege artillery developed differently.