Treatise on Military Preparedness (Vol. 3)

Regarding the labor of the people: when superiors and subordinates reward one another in this manner, it is the pinnacle of harmony. When goals are achieved, they sing songs of triumph to demonstrate their joy. They "rest the military" at the Spirit Tower: Lingtai, a symbolic site of royal virtue and astronomical observation associated with King Wen of Zhou to respond to the people’s labor and demonstrate a time of rest. This means putting away military force beneath the Spirit Tower.

3. Determining Rank

In all matters of war: establish ranks and positions, make merits and crimes clearly known, recruit wandering scholars of talent, proclaim instructions and orders, interrogate the masses this refers to gathering intelligence and gauging troop morale, and seek out their ingenious strategies.

Consider various directions this means comparing different plans and deliberations and contemplate the extremes of all things in order to fully grasp the nature of circumstances. Transform what is suspected and push through what is doubted this refers to resolving points of suspicion and clarifying doubts. Nourish the strength of the people meaning to allow the people’s strength to recover through rest.

Seek out ingenuity search for and utilize clever schemes. Act in accordance with the movements of the mind and thereby move the masses; follow the heart of the people.

In all matters of war: consolidate the masses through mutual benefit congratulate one another on advantages and conveniences to make the hearts of the multitude firm. Manage order and chaos, advancement and retreat observe the troops to manage disorder and scrutinize their movements. Submit to the righteous way and foster a sense of shame follow the correct path to cultivate a conscience within the soldiers. Keep laws concise and reduce punishments ensure the legal system is simple and brief. If execution is used for small crimes small crimes, it overcomes the tendency toward great crimes; this is because if you punish small crimes, then those who might commit them will be fearful; thus, will those who might commit great crimes not be deterred and instead exert themselves for the cause?