Treatise on Military Preparedness (Vol. 3)

Information must not be leaked to the common people.

Assess the gravity of the situation; gauge the weight of circumstances. When the horses are agitated and noisy and the armored infantry are fearful, keep the formation dense. Stir the troops up if they abandon their horses and break into a noisy clamor.

If the fear does not stop and the infantrymen remain terrified, have them kneel and sit. Once they have yielded and are seated, move among them on your knees original: 膝行 (xixing); this "knee-walking" allows a commander to stay at the same level as his seated troops to provide comfort without breaking their protective posture. and gently administer the oath to them.

Also, maintain a dense array while waiting for the troops to stabilize. When they are kneeling, or sitting and prostrate, use the rising clamor and the sound of drums to signal the advance. Then,

while moving on your knees to exhort and instruct the soldiers, you must remain relaxed and composed.

When using the large bell (鐸, duo)A bronze bell with a wooden or metal tongue used in ancient China for military signaling and civil announcements. to stop them, use the sound of the bell to set the rhythm. For both stopping and advancing, use gagging pieces (銜枚, xianmei)Wooden bits, often shaped like chopsticks, held in the mouth and tied behind the neck to prevent soldiers from talking or crying out during stealth operations.. During the oath-taking, the rushing, the sitting, and the knee-walking,

push the formation forward. The gagging piece is shaped like a chopstick; it is held in the mouth and tied behind the neck to stop any noisy chatter. As you

push forward like a wedge, order the masses to prepare their dry rations. If anyone wishes to report a matter while the troops are seated, they must do so by knee-walking.

During movement, use the threat of execution to prohibit looking around or shouting. However, one must also use loud shouts to lead the way. If

the soldiers' fear is too extreme, do not resort to execution. Instead, show them a kind countenance, tell them of the path to survival, and review their specific duties with them.

If the hearts of the masses are extremely fearful, do not execute them. One should show a broad, calm expression, explain the way to stay alive, and review their duties so that their doubts and suspicions may be eased.

In all matters of instructing the three armies, the oath must be completed within a "split day." General instructions to the troops must be given within half a day, for fear that if it takes too long, secrets will leak out.