Wubizhi Volume 101: Military Orders

Discipline (Part 4)

...failing to move forward in the correct order; ignoring commands to halt; entering and exiting the camp without using the designated gates Military camps were strictly fortified; using unauthorized gaps in the perimeter was seen as a sign of desertion or espionage; helping oneself to others' food and drink; and shouting loudly or speaking wildly to confuse the officers and soldiers.

While these explanations are quite clear, they do not yet exhaust all the necessary principles. Therefore, I have provided fifty-nine specific regulations for the army on campaign original: 隨軍禁令 (suijun jinling); these are the standing orders for troops while actively deployed below, which must be strictly obeyed.

First: When officers and soldiers original: 吏士 (lishi); a general term for the entire hierarchy of the military receive military orders original: 軍令 (junling) that are meant to be announced to the masses, they must not recklessly add to or subtract from the wording, nor should they agitate the morale of the troops or create complications that lead to harm.

Second: Regarding documents concerning military deadlines, secret codes and signals, or reports on enemy movements and intelligence, these shall only be known to the senior officers. They should maintain constant vigilance and preparation. It is not permitted to leak original: 漏泄 (louxie); to divulge or allow information to drip out this information to the general public. If a leak leads to an enemy attack or an unexpected change in the situation, the offender shall be executed original: 斬之 (zhanzhi); specifically refers to execution by beheading, the standard punishment for high treason or endangering the army.