Wubizhi Volume 71

Military Training and Discipline: Proclaimed Orders, Part 3

Third: Upon receiving official documents original: 文字 (wenzi); literally "writings," but here referring to formal military orders or administrative papers or reports from the relevant government offices original: 官司 (guansi); the administrative or military bureaus in charge of the local area that must be proclaimed and announced for all to know, this must be done clearly and without a moment's delay. Each individual must acknowledge the order by signing their own name; they are not permitted to entrust others to sign for them or pass the message on third-hand. If the reported matter is not verified and this leads to errors, or if documents that should be reported or filed are delayed by even a moment, the following applies: if these are routine administrative documents and negligence occurs, the blame will be assigned to the specific party responsible; however, if the documents involve urgent military deadlines original: 軍期 (junqi) and are delayed, the penalty is execution.

Fourth: Regarding all matters and documents concerning reports of enemy movements original: 賊馬 (zeima); literally "bandit horses," a term used for enemy cavalry or raiding parties while the army is encamped in the field, any single violation of reporting protocol shall be considered an unpardonable offense.

Fifth: If any among the soldiers are truly suffering from illness and find it difficult to march or perform their duties, a report must be made immediately to the commanding general. He shall quickly order them to be carried original: 檯 (tai); to carry on a litter or stretcher to a designated station original: 寄所 (jisuo); a temporary rear-area depot or infirmary for the sick. One must not wastefully employ strong, young soldiers to carry them, nor should those seeking to avoid their duties [use this as an excuse]...