Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 71

Formation and Training Regulations: Training

Suspended Orders II

Whenever the enemy has already reached the borders and the situation is critically urgent, yet the Chief General is not present with the army and there is no time to send an express report for instructions, the Vice Commissioner — the second-in-command or deputy officer (副使) shall be consulted. Together, they shall dispatch the troops and horses, while still sending a "flying report" an urgent dispatch sent by the fastest possible courier to the Chief General to inform him of the movement.

Whenever there are individuals among the generals, staff officers, and soldiers who harbor long-standing mutual grudges — deep-seated animosity or personal feuds (讐嫌), they must not be placed in a position where one supervises or commands the other. Furthermore, they shall not be assigned to the same unit or squad. Such matters must be reported to the Chief General, and the Chief General shall memorialize the throne original: 奏聞 (zòuwén); a formal report to the Emperor regarding the arrangement.

Whenever a march is scheduled, all necessary arrangements and preparations must be finalized and settled three days before the army departs. On the single day remaining before the march, both the interior and exterior of the camp must remain quiet and tranquil, appearing as if it were a normal day.

Beyond the personal guards officially allocated to him, the Chief General is forbidden from further drafting — the act of selecting or pulling from other units (抽揀) elite warriors from the various regiments and squads to serve as his private bodyguards.

Whenever the army is on the march, it is strictly forbidden for the soldiers to trample upon the crops in the fields.