Records of Military Preparedness, Volume 92

[...officers and soldiers] are not permitted to listen to [verbal orders]. If the sound of the drums does not cease, you must advance; even if there is water or fire ahead, you must leap in. If the "metal" Original: mingjin (鳴金). This refers to the sounding of bronze gongs, the traditional signal for a retreat or a halt in Chinese warfare. is sounded to signal a stop, even if there are gold, silver, enemy heads In the Ming military, the taking of "heads" (shouji) was the standard metric for proving valor and claiming rewards., or horses right before you, you are not permitted to disobey by even a single step. Regarding the inspection of Command Flags, Command Arrows, and Command Tickets Original: lingqi (令旗), lingjian (令箭), and lingpiao (令票). These were physical tokens of authority—often made of wood or metal—that served as a "password" or "key" to verify the legitimacy of an order. for those seeking passage: even if the Commander-in-Chief arrives in person, one of these three objects must be present before allowing him through. If none are present, passage is strictly prohibited.

Second: Clarifying the Flute Signals. Blowing the suona A loud, high-pitched double-reed woodwind instrument with a metallic bell, used for its ability to be heard over the din of camp or battle. Note: The text from "Blowing" to "flute" is accompanied by emphasis dots in the original to highlight its importance. is referred to as the "signaling flute." It is used to gather the various officers and banner leaders to issue military orders; the playing must continue until the assembly is complete.

Third: Clarifying the Trumpet. It is blown at the gates of both high-ranking and lower-level generals, as well as within the drill grounds and encampments Note: The text from "both high-ranking" to "blown" is accompanied by emphasis dots in the original.. The person performing this is the signal caller. The first time it is sounded, it is the "first signal," which requires the men to pack their gear and prepare Note: The text from "The first time" to "prepare" is accompanied by emphasis dots in the original. [to move].