Records of Military Preparedness, Volume 79

Formation and Training Series: Training

Rules for Signal Flags

Half a double-hour Original: shichen (時辰). A traditional unit of time in China lasting 120 minutes. after food has been served, the horn Original: laba (喇叭). A long brass trumpet or double-reed instrument used to convey commands over long distances. is blown a second time to signal that the men are to eat their meal.

Once the men have cleared out [from their quarters], inquired about their designated camping grounds, and gathered together, the horn is blown a third time. This signals the order to set out. The Commander-in-Chief then departs from his headquarters for the various troop encampments to coordinate the direction of the march.

If the troops are already in camp, at the drill ground, or currently in the midst of a march or drill—meaning that everyone has already eaten and is already out of their quarters—then only a single signal blast is required to command the movement of the camp or the execution of maneuvers. In these specific circumstances, there is no need to repeat the second and third signals.

Whenever the horn sounds one long, sustained blast, it is called the "Swan’s Call." This is the signal for all soldiers to raise a unified battle cry in unison.

Whenever the horn sounds the "Deployment Signal," it is the command for the three branches of the military—the wagons, the infantry, and the cavalry—to immediately take their designated positions Original: jiu yu jiao (就于脚), literally "to their feet," meaning to stand ready at their stations..