Wubei Zhi (Vol. 32) (1621) - Page 17

16. Verification of the Transmission of Orders

Whenever a verbal briefing is concluded, wait until officers of all ranks—from the highest to the lowest—have finished their delivery. The Commanding General original: 主將 Zhujiang shall then select a single soldier from a squad to step forward and ask: "What was announced today?"

If the soldier is able to explain the general gist of the orders, then the matter is settled. However, if the soldier is entirely ignorant of the orders, the Squad Leader original: 隊總 Duizong; the leader of a small unit of 10–12 men shall be summoned and questioned.

If the Squad Leader can explain the orders, then the soldier shall be punished for the crime of failing to listen and receive instructions.

If the Squad Leader cannot explain the orders, then his superior, the Platoon Leader original: 旗總 Qizong; responsible for several squads, shall be summoned and questioned. If the Platoon Leader can explain the orders, then the Squad Leader shall be punished for his failure, and the soldier shall be exempt from prosecution, as it was the Squad Leader who failed to transmit the orders clearly .

If the Platoon Leader cannot explain the orders, then the Centurion original: 百總 Baizong; an officer commanding roughly 100 men shall be summoned and questioned. If the Centurion can explain them, then the Platoon Leader shall be punished. If the Centurion cannot explain them, then the Company Commander original: 把總 Bazong; an officer in charge of 400–500 men in charge of that unit shall be summoned and questioned.

This protocol of accountability continues in this manner all the way up to the Watch Commander original: 哨將 Shaojiang; a high-ranking officer over a division; the same principle of verification applies to all. Each time a briefing is finished, the Watch Commander must select one soldier from under each Battalion Commander’s original: 千總 Qianzong; commanding roughly 1,000 men jurisdiction to test, and each Battalion Commander must likewise select a soldier from under each Company Commander .