Treatise on Military Preparations, Volume 45

• Arrangement of Offerings: One sheep, one pig; no ritual silk is used.

• Procedures for the Main Sacrifice:
  The Usher original: 贊引 (zanyin); a ritual official who directs the movements of the participants. leads the Offering Official to his designated position. The Usher calls for four prostrations. The Usher calls for the Rite of the First Offering. The Usher calls [for the official] to kneel.

The Usher calls for the reading of the prayer to be completed. The Usher calls [for the official] to prostrate, rise, and stand at ease. The Usher calls for the Rite of the Second Offering. The Usher calls for the Rite of the Final Offering. The Usher calls for four prostrations. The Usher leads [the official] to the place where the prayer is burned Ritual prayers were written on paper or silk and burned at the end of the ceremony to "deliver" the message to the spirit world. to conclude the rite. The Usher declares the ritual complete.

• Ritual Prayer

On this [Year, Month, and Day], the Emperor dispatches [Official Title and Name] to offer sacrifice to:

The Spirit of the Great General of Heaven's Might, Divine Mechanism, Fire and Thunder, the Invincible. original: 天威神機火雷無敵大將軍 (Tianwei Shenji Huolei Wudi Dajiangjun); a title granted to the personified spirit of the cannon or the artillery corps.

Your spirit is awe-inspiring and brave, stern, firm, and vigorous. Like the roar of thunder, the flash of lightning, the fire of the mountains, and the rushing wind, you protect the state and shield the people. Your achievements are manifest and great. You suppress the violent and bring peace and tranquility to our borders. Whenever there is a military campaign, we rely solely upon you, Spirit. You drive the blades and dispatch the projectiles original: 鏑 (di); literally "whistling arrows," but here used metaphorically for the shots fired from "divine mechanism" firearms. with precision and marvelous skill. Of ten thousand shots, ten thousand hit their mark; you pierce and penetrate through layers [of armor]. You crush the enemy and secure victory like...