Wubei Zhi (Vol. 47)

When the signal cannon is fired three times from above, every household must step outside their doors at once. When the cannon is fired another three times, everyone must proceed together onto the city walls. When the cannon is fired a third set of three times, every battlement and assigned post original: 信地 (xindi); a designated area or post for which a specific unit or individual is held responsible. must be fully manned.

The second round of cannon fire must wait until one stick of incense has finished burning original: 一炷香 (yi zhu xiang); a traditional measurement of time, typically lasting about 30 to 45 minutes.. The third round of cannon fire must wait until two sticks of incense have passed. Once the three rounds of signaling are complete, wait for the duration of one more stick of incense, then strike the bell three hundred and sixty times. Commanding officers will then inspect their assigned posts according to their records; anyone found absent will be punished according to military law.

Organizing Battlement Squads

Five battlements shall constitute one Squad original: 伍 (wu); the basic five-man unit of Chinese military organization.. A wooden plaque shall be installed at the post, upon which all the names of the squad members are written.

Every night, one person shall stand guard for one watch original: 更 (geng); the night was divided into five two-hour watches., keeping a constant lookout toward the outside. The members shall rotate through these shifts in sequence. This system ensures that four men are always resting soundly, keeping their energy from being depleted. In this way, the defense is prepared for both routine duties and sudden emergencies. For every watch, a small flag is displayed, upon which is pasted the names of those assigned to the night patrol for that specific shift, as follows: