Chapter Thirty: The Section on the Horse General

經曰：夫戎馬，必安其處所，適其水草，節其飢飽；冬則溫廐，夏則涼庌；刻剔鬃毛，謹落蹄甲。狎其耳目，無令驚悚；習其驅馳，閑其進止。人馬相親，然後可使鞍勒。轡銜必先堅完，斷絶必補。凡馬不傷於末，必傷於始；不傷於飢，必傷於飽。日暮道遠，必數上下，寕勞於人，愼無勞馬。常令有餘，備敵覆我。能明此者，可以橫行八表。

The classic says: When keeping war horses, one must ensure they are comfortable in their living quarters, provide them with suitable water and fodder, and regulate their meals. In winter, provide them with warm stables, and in summer, with cool open sheds. Trim their manes regularly and carefully maintain their hooves. One should accustom their ears and eyes to various sounds and sights so they do not get startled. Train them to run as well as to stop. Only when the horse and rider are mutually familiar should one put on the saddle and bit. The reins and bit must be made strong and well in advance; if they break, they should be repaired immediately. If a horse is injured, it is either injured in the later stages or in the beginning; it is either injured by hunger or by overeating. When the sky is dark and the journey is still long, one must frequently dismount and walk, then remount to continue. It is better to make people tired than to make the horse tired. One should always leave some reserve strength in the horse's energy, in case of sudden enemy attacks. Those who understand this principle can move freely in all directions.

凡馬軍，人支兩匹。一軍徵馬二萬五千匹，其無馬者，亦如五支，令以兩匹為率。一人徵馬副大將，軍中擇善牧養者任。二人徵馬總管副偏將，軍中擇善牧養者任。八人徵馬子將軍，軍中擇明閑牧養者任。五十人徵馬押官定見，軍中擇善牧養者任。五百人群頭，善乘騎者任。一雲百人群頭毉，亦群頭中擇取一千人馬子軍外差，又云五百人馬子毉馬在內。

All cavalrymen are provided with two horses each. The total number of warhorses for the entire army is twenty-five thousand. Those who are not assigned horses are also distributed according to the five-part method, with each person receiving two horses as the standard. One general in charge of warhorses is appointed, selected from the army for his skill in herding and breeding horses. Two deputy generals in charge of warhorses are appointed, also selected from the army for their skill in herding and breeding horses. Eight sub-generals in charge of warhorses are appointed, selected from the army for their familiarity with herding and breeding horses. Fifty officials responsible for overseeing the horses are appointed, selected from the army for their skill in herding and breeding horses. Five hundred group leaders are appointed, selected from those skilled in riding. Another account states that one hundred group leaders also serve as veterinarians, selected from among the group leaders. One thousand horse attendants are assigned from outside the army, while another account states that five hundred horse attendants are assigned, with veterinarians included among them.

經曰：凡人，觀其外，足知其內。七竅者，五臟之門戶。九候三停，定一尺之面；智愚勇怯，形一寸之眼。天倉金匱，以別其貴賤貧富。夫欲任將，先觀其貌，後知其心。

This text says: All people, merely by looking at their outward appearance, can be known in terms of their inner qualities. The eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, these seven orifices, are the external openings of the five internal organs. In physiognomy, the "nine checks" and "three stops" are used to assess a square foot of the face. Whether a person is wise or foolish, brave or timid, is evident in the one inch of the eyes. The areas called "Heavenly Granary" and "Golden Chest" are used to determine a person's status, wealth, and poverty. Therefore, when appointing a general, first look at his appearance, then further examine his inner character.

神有餘法：容貌堂堂，精爽清徹，聲色不變，其志榮枯，不易其操，是謂神有餘。

The standard for determining "spirit in excess" is: appearance dignified and grand, spirit clear and bright, voice and expression remain unchanged when encountering matters, regardless of whether the circumstances are prosperous or adverse, the will does not waver and the conduct remains unaltered. This is called "spirit in excess."

形有餘法：頭頂豐停，腹肚濃厚，鼻圓而直，口方而稜，頤額相臨，顴耳高聳，肉多而有餘，〈○文瀾閣本作「不餘」。〉骨粗而不露，眉目明朗，手足紅鮮，望下而就高，比大而獨小，是謂形有餘。

The standard for determining "shape with excess": the head is full and evenly proportioned, the abdomen is thick and solid, the nose bridge is round and straight, the mouth is square and has distinct edges, the chin and forehead are in harmonious proportion, the cheekbones and ears are high and prominent, the muscles are full and abundant, the bones are strong but not exposed, the eyebrows and eyes are bright and clear, the hands and feet are red and lively, and when viewed from below, the figure appears lofty and upright. Although compared to tall people he may seem short, his body is still full and substantial. This is called "shape with excess."

心有餘法：遏惡揚善，後己先人，無疾人以自賢，無危人以自安，好施陰德，常守忠信，〈○文瀾閣本此下有「不疾人之善，不揚己之長」二句。〉豁達大度，不拘小節，是謂心有餘。

The standard for discerning "heart with excess virtue" is to suppress evil deeds, commend good actions, place oneself behind and others in front, not show one's virtue by belittling others, not secure one's own safety by harming others, to prefer secretly accumulating merit and doing good deeds, always maintaining loyalty and righteousness. (Note: The Wenlan Pavilion edition adds below this sentence: "Not hastening others' virtues, not boasting one's own strengths.") Having a broad mind and great capacity, not constrained by petty matters, this is called "heart with excess virtue."

虎頭高視，富貴無比；犀頭崒嵂，富貴鬱鬱；象頭高廣，福祿居長；鹿頭側長，志氣雄強；龜頭郤縮，喉豐酒肉；獺頭橫闊，志氣豁達；駝頭蒙鴻，福祿千鍾；蛇頭平薄，財物寥落；駱頭尖銳，貧厄無計；兔頭蔑頡，志氣下劣；狗頭尖圓，泣淚漣漣。

A person whose head resembles a tiger with upward-looking eyes will be wealthy beyond comparison; a person whose head resembles an ox with a high and abrupt appearance will have great wealth; a person whose head resembles an elephant with a broad and lofty shape will have blessings and honors ahead of others; a person whose head resembles a deer with a side view that is long and straight will have a strong and vigorous spirit; a person whose head resembles a tortoise with a hunched posture will have a thick and prosperous throat, never lacking in wine and meat; a person whose head resembles a mink with a broad and open shape will have a broad-minded spirit; a person whose head resembles a camel with a thick and soft appearance will have blessings reaching a thousand measures of grain; a person whose head resembles a snake with a flat and thin shape will have little wealth; a person whose head resembles a donkey with a sharp top and pointed bottom will be poor and in danger without remedy; a person whose head resembles a rabbit with a narrow and crooked shape will have a low and inferior spirit; a person whose head resembles a dog with a sharp and round shape will cry and weep all his life.

眉直頭昻，富貴吉昌；眉薄而晞，少信多欺；髮欲細宻，鬚欲麄疏。

A person with straight eyebrows and elevated brow ridges is destined for wealth, honor, and prosperity. Someone with sparse and dry eyebrows lacks integrity and is prone to deceit. Fine and dense hair is favorable, while coarse and sparse beard is considered auspicious.

眼目光彩明凈者，貴；眼鼻成就者，魂魄強美；眉目指瓜者，好施；眼鼻口小者，多虛少實；眼鼻口大者，有實無虛；眼中赤脈貫瞳子者，兵死。雞眼捲頭，不淫卽偷；羊目直視，能殺妻子；豬目應瞪，刑禍相仍，亦主小貴；蜂目豺聲，常行安忍；螻蛄目，心難得；魚目，多厄；猴目，窮寒；鷹視狼顧，常懷嫉妬；牛頭虎視，富貴無比。

A person whose eyes are bright and clear is destined for high status. Someone whose eyes and nose are properly shaped and positioned has a strong and handsome spirit. A person with eyebrows and eyes clearly defined, like the joints of a gourd, is inclined to give generously. Those with small eyes, nose, and mouth are characterized by much superficiality and little substance. Those with large eyes, nose, and mouth are substantial and not superficial. If there is a red thread running through the pupil, the person will die by weapon. If the eyes are like a chicken's eye and the corners are curled, the person is either lustful or a thief. If the eyes are like a sheep's eye and stare straight ahead, the person is capable of killing their own wife and children. If the eyes are like a pig's eye and constantly stare at others, they will suffer continuous punishment and misfortune, though they may have a little noble status. If the eyes are like a bee's and the voice sounds like a jackal, the person often commits cruel acts. If the eyes are like a mole's, the mind is hard to read. If the eyes are like a fish's, there are many misfortunes. If the eyes are like a monkey's, the person is poor and humble. If the gaze is like an eagle's and also like a wolf's, looking straight and frequently turning back, the person is often envious. If the head is like a bull's and the eyes are like a tiger's, the person will be wealthy beyond comparison.

鼻圓隆實，富貴終吉；鼻孔小縮，慳貪不足；蜣蜋鼻，少意智。野狐鬚，無信期；羖羊鬚，多狐疑。

A person with a round, prominent, and full nose is wealthy and fortunate throughout their life. Someone with narrow and constricted nostrils is stingy and always greedy. A person whose nose resembles a dung beetle lacks intelligence and cunning. Someone whose beard resembles a wild fox is untrustworthy and fails to keep promises. A person whose beard resembles a black ram is suspicious and indecisive.

口如馬喙，心難信制；口如鳥嘴，窮寒客死；口如河海，富貴自在；唇如點朱，才學代無。

People with mouths that protrude like a horse's have difficult minds that are hard to trust and control; those with sharp, bird-like beaks are poor and die in foreign lands; those with mouths as broad as rivers and seas will be wealthy and comfortable; those with lips as red as cinnabar are outstanding in talent and learning.

舌紅且厚，神識自守；吐舌及鼻，有壽復貴。

A person with a red and thick tongue has clear consciousness and can maintain self-discipline. Someone whose tongue can reach their nose is destined for both longevity and high status.

鋸齒食肉；平齒食菜；疏齒猛毅；密齒淳和；細齒長貧，名曰鬼齒。

People with teeth like saw blades, uneven and jagged, are destined to eat meat; those with flat teeth are destined to eat vegetables. Those with sparse tooth gaps are bold and resolute in character; those with closely packed teeth are gentle and mild-mannered. Those with small teeth will experience long-term poverty, and such teeth are called 'ghost teeth'.

燕頷封侯，腮尖乏肉，意志不足。

Those with a full and round lower jaw like that of a swallow can be granted a marquis title; those with sharp and narrow cheeks lacking flesh have weak willpower.

耳輪厚大鮮明者，貴而且壽；小薄者，賤而且夭。

People with thick and large earlobes that are clearly defined are both prosperous and long-lived; those with thin and small earlobes are both humble and short-lived.

虎項圓粗，富貴有餘；鶴頂了了，財物乏少。頸麄短者，富貴；長細者，貧賤。

A person with a neck as thick and round as a tiger's is wealthy and prosperous. Someone with a neck as thin and distinct as a crane's lacks wealth. A person with a short and thick neck is wealthy, while someone with a long and thin neck is poor and lowly.

胸背如龜，富貴巍巍；胸長而方，智勇無雙。

A person whose chest and back are thick and prominent like a turtle is destined for wealth and high status. Someone with a long and square chest possesses unparalleled wisdom and courage.

手足尖濃，指密而厚者，富貴；手如雞足，智意褊促；手如豬蹄，智意昏迷；手如狙掌，勤勞伎倆。

If the fingertips are pointed and the flesh is thick, and the fingers are closely and thickly clasped, then the person is wealthy and prosperous. If the hands resemble chicken claws, the mind is narrow and impetuous. If the hands resemble pig's feet, the mind is dull and unclear. If the palms resemble those of a monkey, the person will be diligent and hardworking, relying on skills and techniques for a living.

肚如埀壺，富貴有餘。牛腹貪婪；狗腹窮寒；蝦蟆腹懶；蜥蜴腹緩。

A person whose belly hangs down like a hanging gourd is prosperous and wealthy. A person whose belly resembles a cow's is greedy. One whose belly looks like a dog's is poor and humble. One whose belly is like a toad's is lazy. One whose belly is like a lizard's is slow.

凡人聲欲深且實，不欲淺而虛，遠而不散，近而不亡，淺而非壯，深而不藏，大而不濁，小而不彰，細而不亂，幽而能明，餘響澂徹，有若笙簧，宛轉流韻，能圓而長。虎聲將軍，馬聲驍勇。雄聲雌視者，虛偽人也；氣急而聲重者，眞實人也。

A person's voice should be deep and solid, not shallow, hollow, or floating. It should carry far without scattering or becoming confused, and when heard closely, it should not fade away. The tone may be light but not weak, and though deep, it should not be buried. A loud voice should not be muffled, and a soft voice should not be indistinct. It should be fine without being chaotic, and even in subtle tones, it should remain clear. The lingering sound should be pure and clear, like the sound of a reed pipe or a zither, flowing and resonant with a natural rhythm, smooth and long-lasting. A voice like a tiger's roar indicates a person fit to be a general; a voice like a horse's whinny suggests bravery in battle. If a person's voice is strong but their eyes are soft and weak, they are deceitful. If their breathing is rapid but their voice is heavy, they are sincere.

凡黑子欲得大而明，生隱處吉，露處凶。

All black moles are considered good if they are large and have a bright, lustrous color; those located in hidden places are auspicious, while those on exposed areas are ominous.

凡人面欲圓，胸欲方，上欲長，下欲短。

A person's face should be round, the chest square, the upper body long, and the lower body short.

凡人胸欲厚，背欲負五嶽、成四瀆好，頭高足厚，頸短臂長，似虎似龍，所謂行、住、坐、臥，飲食音聲，似非一處也。

A person's chest should be thick and solid, their back should rise and fall like carrying the five mountains and forming the four rivers, their head should be high and prominent, their feet thick and solid, their neck short and their arms long, their appearance resembling both tiger and dragon. Walking, standing, sitting, lying down, as well as the sound of eating and speaking, all differ from ordinary people.

腦頭高聳起，將軍。「□」三關玉枕，萬戶侯近下將軍；「◎」車輪枕，封侯；「□」三星枕，封王；「□」偃月枕，封三公；「□」四方枕，封侯；「□」十字枕，封二千石；「□」酒樽枕，二千石；三公「□」上字枕，封侯；「○」圓枕，封侯。

A person with a high and prominent back of the head can become a general. The symbols before each of the following items represent the shape of the bone at the back of the head, specifically the Jade Pillow Bone, as depicted in the original text. Since the illustrations are missing, they are represented here by square brackets: A shape resembling three gates (三关形) indicates a position as high as a Marquis of a thousand households (万户侯) or a general; a wheel shape (车轮形) indicates being granted a marquisate; a shape resembling three stars (三星形) indicates being enfeoffed as a king; a crescent moon shape (偃月形) indicates reaching the rank of the Three Ducal Ministers (三公); a square shape (方形) indicates being granted a marquisate; a cross shape (十字形) indicates holding an official position equivalent to two thousand stones (二千石); a wine cup shape (酒樽形) also indicates an official position equivalent to two thousand stones; a character resembling the word "上" (上字形) indicates reaching the rank of the Three Ducal Ministers and being granted a marquisate; and a circular shape (圆形) indicates being granted a marquisate.

「□」額上有北字文，將軍；「□」額上有兩立文，二千石；「□」眉間有四立文，封侯；「八」眉間有八字龍文，將軍；「□」眉間有三偃月文，封侯；「□」額上有覆月文，將軍；「八」眉上有文通髮，將軍；「土」眉間有土字文，封侯；「文」眉間有文字文者，兵死。

The following symbols, also included in the original book's pattern illustrations, indicate different destinies: those with the character 「北」 on their forehead can become generals; those with two 「立」 characters on their forehead can attain the rank of two thousand stones; those with four 「立」 characters between their eyebrows will be granted a marquis title; those with an 「八」 shaped dragon pattern between their eyebrows can become generals; those with three crescent-shaped patterns between their eyebrows will be granted a marquis title; those with an inverted crescent moon pattern on their forehead can become generals; those with a straight line of markings from their eyebrows to their hairline can become generals; those with a 「土」 character between their eyebrows will be granted a marquis title; those with a 「文」 character between their eyebrows will die by weapon.

凡人色，欲正不欲邪。白如凝脂，黑如傅漆，紫如爛椹，黃如蒸粟，赤如炎火，青如浴藍，皆三公、將、相也。

The complexion of ordinary people should be pure and upright, not biased or distorted. White should resemble solid grease, black like freshly painted lacquer, purple like ripe mulberries, yellow like steamed millet, red like burning flames, and blue like newly dyed indigo. Those who possess such complexions are said to have the appearance of the Three Dukes, generals, and prime ministers.

經曰：相馬之法，先相頭耳：耳如撇竹，眼如鳥目，麞脊、麟腹、虎胸，尾如垂帚。次相頭骨：稜角成就，前看、後看、側看，但見骨側狹，見皮薄露，鼻衡柱側，高低額欲伏，臺骨分明，分段俱起，視盼欲遠，精神體氣高爽。〈○張刻本無此四句。按：下文云「高舉而遠望，淫視而遠聴」，又云「胸前三臺骨欲起，分段分明」，與此文意複，疑張本得其眞也。今姑存之。〉

This text says: The method of examining a horse involves first looking at its head and ears. The ears should be like sharpened bamboo strips, the eyes like those of a bird, the back like that of a civet cat, the abdomen like that of a qilin, the chest like that of a tiger, and the tail like an inverted broom. Next, examine the skull: the bones should be properly shaped and upright. When viewed from the front, back, or side, the skull should appear thin and compact, with thin skin and slightly visible tendons and bones. The nasal bone should be straight, the forehead should have a gentle curve and slightly incline forward, the bone structure should be distinct, each segment of bone should be prominent, the eyes should be able to look far away, and the spirit, body, and energy should be bright and vigorous. (Note: The Zhang edition does not include these four sentences. According to the text, the following mentions 'looking up and far away, looking lazily and listening far away,' and also says 'the three platforms on the chest should be prominent and distinct in segments,' which repeats the meaning here. It is suspected that the Zhang edition is the original version. For now, it is retained.)

立蹄攢聚，行止循良，走驟輕躁，毛鬣輕潤，喘息均細；擎頭如鷹，龍頭高舉而遠望，淫視而遠聽，前看如雞鳴，後看如蹲虎；立如獅子，闢兵萬里；頷鼻中欲得受人拳；名曰「太倉」。

When standing, the four legs are gathered and aligned, and when moving or stopping, they follow proper form. When running, they are light and agile. The fur and mane are soft and lustrous, and the breathing is even and subtle. When looking up, it resembles an eagle; the head, like a dragon, is raised high and looks toward the distance. The eyes move with a far-reaching gaze, and the ears are keen to distant sounds. From the front, it looks like a rooster stretching its neck at dawn; from the back, it resembles a tiger crouching. When standing, it appears like a lion, capable of warding off military calamities from a distance. The depression between the lower jaw and the nose should be able to hold a fist, a feature known as 「too cang」.

太倉寬易飼。胸臆欲闊。胸前三臺骨欲起，分段分明。鬣欲高，頭欲方，目欲大，而光脊欲強壯有力，腹脇欲張，四下欲長。耳欲緊小，小卽耐勞。目大膽，大膽則不驚。鼻欲大，鼻大則肺大，肺大則能走。膁欲小，小則易飼。肋欲得密。

"The Tai Cang" refers to a horse with a broad chest, which is easy to feed. The chest should be wide and open. The three-star bones in front should be prominent and clearly segmented. The mane should be high, the head square, and the eyes large and bright. The back should be strong and powerful, the abdomen wide with well-spread ribs, and the legs long. The ears should be compact and short; small ears indicate endurance. Large eyes suggest boldness, and boldness means less fear. The nostrils should be large; large nostrils mean a large lung capacity, which allows for greater speed. The soft ribs around the waist should be small, as small ribs make the horse easier to feed. The ribs should be closely spaced.

口欲上尖下方，舌欲薄長赤色如朱，齒欲顎瓣分明，牙欲去齒二寸，腹下欲廣且平方。牙欲白，則長壽。望之大，就之小，筋馬也。前視見目，傍視見腹，後視見肉，駿馬也。

The mouth should be pointed at the top and square at the bottom, the tongue thin and long, red like cinnabar. The teeth and the gums should be clearly separated, with the molars two inches away from the front teeth. The abdomen should be wide and flat. The teeth should be white, and white teeth indicate longevity. From a distance, the horse appears tall and large, but when approached, it seems thin and small, indicating strong bones and sinews. When viewed from the front, the eyes are visible; from the side, the abdomen is visible; and from the back, the buttocks are visible. This is a fine and noble horse.

齒欲齊密，上下相當，上唇欲急而方，下唇欲緩而厚，口欲紅而有光，如穴中看火，千里馬也。臆間欲廣一尺以上，能久走，頭欲高，如剝兔龍顱，穴目平脊，大腹䏶肉多者，行千里；眼中紫縷貫瞳子者，五百里；上下徹者，千里。〈○此二句原脫，依文瀾閣本補。〉

The teeth should be neat and closely packed, with the upper and lower jaws fitting together properly. The upper lip should be tight and square, while the lower lip should be loose and thick. The mouth should be red and lustrous, like seeing fire from a cave, which is a sign of a thousand-mile horse. The chest should be more than a foot wide to allow for long-distance running. The head should be high and upright, resembling the head of a rabbit without its skin or the head of a dragon. The eye sockets should be deep, the back straight, the abdomen large, and the hind legs muscular and strong, which indicates a horse capable of traveling a thousand miles. If there are purple fine lines running through the pupil, the horse can travel five hundred miles. If the purple lines are clear throughout, the horse can travel a thousand miles. (Note: These two sentences were originally missing and have been supplemented based on the Wenlan Pavilion edition.)

凡馬不問大小肥瘦，數肋有十二、十三，四百里；十四、十五，五百里。旋毛起腕膝上者，六百里；腹脊上者，五百里；項轅大者，三百里；目中有童人如並立並坐者，千里。羊鬚中生距如雞者，五百里。耳本下角長一二寸者，千里。頭如渴鳥者，千里。馬初生無毛，七日方得行者，千里。

All horses, regardless of their size or thinness, should first be counted for the number of their ribs: those with twelve or thirteen ribs can travel four hundred miles a day; those with fourteen or fifteen ribs can travel five hundred miles a day. If the hair grows above the wrist and knee, they can travel six hundred miles a day; if it grows above the abdomen and back, they can travel five hundred miles a day. If the neck and the bone of the harness are thick and strong, they can travel three hundred miles a day. If the reflection in the horse's eyes shows people standing side by side or sitting in a row, they can travel a thousand miles a day. If the horse's whiskers have hard spines like those of a chicken's comb, they can travel five hundred miles a day. If the bone shaped like an horn grows one or two inches below the ear, they can travel a thousand miles a day. If the head resembles the curved tube used for drawing water called 'ke wu', they can travel a thousand miles a day. If a horse is born without hair and can only walk after seven days, it can travel a thousand miles a day.

尿過前蹄一寸已上者，五百里；尿舉如一足大者，千里。腹下有逆毛者，千里。蘭孔中有筋皮及毛者，五百里，眼上孔是也。蹄青黑赤紅白，硬如蚌，有隴道成者，軟口叉吻頭厚者，硬口叉淺者，不能食眼下無伏蟲及骨者，咬人。目小多白，驚。後足欲曲，腕耳中欲促。凡馬後兩足白者，老馬駒；前兩足白者，小馬駒。

A horse whose urine can spray over its front hoof by more than an inch can travel five hundred miles a day; a horse that lifts its leg high when urinating can travel a thousand miles a day. A horse with reverse-grown hair beneath its belly can travel a thousand miles a day. If there is flesh, skin, and hair growing from the 'lan kong,' which is the concave pit above the eyes, it can travel five hundred miles a day. A horse's hoof that is blue, black, red, red, or white, hard like a clam shell, and has raised ridges forming a pattern, is a good hoof. A horse with soft mouth and thick lips and nose is a soft-mouthed horse; a horse with shallow nose and horn is a hard-mouthed horse. A horse without flesh and bone protrusions beneath its eyes, and unable to eat properly, tends to bite. A horse with small eyes and lots of white in the eyes is easily startled. The hind legs should be slightly bent, and the wrist and inner ear should be compact. Any foal with white on both hind hooves is the offspring of an old horse; any foal with white on both front hooves is the offspring of a young horse.

馬有五勞：卸鞍不𩥇者，骨勞；𩥇而不起者，筋勞；起而不振者，皮勞；振而不噴者，氣勞；噴而不尿者，血勞。骨勞，絆之𨚫行三十步，差。皮勞，以手摩兩鞍下，汗出，差。氣勞，長韁牽之行得尿者，差。血勞，高繫，勿令頭低而食，差。馬口，春青色、夏赤色、秋白色、冬黑色，皆死，此名入口病也。

A horse may suffer from five types of exhaustion: if it is taken off the saddle but does not roll, it is bone exhaustion; if it rolls but cannot rise, it is tendon exhaustion; if it rises but does not shake its body, it is skin exhaustion; if it shakes its body but does not make a snorting sound, it is breath exhaustion; if it makes a snorting sound but does not urinate, it is blood exhaustion. For bone exhaustion, tie it with a halter and make it walk backward thirty steps, and it will recover. For skin exhaustion, rub the areas under both saddle pads with your hands until they sweat, and it will recover. For breath exhaustion, lead it with a long reins until it can urinate, and it will recover. For blood exhaustion, tie it high so it cannot lower its head to eat, and it will recover. The color of a horse's mouth, if it turns blue in spring, red in summer, white in autumn, or black in winter, it will die. This condition is called "mouth entrance disease."

經曰：陶唐氏以人戒於國中，欲人強其命也。有虞氏以農教戰，漁獵簡習，故人體之。夏后氏誓眾於軍中，欲人先其慮也。殷人誓眾於軍門之外，欲人先意以待事也。周人將交白刃而誓之，以致人意也。夏賞於朝，賞善也；殷戮於市，戮不善也。周賞於朝，戮於市，兼質文心也。夫人，以心定言，以言出令，故須振雄略，出勁辭，銳鐵石之心，凜風霜之氣，發揮號令，申明軍法。

The Classic says: Tao Tang's Emperor Yao admonished the people in the capital, urging them to abide by the commands they had received. Yu the Great, of the Yu dynasty, trained the people in military matters during the season of farming, using fishing and hunting to practice military formations, so the people personally experienced military affairs. The Xia dynasty held oaths within the military camp, to make the people think beforehand. The Shang dynasty held oaths outside the military gate, to make the people prepare their minds in anticipation of battle. The Zhou dynasty waited until the moment when the weapons of both sides were about to meet before holding oaths, to fully inspire the soldiers' morale. The Xia dynasty rewarded people in the court, to commend good deeds; the Shang dynasty executed criminals in the market, to punish wrongdoing; the Zhou dynasty both rewarded in the court and executed in the market, combining simplicity with refinement. People always first determine what they want to say in their hearts, then express it through words and issue commands. Therefore, when holding oaths, one must stir up bold strategies, speak with strong and resolute words, temper a heart as hard as iron and stone, and display a cold and sharp spirit like wind and frost, so that the commands can be fully expressed and the military laws clearly proclaimed.

誓眾文：某將軍某乙告爾六軍將吏士伍等。聖人弦木為弧，剡木為矢，弧矢之利，以威不庭。兼弱攻昧，取亂侮亡。今戎夷不庭，式干王命，皇帝授我斧鉞，肅將天威，有進死之榮，無退生之辱，用命賞於祖，不用命戮於社。軍無二令，將無二言，勉爾乃誠，以從王事，無干典刑。

The proclamation for the military campaign: General So-and-so declares to you, the generals, officials, and soldiers of the six armies. In ancient times, the sage bent wood into bows and carved wood into arrows, using the sharpness of bows and arrows to intimidate the states that did not pay homage. He conquered the weak, attacked the dark, seized the disorderly states, and looked down upon the dying nations. Now the Rong and Di tribes have not paid homage, thus violating the emperor's command. The emperor has entrusted me with the axes and halberds, ordering me to carry out the heavenly punishment with reverence. To advance and die is glorious; to retreat and live is a disgrace. Those who obey the orders will be rewarded before the ancestral temple; those who disobey will be executed before the earth altar. There shall be no two commands in the army, and the general shall not speak in two ways. I urge you all to exert your loyalty and carry out the king's affairs, without violating the country's established punishments.

軍令：經曰：師眾以順為武，有死無犯為恭，故穰苴斬莊賈，魏絳戮楊干，而名聞諸侯，威震鄰國。令之不行，不可以稱兵。三令而不如法者，吏士之罪也；申明而不如法者，將之過也。先甲三日，懸令於軍門，付之軍正，使執本宣於六軍之眾。有犯命者，命軍正準令按理而後行刑，使六軍知禁而不敢違也。

Military orders. The classic text says: A military force relies on obedience to demonstrate courage, and to prefer death over violating military orders is called respectfulness. Therefore,司马穰苴 executed the late arriving military supervisor Zhang Jia, and Wei Jiang executed the charioteer of Duke Jin's younger brother Yang Gan, thereby gaining a reputation that spread among the feudal lords and causing fear in neighboring states. If orders are not carried out, one cannot lead an army into battle. If orders are given three times but not executed according to law, it is the fault of the officers and soldiers; if orders are not clearly explained and thus not followed, it is the fault of the general. Before issuing the orders, they should be posted on the military gate three days in advance, and handed over to the military judge, who will read the original copy aloud to all six divisions of the army. Anyone who violates the orders shall be investigated by the military judge according to the text of the orders, and then punished, so that all six divisions know the prohibitions and dare not violate them.

一、漏軍事者，斬；漏洩軍中陰謀及告事者，皆死。一、背軍走者，斬；在道及營臨陣同。一、不戰而降敵者，斬；背順歸逆同。一、不當日時後期者，斬；詐事會戰同。阻雨雪水火不坐。一、與敵人私交通者，斬，籍沒其家；言語書疏同。

One, those who leak military secrets shall be beheaded; those who reveal military plots or report military information to outsiders shall all be executed. One, those who desert from their units shall be beheaded; those who flee during marching, in the camp, or at the moment of battle shall be treated the same. One, those who surrender to the enemy without fighting shall be beheaded; those who abandon the righteous and join the rebels shall be treated the same. One, those who fail to arrive on time and miss the appointed date and hour shall be beheaded; those who pretend to have business and avoid battle shall be treated the same; those whose delay is caused by heavy rain, snow, floods, or fires shall not be punished. One, those who secretly communicate with the enemy shall be beheaded and their property shall be confiscated; those who communicate verbally or by letter shall be treated the same.

一、失主將者，斬；隨從則不坐。一、失旌旗節鉞者，連隊斬；與敵人所取同。一、臨難不相救者，斬；為敵所急不相救者同。一、誑惑訛言，妄說陰陽卜筮者，斬；妄說鬼神災祥以動眾者同。一、無故驚軍者，斬；呼呌奔走，妄言煙塵者同。

One, those who lose the commander are to be executed; those who remain constantly by the commander's side are not to be punished. One, those who lose the banners, symbols, and weapons are to be executed along with their entire unit; those whose weapons are taken by the enemy are to be treated the same way. One, those who do not assist each other in times of danger are to be executed; those who see a fellow soldier being forced by the enemy but remain idle are to be treated the same way. One, those who use lies to deceive the people and recklessly discuss yin and yang divination are to be executed; those who recklessly talk about ghosts, gods, disasters, omens, and auspicious signs to incite the crowd are to be treated the same way. One, those who unnecessarily alarm the entire army are to be executed; those who shout loudly, run around wildly, and falsely report that enemy cavalry are coming are to be treated the same way.

一、遺棄五兵軍裝者，斬；不謹固檢察者同。一、自相竊盜者，斬，不計多少。一、將吏守職不平，藏情相容者，斬；理事曲法者同。一、以強凌弱，樗蒲忿爭，酗酒喧競，惡罵無禮，於理不順者，斬；因公宴集醉者，不坐。一、軍中奔走軍馬者，斬；將軍已下，並步入營乘騎者同。

One, those who discard the five weapons:戈, 殳, 戟, 首矛, and 夷矛, and their military uniforms, shall be beheaded; those who fail to properly guard and inspect military equipment and uniforms shall be treated the same. One, those who steal from each other within the army shall be beheaded, regardless of the amount stolen. One, officers and officials who act unjustly in their posts, conceal the truth, and protect each other shall be beheaded; those who commit legal wrongdoings in their duties shall be treated the same. One, those who use strength to oppress the weak, gamble, quarrel, get drunk and make noise, speak disrespectfully and behave improperly shall be beheaded; those who become drunk during official banquets shall not be punished. One, those who ride horses freely within the military camp shall be beheaded; those who are required to walk into the camp as per regulations but ride horses into the camp shall be treated the same.

一、破敵先擄掠者，斬；入敵境亦同。一、更鋪失候，犯夜失號，擅宿他火者，斬；恐奸得計。一、守圍不固者，斬；罪一火主吏。一、不伏差遣，及主吏役使不平者，斬；有私及強梁者同。一、侵欺百姓，姦居人子女，及將婦人入營者，斬；恐傷人軍中，愼子女氣。一、違將軍一時一命，皆斬。

One, after defeating the enemy, those who seize plunder first are executed; those who plunder擅自 in enemy territory are also executed. One, those who fail to keep watch and change shifts on time, walk about at night and cannot answer the password, or stay in another 'fire' unit without permission are executed; this is to prevent spies from succeeding. One, those who guard the fence inadequately and loosely are executed; only the head officer of that fire unit is punished. One, those who disobey orders or have the officers mistreat soldiers unfairly are executed; those who act with private interests or behave tyrannically are also executed. One, those who oppress the people, commit rape on civilian women, or bring women into the camp are executed; this is to prevent discord within the army and to handle matters concerning men and women with care. One, those who disobey the general's orders, even in a single instance, are all executed.