Chapter Forty-Two: Military Uniforms

經曰：軍無輜重，則舉動皆闕。士卒以軍中為家，至於錐刀，不可有缺。

The classic states: If an army lacks supplies, every action will be lacking. Soldiers regard the camp as their home, and even small items such as a cone or a knife must not be missing.

驢，六分七千五百頭，鞍絡自副。幕，一萬二千五百口，竿、梁、釘、橛、鎚自副。

The pack animals were allocated according to the standard of six parts, totaling seven thousand five hundred animals. The saddles and harnesses were considered accessories of the donkeys and were provided together with the donkeys, without the need for separate requests. (In the Tang dynasty, a fully manned army consisted of twelve thousand five hundred men. "Ten parts" meant one item per person, fully equipped. "One part" was one-tenth of the full quota, that is, one thousand two hundred and fifty items. Therefore, "six parts" corresponded exactly to seven thousand five hundred animals.) The total number of military tents was twelve thousand five hundred. The tent poles, crossbars, iron nails, wooden stakes for fixing the tents, and hammers for driving the stakes were all provided together with the tents.

鍋，一分一千二百五十口。乾糧，十分一人一斗二升，一軍一千五百石。

The military cauldrons are allocated at one-tenth of the full quota, meaning each soldier receives one-tenth of a cauldron. The entire army has a total of one thousand two hundred and fifty cauldrons, resulting in one cauldron being shared by every ten soldiers. The dry rations are allocated at ten-tenths of the full quota, with each soldier receiving one dou and two sheng. For the entire army of twelve thousand five hundred soldiers, the total amount is one thousand five hundred shi.

麩袋，十分一萬二千五百口，韋皮縫，可繞腰，受一斗五升。馬盂，十分一萬二千五百口，皆堅木為之，或熟銅，受三升；〈文瀾閣本「二斗」。〉冬月可以暖食。

The grain bags for holding bran are issued to full capacity, one per person, totaling twelve thousand five hundred portions; the bags are sewn from cured cowhide and can be wrapped around the waist for easy carrying, with a capacity of one and a half dou. Drinking vessels for horses and for food are also issued to full capacity, one per person, totaling twelve thousand five hundred portions; they are all made by turning hard wood or by casting refined copper, with a capacity of three sheng (the Wenlan Pavilion edition says "two dou"). In winter, they can be placed over a fire to warm the food.

刀子、銼子、鉗子、鑽子、藥袋、火石袋、鹽袋、解結錐、礪石，各十分一十一萬二千五百事。

Small knives, files, pliers, drills, medicine bags, bags for flint, salt bags, cone-shaped tools for untying ropes, and whetstones for sharpening tools—these nine items are each provided in full measure of ten parts, one for each person, totaling eleven thousand two hundred and fifty pieces. "Shi" is a unit of quantity used for objects in the Tang dynasty, equivalent to the modern term "piece."

麻鞋，三十分三萬七千五百緉，攤子、�𩍬𤁧子，各十分三萬七千五百事。桍帑、抹額、六帶帽子、氊帽子，各十分六萬二千五百事。

The leather shoes were distributed according to "thirty pieces," equivalent to three pairs per person. The entire army received a total of thirty-seven thousand five hundred pairs, with one pair being one "liang." For the padding materials, such as mats and other items (with one character missing in the original text, but calculated to be three types in total), each item was distributed at full ration per person, totaling thirty-seven thousand five hundred items. For the trousers, headbands (headscarves worn on the forehead), caps with six straps, and felt caps, each item was distributed at full ration per person, totaling sixty-two thousand five hundred items.

諬床，十分一萬二千五百領。皮裘、皮褲，各三分七千五百領，或詐為蕃兵，用柳鑵栲栳各三分〈○依下數，當作「二分」。〉五千口。

The various beds used by soldiers for sitting and lying down were provided at a rate of one per person, totaling 12,500. Leather coats and leather trousers were each provided at a rate of three parts, amounting to 3,750 each, for a total of 7,500. When soldiers needed to pretend to be enemy troops and infiltrate enemy territory, they would wear these two items. Willow baskets and willow buckets were each provided at a rate of three parts (according to the total number mentioned later, this should be two parts), totaling 5,000.

皮囊袋，亦得鍬鎚斧鋸鑿，各二分〈○已上張刻本但有「皮囊十分」四字。按︰「皮囊袋亦得」句，當屬上條。〉一萬二千五百事。鎌，四分五千張。切草刀，二分二千五百張。

A bag, together with shovels, hammers, axes, saws, and chisels, are each allocated two parts, with each item amounting to 2,500 pieces, totaling 12,500 pieces. (In the Zhang edition, only the phrase "a bag of ten parts" is present; also note: the phrase "the bag also receives" should be placed under the previous item.) Scythes are allocated four parts, totaling 5,000 pieces. Shears are allocated two parts, totaling 2,500 pieces.

布行槽，一分一千二百五十具。大小胡瓢，二分二千五百枚。

The cloth horse troughs for military use are allocated at a rate of one per "fen," totaling 1,250 units, resulting in one per ten soldiers, which can be spread out to hold feed when feeding horses. Small gourds and ladles are allocated at a rate of two per "fen," totaling 2,500 units, used for fetching water and carrying rice.

馬軍鞍轡革帶，十分〈○張刻本「三十分」。按︰當云「各十分」。〉三萬七千五百具。人藥，一分三黃丸、水解散、瘧痢藥、金刀箭藥等五十貼。〈○此條張刻本但云「人藥一分，金瘡藥一分」；又另提行，云「馬藥二分」。〉

The saddles, bridles, and leather belts used by cavalry are each provided at a rate of one per person (the Zhang edition reads 'thirty,' but it should be 'ten'), totaling thirty-seven thousand five hundred sets altogether. Medicines provided to soldiers are given at a rate of one part per person, including the Three Yellow Pills, water dispersing pills, medicines for malaria and dysentery, and golden wound remedies for cuts and arrows, amounting to fifty doses. (The Zhang edition notes only 'one part of medicine and one part of wound medicine' for soldiers, and separately writes 'two parts of horse medicine' on another line.)

披氊、披馬氊、引馬索，各十分計三萬七千五百事。馬軍無幕，故以披氊代。插鍵，十分一萬二千五百具。

Soldiers' body coverings, horse coverings, and lead ropes for guiding horses were each distributed in full strength, totaling 37,500 items. Cavalry did not carry tents, so they used the horse coverings to replace tents for protection against wind and rain. The stakes used for tethering horses, which were driven into the ground, were also distributed in full strength, one per soldier, totaling 12,500 stakes.

絆索，二十分二萬五千條。皮毛及連枝中半中皮條，〈○張刻本但有「皮毛皮條」四字。〉三十分三萬七千五百條，備收賊雜使用。

The "Bàn Mǎ Suǒ" (rein) is allocated according to a "twenty" measure, providing two per person, totaling twenty-five thousand for the entire army. It consists of whole skins with hair and medium-length leather straps, each making up half of the supply (the original text here only mentions "pí máo pí tiáo" or "hair skin and leather straps"). According to a "thirty" measure, three are provided per person, totaling thirty-seven thousand five hundred for the entire army, intended for binding captives and various miscellaneous uses.

右各隊備辦公廨，軍裝並須賫行，貯備使用，勿令臨時有缺。

The above items are to be procured and obtained by each unit from their respective official offices; all military uniforms must be carried by the soldiers at all times, stored for future use in peacetime, and not allowed to be discovered lacking only when they are needed in battle.

經曰：不備不虞，不可以帥師。愚者有備，與智者同功。故天子有道，守在四境；諸侯有道，守在四鄰。國所以立疆埸、關塞、亭障者，將欲別內外、乖夷狄；置烽燧刁斗者，所以警邊徼、厲士卒也。

The *Bing Jing* says: Those who do not prepare for unexpected changes have no qualification to command an army. A foolish person, if he prepares in advance, can achieve the same results as a wise person. Therefore, the Son of Heaven governs the state with virtue, setting his defensive line at the borders of the four directions; a prince governs the state with virtue, setting his defensive line at the borders of the four neighboring states. The reason a country establishes borders, fortresses, and outposts is to distinguish between inside and outside, and to keep the barbarians outside. The reason it sets up beacon fires and provides the *diao dou* (a bronze bell used for cooking by day and striking for night signals) is to alert the border areas and urge the soldiers not to be lazy.

經曰：先王之制，大都不過三國之一，中五之一，小九之一，故曰：「都城過百雉，國之害也。」今諸侯之城，方兩京之城，闊狹合五之一，其高為邊隅之守，不可為節制。古今度城之法者，下闊與高倍，上闊與下倍，城高五丈，下闊二丈五尺，上闊一丈二尺五寸，高下闊狹，以此為準。

The Book of Military Classics states that the system established by previous kings set the maximum size of a city to no more than one-third of the capital, medium-sized cities no more than one-fifth, and small ones no more than one-ninth. Therefore, the Zuo Zhuan records Ji Zhong's words in the first year of Yin Gong: "If the city walls exceed one hundred chi in length, they become a calamity to the state." (One chi refers to a section of wall three zhang long and one zhang high.) Now, the cities of various prefectures and states are built in accordance with the standards of the two capitals, Chang'an and Luoyang, with their widths roughly equivalent to one-fifth of the two capitals, and their heights sufficient only for defense in a single corner, not suitable as a general standard. The general method of measuring city walls throughout history is that the width of the city base is in proportion to its height, and the width of the city top is in proportion to the width of the base—when the height is five zhang, the base width is two and a half zhang, and the top width is one and a quarter zhang; the proportions of height and width are all based on this standard.

料功，以下闊加上闊，得三丈七尺五寸，半之，得一丈八尺七寸五分，〈○原本「半」下誤衍「乘」字，依《通典》百六十刪。〉以高五丈乘之，一丈之城積數得九十三丈七尺五寸。每一工日築二丈，計工四十六人，日築城一丈，餘七尺五寸。一步，計役二百七十八人，土餘五丈。一百步，計工二萬七千八百二十人，餘一丈土。一里，計工一十萬一百九十人，餘一丈土。率一里，則十里可知。其出土負簣，並計二丈土。其羊馬城於濠內，築高八尺，上至女墻，計工準上。

To calculate the labor required for building a city wall, first add the width of the base, which is two zhang five chi, to the width of the top, which is one zhang two chi five cun, resulting in three zhang seven chi five cun. Take half of this total, which gives one zhang eight chi seven cun five fen (the original text mistakenly included an extra character '乘', which has been removed according to the "Tong Dian" volume 160). Then multiply this half by the height of the wall, which is five zhang. For every zhang of wall length, the total amount of earth is ninety-three zhang seven chi five cun. Each worker can move two zhang of earth per day, so building one zhang of wall requires forty-six workers, with seven chi five cun of earth remaining. For one bu of wall length, two hundred seventy-eight workers are needed, leaving five zhang of earth; for one hundred bu, twenty-seven thousand eight hundred twenty workers are required, leaving one zhang of earth; for one li, ten thousand one hundred ninety workers are needed, leaving one zhang of earth. Using one li as the standard, the labor required for ten li and a hundred li can be calculated accordingly. The earth excavated must be carried by baskets, and the labor for transporting the earth is calculated as if moving two zhang of earth. Additionally, a short wall for sheep and horses should be built on the inner side of the moat, eight chi high, connected to the top of the city wall's parapet. The labor required for this is calculated using the same method as above.

經曰：濠面闊二丈、深一丈、底闊一丈，以面闊積數三丈半之，得數一丈五尺；以深一丈乘之，鑿濠一尺，得數一十五丈。每一工日出土三丈一尺，計工五人。一步，計工三十人；一里，計工一萬八千人。一里為率，則百里可知。

The *Bing Jing* states: The width of the city moat at the top is two zhang, its depth is one zhang, and the width at the bottom is one zhang. Adding the top width of two zhang to the bottom width of one zhang gives a total of three zhang. Taking half of this gives one and a half zhang. Then multiply this by the depth of one zhang, resulting in fifteen zhang of earth volume for every one zhang of length dug. Each worker can excavate three zhang and one chi per day, so five workers are needed. Digging one bu of length requires thirty workers; digging one li of length requires eighteen thousand workers. Using one li as a standard, the labor required for one hundred li can be calculated accordingly.

經曰：臺高下與城等，敵去我城百步，臺相去亦如之。下闊四丈、高五丈，上闊二丈，上建女墻。臺內通暗道，安屈膝軟梯，人上便卷收之。中設氊幙，置弩手五人，備乾糧水火等，候敵近城壘，則攢弩射其首將。

The book "Bing Jing" states: The height of the crossbow platform should be level with the city wall; when the enemy approaches to within one hundred paces of the city, the distance between crossbow platforms should also be set at one hundred paces. The base of the platform should be four zhang wide, the total height five zhang, and the top two zhang wide, with a parapet built on top. Inside the platform, there should be a concealed passage leading to a tunnel, with a flexible, foldable ladder set up. When people climb up, the ladder should be quickly retracted. In the center of the platform's top, a felt tent should be erected, with five crossbowmen stationed there, fully supplied with dry food, water, and means to start a fire. When the enemy approaches the city walls and camps, the crossbowmen should concentrate their arrows to attack the enemy's commander.

經曰：明烽燧，於高山四望險絶處置；無山，亦於平地高逈處置。下築羊馬城，高下任便，常以三五為準。臺高五丈，下闊三丈，上闊一丈，形圓，上葢圓屋覆之。屋徑闊一丈六尺，一面跳出三尺，以板為之，上覆下棧。

The "Book of Military Classics" says: To make beacon fires conspicuous and effective, they should be built on high mountains where they can be seen from all directions and the terrain is perilous. If there are no mountains, they should be built on elevated and open flat ground. First, build a low wall of sheep and horse height around the base, with its height determined by the terrain, usually between three to five feet. The beacon tower should be five zhang high, with a base width of three zhang and a top width of one zhang, shaped circularly. A round building should be constructed on top to cover it. The diameter of the round building should be sixteen chi, with eaves extending three chi on each side, made of wooden boards. The top should be covered with a waterproof layer, and the bottom should be supported by wooden planks.

屋上置突灶三所，臺下亦置三所，並以石灰飾其表裡。復置柴籠三所，流火繩三條在臺側，上下用軟梯，上收下垂，四壁開孔望賊，及安置火筒，置旗一面、鼓一面、弩兩張，砲石、壘木、停水甕，乾糧、生糧，麻縕火鑽、火箭、蒿艾、狼糞、牛糞。每夜，平安舉一火，聞警舉二火，見煙塵舉三火，見賊燒柴籠。如早夜平安，火不舉，卽烽子為賊提。一烽六人︰五人烽子，遞知更刻，觀望動靜；一人烽卒，知文書、符牒傳遞。

A round roof has three smoke-emitting chimneys built on it, and another three built below the platform. Both inside and outside are coated with lime plaster. On the side of the platform, three bamboo baskets for carrying firewood are placed, along with three fire-starting flax ropes. A soft ladder connects the upper and lower platforms; when people climb up, they take the ladder away, and when they need to descend, they lower it again. There are openings on all four walls for observation and to detect enemy movements, and fire tubes for launching fire are installed. On the platform, there is one flag, one drum, two crossbows, and also supplies of stone balls, wooden barriers, water containers, dried and fresh food, hemp wadding, fire drills, fire arrows, mugwort and wormwood, wolf dung, and cow dung. Every night, if there is no incident, one torch is lit; if an alarm is heard, two torches are lit; if smoke is seen, three torches are lit; and if enemies are spotted, the firewood baskets are directly ignited. If no torch is lit during the whole day and night when it should be, then the people guarding the beacon have been captured by the enemy. Each beacon tower is staffed by six people: five are called 'beacon attendants' and take turns keeping watch and observing enemy movements; one is called 'beacon soldier' and is responsible for receiving, transmitting, and passing on official documents and symbols.

經曰：每鋪相去四十里，如驛近遠於要路山谷間，牧馬兩匹與游奕計會，有事警急，煙塵入境，則奔馳相報。

The *Bing Jing* states: Between each horse station, there are forty li, and they are arranged along important roads and valleys like relay stations. Each station keeps two horses, which communicate with the patrolling units. When there is an urgent military situation, upon seeing smoke or dust entering the territory, the riders will gallop to report the news.

置土河於山口，賊路橫截，道鑿之，橫闊二丈、深二丈，〈○　文瀾閣本「二尺」。〉以細沙散土塡平，早夜行檢，掃令平凈，有狐兔入境，亦知足跡多少，況於人馬乎！

At the mountain pass, set up a "soil river" to block the enemy's approach, and dig along the road: the width is two zhang and the depth is two zhang (the Wenlan Pavilion edition says "two chi"), and fill the ditch with fine sand and loose topsoil, then level it. Send people to patrol and inspect in the morning and evening, sweeping the sand surface to keep it flat and clean. In this way, even if only foxes and rabbits enter the territory, their tracks can be seen to determine how many pass through, let alone horses and soldiers!

經曰：於奇兵中，選驍果、諳山川井泉者，與烽子馬鋪土河，計會交牌，日夕邏候於庭障之外，捉生事，問敵營虛實。我之密謀，勿令游奕人知。其副使子將並久諳軍旅、好身手者任。

The *Bing Jing* says: Select brave and resolute soldiers who are familiar with mountains, rivers, wells, and springs from the mobile and ready forces to serve as the *youyi* (patrolling units). Let them communicate and verify credentials with the *fengzi*, *mashu*, and *tuhuo* at various locations, and patrol and scout outside the watchtowers day and night, specializing in capturing live prisoners. They should then interrogate the captives to learn the enemy's true situation. As for our own secret plans, we must not let the *youyi* units know. The deputy commanders and subordinates of the *youyi* should all be chosen from those who have long experience in military affairs and are physically capable.

地聽，選少睡者，令枕空胡䍡臥，有人馬行三十里外，東西南北皆有響見於胡䍡中，名曰「地聽」，可預防奸。野豬皮為胡䍡尤妙。

The method of "ground listening" involves selecting a person who is light asleep and has a light sleep, and having him lie on the ground with a hollow leather bag, made of animal skin, under his head. As long as there are movements of people or horses within thirty li, the sounds from all four directions—southeast, northwest, and the other directions—will echo within the leather bag. This method is called "ground listening," allowing one to detect enemy ambushes in advance. A leather bag made from wild boar skin is particularly effective.

經曰：報平安者，諸營鋪百司主掌皆入五更，有動靜報虞候知，左右虞候早出，大將軍牙前帶刀磬折，大聲通曰：「左右廂兵馬及倉庫營並平安。」諾，復退本班。如有盜賊動靜緊急，卽具言其事。若在野行軍，卽言行營兵馬及更鋪並平安。

The "Book of Military Classics" states: The term "reporting peace and safety" refers to the officers in charge of each camp, each post, and each official office who must enter the duty station at the fifth watch of the night. If there are any unusual occurrences, they should first report to the Yuhou. At dawn, the Left and Right Yuhou step forward, walk to the general's tent, and bow with their swords drawn, then loudly announce: "The troops of both wings, the granaries, and the camps are all safe and sound." The general responds with "Yes," and the Yuhou then return to their respective ranks. If there are urgent incidents such as bandits appearing, the details should be reported truthfully. If the army is on the march in the open field, the report should be changed to state that the troops of the encampment and all the posts on duty are safe and sound.

經曰：夫城軍野營，行軍在外，五更初、日沒時，搥鼓一通，三百三十搥為一通。鼓音止，則角音動。吹一十二聲，角為一疊。角音止，鼓音動。如此三鼓、三角而昏明畢。〈○張刻本無「明」字。〉行軍，第一角聲動，兵士起；第二角聲動，戎裝了；第三角聲動，內外辦；角音絶，兵馬齊動而發。

The *Bing Jing* states: Whenever there are garrisons in a city, camps in the open field, or troops on the march, at the beginning of the fifth watch and at sunset, a drum should be beaten once, with three hundred and thirty beats constituting one beat. When the drum stops, the horn sounds, with twelve blasts making one set. When the horn stops, the drum sounds again. In this way, three drum beats and three sets of horn blasts complete the morning and evening alarms of the day (the Zhang edition omits the character "ming"). When marching, the first set of horn blasts signals the soldiers to rise; the second set signals that armor and equipment are ready; the third set signals that all within and outside the camp are prepared; when the horn stops, the entire army starts moving out together.

經曰：每日戌時，嚴警，鼓角初動，虞候領甲士十二隊，建旗幟、立號頭，廵軍營及城上，如在野廵營，外定更鋪疏密。坐者喝曰：「是甚麼人？」廵者荅曰：「虞候總管某乙廵。」坐喝曰：「作甚行？」荅曰：「定鋪。」坐喝曰：「是不是行？」荅曰：「是。」如此者三喝三荅，坐曰：「虞候總管過。」號頭及坐喝用聲雄者充。

The "Military Classic" states: Every day, starting at the hour of Xu, "strict vigilance" begins. As soon as the drum and horn sounds are heard, the Yuhou leads twelve armed squads, raising flags and setting up "callers" (those specifically responsible for giving and answering questions), to inspect the military camps and city walls. If in the open field, they inspect around the camp, checking the distribution and density of the watch posts along the way. The on-duty sentry asks: "Who is it?" The inspector replies: "Yuhou General So-and-so is inspecting." The sentry then asks again: "What are you doing here?" The inspector answers: "Checking the watch posts." The sentry asks once more: "Is that true?" The inspector replies: "Yes." After these three questions and answers, the sentry says: "Yuhou General has passed." Those serving as callers and sentries must be people with loud, clear voices.

經曰：夜取號於大將軍處，粘藤紙二十四張，十五行界印縫安標軸，題首云「某軍某年某月某日號簿」。每日戌時，虞候、判官持簿於大將軍幕前取號，大將軍取意於一行中書兩字，上一字是坐喝，下一字是行荅。於將軍前封鎖，函付諸號，各到彼廵檢所，主首以本鑰匙開函，告報不得令有漏洩。一夜書一行，二十四張三百六十行，盡一載，別更其簿。

The "Book of Military Classics" states that during the night, the commands are to be obtained from the Grand General. The method involves pasting twenty-four sheets of mulberry paper together into a book, with fifteen rows of boundary lines drawn on each sheet. A seal is placed on the binding edge, and the book is labeled with a tag and rolled up. At the beginning of the scroll, it is written "Order Book of a Certain Army on a Certain Year, Month, and Day." At dusk every day, the military officer in charge and the assistant officer carry the order book to the Grand General's tent to request the command. The Grand General then randomly writes two characters in one of the rows. The first character is the secret signal for the sentry to ask questions, and the second character is the secret response for the patrol to give. After writing, the book is sealed in front of the Grand General and then sent to various locations. After reaching the respective patrol posts, the responsible person uses the key they personally keep to open the box and informs each one individually, ensuring no leaks. One row is written each night, and with twenty-four sheets of paper, there are a total of three hundred sixty rows, exactly matching the number of days in a year. After one year, a new book is started.

更漏牌，一日一夜，凡一百刻，以竹馬為一百。牌長三寸、闊一寸，逐月題云「某月更牌」。一日一夜計行二百里，探更人每刻徐疾行二里，常取月中氣為正。

The system of more and less (geng and lou) signs involves dividing a day and night into one hundred periods called geng. One hundred bamboo牌子 are made, each corresponding to a geng. Each sign is three inches long and one inch wide, and is inscribed with the month's name, such as "the sign for the month of..." The person passing the signs walks a total of two hundred miles in a day and night, meaning that the person on duty walks two miles per geng at a steady pace. Calculations are always based on the day of the "middle qi" (zhong qi) of the current month.

雨水，正月中，夜傳牌四十九分，一更傳牌九，餘一里一百七十三步三尺二寸。春分，二月中，夜傳牌五十一分，一更傳牌十。穀雨，三月中，夜傳牌三十七分，一更傳牌七，餘一里十四步二尺。

Rain Water is the middle solar term of the first month, with a total of forty-nine parts of signal flags transmitted throughout the night, nine parts transmitted each watch, and an additional distance of one li, one hundred seventy-three bu, three chi, and two cun. The Spring Equinox is the middle solar term of the second month, with a total of fifty-one parts of signal flags transmitted throughout the night, ten parts transmitted each watch. Grain Rain is the middle solar term of the third month, with a total of thirty-seven parts of signal flags transmitted throughout the night, seven parts transmitted each watch, and an additional distance of one li, fourteen bu, and two chi.

小滿，四月中，夜傳牌三十六三分，一更傳牌七，餘一百七十步四尺八寸。夏至，五月中，夜傳牌三十五分，一更傳牌七。大暑，六月中，夜傳牌三十六三分，一更傳牌七，餘一百七十五步一尺二寸。

Xiaoman is the middle solar term of April, with a total of thirty-six and one-third pieces of cards passed during the whole night, seven pieces passed each watch, and an additional distance of one hundred seventy steps four chi eight cun remaining. Summer Solstice is the middle solar term of May, when the night is the shortest of the year, with a total of thirty-five pieces of cards passed during the whole night, seven pieces passed each watch. Dashu is the middle solar term of June, with a total of thirty-six and one-third pieces of cards passed during the whole night, seven pieces passed each watch, and an additional distance of one hundred seventy-five steps one chi two cun remaining.

處暑，七月中，夜傳牌三十六三分，一更傳牌七，餘一百七十五步一尺二寸。秋分，八月中，夜傳牌四十四五分，一更傳牌八，餘一里二百八十六步一尺二寸。霜降，九月中，夜傳牌四十九五分，一更傳牌九，餘一百一十八步五尺六寸。

The summer solstice is the middle solar term of July, with a total of thirty-six and three parts of cards passed during the night, seven cards passed each watch, and an additional distance of one hundred seventy-five steps and one foot two inches. The autumn equinox is the middle solar term of August, with a total of forty-four and five parts of cards passed during the night, eight cards passed each watch, and an additional distance of one li, two hundred eighty-six steps, and one foot two inches. The frost descent is the middle solar term of September, with a total of forty-nine and five parts of cards passed during the night, nine cards passed each watch, and an additional distance of one hundred eighteen steps, five feet, and six inches.

小雪，十月中，夜傳牌五十三三分，一更傳牌十，餘一里一百一十五步一尺二寸。冬至，十一月中，夜傳牌五十五，一更傳牌十一。大寒，十二月中，夜傳牌五十三二分，一更傳牌十，餘一里一百二十五步一尺二寸。

Xiaoxue is the solar term in the tenth month, with a total of fifty-three and a third banners passed during the night, ten banners passed each watch, and an additional distance of one li, one hundred fifteen bu, one chi, and two cun. Winter Solstice is the solar term in the eleventh month, the longest night of the year, with a total of fifty-five banners passed during the night, eleven banners passed each watch. Dahan is the solar term in the twelfth month, with a total of fifty-three and two thirds banners passed during the night, ten banners passed each watch, and an additional distance of one li, one hundred twenty-five bu, one chi, and two cun.

右件古法多不合今。〈○本篇諸數，以算術求之，多不合。各本盡同，無從是正，姑仍之。〉

All these are methods passed down by ancient people, most of which do not match the actual calculations of today. When checked with arithmetic, most of the numbers in this text do not agree; also, all the different versions are the same, making it impossible to correct them. Therefore, they are kept as they originally were.

經曰：卽鹿無虞，從入于林中。不用鄕導，難得地利。夫用鄕導者，不必土人，但諳彼山川之險易、敵之虛實，卽可任也。賞之使厚，收其心也；備之使嚴，防其詐也。是故錫之以官爵，富之以財帛，使有所戀；匹之以妻子，使有所懷。然後察其辭，鑑其色，覆其言，始終如一，可以用之也。

The Book of Military Classics states: The line statement of the sixth line in the third position of the Zhun hexagram in The Zhou Changes says, "Chasing a wild deer without a forest keeper to guide the way will only lead one into the woods and cause confusion." When leading an army without a guide, one cannot take advantage of the terrain. By using a guide, one does not necessarily have to employ a local native; anyone who is familiar with the mountains and rivers of the area and the enemy's strengths and weaknesses can be used. The reward given to him should be generous, in order to win his loyalty; at the same time, one must be vigilant against his possible deceit. Therefore, one should grant him official rank and wealth to make him content, and provide him with a wife and children to create attachments. Then one should carefully examine his words, observe his expressions, and repeatedly verify his statements, ensuring consistency in his words and actions. Only then can he be trusted and used.

經曰：沙磧鹵莽之中有水。野馬黃牛之蹤，〈○　文瀾閣本「牛」作「羊」。張刻本作「野羊之聚」。〉尋之有水。烏鳥所集處有水。地生葭葦菰蒲之處有伏泉。地有蟻壤之處，下有伏泉。

The *Bing Jing* says: Water can be found in sandy and saline wastelands. Seeing the tracks of wild horses or yellow cattle (the Wenlan Pavilion edition says "sheep," the Zhang edition says "a gathering of wild sheep"), and following them leads to water. Where crows and birds gather, there is water. Where reeds,菰 (a type of aquatic plant), and bulrushes grow on the ground, there is an underground spring. Where there are mounds of loose soil made by ants, there is also an underground spring.

經曰：遠征迷途，南北不分，當以北辰為正。

The Book of Military Classics states that when on a distant campaign and lost in the wilderness, unable to distinguish north from south, one should use the position of the North Star to correct the direction.

正月，昏參中、朝尾中。二月，昏弧中、朝建星中。三月，昏七星中、朝牽牛中。四月，昏翼中、朝婺女中。

In the first lunar month, at dusk, the Three Stars mansion reaches the southern sky's center, and at dawn, the Tail mansion reaches the center. In the second lunar month, at dusk, the arc and arrow star reaches the center, and at dawn, the construction star reaches the center. In the third lunar month, at dusk, the Star mansion (Seven Stars) reaches the center, and at dawn, the Bull mansion reaches the center. In the fourth lunar month, at dusk, the Wings mansion reaches the center, and at dawn, the Girl mansion reaches the center.

五月，昏亢中、朝危中。六月，昏心中、朝奎中。七月，昏建中、朝畢中。八月，昏牽牛中、朝觜中。

In May, at dusk, the mansion of the Neck (Kang Xu) reaches the center of the southern sky, and at dawn, the mansion of the Rooftop (Wei Xu) reaches the center. In June, at dusk, the mansion of the Heart (Xin Xu) reaches the center, and at dawn, the mansion of the Legs (Kui Xu) reaches the center. In July, at dusk, the star of the Construction reaches the center, and at dawn, the mansion of the Net (Bi Xu) reaches the center. In August, at dusk, the star of the Ox (Qian Niu) reaches the center, and at dawn, the mansion of the Turtle Beak (Zi Xu) reaches the center.

九月，昏虛中、朝柳中。十月，昏危中、朝七星中。十一月，昏東壁中、朝軫中。十二月，昏婁中、朝氐中。

In September, at dusk, the Emptiness mansion reaches the center of the southern sky, and at dawn, the Willow mansion reaches the center. In October, at dusk, the Rooftop mansion reaches the center, and at dawn, the Star mansion reaches the center. In November, at dusk, the Wall mansion reaches the center, and at dawn, the Chariot mansion reaches the center. In December, at dusk, the Bond mansion reaches the center, and at dawn, the Root mansion reaches the center. Remember these twelve monthly central celestial phenomena; when marching at night, you can use them to determine the directions of north and south.

其陰雪，則用老馬引前。昔齊桓公伐孤竹，值雪迷道，驅老馬尋途，不迷。

When it is cloudy and snowing, and the stars cannot be seen, they would let the old horse lead the way at the front of the group. When Duke Huan of Qi marched north to attack the state of Guzhu, he encountered heavy snow and became lost. Guan Zhong had people drive the old horse ahead to find the way, and the group no longer got lost.