Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 76

Battle Formations and Training System, Part 2

Training, Part 8

Teaching Flags, Part 1 Competitive hunting is also included

Master Mao The author, Mao Yuanyi, often refers to himself as "Master Mao" or "The Scholar Mao" when providing commentary. says: "Teaching Flags" Teaching Flags original: jiaoqi (教旗). This refers to the standardized system of using flags, banners, and signals to communicate commands and direct troop movements during drills and on the battlefield. refers to the methods used for routine military exercises. In ancient times, the practice of "competitive hunting" original: jiaolie (校獵). Historically, large-scale hunts were used as a pretext for mobilizing armies and training soldiers in maneuvers, archery, and cooperation. served this same purpose.

Because later generations found it impractical to conduct such hunts regularly, they established a formal system of drills instead. During the Western Han dynasty 206 BCE – 9 CE, it was customary to gather in the ninth month for the "Capital Examination" original: dushi (都試). A grand military review and proficiency test for soldiers and officers. to rank performance from best to worst. The Eastern Han dynasty 25–220 CE utilized the day of the "Beginning of Autumn" one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional lunar calendar, signaling the time when military preparations typically began to train the troops and practice the rituals of battle formations; however, the specifics of their methods were not recorded in detail. From the Tang dynasty 618–907 CE onward, however, these practices are clearly documented and can be studied and verified.