Wubei Zhi (Vol. 31)

Drill Instruction 1 (Continued)

The following section features small circular emphasis marks placed to the right of each character in the original manuscript, indicating the importance of these basic commands.

The banners and flags are carried by the bravest warriors. Those carrying gongs, drums, sabers, and shields lead the march. Those carrying long spears Long Spear original: shuo (矟). A heavy, long-reaching spear favored by elite Tang shock troops. follow next, and the archers with bows and arrows bring up the rear.

When the flags are lowered, the troops must kneel; when the flags are raised, they must stand. At the sound of the drum, they advance; at the sounding of the gongs original: mingjin (鳴金). Literally "sounding the metal." In ancient Chinese warfare, drums signaled the advance and gongs signaled the halt or retreat., they stop.

On the day of the military exercise, the Emperor rides in a leather chariot Leather Chariot original: gelu (革輅). One of the five ritual chariots of the Emperor, specifically associated with military affairs and hunting. to the arena. The Minister of War, clad in armor and helmet and mounted on horseback, leads the imperial procession. They enter from the northern Gate of Harmony A symbolic gate formed by banners. of the main arena and proceed to the grand imperial tent Grand Tent original: daci (大次). A large, formal temporary structure used as a field headquarters for the Emperor.. All those in their assigned positions perform a double bow.

The ushers lead the envoys from the various provinces, and the Court of State Ceremonial Court of State Ceremonial original: Honglu (鴻臚). The central government office in charge of ritual protocol for foreign dignitaries and state funerals. leads the foreign guests to stand in their places around the four sides of the grand tent. Spectators stand on the four sides of the arena, outside the line of the cavalry guards.

Then, the military drill begins. The great horns are blown three times. The generals of the central army use their command flags Command Flag original: hui (麾). A baton or flag used by a commander to direct the movements of an entire division. to signal the drums; both armies strike their drums three times. The officials then lower the flags, and all the infantrymen kneel.

The General-in-Chief stands to the east of the flags and drums, facing west. The commanders of the various armies stand to his south, facing north, to listen as the General-in-Chief delivers the military oath. For the three armies of the Left and the Right, there are two chief administrators original: zhangshi (長史). High-ranking administrative officers who assisted the generals in management and discipline. assigned to each.