Wubei Zhi (Vol. 31)

Where the Left Regiment original: zuoxiao (左校). A large tactical unit or division within the training formation. stands, the Right Regiment again strikes the gongs original: zheng (鉦). Bronze percussion instruments used in ancient Chinese warfare specifically to signal a halt or retreat, contrasting with drums which signaled an advance.. The squads return to their positions. The Left Regiment again engages in close-quarters combat original: bozhan (薄戰). A mock engagement where troops move close enough to simulate hand-to-hand fighting., and all strike the gongs.

Each squad returns. The great horns sound again. At the first blast, all roll up their banners, collect their arrows, unstring their bows, and sheath their blades original: xiaoren (匣刃). Literally "to box the blade," meaning to return swords or polearms to their scabbards or protective covers.. At the second blast, the flags are slightly raised, and all squads advance. At the third blast, both the Left and Right Regiments are led back. On this day, they then set off on a communal hunt original: zonglie (縱獵). Military exercises often concluded with a hunt to provide practical target practice and to gather food for a celebratory feast.; whatever prey is captured belongs to the individual who took it.

The Methods of Li Jing of the Tang Dynasty

The flags of the various army commanders and squads are each based on the colors of the directions This refers to the Wu Xing or Five Elements theory, which assigned specific colors to the cardinal directions.: Red for the South (Fire), White for the West (Metal), Black original: zao (皂). An archaic term for black. for the North (Water), Green for the East (Wood), and Yellow for the Center (Earth). Since Earth is stationary, it serves as the master of the four flags; when the Great General moves, he holds this yellow flag and stands at the front. If enemies appear in the East, West, South, or North, the flag corresponding to that direction’s color is raised. The soldiers facing that direction must immediately prepare their equipment, and the flag is tilted forward original: ya (亞). In signaling, tilting the flag forward indicated the direction of the objective or the command to engage. to lead them.