Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 76

Tactical Formations and Training: Flag Training 2

If the signals of the banners and the sounds of the drums are ignored, or if the units become crowded and disorganized—losing their proper spacing and positions—punishments shall be administered to each rank according to the severity of the infraction. Regarding these training methods: all officers from the Vice-General original: ziguan (子總管). A subordinate or deputy commander within the larger divisional structure. downwards are commanded to transcribe a copy of these drills and conduct training in accordance with the "Manual for Training Soldiers with Banners."

One source states: Whenever training with banners on open plains or in the wilderness, a high vantage point must be selected to oversee the distance. The Great General takes his position at the summit, facing south. To his left and right, twelve drums and twelve horns are placed respectively. These are paired with flags of the five colors on both sides.

The Six Great Banners liudao (六纛): massive, prestigious standards that represent the supreme authority of the commander, historically decorated with yak tails or feathers. occupy the front rank, with secondary banners following them. The Staff Officers original: yaguan (牙官). Literally "officers of the ivory gate," referring to the high-ranking officers attached to the commanding general’s headquarters. of the left and right wings station their troops in a crescent moon formation yanyue xing (偃月形): a curved tactical alignment used to protect the flanks or provide a reserve force that can envelop an enemy. to serve as a secondary line of cavalry.

From this height overlooking the flat plains, the commander ensures that the soldiers' eyes see the banners, their ears hear the drums and horns, and their hearts remain mindful of the commands. He then orders the various generals to divide into left and right wings. It is required that all weapons and blades be sharp and well-maintained. The armored troops and pennons are separated into the left and right flanks original: xiang (廂). A large administrative and tactical military division..

Each Military Commissioner original: bingma shi (兵馬使). A high-ranking officer responsible for the coordination of cavalry and infantry units. shall arrange the ranks in long, orderly arrays. Furthermore, the spacing must be precise: there must be enough space between formations to accommodate another formation, between squads for another squad, and between companies qu (曲): a classic military unit size, often used to denote a subdivision of a regiment or a specific tactical block. for another company. In this way, long weapons are used to support short ones, and short weapons reinforce the long ones as the army maneuvers and turns...