Wubei Zhi (Vol. 31)

The Classic of the White Planet’s Secret Canon original: "Taibai Yinjing" (太白陰經), a prominent military treatise from the Tang Dynasty (8th century AD) written by Li Quan. states:

In ancient times, when the feudal lords original: "Zhuhou" (諸侯), the regional rulers or nobility under the Emperor. went hunting, they did so to clear the fields of pests and dangers. In a higher sense, this was a way to respectfully serve the ancestral temples i.e., by providing offerings for sacrifices; in a practical sense, it was a way to train and prepare the warriors.

In the most remote antiquity, people ate the meat of birds and beasts and wore their skins as clothing. In later generations, as the human population gradually increased, the number of animals dwindled, and food and clothing became insufficient. At this point, Shennong The "Divine Farmer," a legendary prehistoric ruler credited with the invention of agriculture and herbal medicine. taught the people how to cultivate grain and guided them in spinning and weaving.

Once the people became self-sufficient, however, the birds and beasts became numerous once again. They filled the mountains and forests and descended to the level plains, damaging the crops and causing great suffering to the people. Consequently, during the autumn and winter months when there were no farming duties, the people would go hunting. This allowed them to practice with weapons and armor original: "bing ge" (兵革) and to display their military prowess. By doing so, they remained prepared for unexpected emergencies.

In the late winter month—the twelfth lunar month original: "Layue" (臘月) when the Great Yin original: "Taiyin" (太陰). In traditional Chinese cosmology, this refers to the peak of the winter season, characterized by cold, darkness, and dormancy. is in command—all things have completed their growth, and the hibernating insects are hidden away. It is then that the leaders gather the charioteers and foot soldiers to hunt in the mountains and marshes. This is done to instruct them in the etiquette of advancing and retreating Etiquette of advancing and retreating: The formal rules and signals (進退之儀) that govern how a military unit moves in coordination on the battlefield.