| | Chen Wang asked the Master, "May I be informed of the rites for leading an army?" The reply was: "When there is virtue in the world, rites and music, as well as military campaigns, originate from the Son of Heaven. When they originate from the Son of Heaven, it is necessary to reward military commanders and warriors in court during the first month of autumn, select and train outstanding individuals, appoint those who have rendered service, and commission generals to choose soldiers for punishing injustice. At that time, military ranks were conferred in the first month of winter. The Sikou Du Pu faced north and swore an oath to them. They took oaths at the altar of the land god, in order to become familiar with their duties. Five days before the scheduled date, the Master divined at the ancestral temple, selected an auspicious day, observed a period of purification and abstinence, and made announcements to the altars for Heaven, Earth, and the ancestors. After divination, the omen was presented to the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven ordered officials in charge to sacrifice a whole animal at the altar for announcement, informing it about the military campaign and receiving the mandate. Offer sacrifices at the imperial school to receive approval, and then perform a sacrifice to Heaven by burning incense in the suburbs before departing. Move the ancestral tablets of the temple as well as the tablet of the earth god along with the main chariot; the Grand Marshal should carry out his duties to escort them. If there are no ancestral tablets from the temple, then inform the ancestors at the family shrine using silk, cloth, and jade in the form of animal hides; this is called receiving the mandate from the ancestor. They should also be carried on the main chariot. Whenever ancestral tablets, animal hides, jade, silk, and cloth are taken along, sacrifices should be made at each stop before proceeding to the lodging. ლ The chariot carrying the ancestral tablet stops outside the central gate but inside the outer gate. The ancestral tablet is placed on the left side of the road, and the earth god's tablet is placed on the right side. All famous mountains and great rivers along the route are to be sacrificed to and informed of the journey. Upon reaching the enemy's territory, before engaging in battle, the Grand Historian divines an auspicious day for combat and also determines who will serve as the right-hand charioteer. Three days before, officials in charge clearly inform the historian of the enemy's crimes. The historian then determines the oath and the day for battle. The generals and commanders arrange their chariots, armor, soldiers, and formations in front of the military gate. Officials read out the proclamation and oath, instructing the messengers to run around three times and issue five repeated commands. After it is completed, they proceed to pray for victory in battle before Heaven, and only then do they approach the enemy. When generals and soldiers fight, having preserved themselves and defeated the enemy, the historian selects an auspicious day to return for a sacrificial ceremony at the site of the campaign. They burn incense before Heaven, sacrifice to the earth god, offer sacrifices to ancestors, and report the victory. This is done without leaving troops idle or harming soldiers. If the battle is not won, then it shall not be reported either. All ceremonies of sacrifice and announcement are conducted on strong days: Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, and Ren. Officials in charge select those who have rendered service for rewards without delay. Those who obey orders faithfully are granted higher ranks and bestowed gifts before the ancestral sacrifice. Those who flee in battle or violate commands are subjected to punishment and executed before the tablet of the earth god. Afterward, sounding the metal instruments to rally the troops, officials in charge announce victories and report good news to all mountains and rivers associated with the campaign at that time. Upon arrival, they are lodged outside the capital city. They observe a three-day period of purification and fasting, then personally sacrifice a whole ox at the ancestral shrine before returning to the capital. Offer sacrifices in order to return the ancestral tablets. If it is a mandate from the ancestors, then after completing the sacrifice and placing jade offerings in an envelope, they should be buried between the two steps of the ancestral temple. The tablet of the earth god should also be returned according to the same rites as when it was first received. Offer sacrifices at the imperial academy, report captured enemies, and hold a grand banquet for all officials, accompanied by music and feasting. For those who have rendered meritorious service, ranks are conferred and achievements recorded at the ancestral temple; this is known as "Yin Zhi." This is the ritual for when the Son of Heaven personally leads a military campaign. Chen Wang said, "If the commander is ordered to go on a campaign, then what should be done?" The Grand Master said: "In ancient times, when a great general received his orders and went out, he would forget about his own state; when he took command of the troops on the battlefield, he would forget about his family. Therefore, when the Son of Heaven commissions a general to go on campaign, he personally purifies himself in formal attire and offers sacrifices at the ancestral shrine to bestow his orders. The general enters first, followed by all military officials; they all face north, bow twice, and kowtow to accept the orders. Facing south on the steps, the Son of Heaven bestows upon him the staff and axe as symbols of authority. The general accepts it; then the Son of Heaven faces east, turns westward, and bows to him, showing that he does not personally control or command him. After this, an announcement is made at the Grand Earth Altar. The Minister of Works holds a conch shell and stands to the right side of the altar, facing south to present it to the general. The general faces north, kowtows twice, bows again, and accepts it. He then conveys the bestowed rewards to the military officials. When departing, no announcement is made; when victorious, no sacrifice is offered. If there are great mountains or rivers at the site of battle, prayers should be offered to them. Pray for victory before the Five Emperors. If victorious, report it. After rallying the troops and returning to report, select those with exceptional service and diligence, personally announce them at the temple and altar before proceeding to court; this is the proper ritual." The king said, "What are the rites for a general in the army regarding changes of victory and defeat?" The Grand Master replied: "Generals and commanders favor the left side, while soldiers and footmen favor the right; when leaving the country, vanguard units lead the way; when entering a country, rear units follow with weapons drawn; armor is worn on the body and sharp weapons are held in formation; even if the king or emperor appears, they do not bow. If misfortune leads to a military defeat, then swift riders should be sent to report the news to the Son of Heaven; weapons are placed in their cases. The Son of Heaven wears plain clothes and weeps outside the gate of the armory for three days. Ministers wear plain clothes and mourn at the earth altar, doing likewise. If a general is lost or a city falls, then they all mourn for seven days. The Son of Heaven sends envoys to meet the army, ordering the generals not to request further commands. Only then do the commanders tie themselves with grass and bind their own hands, exposing their right shoulders as they enter — this is a mourning ritual." The king asked, "How should ancient rites be practiced?" The Master said: "Ancient rites were originally intended for the present. If there are people who possess virtue, and they practice these rites, then it is possible; without such virtuous individuals, if one merely practices the rites, the people will not support him."
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