Entry

Imperial orders were sent to the Xi-ping Marquis Mu Sheng, deputy general of the left for the force being sent on expedition to punish Annam. The orders read: "The ancients had a saying: `An army only overcomes through peace, and thus the gate to a garrison is also called the gate to peace (和門).' As deputy general and deputy regional commander, in despatching and deploying the troops, you mu st act in accordance with the situation and observe the circumstances which obtain. When there is no obstruction, deploy your troops. If the regional commander's arrangements made from the distance cause you difficulty in terms of your own arrangements, if you are resisted by bandits or if, on the road, an obstructed pass is encountered and the troops cannot proceed, you are to clearly report on this. You should not wilfully violate orders as this will harm the atmosphere of harmony. If the commanders are not in harmony it will be a road to defeat. You mu st be careful!"