墨子 MOZI

When enemies come from the east, meet them at the eastern altar. The altar should be 8 chi high and the depth of the hall 8 chi. Eight people of eighty years should lead the sacrifice to a green pennant and eight likenesses of a green god 8 chi high. There should be eight crossbows that fire eight arrows, then stop. The general's clothing must be green and the sacrificial creature the chicken. When enemies come from the south, meet them at the southern altar. The altar should be 7 chi high and the depth of the hall 7 chi. Seven people of seventy years should lead the sacrifice to a red pennant and seven likenesses of a red god 7 chi high. There should be seven crossbows that fire seven arrows, then stop. The general's clothing must be red and the sacrificial creature the dog. When enemies come from the west, meet them at the western altar. The altar should be 9 chi high and the depth of the hall 9 chi. Nine people of ninety years should lead the sacrifice to a white pennant and nine likenesses of a white god 9 chi high. There should be nine crossbows that fire nine arrows, then stop. The general's clothing must be plain (white) and the sacrificial creature the sheep. When enemies come from the north, meet them at the northern altar. The altar should be 6 chi high and the depth of the hall 6 chi. Six people of sixty years should lead the sacrifice to a black pennant and six likenesses of a black god 6 chi high. There should be six crossbows that fire six arrows, then stop. The general's clothing must be black and the sacrificial creature the pig. From all the large temples outside the city, priests and shamans are sent to say prayers and make the sacrificial offerings.

In general, with the method of 'watching the vapours' (wang qi), there is a dajiang vapour, there is a xiaojiang vapour; there is a 'going' vapour, and there is a 'coming' vapour. There is a 'success' vapour and there is a 'failure' vapour. If these things are clearly understood, it is possible to know beforehand whether there will be victory or defeat, and good fortune or bad fortune. Bring forward those who are skilled in wizardry, medicine and divination, provide them with the necessary drugs and arrange good living conditions. The quarters for the shamans must be close to the altars for the gods of the soil and they must offer respect to the gods. The activities of the shamans and diviners are reported to the Defender, and he is the only one to know the results of 'watching the vapours'. If they should come and go creating rumours, startling and terrifying officials and people, thoroughly and closely investigate them and put them to death, this being an unpardonable crime. The lodgings for those involved in 'watching the vapours' must be close to the defence headquarters. In gathering worthy high officials as well as workmen with particular skills, rank them. In the case of butchers and winemakers, set up kitchens and give them duties, then rank them.

In general, in defending the city, there should be township preceptors (xianshi) who have certain duties such as surveying the fortifications, inspecting ditches and dikes, blocking up roads beyond the wall and maintaining the wall itself. The hundred officials provide materials. The hundred workmen carry out their various duties. The commander (sima) oversees the conditions of the wall and the troops. In setting up the defence of the gate, two men are assigned to manage the right side and two men the left side. Four men are in charge of closing the gate. One hundred armoured soldiers sit by the gate in defence. On the wall, every 1 bu have an armoured soldier and a halberdier with three people to assist them. Every 5 bu have a squad leader, every 10 bu a file leader and every 100 bu a leader of one hundred (centurion). To the sides have grand marshals (dashuai) and in the middle have a general-in-chief (dajiang). All these leaders have their particular responsibilities. Against the wall there should be flights of steps with one person to manage their defence. Military documents are moved to a conveniently central place where those that are urgent can be picked out and made known. All the officers have their duties.

Beyond the wall, as far as arrows can reach, anything resembling a wall should be destroyed, so there is no way for the enemy to find shelter. Within a radius of 30 li, all firewood, twigs and wood generally is brought within the wall. With animals such as dogs, pigs, sucking pigs and chickens whose flesh is eaten, the bones are collected to make a broth which is used to help the sick recover their health. Within the wall, firewood, twigs, huts and houses as far as an arrow can travel are all covered with mud. The order is given that in the evening dogs should be tied up and horses tethered. The tethering must be secure. In the still of the night, when the drum is heard, there should be a great shout. This is a way to dampen the enemy's spirits and to strengthen the people's resolve. Thus, if there are timely shouts, the people are not fearful.

Prior to the conflict, the prayer-makers and chroniclers should make an announcement to the four directions, the mountains and rivers, and the altars of soil and grain. Then they should withdraw. The duke, dressed in plain garments, should offer a pledge in the ancestral temple, saying: 'Such people do not act in accord with the Way. They do not cultivate yi (right conduct and duty) or virtue. They rely only on strength and arrogance, saying: "We plan to destroy your altars of soil and grain. We will wipe out your people." I urge all of you to work day and night, and labour on my behalf. With singleness of purpose, we can strive together, risking our lives in defence of our city.' Having made the declaration, the duke then withdraws to eat, resting within the central ancestral temple on the right-hand side. The prayer-makers and chroniclers rest at the altar of soil. When the one hundred officials are all in attendance, the drum is raised in the doorway, while to the right a banner is placed and to the left a standard, one at each corner; the names of the commanders are written on the streamers. Three arrows are released to announce an impending victory. The five weapons are prepared. Then the troops assemble below the drum and await the command. The duke ascends the temple platform and surveys the space beyond the wall. Then he orders the drum to be sounded and after a few moments the banners are raised. The commander fires a stream of arrows from the doorway to the right. A spear is raised three times. Then all take up their bows and fire. The commander first fires a flaming arrow from the doorway to the left, then all follow with wood and stones. The prayer-makers, chroniclers and ancestral intendant make an announcement at the altar of soil and cover the sacrificial vessel.