Dispatching the Army

In ancient times, when the state encountered danger and difficulty, the ruler selected a worthy and capable person and appointed him as general. After fasting for three days, the ruler entered the ancestral temple and stood facing south; the general faced north, and the Grand Master presented the battle-axe to the ruler. The ruler held the handle of the axe and handed it to the general, saying: “From here to the army, all matters are for you, General, to decide.” He then instructed: “When you see the enemy is empty, advance; when you see the enemy is solid, retreat. Do not because of your noble status treat others lightly; do not because of your own unique view go against the will of the crowd; do not rely on your merits and abilities and lose loyalty and trustworthiness. If the soldiers have not yet sat down, do not sit first; if the soldiers have not yet eaten, do not eat first. Share cold and heat with them, treat toil and rest equally, share sweetness and bitterness alike, and equalize danger and trouble with them. In this way, the soldiers will certainly fight......