Long Tao: Yīn Fú (Yin Talisman)

King Wu asked Tai Gong:"When leading the army deep into enemy territory, if the entire force suddenly faces urgent circumstances—whether advantageous or harmful—how can I swiftly communicate between distant fronts, coordinate domestic support with foreign operations, and adapt to the needs of the troops?" Tai Gong replied:"The sovereign grants the commander eight types of secret tallies: A one-chi tally signifies 'total victory and annihilation of the enemy'; a nine-cun tally signifies 'routing the enemy and capturing their general'; an eight-cun tally signifies 'forcing the enemy’s surrender and seizing their cities'; a seven-cun tally signifies 'repelling the enemy and reporting battlefield developments'; a six-cun tally signifies 'fortifying defenses and rallying the people'; a five-cun tally signifies 'requesting provisions and reinforcements'; a four-cun tally signifies 'reporting defeat and the death of commanders'; a three-cun tally signifies 'reporting setbacks and heavy casualties.' Any messenger entrusted with these tallies who delays, leaks secrets, or......