5 Distinctive Steps Han Xin Took In Training The Han Dynasty Army

Issuing manuals on drill, maneuver, camp layout, and military discipline. Presenting the manual to Liu Bang to issue a formal decree to the soldiers. The camps were scattered, lacking proper orientation or defensive vigor. Han Xi'an invited Li Yiji to the camp to discuss the situation. With troops like this, how can we fight? The officers and men are strangers to one another, how can they coordinate? Without structured formations or tactical synergy, how can we expect to maneuver effectively? I fear that upon meeting the enemy, they will surely crumble. Han Xi'an's Methods for Training the Troops As described in the records of Han and Chu, Han Xi'an selected 40 men who were skilled in writing to transcribe the regulations on formation, maneuvers, camp protocols, and discipline, which Han Xi'an had compiled in his own records. Within a few days, they produced 20 copies, following every detail precisely. He gave each copy to a literate officer, commanding them to study the formations and drill the troops accordingly, with a half-month deadline to achieve perfection. First, he taught a single unit the basics of marching and formation. From setting up and breaking camp to engaging the enemy, retreating, ambushing, and launching assaults. After 20 days of rigorous drilling, the units were transformed, far surpassing their previous state. Han Xi'an personally oversaw the establishment of the central command and the codification of rules. The next day, he invited the King of Han to the parade ground to inspect the camp and address the troops, demanding absolute obedience to the orders of Great General Han Xi'an. The decree was read before the entire army as follows. Xiaomu of Western Chu has defied heaven, murdered the righteous emperor, and oppressed the people. His crimes are grave, both gods and men love him. I entered Guangzhou first, as agreed, and deserve the throne. Such treachery must be punished. I hereby appoint Han Xi'an as Commander-in-Chief. Implementation of the 17 Military Codes Those who follow his commands will be rewarded, those who defy them will be executed. Han Xi'an has full authority to make decisions without seeking further approval. Han Xi'an is empowered to lead campaigns independently. Take heed, and do not defy my decree. Analysis Han Xi'an is brilliant, he drafted the decree to leave Lu Bang no room for refusal. By publicly proclaiming this before the army, Lu Bang has effectively granted Han Xi'an life and death authority. Han Xi'an also cleverly condemned Xiaomu, turning both gods and men against him. In doing so, he subtly elevated the moral standing of Lu Bang. By invoking the righteous emperor's promise to crown whoever entered Guangzhou first, he justified Lu Bang's rightful claim to the throne of Guangzhou. The righteous emperor refers to the former king Huai of Chu. This is a classic tactical maneuver, establishing the Han army's cause, as far more righteous than that of the Chu army. In short, Han Xi'an is using political rhetoric to frame the coming campaign as a just war. Han Xi'an issued 17 strict prohibitions, clearly documented and displayed to instill fear. First, ignore the drum, disregard the gong, or fail to move with the flags, and you will be beheaded for mutiny. Second, fail to answer the roll call or miss your deadline, and you will be beheaded for violating orders. Third, slacken during night watch or confuse signals, and you will be beheaded for negligence. Fourth, speak seditiously or incite unrest against commanders, and you will be beheaded for insubordination. Fifth, engage in rowdy behavior or mock military laws at the camp gate, and you will be beheaded for disrespect. Sixth, weapons in disrepair, broken bows, blunt blades, or ragged flags, this is neglecting the army. Violators will be beheaded. Seventh, fabricating omens, feigning dreams, or spreading falsehoods to bewitch the troops, this is subverting the army. Violators will be beheaded. Eighth, sowing discord or inciting conflict among soldiers, this is betraying the army. Violators will be beheaded. Ninth, trampling on the people or violating women during marches, this is debasing the army. Violators will be beheaded. Tenth, stealing for personal gain or looting property for oneself, this is thievery in the army. Violators will be beheaded. Eleventh, gathering without authorization or eavesdropping on military secrets, this is spying on the army. Violators will be beheaded. Twelfth, leaking orders or intelligence to the enemy, this is treachery against the army. Violators will be beheaded. Thirteenth, complaining, frowning, or grumbling during maneuvers, this is harboring resentment in the army. Violators will be beheaded. Fourteenth, breaking ranks, moving out of turn, or making noise, this is disrupting the army. Violators will be beheaded. Fifteenth, feigning illness or faking wounds to avoid combat, this is deceiving the army. Violators will be beheaded. Sixteenth, showing favoritism in managing supplies or pay, this is corruption in the army. Violators will be beheaded. Seventeenth, failing to scout properly or giving false reports of the enemy, this is misleading the army. Violators will be beheaded. The novel Romance of the Han and Chu details the 17 military codes enacted by Han Xi'an. These codes define the roles of every soldier, from signaling maneuvers to managing drums and flags, night watches, timekeeping, supplies, and reconnaissance. No task may be neglected, lest it compromise the entire force. Speech and conduct among soldiers and officers must strictly adhere to these standards. The military must be purged of gossip, theft, resentment, partiality, and insubordination. Thus, neither words, attitudes, nor actions may violate these laws. Han Xi'an solemnly stamped the scrolls and presented them to the Han king for review, while tasking the judiciary officer with a copy to ensure professional enforcement. Even Lu Bang was astounded. Previous training methods were indeed mere child's play. With such discipline and order, how could the troops not be ready, and the hearts of men not one? With such an army to march east, we shall have no more worries. It brings to mind Sun Tzu's writings on the art of military command. A commander who masters the art of war is like the heavens and earth, boundless and never at a dead end. Like the rivers and seas, never running dry. Like the sun and moon, setting only to rise again. Enforcing military law to set an example. Music has only five notes. Yet its variations are inexhaustible. Colors are limited to five hues. Yet their combinations are endless. Flavors are limited to five kinds. Yet their possibilities are infinite. Tactics are limited to the orthodox and the surprise. Yet their variations are boundless. The orthodox and surprise cycle like a ring. Without beginning or end, who can truly grasp them? Thus, through these seventeen military codes, Han Excian emphasizes to his troops the vital importance of discipline. Placing it above all else. When the drums sound, advance, when the gongs ring, retreat. When flags rise, stand, when they drop, hide, Han Excian uses sound and color for fluid tactical deployment. These signals ensure his troops remain unpredictable in future battles. Historical accounts describe Han Excian ordering his officers to assemble for drills at dawn. Yet, before daybreak, Han Excian was already seated in the command tent, where the generals arrived to meet him. After the watchman announced the hour, Han Excian called the roll, only to find the monitor, N-Gai, missing. Past noon, after half a day of drills, N-Gai finally arrived, showing no fear or respect for military law. N-Gai still didn't see the urgency. He said, I heard the general's orders. But a close friend arrived unexpectedly. So I stayed to share a drink. That is why I am late. I asked the general for mercy just this once. Han Excian barked at his guards. Seize the monitor and force him to his knees before the tent. You are a commander. Have you not heard that? Once you serve, you must forget your family? Commanding troops requires forgetting kin, when the drums beat, you must forget yourself. If you serve the state, how can you still think of father, son, or relative? Han Excian asked the judiciary officer, what law did N-Gai break? The officer reported, Arriving late to a roll call is a violation of military orders, punishable by public beheading. Han Excian ordered, take him out, behead him, and report back. N-Gai was terrified, pleading with Fan Kui for help, but there was nothing Fan Kui could do. It is said that N-Gai was one of Lu Bang's closest associates. Upon hearing the news, King Lu Bang sent Li Yiji with a royal decree to stop Han Excian and save N-Gai. But he never expected Han Excian to frighten him to the point of collapse. By military law, barging into camp is a crime of disrespect, also punishable by death to set an example. However, since the minister held a royal decree, he was spared. But his horsekeeper was beheaded along with N-Gai, and both heads were hung before the camp gate. All the officers were shaken and terrified, no one dared to speak again. Regarding Han Excian's enforcement of military law to set an example. It mirrors Sun Tzu executing King Helu's favorite concubines. To instill discipline and uphold the sanctity of his commands. Sun Tzu was fortunate to have Wu Zixu explain the national benefit. Han Excian compels Lu Bang to issue a decree of commendation. Because of this, Sun Tzu escaped the king's wrath. Likewise, Han Excian is fortunate to have Xiao He, who understands the bigger picture and convinced King Lu Bang of the strategic necessity of supporting military law. First, Xiao He advised Lu Bang that orders fail when superiors ignore them. If we sacrifice military law for one N-Gai, how can we command the army? How can we train them? Han Excian executed N-Bag precisely to uphold the law. A second time, Xiao He persuaded Lu Bang. A general in the field may sometimes have to override the sovereign's commands. This executive authority is the very essence of generalship. By executing N-Gai, he humbled the powerful to establish authority. Ensuring the troops obey only their commander, not the enemy. The art of war states, troops who fear their commander win, those who fear only the enemy are doomed. With Han Excian, why fear Tzu? Why fear that the six states won't submit? Even Li Yiji was so impressed by Han Excian that he told Lu Bang. That Han Excian's command is truly masterful. He executed my own attendant, yet I admire him, he is the one who will destroy Tzu. Your majesty should reward him to earn the general's respect. The troops no longer dare to break the law, and Han Excian's authority is absolute. We now realize that discipline is the true strength of an army. Lu Bang is fortunate, beyond Han Excian, he has upright loyalists like Xiao He and Li Yiji to guide him. This shift is vital, helping Lu Bang move from a narrow view to a broader perspective for the nation's sake. His rage turns into hope, placing his trust in Han Excian and the army to defeat the formidable Tzu forces. The royal decree is as follows. The art of command requires absolute authority in the field, without strict discipline, an army cannot be controlled. Without clear laws, one cannot win the hearts of the troops. Sun Tzu executed the king of Wu's concubines to ensure his laws were upheld. Not because he was unaware of the king's affection for them. Laws cannot be compromised by personal feelings. Only then can they be effectively enforced. Today, General Han Excian executed N'dai, fully aware he was a favorite of ours. Yet, the law cannot favor the close kin of a king, by executing one, he warns the thousands. Such discipline honors Sun Tzu and the true way of a commander, we are pleased and command him. Therefore, we send our courtiers with wine, meat, and this imperial decree to reward him. To encourage him to keep the troops in line. And to launch the eastern campaign soon to fulfill our deepest wish. The decree is issued. Lu Bang's words of praise in the decree, will surely hearten the troops. But through this, we also see, that Han Excian took a calculated risk by executing N'dai. Lu Bang himself questioned it. Asking what Han Excian meant by beheading N'dai. Everyone knows N'dai was a close associate of his. Is Han Excian not openly challenging the authority of his sovereign? It is like stroking a tiger's whiskers. It is fortunate that Xiao He and Li Yiji spoke so highly of Han Excian. Otherwise, history would never have witnessed his genius. As showcased in the legendary battles that define his mastery of strategy. With this, Han Excian achieved his first resounding victory without even stepping onto the battlefield. He conquered the outdated military stagnation of the Han. Won the hearts of the troops and unified their strength. By enforcing absolute obedience, he transformed the army into the legendary Shuai Ran described in the art of war. Sun Tzu wrote that an army should act like the Shuai Ran. The Shuai Ran is a serpent found on Mount Chang. Strike at its head and its tail strikes back. Strike at its tail and its head turns to bite. Strike at its middle and both head and tail attack together. Can an army be commanded like the Shuai Ran? People from Wu and Yu may bear hatred for one another. Yet if they find themselves on the same boat caught in a storm. They will help each other as naturally as the left hand helps the right. Binding horse legs and bearing wheels are not enough to ensure stability. One must unify the soldier's spirit so they act as one. That is the true art of military command. Whether the troops are rigid or soft, strong or weak, all can be utilized depending on the terrain. Therefore, a master of war leads his troops as if leading a single man, they have no choice but to follow. Thankyou for watching. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated with our latest videos.