A letter announcing to all the circuits that troops are called up and gathered告報諸道徵會軍兵書

On the twelfth day of the fifth month in the second year of Zhonghe, so-and-so, with his titles given in full, respectfully announces this to the military commissioner of such-and-such a prefecture. The rebel Huang Chao has of himself thrown the constant order of Heaven into disorder and has hurried the stars out of their courses. Though every hair of his head were plucked out, his crimes could not be counted through. Because that barbarous throat has not yet been pounded, his villainy has ripened to its utmost. The punishment of the gods may be looked for. On what can a monstrous thing rely? Yet he dares to spread like an owl over the phoenix city and to crouch like a bear at the dragon gate towers. Even a child five feet tall still asks for a cord to bind the rebel. How much more, then, could the lords of the four quarters hold back from flinging up their sleeves? It happened that the court laid its plans in secret and drew them widely, leaning first on the lords of the home region, so that it need not trouble the ten circuits with a levy, and it was said that one sweep of the baton would surely settle all. Who could have reckoned that, though a military order is no child's game, the names of the generals would find no proof in the children's songs, and that before there was leisure to pull up a single banner word would come of banners turned back? So the dog went on barking madly and the ape was never startled into a cry, and all that was earned was the reproach of toying with the bandits. Who then holds the honor of having laid arms down? His Majesty for a while flew the chariot of the sun and looked himself into the airs and songs of the people, giving shade to those scorched by the heat and bestowing grace. His sage thoughts labored to lay the blame on himself, yet the many who longed for the rank smell and bound up their hopes complained instead, "Are we the last?" But since he went to Guicheng his imperial carriage has long stood still. The clouds of Qin are blocked off far away and the willows of Shu are in flower again. Whenever the thought of frost and dew rises in him, the sovereign's feeling may be imagined. While the trouble of smoke and dust is not yet destroyed, how can a subject's integrity be at ease? Last year I sent the feathered summons ahead and raised the jade tally of command after it, crying out the voice of righteousness to far and near and nursing a brave spirit in my officers. Then I levied widely the boats of Tao Kan and long held the battle-axe of Xin Pi. The painted water birds flew side by side over waves like snow, and the crows on the masts turned high in a misty sky. I meant to spread sail in the dawn wind and to let the banners sleep under the night moon, and the moment I left the shores of Chu to reach the Han River, drive straight on with an army that had the water at its back, and break forever the brood of calamity that reaches to Heaven. But before I could put the arts of war to use, the phoenix letters came down again and again. The court already knew that the several circuits had advanced their armies, and it would not permit a distant frontier commander to leave his post. The imperial order said, "Keep whole for me the land of Wu and Yue, and leave me without care for east or for west." So I looked again at the sovereign's words and in the end turned my armored troops back. This was to look up and follow the emperor's command, and truly not to dare to slacken the hour set for the army. Now ten thousand leagues are given over to a campaign, and who can stir his wings? For three years the enemy has been let go, and still he is allowed to grind his teeth. Huang Chao may play about inside the cauldron, but he is already on the chopping block. A dog that wags its tail has once run mad, and a general whose head is cut off can hardly have his anger undone. I am fortunate to hold, unworthily, the essentials of military power, and truly I ought to act in keeping with righteousness. Lately I received the articles of the imperial order and levied troops everywhere. One call to the prefectures in my charge, and the bold and the strong gathered from the four quarters. There are not only three thousand in armor but truly a hundred thousand who can draw a bow. I have already fixed on the eighteenth day of this month to lead the soldiers out and leave my own garrison. I will make straight for the road to Bian and enter Tong Pass by the shortest way, scour away the owl's nest where it stands, and go to meet the imperial carriage, drawing on the wind of Shun that leaves nothing outside it and seeing the Han sun stand at noon once more. Still more, the Commander-in-chief, his lordship Wang, moves his wisdom and his devices in secret and holds a separate command of arms. He has already led out his hardy troops and will soon unfold an extraordinary feat. Our war plans may well answer one another, so that together we raise the royal design. Since the bandits grew strong, all the circuits have had their offices and honors raised. Even a corpse, if it fed on what the soil brings forth, would think of giving up its life. How much more those who have received Heaven's favor? How can it be right for them to keep their bodies at ease? Moreover, in a great man's life in this world a valiant spirit is hard to unfold and a good season is easily lost. If a fine deed is yielded into another man's hands and a rare grace betrays the heart of the sage sovereign, then no one can sound your inward parts, and what face will you have to show? Truly each of you should be diligent in drill and wish with one mind to cut the rebels down. Look up toward the emperor's carriage until your spirit takes flight. Hold to your war chariot until the corners of your eyes are torn. Be early seen on the march, and cherish no sorrow fit for women and children. Take hold of the merit of battle, and make of it a blessing for your sons and grandsons forever. Respectfully announced.