“三令五申” (“Sān Lìng Wǔ Shēn”): Repeated Orders and Injunctions
Definition: The idiom “San Ling Wu Shen” means “to give repeated orders and injunctions.”
Historical figures: Sun Wu
Origin: In “Biographies of Sunzi and Wu Qi” of Records of the Historian, Sima Qian, the great Western-Han-Dynasty historian, recorded that when the emperor left the palace, about one hundred beautiful palace maids had to accompany him. Sunzi divided them into two groups and appointed two of the emperor’s favorite concubines as group leaders, ordering all of them to hold halberds. … After the disciplines and orders were announced, he set up the ceremonial axes of military authority and repeatedly issued his commands.
When it comes to The Art of War, it is one of the most widely known ancient Chinese texts. The book is viewed as the “canon of military strategy.” Many overseas specialists have conducted researches on this work as well. Recently, the TV series Kuang Biao (The Knockout) also makes references to The Art of War. The author of this classic work is Sunzi, or Sun Wu, a native of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. The man has long been recognized as one of the outstanding ancient Chinese military strategists.
The story goes that one day, Sun Wu was received by King Helv of Wu. He took The Art of War with him and presented it to the king. Sun recommended himself by claiming that if the army were trained according to the strategies in his book, every order would be carried out, and every battle won. As a result, the State of Wu would certainly thrive. After reading the book, the king smiled and raised the question, “I’ve read all the thirteen chapters about your art of war. But actual warfare operates on a much larger scale, and I am impatient by nature. Could you demonstrate your methods now with a small unit?” Sun Wu replied smilingly, “Certainly, I’d happy to.” Slightly skeptical, the king posed a further challenge: “What if we test them with women?” Sun Wu nodded his head, “I’m fine with that.”
King Helv then selected 180 stunningly beautiful women from his palace, all of whom looked pure and noble. The king handed them over to Sun Wu for training. In Sun Wu’s eyes, however, he saw only soldiers, and their beauty meant nothing to him. He divided them into two squads, and appointed the king’s two favorite concubines as squad leaders. Sun Wu had each woman hold a halberd and stand in a line. He then asked, “Do you know where your heart, your left and right hands, and your back are?” They all replied, “Yes.” He further enquired, “Do you know how to turn forward, backward, left, and right?” Again, all of them provided a positive response. Sun Wu continued, “When I say ‘forward,’ face forward; ‘left,’ face your left hand; ‘right,’ face your right hand; ‘back,’ turn backward.” Every one of them replied, “I see.” After making these arrangements, Sun Wu ordered the execution axes to be brought out and repeatedly emphasized the strictness of military discipline. Then he beat the drum and gave the command: “Turn left!” Accustomed only to feasting and amusement with the king, the women had never undergone such drills. They burst into giggles and ignored the order. Sun Wu said, “If instructions are unclear and commands not fully explained, the fault lies with the commander.” He explained everything again in detail and beat the drum once more: “Turn right!” Again, the women erupted in laughter. Sun Wu re-emphasized, “If instructions are not clear, the fault must be the commander’s. But when orders are clear yet not obeyed, the fault lies with the officers and soldiers, so the officers shall be the first to face the consequence!” He then ordered the guards to seize the two women leaders and execute them with the axes.
King Helv had been seated on the reviewing stand and watched the drill. The king himself initially treated the drill as little more than a show. He just intended to watch how Sun Wu run the exercise. But when realizing that Sun Wu was serious about the execution of his beloved concubines, the king hurriedly sent a messenger down with the words: “His Majesty has now seen the excellence of your military training methods. Please do spare them!” However, Sun Wu replied, “I have been appointed commander. Since the general is in the field, he must decide even against the orders from his sovereign.” Then and there, he had the two squad leaders beheaded, and then promoted two other women at the front to take their places. When the rest of the women saw that Sun Wu had actually executed the king’s favorite concubines right before their eyes, they realized that he meant every word he said. Therefore, none of them dared to laugh or joke any longer. From then on, whenever the drum sounded, whether for turning left or right, advancing or retreating, kneeling or rising, everyone followed the commands obediently, with full discipline and solemn attention.
Sun Wu then reported to King Helv, “The troops now have been trained. Please inspect them, Your Majesty. You may command these two squads as you wish. I believe even if you order them into fire or water, they will not disobey.” King Helv could only reply with a bitter smile, “That will do. You may rest now. I do not wish to inspect them.”
Sun Wu, somewhat displeased, said, “You Majesty, you appreciate my theories, yet you do not support their practical application.” King Helv had no choice but to acknowledge Sun Wu’s ability and appointed him as a general. Later, Sun led the armies of Wu to a decisive victory over the State of Chu, and attained brilliant military achievements for the State of Wu.
