1. The army hears the general’s orders but not the emperor’s edicts.

Translation: The army only obeys the orders of the general, not the emperor.

2. If the ministers of Jiezhou refuse to bow, please allow your Majesty to allow them to meet you with military bows.

Translation: "Generals wearing armor are not allowed to kneel and worship. Please allow me to see you in accordance with military etiquette."

3. When the general makes an appointment, the army is not allowed to drive.

Translation: The general stipulated that no driving is allowed in the military camp.

Source: Sima Qian (Han Dynasty) "Zhou Yafu's Army in Thin Willows"

Extended information

Zhou Yafu was the son of Jianghou Zhou Bo, the founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty. In the second year after Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, he inherited the title of Jianghou from his father. At first, Zhou Yafu was the governor of Hanoi. At that time, there was an old woman named Xu Fu who was famous for her good reading of faces.

Once, Zhou Yafu invited her to his official residence to read his fortune. Xu Negation said to him: "Your life is relatively noble. In three years, you can be granted the title of Marquis, and in eight years, you can be the prime minister, and your status will be noble. But in nine years, you will die of hunger." "?

Zhou Yafu didn't believe it at all. He said: "I will definitely not be made a marquis, because my brother has inherited his father's marquis. Even if he dies, his nephew will inherit it. It’s impossible to say that I’ll starve to death, because since I’m noble, how can I starve to death?” He said from the corner of his mouth: "You have a vertical line from the edge of your mouth to the corner of your mouth. This is a starving face." Zhou Yafu was surprised when he heard this.