In various cases of locusts, drought and flooding, frost and hailstorm which harm crops, when local gods are unable to save [the people], the Court of Exorcism will dispatch officers and clerks to join their effort. Those who disobey [the dispatchment] shall be beaten a hundred strokes with the heavy rod. For cases involving the Heavenly Administration implementing seasonal disasters, they are allowed to report the matter in a memorial.
Any spirit officers and clerks who should be dispatched but refused to go or who should not be dispatched but went (nonetheless) shall each receive a hundred strokes with the heavy rod. If it reaches ten individuals, an extra level of penalty shall be given, until reaching three years’ penal servitude.
Any spirits who are supposed to save people from suffering, if they do not turn up when summoned, they shall be exiled to a distance of three thousand li. Those who arrive but do not make effort to join the pursuit for perpetrators shall be given two years’ penal servitude. Those who are dispatched by the Heavenly administration on other businesses can be exempt.
For various plagues implemented by Heaven that caused ailments such as ulcers and blisters in people, it should be delegated to the Twelve Yearly Princes for universal action. Those spirits in charge who are dispatched and appointed by the Court of Exorcism, on matters that should be reported to the Heavenly Administration for the implementation of imprisonment, should respond immediately and report in detail to the realm above. Those who disobey will be beaten a hundred strokes with the heavy rod.
Any mountain gods, river gods, earth gods, stove gods, and city gods who receive orders to pursue evil spirits but disobey the orders, wander around the places they travel, or do harm to the people, shall be sent directly to the Eastern Peak for conviction. Those in charge who fail to notice [the crime] will be beaten a hundred strokes with the heavy rod.
Any appointed city gods and earth gods who commit wrongdoing shall be reported in detail to the North Dipper for decision and to the Three Offices for investigation. The Court of Exorcism should also be notified for action.
For any areas inflicted by annual disasters and serious plagues that cause casualties to people and animals, upon report it should be notified immediately to the Divine King of Years to stop the inflictions. It should also be reported to the High Realm. Those who disobey shall be beaten a hundred strokes with the heavy rod.
Any people who suffer from prolonged imprisonment, if they have done nothing wrong and maintain their innocence but are wrongly convicted by various administrations, their cases should immediately be passed on to the local City God or the Prison God for them to give instructions during manifestation to officials in charge of the investigation, who will then realise the truth and resolve them immediately. Those who disobey shall be given one year’s penal servitude. Cases in which the prisoners should indeed be given retributions are not included.
Any spirit officers, clerks, or soldiers who leave an officiating rite officer without authorization shall be beaten one hundred strokes with the heavy rod. In cases of urgent shortage of personnel, [the rite officer] is permitted to borrow spirit troops from a neighbouring shrine, up to five hundred soldiers. Once the business is over, special awards and favours shall be reported in a memorial to their affiliated administrations to record merits. (trans. adapted from Hymes, p. 33, fn. 29.)
Any spirits who receive commands from the Office of Heaven but delay departure for five days shall be beaten a hundred strokes with the heavy rod. For every ten days, an extra level of penalty will be given, until reaching three years’ penal servitude. Those who have a reason should report in detail to the Office of Heaven.
