
The right half was kept by the Emperor. The left half was given to the commander at the battlefield. When a messengerʼs piece fitted the commanderʼs, it proved that his message came directly from the Emperor and must be obeyed at once.

The right half was kept by the Emperor. The left half was given to the commander at the battlefield. When a messengerʼs piece fitted the commanderʼs, it proved that his message came directly from the Emperor and must be obeyed at once.