








将在外,君命有所不受 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a general operating far from the capital has the autonomy to make decisions on the spot, even if it means deviating from or not waiting for the ruler's direct orders, as battlefield circumstances often require immediate and flexible judgment”. Literally, “A commander in the field is not subject to the sovereign's direct command”.
During the Spring and Autumn period, Sun Wu, a native of Qi, presented a book on military strategy to King Helü of Wu. Helü was very pleased and invited Sun Wu to train his troops to verify the feasibility of his military tactics.
Sun Wu gathered the king's concubines from the palace for training. However, these pampered ladies did not obey his commands.
Sun Wu then ordered the execution of two of their captains and stated to King Helü, "A general at the front is not bound by the sovereign's direct commands."

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Open the tool →将在外,君命有所不受 (jiāng zài wài , jūn mìng yǒu suǒ bù shòu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a general operating far from the capital has the autonomy to make decisions on the spot, even if it means deviating from or not waiting for the ruler's direct orders, as battlefield circumstances often require immediate and flexible judgment”.
将在外,君命有所不受 is pronounced jiāng zài wài , jūn mìng yǒu suǒ bù shòu in Mandarin Chinese.
Literally, 将在外,君命有所不受 means “a commander in the field is not subject to the sovereign's direct command”. It is used to mean “a general operating far from the capital has the autonomy to make decisions on the spot, even if it means deviating from or not waiting for the ruler's direct orders, as battlefield circumstances often require immediate and flexible judgment”.
将在外,君命有所不受 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
将:将领;受:接受。将领远征在外可以相机作战,不必事先请战或等待君主的命令再战