《明史·志·卷六十八》
十二年规定： 凡是交战之时，从敌人背后突然杀出杀败众贼的，勇敢闯入敌阵斩杀将领夺取敌旗的，本队已胜、别队胜负未决、而能救援击败敌人的，接受命令能称职、出奇兵攻破敌人成功的，都称为奇功。
十二年定： 凡交锋之际，突出敌背杀败贼众者，勇敢入阵斩将搴旗者，本队已胜、别队胜负未决、而能救援克敌者，受命能任事、出奇破贼成功者，皆为奇功。
In the twelfth year, the following regulations were established: In the event of battle, those who suddenly emerged from behind enemy lines and routed the enemy, those who bravely charged into the enemy阵formation and killed enemy generals and captured enemy flags, those who were victorious with their own battalion but assisted in defeating the enemy in other battalions, those who fulfilled their orders with competence, and those who successfully launched surprise attacks against the enemy were all considered to have outstanding merit.