《贞观政要·卷八·论刑法》
于是下诏说： 凡有死刑，虽下令立即处决，都还得五次复奏。 
因诏曰： 凡有死刑，虽令即决，皆须五覆奏。 
Therefore, a new imperial edict was issued: Any person facing the death penalty, even if ordered to be executed immediately, must be reported five times.