The Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention () is a military doctrine that was issued in 1928 by Mao Zedong and his associates for the Chinese Red Army, who were then fighting against the Kuomintang. The contents vary slightly in different versions. One of the major distinctions of the doctrine was its respect for the civilians during wartime. The following version is obtained from Stephen Uhalley in 1975. Statement The three rules enjoined prompt obedience to orders, no confiscation of people's property, prompt delivery directly to authorities of all items confiscated from enemy. The eight points were: Be polite when speaking Be honest when buying and selling Return all borrowed articles Pay compensation for everything damaged Do not hit or swear at others Do not damage crops Do not harass females Do not mistreat prisoners Alternate An alternative, more literal translation into English was presented by the People's Daily. The Three Main Rules of Discipline: Obey orders in all your actions.() Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses.() Turn in everything captured.() The Eight Points for Attention: Speak politely.() Pay fairly for what you buy.() Return everything you borrow.() Pay for anything you damage.() Do not hit or swear at people.() Do not damage crops.() Do not take liberties with women.() Do not ill-treat captives.() History These injunctions were usually complied with and, according to historian Stephen Uhalley, came to make the Chinese Red Army a distinctive army in China and an exceptionally popular one. The attitude of the Three Rules and the Eight Points heavily contrasted with the Nationalist Kuomintang armies led by Chiang Kai-shek, who were fighting the Chinese Red Army in the Chinese Civil War. For example, Nationalist armies tended to board in civilian houses without permission, tended to be rude and disrespectful towards civilians, or sometimes even confiscated material from the peasants in order to gain supplies. The Chinese Red Army however, under the Three Points of Discipline and Eight Points of Attention requested permission to take supplies and to board at houses instead, and any confiscation of peasant property were exceptions and violators were promptly punished. For example, Red Army soldiers would be shot on the spot if they were found looting peasant homes. Many impressed villagers gave supplies and shelter to the Red Army voluntarily, greatly helping their war efforts. Eventually, many villagers and their