三令五申

From Shiji, Vol. LXV (《史記·孫武列傳》):

約束既布，乃設鈇鉞，即三令五申之。於是鼓之右，婦人大笑。孫子曰：“約束不明，申令不熟，將之罪也。”復三令五申而鼓之左，婦人復大笑。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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约束既布，乃设𫓧钺，即三令五申之。于是鼓之右，妇人大笑。孙子曰：“约束不明，申令不熟，将之罪也。”复三令五申而鼓之左，妇人复大笑。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

Yuēshù jì bù, nǎi shè fū yuè, jí sān lìng wǔ shēn zhī. Yúshì gǔ zhī yòu, fùrén dàxiào. Sūnzǐ yuē: “Yuēshù bùmíng, shēnlìng bùshú, jiàng zhī zuì yě.” Fù sān lìng wǔ shēn ér gǔ zhī zuǒ, fùrén fù dàxiào. [Pinyin]

Only after these rules had been laid down, did he have [executioners’] swords and axes made ready and repeat his instructions a third and order “Turn right!” A few women burst out laughing. Sun Tzu said, “If the rules are not clear and orders are not understood, the commander is to blame.” Once more he repeated his instructions a fourth or a fifth time, then beat drums and gave the order for a left turn, yet once more a few women burst out laughing.

三令五申

1. to repeatedly order, instruct, admonish or warn

   儘管你三令五申，有許多員工就是不肯照辦。 [MSC, trad.]
   尽管你三令五申，有许多员工就是不肯照办。 [MSC, simp.]

   Jǐnguǎn nǐ sānlìngwǔshēn, yǒu xǔduō yuángōng jiùshì bù kěn zhàobàn. [Pinyin]

   No matter how much you warn and admonish them, there are many employees who just aren't willing to do as they are told.