If any clumsiness were noted, or any deficiency in the equipment, the pay was to be withheld until the defect observed had been made good.

Special care was to be taken that no one drew the pay of a class superior to that whereto he really belonged--of an archer, for instance, when he was in truth a common soldier, or of a trooper when he served not in the horse, but in the foot.
A curious anecdote is related in connection with these military reforms.
When Babek, the new paymaster, was about to hold his first review, he issued an order that all persons belonging to the army then present in the capital should appear before him on a certain day.

The troops came; but Babek dismissed them on the ground that a certain person whose presence was indispensable had not made his appearance.

Another day was appointed, with the same result, except that Babek on this occasion plainly intimated that it was the king whom he expected to attend.

Upon this Chosroes, when a third summons was issued, took care to be present, and came fully equipped, as he thought, for battle.