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diff --git a/44024-0.txt b/44024-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c0f984 --- /dev/null +++ b/44024-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3775 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44024 *** + +Nore: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + https://archive.org/details/bookofwarmilitar00caltiala + + +Transcriber's note: + + Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). + + Changes made are listed at the end of the text. + + + + +THE BOOK OF WAR + +The Military Classic of the Far East + +Translated from the Chinese by + +CAPTAIN E. F. CALTHROP, R.F.A. + + + + + + + +London +John Murray, Albemarle St., W. +1908 + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION 7 + + + THE ARTICLES OF SUNTZU + + I. PRELIMINARY RECKONING 17 + + II. OPERATIONS OF WAR 20 + + III. THE ATTACK BY STRATAGEM 24 + + IV. THE ORDER OF BATTLE 28 + + V. THE SPIRIT OF THE TROOPS 31 + + VI. EMPTINESS AND STRENGTH 34 + + VII. BATTLE TACTICS 40 + + VIII. THE NINE CHANGES 44 + + IX. MOVEMENT OF TROOPS 47 + + X. GROUND 53 + + XI. NINE GROUNDS 58 + + XII. ASSAULT BY FIRE 67 + + XIII. THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPIES 70 + + + THE SAYINGS OF WUTZU + + INTRODUCTION 75 + + I. THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY 77 + + II. ESTIMATION OF THE ENEMY 85 + + III. CONTROL OF THE ARMY 93 + + IV. QUALITIES OF THE GENERAL 101 + + V. SUITING THE OCCASION 108 + + VI. ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE TROOPS 116 + + + + +THE BOOK OF WAR + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +I + +Written in the fifth century B.C., Suntzu and Wutzu still remain the +most celebrated works on war in the literature of China. While the +chariot has gone, and weapons have changed, these ancient masters have +held their own, since they deal chiefly with the fundamental principles +of war, with the influence of politics and human nature on military +operations; and they show in a most striking way how unchanging these +principles are. + +When these books were written, China was a conglomerate of +principalities in continual ferment. Personal ambition and intrigue, +and not the wishes of the people, were the main factors in these wars. +Patriotism, or a popular cause, could not, therefore, be relied on +to maintain the _moral_ of the levies. Instead of these, what may be +called the force of despair is pointed out as the most powerful agent +in giving cohesion and energy to an army. The general is urged to +take a vigorous offensive; and to act at a distance from his base, +where defeat means disaster, and where desertion is minimised owing to +the distance from home. He should, in fact, burn his boats before an +action, or, in Chinese phrase, act as one who removes the ladder from +under those mounted upon the roof. + +On the other hand, every care must be taken not to render the enemy +desperate; and, as an instance of this, Sun observes that an opponent +should on no account be completely surrounded. A loop-hole of escape +weakens the resolution of the general and the energy of his troops. + +It is interesting to notice that _moral_, or the spirit of the troops, +is thus considered a determining factor in war. The Chinese are +perhaps unusually affected by climatic conditions. As is well known, +the umbrella was part of a soldier's equipment; and for the same +reasons, the sunny side of high ground is recommended as most suitable +for defence, tactical considerations permitting. + +The large number of bannermen in the Chinese army was out of all +proportion to the service of standards in providing rallying points. +The chief use of banners was to maintain the spirit of the troops. +A forest of banners, held erect, gave a feeling of liveliness and +security to the ranks, in the same way as a military band, and when Sun +remarks that the march of an army should be calm like the forest, he is +using a simile that is not inappropriate. + +Probably owing to the fact that the profession of arms has never been +highly regarded in China, we find that the ruler of the state did not +usually take the field, but employed a professional to command the +army--one of the masters of war who wandered from state to state at +that time with the secrets of victory to impart to the highest bidder. +The question of political interference with the general in the field +naturally arises under these conditions. The two sages point out, that +to unite the nation under firm and just government is the business of +the ruler and necessary to victory; but that the general is the best +judge of the questions that arise on a distant field, and that all +interference with him causes delay and disaster. + +War meaning ravage, it was essential that the operations should be +conducted in the enemy's territory. Once there, however, a vigorous +offensive is no longer advised. "At first behave with the discretion of +a maiden" is the counsel of Sun. The enemy must be induced to take the +initiative, and when he is worn out by marching, or makes a false move, +"then," says the master, "dart in like a rabbit." + +Unlike the tactics of the Japanese, in whom the spirit of attack +burns so strongly, those of Suntzu and Wutzu are essentially of +the offensive-defensive order--manoeuvre before fighting, and +non-committal until the enemy has shown his hand. The business of the +general is to avoid encounter in battle until the enemy is no longer +capable of offering a successful resistance. + +The masters do not make, however, the mistake of advocating a passive +defensive. Suntzu lays down that the division of the forces which this +strategy involves, is to be everywhere weak, rendering the army liable +to be taken in detail by the concentrated forces of the enemy. It is +rather the defence which avoids battle by mobility and manoeuvre, +induces the enemy by stratagem to divide his forces, or act in +conformity with our wishes, and then falls upon him. + +With regard to the tactics of the battlefield, the pitched battle, +or, in other words, the frontal attack, is considered unworthy of the +skilful general. The plan of attack should consist, broadly speaking, +in the division of the army into two forces. The enemy is "attracted +and engaged by one force, and defeated with the other;" and here we +have the containing or secondary attack, and the main or reserve force +which decides the battle of to-day--a most striking instance of the +continuity of military principles. + +Considerable space is devoted to the influence of ground on war. The +passage of defiles and rivers is still conducted in the same way. The +many large rivers of China naturally affected military operations; and, +among other axioms, it is laid down that the passage of a river should +not be disputed, as the enemy will probably give up the attempt, and +make the passage untouched at some other point, but that he should +be attacked when half his force is across the stream. Again, an army +should not encamp on a river below the enemy, as it is thereby liable +to be inundated, or to have its water poisoned; or the enemy may come +down stream and make a sudden attack. + +While both writers were professional soldiers, they show a fine +disinterestedness by repeatedly pointing out that even successful +war brings evil in its train. Wu remarks that "few are those who have +gained power on earth by many victories," and he is insistent that war +should not be undertaken until a careful comparison of the two sides +shows that victory is certain; and he adds, "The army which conquers +makes certain of victory and then attacks, while the army that is +defeated fights in the hope of success." + +Hence the importance they assign to intelligence of the enemy, and to +the spy; and as the sages dealt with war between members of the same +race, the work of spies was greatly facilitated. The spy was treated +with great honour by his countrymen, and the fact that many of the +national heroes of China were spies, shows that the part that they +played was not forgotten. They frequently toiled for years, and rose +to high rank in the enemy's service; and thus, by wrong counsel and by +spreading mistrust in his ranks, they became a two-edged sword in the +hands of the general. "Wonderful, indeed, is their power," exclaims +Sun; but he also reminds us that their management is the most difficult +and delicate duty of the general. + + +II + +Sun and Wu are perhaps held in even greater reverence in Japan than +in China, where war is looked upon as a troublesome phase in national +life, and victory in battle is not considered the greatest achievement +of a state. Far otherwise is it in Japan; and successive generations +of her soldiers have been brought up on Sun and Wu. Like other arts, +mystery was formerly supposed to surround the art of war, a belief that +was encouraged by the strategist; and for a considerable time, the few +copies of this book, that were brought over from China to Japan, were +jealously guarded by their possessors. Later, as they became known, an +army of Japanese commentators arose--for Chinese literature is thought +compressed, to be unfolded in the mind of the reader. + +To-day Sun and Wu have given way to the scientific works of European +writers, but their sayings have become proverbs, and their influence +undoubtedly helped the Japanese to victory in the late war. Belief +in the importance of a knowledge of the enemy and his resources, of +preparation and training, had grown out of a long study of these +ancient masters; and since it was the vital importance of a successful +issue to the Japanese which, after all, fired their resolution and +carried them through, they proved the sage's words that it is the +energy, born of despair, that wins the victory. + + +III + +Little is known of the life of either master. They were in no sense +patriots but professional strategists, continually changing their +employer. Chinese history tells a famous story about Sun. A certain +ruler asked Sun to give a practical demonstration of his principles in +the neighbourhood of the palace, and entrusted him with the women of +the court for this purpose. During the operations, the leader of one of +the sides did not obey the master's instructions, and her execution was +ordered. She happened to be the king's favourite wife, but Sun pointed +out that the king's wish that her life should be spared was a case of +political interference with the general in the field; and the sentence +was carried out. + +Wu is represented as a person of low moral character. On two separate +occasions, for fear of giving rise to suspicion, he killed one of his +wives who belonged to a state with which his employer at the time was +at war; and, graver still in the eyes of the Chinese historian, he was +not present at the death-bed of his mother. + + E. F. C. + + +NOTE. + +The translator is indebted to Major J. C. Somerville for his kind help +and criticism. + + + + +THE ARTICLES OF SUNTZU + + + + +I + +PRELIMINARY RECKONING + + +The words of Sun the Master:-- + +To all nations War is a great matter. Upon the army death or life +depend: it is the means of the existence or destruction _of the State_. + +Therefore it must be diligently studied. + +Now, in war, besides stratagem and the situation, there are five +indispensable matters. The first is called The Way;[1] the second, +Heaven; the third, Earth; the fourth, the Leader; the fifth, Law. + +The _Way_ or the proper conduct of man. If the ruling authority be +upright, the people are united: fearless of danger, their lives are at +the service of their Lord. + +_Heaven._ Yin and Yang;[2] heat and cold; time and season. + +_Earth._ Distance; nature; extent; strategic position. + +The _Leader_. Intelligence; truth; benevolence; courage and strictness. + +_Law._ Partition and ordering of troops. + +These things must be known by the leader: to know them is to conquer; +to know them not is to be defeated. + +Further, with regard to these and the following seven matters, the +condition of the enemy must be compared with our own. + +The seven matters are:-- + +The virtue of the prince; the ability of the general; natural +advantages; the discipline of the armies; the strength of the soldiers; +training of the soldiers; justice both in reward and punishment. + +Knowing these things, I can foretell the victor. + +If a general under me fight according to my plans, he always conquers, +and I continue to employ him; if he differ from my plans, he will be +defeated and dismissed from my service. + +Wherefore, with regard to the foregoing, considering that with us +lies the advantage, and the generals agreeing, we create a situation +which promises victory; but as the moment and method cannot be fixed +beforehand, the plan must be modified according to circumstances. + +War is a thing of pretence: therefore, when capable of action, we +pretend disability; when near to the enemy, we pretend to be far; when +far away, we pretend to be near. + +Allure the enemy by giving him a small advantage. Confuse and capture +him. If there be defects, give an appearance of perfection, and awe the +enemy. Pretend to be strong, and so cause the enemy to avoid you. Make +him angry, and confuse his plans. Pretend to be inferior, and cause him +to despise you. If he have superabundance of strength, tire him out; +if united, make divisions in his camp. Attack weak points, and appear +in unexpected places. + +These are the secrets of the successful strategist, therefore they must +not be made known beforehand. + +At the reckoning in the Sanctuary before fighting, victory is to the +side that excels _in the foregoing matters_. They that have many of +these will conquer; they that have few will not conquer; hopeless, +indeed, are they that have none. + +If the condition of both sides with regard to these matters be known, I +can foretell the victor. + + + + +II + +OPERATIONS OF WAR + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +Now the requirements of war are such that we need a thousand light +chariots with four horses each; a thousand leather-covered chariots, +and one hundred thousand armoured men; and we must send supplies to +distant fields. Wherefore the cost at home and in the field, the +entertainment of guests, glue and lacquer for repairs, and necessities +for the upkeep of waggons and armour are such that in one day a +thousand pieces of gold are spent. With that amount a force of one +hundred thousand men can be raised:--you have the instruments of +victory. + +But, even if victorious, let the operations long continue, and the +soldiers' ardour decreases, the weapons become worn, and, if a siege be +undertaken, strength disappears. + +Again, if the war last long, the country's means do not suffice. +Then, when the soldiers are worn out, weapons blunted, strength gone +and funds spent, neighbouring princes arise and attack that weakened +country. At such a time the wisest man cannot mend the matter. + +For, while quick accomplishment has been known to give the victory to +the unskilful, the skilful general has never gained advantage from +lengthy operations. + +In fact, there never has been a country which has benefited from a +prolonged war. + +He who does not know the evils of war will not reap advantage thereby. +He who is skilful in war does not make a second levy, does not load his +supply waggons thrice. + +War material and arms we obtain from home, but food sufficient for the +army's needs can be taken from the enemy. + +The cost of supplying the army in distant fields is the chief drain +on the resources of a state: if the war be distant, the citizens are +impoverished. + +In the neighbourhood of an army prices are high, and so the money +of the soldiers and followers is used up. Likewise the state funds +are exhausted, and frequent levies must be made; the strength of the +army is dissipated, money is spent, the citizen's home swept bare: in +all, seven-tenths of his income is forfeited. Again, as regards State +property, chariots are broken, horses worn out, armour and helmet, +arrow and bow, spear, shield, pike and fighting tower, waggon and oxen +used and gone, so that six-tenths of the Government's income is spent. + +Therefore the intelligent general strives to feed on the enemy; one +bale of the enemy's rice counts as twenty from our own waggons; one +bundle of the enemy's forage is better than twenty of our own. + +Incitement must be given to vanquish the enemy. + +They who take advantage of the enemy should be rewarded. + +They who are the first to lay their hands on more than ten of the +enemy's chariots should be rewarded; the enemy's standard on the +chariots exchanged for our own; the captured chariots mixed with our +own chariots and taken into use. + +The accompanying warriors must be treated well, so that, while the +enemy is beaten, our side increases in strength. + +Now the object of war is victory; not lengthy operations, even +skilfully conducted. + +The good general is the lord of the people's lives, the guardian of the +country's welfare. + + + + +III + +THE ATTACK BY STRATAGEM + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +Now by the laws of war, better than defeating a country by fire and the +sword, is to take it without strife. + +Better to capture the enemy's army intact than to overcome it after +fierce resistance. + +Better to capture the "Lu,"[3] the "Tsu" or the "Wu" whole, than to +destroy them in battle. + +To fight and conquer one hundred times is not the perfection of +attainment, for the supreme art is to subdue the enemy without fighting. + +Wherefore the most skilful warrior outwits the enemy by superior +stratagem; the next in merit prevents the enemy from uniting his +forces; next to him is he who engages the enemy's army; while to +besiege his citadel is the worst expedient. + +A siege should not be undertaken if it can possibly be avoided. For, +before a siege can be commenced, three months are required for the +construction of stages, battering-rams and siege engines; then a +further three months are required in front of the citadel, in order to +make the "Chuyin."[4] Wherefore the general is angered, his patience +exhausted, his men surge like ants against the ramparts _before the +time is ripe_, and one-third of them are killed to no purpose. Such are +the misfortunes that sieges entail. + +Therefore the master of war causes the enemy's forces to yield, but +without fighting; he captures his fortress, but without besieging +it; and without lengthy fighting takes the enemy's kingdom. Without +tarnishing his weapons he gains the complete advantage. + +This is the assault by stratagem. + +By the rules of war, if ten times as strong as the enemy, surround him; +with five times his strength, attack; with double his numbers, divide. +If equal in strength, exert to the utmost, and fight; if inferior in +numbers, manoeuvre _and await the opportunity_; if altogether inferior, +offer no chance of battle. A determined stand by inferior numbers does +but lead to their capture. + +The warrior is the country's support. If his aid be entire, the country +is of necessity strong; if it be at all deficient, then is the country +weak. + +Now a prince may embarrass his army in three ways, namely:-- + +Ignorant that the army in the field should not advance, to order it to +go forward; or, ignorant that the army should not retreat, order it to +retire. + +This is to tie the army as with a string. + +Ignorant of military affairs, to rule the armies in the same way as the +state. + +This is to perplex the soldiers. + +Ignorant of the situation of the army, to settle its dispositions. + +This is to fill the soldiers with distrust. + +If the army be perplexed and distrustful, then dangers from neighbouring +princes arise. The army is confounded, and offered up to the enemy. + +There are five occasions when victory can be foretold:-- + +When the general knows the time to fight and when not to fight; or +understands when to employ large or small numbers; when government +and people are of one mind; when the state is prepared, and chooses +the enemy's unguarded moment for attack; when the general possesses +ability, and is not interfered with by his prince. + +These five things are the heralds of victory. + +It has been said aforetime that he who knows both sides has nothing +to fear in a hundred fights; he who is ignorant of the enemy, and +fixes his eyes only on his own side, conquers, and the next time is +defeated; he who not only is ignorant of the enemy, but also of his own +resources, is invariably defeated. + + + + +IV + +THE ORDER OF BATTLE + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +The ancient masters of war first made their armies invincible, then +waited until the adversary could with certainty be defeated. + +The causes of defeat come from within; victory is born in the enemy's +camp. + +Skilful soldiers make defeat impossible, and further render the enemy +incapable of victory. + +But, as it is written, the conditions necessary for victory may be +present, but they cannot always be obtained. + +If victory be unattainable, we stand on the defensive; if victory be +sure, we attack. + +Deficiency compels defence; super-abundance permits attack. + +The skilful in defence crouch, hidden in the deepest shades; the +skilful in attack push to the topmost heaven.[5] + +If these precepts be observed, victory is certain. + +A victory, even if popularly proclaimed as such by the common folk, may +not be a true success. To win in fight, and for the kingdom to say, +"Well done," does not mark the summit of attainment. To lift an autumn +fleece[6] is no proof of strength; the eyes that only see the sun and +moon are not the eagle's; to hear the thunder is no great thing. + +As has been said aforetime, the able warrior gains the victory without +desperate and bloody engagements, and wins thereby no reputation for +wisdom or brave deeds. To fight is to win, for he attacks only when the +enemy has sown the seeds of defeat. + +Moreover, the skilful soldier in a secure position does not let pass +the moment when the enemy should be attacked. + +The army that conquers makes certain of victory, and then seeks battle. + +The army destined to defeat, fights, trusting that chance may bring +success to its arms. + +The skilful leader is steadfast in the "Way"; upholds the Law, and +thereby controls the issue. + +Touching the laws of war, it is said: first, the rule; second, the +measure; third, the tables; fourth, the scales; fifth, the foretelling +of victory. + +For the rule is the survey of land; the measure tells the amount of +that land's produce; the tables its population; from the scales their +weight or quality is made known; and then can we calculate victory or +defeat. + +The army that conquers as against the army destined to defeat, is as a +beam against a feather in the scales. The attack of conquering forces +is as the outburst of long-pent-up waters into sunken valleys. + +Such are the orders of battle. + + + + +V + +THE SPIRIT OF THE TROOPS + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small +numbers, if we subdivide them. + +By means of drum, bell and flag,[7] the direction of large forces in +battle is possible, and like unto the direction of small forces. + +By the skilful interchange of normal and abnormal manoeuvres are the +armies certainly preserved from defeat. + +The enemy is crushed, like the fall of a grindstone upon an egg, by +knowledge of his strength and weakness, and by the employment of truth +and artifice. + +Moreover, in battle the enemy is engaged with the normal and defeated +by the abnormal force.[8] + +The abnormal force, skilfully handled, is like the heaven and earth, +eternal; as the tides and the flow of rivers, unceasing; like the sun +and moon, for ever interchanging; coming and passing, as the seasons. + +There are five notes; but by combinations, innumerable harmonies are +produced. There are but five colours; but if we mix them, the shades +are infinite. There are five tastes, but if we mix them there are more +flavours than the palate can distinguish.[9] + +In war there are but two forces, the normal and the abnormal; but they +are capable of infinite variation. Their mutual interchange is like a +wheel, having neither beginning or end. They are a mystery that none +can penetrate. + +As the rush of rock-shouldering torrents, so is the spirit of the +troops. + +Like the well-judged flight of the falcon, in a flash crushing its +quarry, so should the stroke be timed. + +Wherefore the spirit of the good fighter is terrifying, his occasions +sudden; like the stretched cross-bow, whose string is released at the +touch of the trigger. + +In the maze and tumult of the battle, there is no confusion; in the +thick of action the battle array is impenetrable. + +If discipline be perfect, disorder can be simulated; if truly bold, we +can feign fear; if really strong, we can feign weakness. + +We simulate disorder by subdivision; fear, by spirit; weakness, by +battle formation. + +We set the enemy in motion by adopting different formations to which he +must conform. + +If we offer the enemy a point of advantage, he will certainly take it: +we give him an advantage, set him in motion and then fall upon him. + +Wherefore the good fighter seeks victory from spirit, and does not +depend entirely upon the skill of his men. He is careful in his choice, +and leaves the rest to battle force; yet, when an opening or advantage +shows, he pushes it to its limits. + +As a log or rock which, motionless on flat ground, yet moves with +ever-increasing force when set on an incline, so await the opportunity, +and so act when the opportunity arrives. + +If the general be skilful, the spirit of his troops is as the impetus +of a round stone rolled from the top of a high mountain. + + + + +VI + +EMPTINESS AND STRENGTH + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +To be the first in the field, and there to await the enemy, is to +husband strength. + +To be late, and hurrying to advance to meet the foe, is exhausting. + +The good fighter contrives to make the enemy approach; he does not +allow himself to be beguiled by the enemy. + +By offering an apparent advantage, he induces the enemy to take up a +position that will cause his defeat; he plants obstructions to dissuade +him from acting in such a way as to threaten his own dispositions. + +If the enemy be at rest in comfortable quarters, harass him; if he be +living in plenty, cut off his supplies; if sitting composedly awaiting +attack, cause him to move. + +This may be done by appearing where the enemy is not, and assaulting +unexpected points. + +If we go where the enemy is not, we may go a thousand leagues without +exhaustion. + +If we attack those positions which the enemy has not defended, we +invariably take them: but on the defence we must be strong, even where +we are not likely to be attacked. + +Against those skilful in attack, the enemy does not know where to +defend: against those skilful in defence, the enemy does not know where +to attack. + +Now the secrets of the art of offence are not to be easily apprehended, +as a certain shape or noise can be understood, of the senses; but when +these secrets are once learnt, the enemy is mastered. + +We attack, and the enemy cannot resist, because we attack his +insufficiency; we retire, and the enemy cannot pursue, because we +retire too quickly. + +Again, when we are anxious to fight, but the enemy is serenely secure +behind high walls and deep moats; we attack some such other place that +he must certainly come out to relieve. + +When we do not want to fight, we occupy an unfortified line; and +prevent the enemy from attacking by keeping him in suspense. + +By making feints, and causing the enemy to be uncertain as to our +movements, we unite, whilst he must divide. + +We become one body; the enemy being separated into ten parts. We +attack the divided ten with the united one. We are many, the enemy is +few, and in superiority of numbers there is economy of strength. + +The place selected for attack must be kept secret. If the enemy know +not where he will be attacked, he must prepare in every quarter, and so +be everywhere weak. + +If the enemy strengthen his front, he must weaken his rear; if he +strengthen his right, his left is weakened; and if he strengthen his +left, his right is weakened. + +Everywhere to make preparations, is to be everywhere weak. The enemy is +weakened by his extended preparations, and we gain in strength. + +Having decided on the place and day of attack, though the enemy be a +hundred leagues away, we can defeat him. + +If the ground and occasion be not known, the front cannot help the +rear; the left cannot support the right, nor the right the left, nor +the rear the front. For on occasion, the parts of the army are two +score leagues apart, while a distance of four or five leagues is +comparatively close. + +The soldiers of Wu[10] are less than the soldiers of Yueh; but as +superiority in numbers does not of necessity bring victory, I say, +then, that we may obtain the victory. + +If the enemy be many in number, prevent him from taking advantage of +his superiority, and ascertain his plan of operations. Provoke the +enemy and discover the state of his troops; feint and discover the +strength of his position. Flap the wings, and unmask his sufficiency or +insufficiency. By constant feints and excursions, we may produce on the +enemy an impression of intangibility, which neither spies nor art can +dispel. + +The general makes his plans in accordance with the dispositions of +the enemy, and puts his hosts in motion; but the multitude cannot +appreciate the general's intention; they see the signs of victory, but +they cannot discover the means. + +If a victory be gained by a certain stratagem, do not repeat it. Vary +the stratagem according to circumstances. + +An army may be likened to water. + +Water leaves dry the high places, and seeks the hollows. An army turns +from strength and attacks emptiness. + +The flow of water is regulated by the shape of the ground; victory is +gained by acting in accordance with the state of the enemy. + +The shape of water is indeterminate; likewise the spirit of war is not +fixed. + +The leader who changes his tactics in accordance with his adversary, +and thereby controls the issue, may be called the God of war. + +Among the five elements[11] there is no settled precedence; the four +seasons come and go; the days are long and short; and the moon waxes +and wanes. _So in war there is no fixity._ + + + + +VII + +BATTLE TACTICS + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +For the most part, military procedure is as follows:-- + +The general receives orders from his lord; assembles and settles +harmony among the forces, and takes the field. + +There is nothing more difficult than Battle Tactics. Their difficulty +lies in the calculation of time and distance, and the reversal of +misfortune. + +To make the enemy take a circuitous route by a show of gain, and then, +whilst starting after him, to arrive before him, is to be a master of +the art of manoeuvre. + +The operations of an army may reap advantage; the wrangles of a +multitude are fraught with peril. + +Employing our whole force at one time in order to gain advantage over +the enemy, we may not have time enough to gain our object. If we push +on with a portion of the force only, the transport is lost. Discarding +helmet and armour; stopping neither day nor night; marching double +distance; doing double work; and finally contending with the enemy at +a distance of a hundred leagues: results in the loss of the general. +Since the strong men arrive first, and the tired drop in rear, only +one-tenth of the forces is available. + +A forced march of fifty leagues to secure an advantage may result in +failure to the leader of the vanguard, for only half his men will +arrive. + +After a forced march of thirty leagues to secure an advantage, only +two-thirds of the army will be available. + +Further, a lack of ammunition, of supplies, or of stores, may lead to +disaster. + +The ruler who is ignorant of the designs of neighbouring princes, +cannot treat with them. + +He who is ignorant of mountain and forest, defile and marsh, cannot +lead an army. + +He who does not employ a guide, cannot gain advantage from the ground. + +Disguise your movements; await a favourable opportunity; divide or +unite according to circumstance. + +Let your attack be swift as the wind; your march calm like the +forest;[12] your occupation devastating as fire. In defence, as a +mountain rest firm; like darkness impenetrable to the enemy. Let your +movements be swift as the lightning. + +Let as many as possible take part in the plunder: distribute the profit +from the captured territory. + +So he who understands the crooked and the straight way conquers. + +These are the methods of Battle Tactics. + +According to the ancient books on war, the drum and bell are used, +because the voice does not carry; the flag is used to assist the +sight. The use of bell, drum, banner and flag is to attract the united +attention of eye and ear. + +When all are united, the strong are not left to go forward alone, +the cowardly are not free to retreat unrestricted. In this way can a +multitude be used. + +Therefore in night fighting, beacons and drums are largely used; in day +fighting, a great number of banners and flags and the enemy's eyes and +ears are confounded. + +We thus awe his army, and defeat his general's ambition. + +In the morning the spirits are keen; at midday there is a laziness; in +the evening a desire to return. Wherefore, he who uses his soldiers +well, avoids the time when the spirits are keen; but attacks the enemy +when he is languid or seeking his camp. + +Thus should the nature of energy be turned to account. + +To oppose confusion with order, clamour with quiet, is to have the +heart under control. + +To await an enemy from a distance, to oppose hunger with satiety, rest +with fatigue, is the way to husband strength. + +Do not attack where lines of banners wave, nor the serried ranks of +battle spread, but patiently await your time. + +Do not attack an enemy on high ground, nor one who has high ground at +his back. Do not pursue an enemy who is imitating flight; do not attack +a spirited enemy. + +If the enemy offer an allurement, do not take it. + +Do not interfere with an enemy who has struck camp, and is about to +retire. When surrounding an enemy, allow him an outlet. Do not press a +desperate enemy. + +These are the methods of employing troops. + + + + +VIII + +THE NINE CHANGES + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +In general, the procedure of war is:--the Leader, having received +orders from his lord, assembles the armies. + +Do not camp on marshy or low-lying ground; enter into friendly +relations with neighbouring states; do not linger in a far country; +use stratagem in mountainous and wooded country; on death ground, fight. + +There are always roads that must be avoided; forces that must not be +attacked; castles that must not be besieged; ground that must not be +chosen for encounter; orders from the lord that must not be obeyed. + +The general who knows the Nine Changes understands the use of troops; +on the contrary, he who does not understand them, can make no use of +his topographical knowledge. + +In the management of armies, if the art of the Nine Changes be +understood, a knowledge of the Five Advantages is of no avail. + +The wise man considers well both advantage and disadvantage. He sees a +way out of adversity, and on the day of victory to danger is not blind. + +In reducing an enemy to submission, inflict all possible damage upon +him; make him undertake useless adventures; also make neighbouring +rulers move as you would desire them by tempting them with gain. + +Wherefore in the conduct of war do not depend on the enemy's not +coming, but rely on your own preparations; do not count on the enemy +not attacking your fortress, but leave nothing undefended. + +Generals must be on their guard against these five dangerous faults:-- + +Blind impetuosity, which leads to death. + +Over-cautiousness, which leads to capture. + +Quick temper, which brings insult. + +A too rigid propriety, which invites disgrace. + +Over-regard for the troops, which causes inconvenience. + +These five faults in the leader are disastrous in war. The overthrow of +the army and the slaughter of the general arise from them. Therefore +they must be carefully considered. + + + + +IX + +MOVEMENT OF TROOPS + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +Touching the disposal of troops and observation of the enemy in +relation to mountain warfare:-- + +Cross mountains and camp in valleys, selecting positions of safety. + +Place the army on high ground, and avoid an enemy in high places. + +In relation to water:-- + +After crossing waters, pass on immediately to a distance. When the +enemy is crossing a stream, do not meet and engage him in the waters, +but strike when half his force has passed over. Do not advance on an +enemy near water, but place the army on high ground, and in safety. + +Do not fight when the enemy is between the army and the source of the +river. + +With regard to marshes:-- + +Cross salty marshes quickly; do not linger near them. + +If by chance compelled to fight in the neighbourhood of a marsh, seek a +place where there is water and grass, and trees in plenty in the rear. + +In open country place the army in a convenient place with rising ground +in the right rear; so that while in front lies death, behind there is +safety. + +Such is war in flat country. + +Huangti, by observing these things, gained the victory over four +Princes. + +As a rule, the soldiers prefer high ground to low. They prefer sunny +places to those the sun does not reach. + +If the health of the troops be considered, and they are encamped on +high and sunny ground, diseases will be avoided, and victory made +certain. + +If there be rising ground, encamp on its sunny side and in front of +it; for thereby the soldiers are benefited, and the ground used to our +advantage. + +If, owing to rains in the upper reaches, the river become turbulent, do +not cross until the waters have quieted. + +Steep and impassable valleys; well-like places; confined places; +tangled impenetrable ground; swamps and bogs; narrow passages with +pitfalls:--quickly pass from these, and approach them not. Cause the +enemy to approach near to them, but keep yourself from these places; +face them, so that the enemy has them in his rear. + +If there be near to the army, precipices, ponds, meres, reeds and +rushes, or thick forests and trees, search them thoroughly. These are +places where the enemy is likely to be in ambush. + +When the enemy is close, but quiet, he is strong in reliance on natural +defences. + +If the enemy challenge to fight from afar, he wishes you to advance. + +If the enemy be encamped in open country, it is with some special +object in view. + +Movement among the trees shows that the enemy is advancing. Broken +branches and trodden grass, as of the passing of a large host, must be +regarded with suspicion. + +The rising of birds shows an ambush. + +Startled beasts show that the enemy is stealthily approaching from +several sides. + +High, straight spurts of dust betoken that chariots are coming. + +Long, low masses of dust show the coming of infantry. + +Here and there, thin and high columns of dust are signs that firewood +and fodder are being collected. + +Small clouds of dust moving to and fro are signs that the enemy is +preparing to encamp for a short time. + +Busy preparations and smooth words show that the enemy is about to +advance to attack. + +Big words, and the spurring forward of horsemen, are signs that the +enemy is about to retire. + +An advance of the light chariots to the flanks of the camp is a sign +that the enemy is coming forth to fight. + +Without consultation, suddenly to desire an armistice, is a mark of +ulterior design. + +The passing to and fro of messengers, and the forming up of troops, +show that the enemy has some movement on foot. + +An advance, followed by sudden retirement, is a lure to attack. + +When the enemy use their weapons to rest upon, they are hungry. + +If the drawers of water drink at the river, the enemy is suffering from +thirst. + +Disregard of booty that lies ready at hand is a sign of exhaustion. + +The clustering of birds round a position shows that it is unoccupied. + +Voices calling in the night betoken alarm. + +Disorder in the army is a sign that the general is disregarded. + +A changing about of flags and banners is a sign that the army is +unsettled. + +If the officers be angry, it is because the soldiers are tired, _and +slow to obey_. + +The killing of horses for food shows that the enemy is short of +provisions. + +When the cooking-pots are hung up on the wall and the soldiers turn +not in again, the enemy is at an end of his resources. + +Exceeding graciousness and familiarity on the part of the general show +that he has lost the confidence of the soldiers. + +Frequent rewards show that discipline is at an end. + +Frequent punishments are a sign that the general is in difficulties. + +The general who first blusters, and then is obsequious, is without +perception. + +He who offers apologies and hostages is anxious for a truce. + +When both sides, eager for a fight, face each other for a considerable +time, neither advancing nor retiring, the occasion requires the utmost +vigilance and circumspection. + +Numbers are no certain mark of strength. + +Even if incapable of a headlong assault, if the forces be united, and +the enemy's condition ascertained, victory is possible. + +He who without taking thought makes light of the enemy is certain to be +captured. + +If a general who is strange to the troops punish them, they cease to +obey him. If they are not obedient, they cannot be usefully employed. + +If the troops know the general, but are not affected by his punishments, +they are useless. + +By humane treatment we obtain obedience; authority brings uniformity. +Thus we obtain victory. + +If the people have been trained in obedience from the beginning, they +respect their leader's commands. + +If the people be not early trained to obedience, they do not respect +their leader's commands. + +Orders are always obeyed, if general and soldiers are in sympathy. + + + + +X + +GROUND + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +With regard to the different natures of ground there are:-- + +Open ground; broken ground; suspended ground; defiles; precipices; far +countries. + +Open ground is that where either side has liberty of movement: be +quick to occupy any high ground in the neighbourhood and consider well +the line of supplies. + +Broken ground. Advance is easy, but retreat from it is difficult. Here, +if the enemy be not prepared, we may win: but should he be prepared, +and defeat us, and retreat be impossible, then there is disaster. + +Suspended ground. The side that takes the initiative is under a +disadvantage. Here, if the enemy offer some allurement, we should not +advance: but rather, by feigning retreat, wait until he has put forth +half his force. Then we may attack him with advantage. + +Defiles, make haste to occupy; garrison strongly and await the enemy. +Should the enemy be before you, and in strength, do not engage him; but +if there be unoccupied points, attack him. + +In precipitous ground quickly occupy a position on a sunny height, and +await the enemy. If the enemy be before you, withdraw and do not attack +him. + +If distant from the enemy, and the forces be equal, to take the +initiative is disadvantageous. + +Now, these are the six kinds of ground. It is the duty of generals to +study them. + +Again, there are six calamities among the troops, arising, not from +defect of ground, or lack of opportunity, but from the general's +incapacity. + +These are: repulse, relaxation, distress, disorganisation, confusion +and rout. + +If troops be sent to attack an enemy of equal quality, but ten times +their number, they retire discomfited. + +Strong soldiers with weak officers cause relaxation. + +Able officers with feeble soldiers cause distress. + +Enraged senior officers, who fall upon the enemy without orders, and +obey not the general because he does not recognise their abilities, +produce disorganisation. + +Weak and amiable generals, whose directions and leadership are vague, +whose officers' and men's duties are not fixed, and whose dispositions +are contradictory, produce confusion. + +Generals, who are unable to estimate the enemy, who oppose small +numbers to large, weakness to strength, and who do not put picked men +in the van of the army, cause it to be routed. + +These six things lead to defeat. It is the duty of the general to study +them carefully. + +Ground is the handmaid of victory. + +Ability to estimate the enemy, and plan the victory; an eye for +steepness, command and distances: these are the qualities of the good +general. + +Whosoever knows these things, conquers; he who understands them not, is +defeated. + +If victory be certain from the military standpoint, fight, even if the +lord forbid. + +If defeat be certain from the military standpoint, do not fight, even +though the lord commands it. + +The general who advances, from no thought of his own glory, or retires, +regardless of punishment; but only strives for the people's welfare, +and his lord's advantage, is a treasure to the state. + +The good general cares for his soldiers, and lovingly treats them as +his children; as a consequence they follow him through deep valleys, +and are beside him in death. + +Nevertheless, over-care for the soldiers may cause disobedience; +over-attention may make them unserviceable; over-indulgence may produce +disorder: they become like spoilt children, and cannot be used. + +He who is confident of his own men, but is ignorant that the enemy +should not be attacked, has no certainty of victory. + +He who knows that the enemy may be attacked with advantage, but knows +not his own men, has no certainty of victory. + +Confidence in the troops, right judgment when to attack the enemy, but +ignorance of the ground, bring uncertain victory. + +The wise soldier, once in motion, does not waver, and is never at a +loss. + +As has been said: "Know thyself; know the enemy; fear not for victory." + +Also, if the season and the opportunity be realised, and the ground +known, complete victory is certain. + + + + +XI + +THE NINE GROUNDS + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +In respect to the conduct of war there are:-- + +Distracting ground; disturbing ground; ground of contention; +intersecting ground; path-ridden ground; deeply-involved ground; +difficult ground; enclosed ground; death ground. + +At all times, when the prince fights in his own territory, it is called +distracting[13] ground. + +That ground a short way inside the enemy's border is called disturbing +ground. + +Ground giving advantage to whichever side is in possession, is called +ground of contention. + +Ground to which either side has access, is called intersecting ground. + +Ground between three provinces first possession of which enables the +peoples of the earth to be controlled, is called path-ridden ground. + +The interior of the enemy's country with many of his fortified towns in +rear, is called deeply-involved ground. + +Mountain and forest, precipices, ravines, marsh and swamp, all places +where passage is hard, are called difficult ground. + +A narrow entrance and winding outlet, where a small number can oppose a +large force, is called enclosed ground. + +That ground where delay means disaster, is called death ground. + +Wherefore, do not fight on distracting ground; do not linger on +disturbing ground. + +If the enemy be in possession of disputed ground, do not attack. + +In intersecting ground, do not interrupt the highways. + +At the crossing of highways, cultivate intercourse. + +When deeply involved, levy and store up the enemy's property. + +Quickly depart from difficult ground. + +On enclosed ground, use stratagem. + +On death ground, fight. + +The skilful fighters of old were at pains to disconnect the enemy's +front and rear; they cut asunder small and large forces of the enemy; +prevented mutual help between his officers and men; spread mistrust +between high and low. They scattered the enemy, and prevented him from +concentrating; if his soldiers were assembled, they were without unity. + +If there be a chance of victory, move; if there be no chance of +success, stand fast. + +If I were asked how a powerful and united force of the enemy should be +met, I would say: lay hands on what the enemy cherishes and he will +conform to our desires. + +In war, above all, speed sustains the spirit of the troops. Strike +before the enemy is ready; and attack his unpreparedness from an +unexpected quarter. + +With regard to war in foreign lands. When strangers in a far country +the soldiers are united and are proof against defeat. Plunder fertile +plains so that the army is fed; be careful of the health of the +soldiers; do not tire them uselessly; unite their minds; store up +strength; plan well and secretly. If there be no refuge the soldiers +will not fly from death. + +If there be no alternative but death, the soldiers exert themselves to +the utmost. + +In desperate places, soldiers lose the sense of fear. + +If there be no place of refuge, there will be no wavering. + +If deeply involved in the enemy's country, there is unity. + +If it be unavoidable, the soldiers will fight their hardest. Even +without warnings they are vigilant; they comply without insistence; +without stipulations they are tractable; without explicit instructions +they will trust the general and obey him. + +Prohibit the discussion of signs and omens, and remove the soldiers' +doubts; then to the moment of death they will be undistracted. + +Riches are denied the soldiers, not because money is a bad thing; old +age is forbidden them, but not because long life is evil. Hardships +and danger are the proper lot of the soldier. + +When the order for attack is given, the collars of those who are +sitting may be wet with tears; tears may roll down the cheeks of those +reclining; yet these men, in a desperate place, will fight with the +courage of Chu and Kuei. + +Soldiers should be used like the snakes on Mt. Chang; which, if you hit +on the head, the tail will strike you; if you hit the tail, the head +will strike you; if you strike its middle, head and tail will strike +you together. + +Should any one ask me whether men can be made to move like these +snakes, I say, yes. The men of Wu and Yueh hate each other; yet, if +they cross a river in the same boat and a storm overtake them, they +help each other like the two hands. + +The horses may be tied, and the chariot wheels sunk in the mud; but +that does not prevent flight. + +Universal courage and unity depend on good management. + +The best results from both the weak and strong are obtained by a proper +use of the ground. + +The skilful warrior can lead his army, as a man leads another by the +hand, because he places it in a desperate position. + +The general should be calm, inscrutable, just and prudent. He should +keep his officers and men in ignorance of his plans, and inform no one +of any changes or fresh departures. By changing his camps, and taking +devious and unexpected routes, his plans cannot be guessed. + +As one taking away the ladder from under those mounted upon the roof, +so acts the general when his men are assembled to fight. He penetrates +into the heart of the enemy's country and then divulges his plans. He +drives the army hither and thither like a flock of sheep, knowing not +whither they go. + +Therefore the general should assemble the armies, and place them in a +desperate position. + +The different natures of the Nine Grounds; the suiting of the means to +the occasion; the hearts of men: these are things that must be studied. + +When deep in the interior of a hostile country, there is cohesion; if +only on the borders, there is distraction. To leave home and cross the +borders is to be free from interference. + +On distracting ground, unite the soldiers' minds. + +On disturbing ground, keep together. + +On disputed ground, try to take the enemy in rear. + +On intersecting ground, look well to the defences. + +On path-ridden ground, cultivate intercourse. + +On deeply-involved ground be careful of supplies. + +On difficult ground, do not linger. + +On enclosed ground, close the path of escape. + +On death ground, show the soldiers that there is no chance of survival. + +It is the nature of soldiers to defend when surrounded, to fight with +energy when compelled thereto, to pursue the enemy if he retreat. + +He cannot treat with other rulers who knows not their ambitions. + +He who knows not mountain and forest; cliffs; ravines; lakes and +marshes; cannot conduct an army. + +He who does not use guides, cannot take advantage of the ground. + +He who has not a complete knowledge of the Nine Grounds, cannot gain +military dominion. + +The great general, when attacking a powerful nation, prevents the enemy +from concentrating his hosts. + +He overawes the enemy so that other states cannot join against him. + +He does not struggle for the favour of other states; nor is he careful +of their rights. He has confidence in himself, and awes the enemy. + +Therefore he easily takes the fortress, or reduces the country to +subjection. + +In the bestowal of rewards, or in his orders, he is not bound by +ancient rule. + +He manages his forces as though they were one man. + +Orders should direct the soldiers; but while what is advantageous +should be made known, what is disadvantageous should be concealed. + +If the forces be plunged into danger, there is survival; from death +ground there is retrieval; for the force in danger gains the victory. + +Discover the enemy's intentions by conforming to his movements. When +these are discovered, then, with one stroke, the general may be killed, +even though he be one hundred leagues distant. + +When war is declared, close the barriers; destroy passports; prevent +the passage of the enemy's spies; conduct the business of the +government with vigilance. + +Take immediate advantage of the enemy's weakness; discover what he most +values, and plan to seize it. + +Shape your plans according to rule, and the circumstances of the enemy. + +At first behave with the discretion of a maiden; then, when the enemy +gives an opening, dart in like a rabbit. + +The enemy cannot defend himself. + + + + +XII + +ASSAULT BY FIRE + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +There are five ways of attack by fire: + +The first is called barrack burning; the second, commissariat burning; +the third, equipment burning; the fourth, store burning; the fifth, the +company burning. + +The moment for the fire assault must be suitable. Further, appliances +must always be kept at hand. + +There is a time and day proper for the setting and carrying out of the +fire assault; namely: such time as the weather is dry; and a day when +the moon is in the quarters of the stars Chi, Pi, I, Chen: for these +are days of wind. + +Regard well the developments that will certainly arise from the fire, +and act upon them. When fire breaks out inside the enemy's camp, thrust +upon him with all speed from without; but if his soldiers be quiet, +wait, and do not attack. + +When the fire is at its height, attack or not, as opportunity may arise. + +If the opportunity be favourable, set fire to the enemy's camp, and do +not wait for it to break out from within. + +When fire breaks out on the windward side, do not attack from the +leeward. + +Wind that rises in the day lasts long. Wind that rises in the night +time quickly passes away. + +The peculiarities of the five burnings must be known, and the calendar +studied, and, if the attack is to be assisted, the fire must be +unquenchable. + +If water is to assist the attack, the flood must be overwhelming. + +Water may isolate or divide the enemy; fire may consume his camp; but +unless victory or possession be obtained, the enemy quickly recovers, +and misfortunes arise. The war drags on, and money is spent. + +Let the enlightened lord consider well; and the good general keep the +main object in view. If no advantage is to be gained thereby, do not +move; without prospect of victory, do not use the soldiers; do not +fight unless the state be in danger. + +War should not be undertaken because the lord is in a moment of +passion. The general must not fight because there is anger in his heart. + +Do not make war unless victory may be gained thereby; if there be +prospect of victory, move; if there be no prospect, do not move. + +For passion may change to gladness, anger passes away; but a country, +once overturned, cannot be restored; the dead cannot be brought to life. + +Wherefore it is written, the enlightened lord is circumspect, and +the good general takes heed; then is the state secure, and the army +victorious in battle. + + + + +XIII + +THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPIES + + +Sun the Master said:-- + +Calling 100,000 men to arms, and transporting them a hundred leagues, +is such an undertaking that in one day 1,000 taels of the citizens' and +nobles' money are spent; commotions arise within and without the state; +carriers fall down exhausted on the line of march of the army; and the +occupations of 700,000[14] homes are upset. + +Again, for years the armies may face each other; yet the issue may +depend on a single day's victory. + +Wherefore, by grudging slight expense in titles and salaries to spies, +to remain in ignorance of the enemy's circumstances, is to be without +humanity. Such a person is no general; he is no assistance to his lord; +he is no master of victory. + +The enlightened ruler and the wise general who act, win, and are +distinguished beyond the common, are informed beforehand. + +This knowledge is not to be got by calling on gods and demons; nor does +it come of past experience nor calculation. It is through men that +knowledge of the enemy is gained. + +Now the five kinds of spies are these: village spies, inner spies, +converted spies, death spies, living spies. + +If these five means be employed simultaneously, none can discover +their working. This is called the Mysterious Thread: it is the Lord's +Treasure. + +Village spies are such people of the country as give information. + +Inner spies are those of the enemy's officials employed by us. + +Converted spies are those of the enemy's spies in our pay. + +Death[15] spies are sent to misinform the enemy, and to spread false +reports through our spies already in the enemy's lines. + +Living spies[16] return to report. + +In connection with the armies, spies should be treated with the +greatest kindness; and in dealing out reward, they should receive the +most generous treatment. All matters relating to spies are secret. + +Without infinite capacity in the general, the employment of spies is +impossible. Their treatment requires benevolence and uprightness. +Except they be observed with the closest attention, the truth will not +be obtained from them. + +Wonderful indeed is the power of spies. + +There is no occasion when they cannot be used. + +If a secret matter be spoken of before the time is ripe, the spy who +told the matter, and the man who repeated the same, should be put to +death. + +If desirous of attacking an army; of besieging a fortress; or of +killing a certain person; first of all, learn the names of the general +in charge; of his right-hand[17] men; of those who introduce visitors +to the Presence; of the gate keeper and the sentries. Then set the +spies to watch them. + +Seek out the enemy's spies who come to spy on us; give them money; +cause them to be lodged and cared for; and convert them to the service. +Through them we are enabled to obtain spies among the enemy's villagers +and officials. + +By means of the converted spy, we can construct a false story for the +death spy to carry to the enemy. + +It is through the converted spy that we are able to use the five +varieties, to their utmost advantage; therefore he must be liberally +treated. + +In ancient times the rise to power of the province of Yin was due +to Ichih, who was sent to the country of Hsia. Likewise during the +foundation of the state of Chu, Luya lived among the people of Shang. + +Wherefore, intelligent rulers and wise generals use the cleverest men +as spies, and invariably acquire great merit. The spy is a necessity to +the army. Upon him the movement of the army depends. + + + + +THE SAYINGS OF WUTZU + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +Now Wu, albeit clothed in the raiment of a scholar, was a man skilled +in the art of war. + +And Wen, Lord of Wei, came unto him and said:-- + +"I am a man of peace, caring not for military affairs." + +And Wu said:-- + +"Your actions are witnesses of your mind; why do your words say not +what is in your heart? + +"You do prepare and dress hides and leather through the four seasons, +ornamenting them with red lacquer and the figures of panthers and +elephants; which give not warmth in winter, neither in summer, +coolness. Moreover, you make halberds, 24[18] feet long, and pikes 12 +feet long, and leather (covered) chariots so large as to fill up the +gateways, wheels with ornament, and naves capped with leather. Now, +these are neither beautiful to the eye nor light in the chase; I know +not for what use my lord makes these things. + +"But, although provided with these instruments of war, if the leader be +not competent, a brooding hen might as well strike a badger, or a dog +with young challenge the tiger: the spirit of encounter may be present, +but there is no end but death. + +"In ancient times, the Prince Chengsang cultivated virtue, and put away +military things, and his kingdom fell. + +"The Prince Yuhu put his trust in numbers, and delighted in war and was +driven from the throne. + +"Therefore the enlightened ruler should ponder over these things; +encourage learning and virtue in the kingdom, and be prepared against +war from without. + +"To hesitate before the enemy is not a cause for righteousness; remorse +for the fallen is not true humanity." + +And when Lord Wen heard these words, he himself spread a seat, and his +wife offered up a cup, and Wu was appointed general before the altar. + +Now, in the defence of Hsihe against different states there were fought +seventy-six great fights, of which sixty-four were complete victories, +and the remainder undecided. And the kingdom grew and stretched 1,000 +leagues on every side, which was all due to the virtue of Wu. + + + + +I + +THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY + + +And Wu the Master said:-- + +The mighty rulers of old first trained their retainers, and then +extended their regard to their outlying feudatories. + +There are four discords:-- + +Discord in the state: then never make war. + +Discord in the army: then do not strike camp. + +Discord in the camp: then do not advance to attack. + +Discord in the battle array: then seek not to decide the issue. + +Therefore, wise rulers who would employ their subjects in great +endeavours, should first establish harmony among them. + +Lend not a ready ear to human counsellors, but lay the matter before +the altar; seek inside the turtle,[19] and consider well the time and +season. Then, if all be well, commit ourselves to the undertaking. + +If the people know that their lord is careful of their lives, and +laments their death beyond all else; then, in the time of danger, the +soldiers advance, and, advancing, find glory in death; and in survival +after retreat, dishonour. + +The Master said:-- + +The Way must follow the only true path: righteousness lies at the root +of achievement and merit. + +The object of stratagem is to avoid loss and gain advantage. + +The object of government is to guard enterprise and to preserve the +state. + +If conduct depart from the Way, and the undertaking accord not with +righteousness, then disaster befalls the mighty. + +Therefore, wise men maintain order by keeping in the Way, and governing +with righteousness; they move with discretion, and with benevolence +they make the people amenable. + +If these four virtues be practised, there is prosperity; if they be +neglected, there is decay. + +For, when Lord Tang of Cheng defeated Lord Chieh, the people of Hsia +rejoiced, and when Wu of Chou defeated Lord Chou, the people of +Yin were not discomfited. And this was because it was ordained by +Providence and human desire. + +The Master said:-- + +In the government of a country and command of an army, the inculcation +of propriety, stimulation of righteousness, and the promotion of a +sense of shame are required. + +When men possess a sense of shame, they will attack with resolution +when in strength, and when few in number defend to the last. + +But while victory is easy in attack, it is difficult in defence. + +Now, of the fighting races below heaven; those who gained five +victories have been worn out; those who have won four victories have +been impoverished; three victories have given dominion; two victories +have founded a kingdom; and upon one victory an empire has been +established. + +For those who have gained power on earth by many victories are few; and +those who have lost it, many. + +The Master said:-- + +The causes of war are five:-- + +First, ambition; second, profit; third, overburdened hate; fourth, +internal disorder; fifth, famine. + +Again, the natures of war are five:-- + +First, a righteous war; second, a war of might; third, a war of +revenge; fourth, a war of tyranny; fifth, an unrighteous war. + +The prevention of tyranny and the restoration of order is just; to +strike in reliance on numbers is oppression; to raise the standard for +reasons of anger is a war of revenge; to quit propriety, and seize +advantage is tyranny; when the state is disordered and the people worn +out, to harbour designs, and set a multitude in motion, is a war of +unrighteousness. + +There is a way of overcoming each of these five. + +Righteousness is overcome by propriety; might by humanity; revenge by +words; tyranny by deception; unrighteousness by strategy. + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"I would know the way to control an army, to measure men, and make the +country strong." + +Wu answered and said:-- + +"The enlightened rulers of antiquity respected propriety between +sovereign and people; established etiquette between high and low; +settled officials and citizens in close accord; gave instruction in +accordance with custom; selected men of ability, and thereby provided +against what should come to pass. + +"In ancient times, Prince Huan of Chi assembled 50,000 men at arms, and +became chief among the princes; Prince Wen of Chin put 40,000 mighty +men in the van, and gained his ambition; Prince Mu of Chin gathered +together 30,000 invincibles, and subdued his neighbouring foes. +Wherefore, the princes of powerful states must consider their people, +and assemble the valiant and spirited men by companies. + +"Those who delight to attack, and to display their valour and fealty +should be formed in companies. + +"Those skilful in scaling heights, or covering long distances, and who +are quick and light of foot must be collected in companies. + +"Retainers who have lost their rank, and who are desirous of displaying +their prowess before their superiors should be gathered into companies. + +"Those who have abandoned a castle, or deserted their trust, and are +desirous of atoning for their misconduct, should be collected and +formed into companies. + +"These five bodies form the flower of the army. With 3,000 of such +troops, if they issue from within, an encompassing enemy can be burst +asunder; if they enter from without, a castle can be overthrown." + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"I desire to know how to fix the battle array, render defence secure, +and attack with certainty of victory." + +Wu answered and said:-- + +"To see with the eye is better than ready words. Yet, I say, if the +wise men be put in authority and the ignorant in low places, then the +army is already arranged. + +"If the people be free from anxiety about their estates, and love their +officials, then defence is already secure. + +"If all the lieges be proud of their lord, and think ill of neighbouring +states, then is the battle already won." + +The Lord Wen once assembled a number of his subjects to discuss affairs +of state: and none could equal him in wisdom, and when he left the +council chamber his face was pleased. + +Then Wu advanced and said:-- + +In ancient times, Lord Chuang of Chu once consulted with his lieges, +and none were like unto him in wisdom; and when the Lord left the +council chamber his countenance was troubled. Then the Duke Shen asked +and said: "Why is my Lord troubled?" And he answered: "I have heard +that the world is never without sages, and that in every country there +are wise men; that good advisers are the foundation of an empire; and +friends of dominion. Now, if I, lacking wisdom, have no equal among +the multitude of my officers, dangerous indeed is the state of Chu. It +grieves me that whereas Prince Chuang of Chu was troubled in a like +case my Lord should be pleased." + +And hearing this Lord Wen was inwardly troubled. + + + + +II + +ESTIMATION OF THE ENEMY + + +And Lord Wen said to Wu:-- + +"Chin threatens us on the west; Chu surrounds us on the south; Chao +presses us in the north; Chi watches us in the east; Yen stops our +rear, and Han is posted in our front. Thus, the armies of six nations +encompass us on every side, and our condition is very unpropitious. +Canst thou relieve my anxiety?" + +Wu answered and said:-- + +"The path of safety of a state lies first of all in vigilance. Now my +Lord has already taken warning, wherefore misfortunes are yet distant. + +"Let me state the habits of these six countries. The forces of Chi are +weighty but without solidity; the soldiers of Chin are scattered, and +fight each of his own accord: the army of Chu is well ordered, but +cannot endure: the soldiers of Yen defend well, but are without dash: +the armies of the three Chins are well governed, but cannot be used. + +"The nature of Chi is stubborn and the country rich, but prince and +officials are proud and luxurious, and neglectful of the common people; +government is loose and rewards not impartial; in one camp there are +two minds; the front is heavy, but the rear is light. Therefore it is +ponderous without stability. To attack it, the force must be divided +into three parts, and, by threatening it on three sides, its front can +be broken. + +"The nature of Chin is strong, the country rugged, and the government +firm; rewards and punishments just, the people indomitable, and all +have the fighting spirit; wherefore, when separated, each fights of his +own accord. + +"To defeat this people, they must first be tempted by gain to leave +their cause, so that the soldiers, greedy of profit, desert their +general: then, taking advantage of their disobedience, their scattered +forces can be chased, ambushes laid, favourable opportunities taken, +and their general captured. + +"The nature of Chu is weak, its territory wide, the government weak, +and the people exhausted; the troops are well ordered but of short +endurance. + +"The way to defeat them is to assault their camp, throw it into +confusion and crush their spirit, advance softly, and retire quickly; +tire them out, avoid a serious encounter, and they may be defeated. + +"The nature of Yen is straightforward; its people are cautious, loving +courage and righteousness, and without guile; wherefore they defend but +are not daring. + +"The way to defeat them is to draw close and press them; tease them and +pass to a distance; move quickly, and appear in the rear, thus causing +bewilderment to their officers and fear in their ranks. Our chariots +and horsemen will act with circumspection and avoid encounter. Thus +their general can be captured. + +"The three Chins are the middle kingdom: their nature is peaceful +and their rule just. Their people are tired of war; their troops are +trained, but their leaders are despised; pay is small, and the soldiers +lack the spirit of sacrifice, thus they are well governed but cannot be +used. + +"The way to defeat them is to threaten them from afar. If a multitude +attack--defend; if they retreat--pursue, and tire them out. + +"In every army there are mighty warriors with strength to lift the +Censer, swifter of foot than the war horse; who can take the enemy's +standard, or slay his general. If such men be selected, and set apart, +cared for and honoured, they are the life of the army. + +"Those who use the five arms[20] with skill, who are clever, strong and +quick, and careless of the enemy, should be given rank and decoration, +and used to decide the victory. Their parents and families should be +cared for, encouraged by rewards, and kept in fear of punishment. These +men consolidate the battle array; their presence causes endurance. + +"If these men be well selected, double their number can be defeated." + +And Lord Wen said:-- + +"It is good!" + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"In the estimation of the enemy there are eight cases when, without +consulting the oracles, he may be attacked. + +"First, an enemy who, in great wind and cold, has risen early, started +forth across ice and rivers, and braved stress and hardships. + +"Second, an enemy who, in the height of summer, and in great heat, has +risen early, has travelled incessantly, is hungry and without water, +and is striving to reach a distance. + +"Third, an enemy who has been encamped long in one place, who is +without provisions, when the farmers are vexed and indignant, who +has suffered frequent calamities, and whose officers are unable to +establish confidence. + +"Fourth, when the enemy's funds are exhausted, fuel and fodder scarce; +when the heavens have been overcast by long continued rain; when there +is the desire to loot, but no place to loot withal. + +"Fifth, when their numbers are few; when water is scarce; when men and +horses are scourged by pestilence, and from no quarter is succour at +hand. + +"Sixth, when night falls, and the way is yet far; when officers and men +are worn out and fearful, weary and without food, and have laid aside +their armour and are resting. + +"Seventh, when the general's authority is weak, the officials false, +and the soldiers unsettled; when their army has been alarmed, and no +help is forthcoming. + +"Eighth, when the battle formation is not yet fixed, or camp pitched; +when climbing a hill, or passing through a difficult place; when half +is hidden and half exposed. + +"An enemy in these situations may be smitten without hesitation. + +"There are six enemies, that, without consulting oracles, should be +avoided. + +"First, wide and vast territories, and a large and rich population. + +"Second, where the officials care for the people, and bestow bountiful +favours and rewards. + +"Third, where rewards are well deserved, punishment accurately +apportioned, and operations undertaken only when the time is fitting. + +"Fourth, where merit is recognised and given rank, wise men appointed, +and ability employed. + +"Fifth, where the troops are many and their weapons excellent. + +"Sixth, when help is at hand on every side, or from a powerful ally. + +"For, if the enemy excel in the foregoing, he must be avoided without +hesitation. As it is written, if it be judged good, advance; if it be +known to be difficult, retreat." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"I desire to know how the interior of the enemy can be known from his +outer appearance; the form of his camp by observing his advance, and +how victory may be determined?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"If the coming of the enemy be reckless like roaring waters, his +banners and pennons disordered, and horses and men frequently looking +behind, then ten can be struck with one. Panic will certainly seize +them. + +"Before the various princes have assembled, before harmony has been +established between lord and lieges, before ditches have been dug, or +regulations established, and the army is alarmed; wishing to advance, +but unable; wishing to retreat, but unable: then the force can strike +twice their numbers, and in a hundred fights there is no fear of +retreat." + +Lord Wen asked:-- + +"How can the enemy be certainly defeated?" + +Wu answered and said:-- + +"Make certain of the enemy's real condition and quickly strike his +weak point; strike an enemy who has just arrived from afar, before his +ranks are arranged; or one who has eaten and has not completed his +dispositions; or an enemy who is hurrying about, or is busily occupied; +or has not made favourable use of the ground, or has let pass the +opportunity; or one who has come a long distance, and those in rear are +late and have not rested. + +"Strike an enemy who is half across waters; or who is on a difficult +or narrow road; or whose flags and banners are in confusion; or who is +frequently changing position; or whose general is not in accord with +the soldiers; or who is fearful. + +"All such should be assaulted by the picked men; and the remainder of +the army should be divided, and follow after them. They may be attacked +at once without hesitation." + + + + +III + +CONTROL OF THE ARMY + + +Lord Wen said:-- + +"What is of first importance in operations of war?" + +Wu answered and said:-- + +"Lightness, of which there are four natures, Weight, of which there +are two natures, and Confidence must be clearly comprehended." + +And Wen said:-- + +"What are these?" + +And Wu answered:-- + +"If the way be easy, the horses are light of foot; if the horses be +light of foot, the chariots travel freely; if the chariots travel +easily, men can ride in them without difficulty; if the men be free +to move, the fight prospers. If the difficult and easy ways be known, +the horses are lightened; if the horses be fed at proper intervals, +the chariots are swift; if there be plenty of oil on the axles of the +chariots, the riders are quickly conveyed; if the spears be sharp and +the armour strong, the men make the fight easy. + +"Large rewards in advance, heavy punishment in retreat, and impartiality +in their bestowal are required. + +"He who well understands these things is the master of victory." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"By what means can the army gain the victory?" + +And Wu answered:-- + +"The foundation of victory is good government." + +Again, Wen asked and said:-- + +"Is it not determined by numbers?" + +And Wu replied:-- + +"If laws and orders be not clear; if rewards and punishments be not +just; if the bell be sounded and they halt not, or drum be beaten and +men do not advance; even if there be a hundred thousand men at arms, +they are of no avail. + +"Where there is order, then there is propriety at rest, and dignity in +motion; none can withstand the attack, and retreat forbids pursuit; +motion is regulated, and movements to right and left are made in answer +to the signal; if the ranks be cut asunder, formation is preserved; +if scattered, they are maintained; in fortune or in danger, there is +unity; if a number be collected, they cannot be separated; they may be +used but not wearied; in whatever situation they are placed, nothing +under heaven can withstand them. The army may be called a father and +his children." + +And Wu said:-- + +"In marching, movements and halts must be properly adjusted, suitable +occasions for rationing not missed; the strength of men and horses +not exhausted. If these three things be observed, the commands of +the superior can be carried out; if the commands of the superior be +carried out, order is maintained. If advances and halts be without +method, victualling unsuitable, horses and men tired and weary--neither +unsaddled or housed--it is because the orders cannot be obeyed; +if the orders be set aside, there is disorder in the camp, and in +battle--defeat." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"On that depository of corpses, the battlefield, if there be certain +expectation of death, there is life; if there be happy expectation of +life, there is death. The good general is like unto one sitting in +a leaking ship, or lying under a burning roof; the wisest man cannot +contrive against him; the strongest man cannot destroy his composure; +and the enemy's onslaught can be withstood. For procrastination is +the greatest enemy of the general; disasters to the army are born of +indecision." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"Men meet their death from lack of ability or unskilfulness. Wherefore +training is the first requirement of war. One man with a knowledge of +war can teach ten; ten men skilled in war can teach one hundred; one +hundred can teach one thousand; one thousand can teach ten thousand; +and ten thousand men can train an army. + +"An enemy from a distance should be awaited, and struck at short range; +an enemy that is tired should be met in good order; hunger should +be opposed by full bellies; the battle formation should be round or +square, the men should kneel or stand; go or remain; move to the right +or left; advance or retire; concentrate or disperse; close or extend +when the signal is given. + +"All these changes must be learnt, and the weapons distributed. This is +the business of the general." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"In the teaching of war, spears are given to the short; bows and +catapults to the tall; banners and standards to the strong; the +bell and drum to the bold; fodder and provisions to the feeble; the +arrangement of the plan to the wise. Men of the same district should +be united; and groups and squads should help each other. At one beat +of the drum the ranks are put in order; at two beats of the drum, +formation will be made; at three beats of the drum, food will be +issued; at four beats of the drum, the men will prepare to march; at +five beats of the drum, ranks will be formed; when the drums beat +together, then the standards will be raised." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"What is the way of marching and halting an army?" + +And Wu answered:-- + +"Natural ovens and dragons' heads should be avoided. Natural ovens are +the mouths of large valleys. Dragons' heads are the extremities of +large mountains. The green dragons (banners) should be placed on the +left, and the white tigers on the right; the red sparrows in front; the +snakes and tortoises behind; the pole star (standard) above; and the +soldiers will look to the standard. + +"When going forth to battle, the direction of the wind must be +studied; if blowing in the direction of the enemy, the soldiers will +be assembled and follow the wind; if a head wind, the position will be +strengthened, and a wait made for the wind to change." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"In what way should horses be treated?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"The places where they are kept should be made comfortable; fodder +should be suitable and timely. In winter their stables should be +warmed, and in summer sheltered from the heat; their coats clipped, +their feet carefully pared, their attention directed so that they +be not alarmed, their paces regulated, and their going and halting +trained; horses and men should be in accord, and then the horses can be +used. The harness, the saddle, bit, bridle, and reins must be strong; +if the horse be without vice at the beginning, he can be used to the +end; if the horse be hungry it is good; if his belly be full, his value +decreases; if the sun be falling and the way still long, dismount +frequently. For it is proper that the men be worked, but the horses +must be used with discretion, so that they may be prepared should the +enemy suddenly attack us. + +"If these things be well known, then there is free passage under +heaven." + + + + +IV + +QUALITIES OF THE GENERAL + + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"The leader of the army is one who is master of both arms and letters. +He who is both brave and tender can be entrusted with troops. + +"In the popular estimation of generals, courage alone is regarded; +nevertheless, courage is but one of the qualifications of the leader. +Courage is heedless in encounter; and rash encounter, which is ignorant +of the consequences, cannot be called good. + +"There are five matters which leaders must carefully consider. + +"First, reason; second, preparation; third, determination; fourth, +vigilance; fifth, simplicity. + +"With reason, a multitude can be controlled like a small number. + +"Preparedness sees an enemy outside the gate. + +"Determination before the enemy has no thought of life. + +"Even after a victory, vigilance behaves as before the first encounter. + +"Simplicity ensures few regulations, and preserves order. + +"When the leader receives his orders, he forthwith departs. Not until +the enemy has been vanquished does he speak of return. This is the duty +of the general. + +"Wherefore, from the day of departure of the army, the general seeks +glory in death, and dreams not of return in dishonour." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"In war there are four important influences. + +"First, spirit; second, ground; third, opportunity; fourth, force. + +"The military value of the nation's forces--of one hundred times ten +thousand fighting men--depends upon the personality of one man alone; +this is called the influence of spirit. + +"When the road is steep and narrow, when there are famous mountains and +fastnesses where ten men can defend and one thousand cannot pass them +by; such is the influence of ground. + +"When spies have been skilfully sown, and mounted men pass to and from +the enemy's camp, so that his masses are divided, his sovereign and +ministers vexed with each other, and superiors and inferiors mutually +censorious; this is the moment of opportunity. + +"When the linch-pins are secure, the oars and sweeps ready for use in +the boats, the armed men trained for war, and the horses exercised, we +have what is called the influence of force. + +"He who understands these four matters has the qualifications of a +general. Furthermore, dignity, virtue, benevolence, courage, are needed +to lead the troops, to calm the multitude, to put fear in the enemy, +to remove doubts. When orders are issued, the subordinates do not defy +them. Wheresoever the army is, that place the enemy avoids. If these +four virtues be present, the country is strong; if they be not present, +the country is overthrown. + +"Of such is the good general." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"The use of drums and bells is to attract the ear; of flags, standards, +and banners to strike the eye; of laws and penalties to put fear in the +heart. + +"To attract the ear the sound must be clear; to strike the eye the +colours must be bright. The heart is awed by punishment, therefore +punishment must be strict. + +"If these three matters be not ordered, the state may, peradventure, +be preserved, but defeat by the enemy is certain. Therefore, as it has +been said (if these three things be present), there is no departing +from the commands of the general; when he orders, there is no going +back from death." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"The secret of war is, first, to know who is the enemy's general, and +to judge his ability. If our plans depend on his dispositions, then +success will be achieved without toil. + +"If their general be stupid, and heedlessly trustful, he may be enticed +by fraud; if he be avaricious and careless of his fame, he may be +bribed with gifts. If he make unconsidered movements without plan, he +should be tired out and placed in difficulties. If the superiors be +wealthy and proud, and the inferiors avaricious and resentful, they +should be set against each other. An enemy that is undetermined, now +advancing and then retreating, whose soldiers have nought wherein to +put their trust, should be alarmed, and put to flight. + +"When an enemy thinks lightly of the general, and desires to return +home, the easy roads should be blocked, and the difficult and narrow +roads opened; await their coming and capture them. + +"If their advance be easy and retreat difficult, await their coming and +then advance against them. + +"If their advance be difficult and retreat easy, then press and strike +them. + +"An army that is camped in marshy ground, where there are no +water-courses, and long and frequent rains, should be inundated. + +"An army that is camped in wild marshes, covered with dark and +overhanging grass and brambles, and swept by frequent high winds, +should be overthrown by fire. + +"An army that has halted long without moving; whose general and +soldiers have grown careless, and neglect precautions, should be +approached by stealth, and taken by surprise." + +Lord Wen asked, saying:-- + +"If the two armies be facing each other, and the name of the enemy's +general unknown, in what manner can we discover it?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"A brave man of low degree, lightly but well equipped, should be +employed. He should think only of flight and naught of advantage. Then, +if he observe the enemy's pursuit, if there be first a halt and then +an advance, order is established. If we retreat and the enemy pursue, +but pretend not to be able to overtake us, see an advantage but pretend +not to be aware of it, then their general may be called a wise general, +and conflict with him must be avoided. If their army be full of uproar; +their banners and standards disordered, their soldiers going about +or remaining of their own accord, some in line, others in column; if +such an enemy be eager to pursue, and see an advantage which they are +desperate to seize, then their general is a fool: even if there be a +host, they may be taken." + + + + +V + +SUITING THE OCCASION + + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If strong chariots, good horses, strong and valiant soldiers suddenly +meet the enemy, and are thrown into confusion, and ranks broken, what +should be done?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"In general, the method of fighting is to effect order in daylight by +means of flags and banners, pennons and batons; at night by gongs and +drums, whistles and flutes. If a signal be made to the left, the troops +move to the left; if to the right, they move to the right. Advance is +made at the sound of the drum; halt at the sound of the gong; one blast +of the whistle is for advance, two for the rally. If those who disobey +be cut down, the forces are subject to authority. If officers and +soldiers carry out orders, a superior enemy cannot exist; no position +is impregnable in the attack." + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"What is to be done if the enemy be many and we be few?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"Avoid such an enemy on open ground, and meet him in the narrow way; +for, as it is written, if 1 is to stand against 1,000, there is naught +better than a pass; if 10 are to hold against 100, there is nothing +better than a steep place; if 1,000 are to strike 10,000, there is +nothing better than a difficult place. If a small force, with beat +of gong and drum, suddenly arise in a narrow way, even a host will +be upset. Wherefore it is written: 'He who has a multitude seeks the +plain, and he who has few seeks the narrow way.'" + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"A mighty host, strong and courageous, which is on the defence with a +mountain behind, a precipice between, high ground on the right, and +a river on the left, with deep moats, and high walls, and which has +artillery; whose retreat is like the removal of a mountain, advance +like the hurricane, and whose supplies are in abundance, is an enemy +against whom long defence is difficult. In effect, what should be done +in such a case?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"This indeed is a great question, whose issue depends, not upon the +might of chariot and horse, but upon the schemes of a wise man. + +"Let 1,000 chariots and 10,000 horse, well equipped and with foot-men +added to them, be divided into five armies, and a road allotted to each +army. + +"Then if there be five armies, and each army take a different road, the +enemy will be puzzled, and know not in what quarter to be prepared. If +the enemy's defence be strong and united, send envoys quickly to him +to discover his intention. If he listen to our advices, he will strike +camp and withdraw. But, if he listen not to our advice, but strikes +down the messenger, and burns his papers, then divide and attack +from five quarters. If victorious, do not pursue; if defeated, flee +to a distance. If feigning retreat, proceed slowly, and, if the enemy +approach, strike swiftly. + +"One army will hold the enemy in front, with another cut his rear, +two more with gags in their mouths[21] will attack his weak point, +whether on the right or on the left. If five armies thus make alternate +onslaughts, success is certain. + +"This is the way to strike strength." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If the enemy draw near and encompass us, and we would retreat, but +there is no way, and in our multitude there is fear, what should be +done?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"In such a case, if we be many and they be few, divide and fall upon +them; if the enemy be many and we be few, use stratagem and act +according to opportunity; and if opportunities be untiringly seized, +even if the enemy be many, he will be reduced to subjection." + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If, in a narrow valley with steep places on either side, the enemy be +met, and they are many and we are few, what should be done?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"If they be met among hills, woods, in deep mountains, or wide fens, +advance quickly, retire swiftly, and hesitate not. If the enemy be +suddenly met among high mountains or deep valleys, be the first to +strike the drum and fall upon them. Let bow and cross bow advance; +shoot and capture; observe the state of their ranks; and, if there be +confusion, do not hesitate to strike." + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If the enemy be suddenly met in a narrow place with high mountains on +either side, and advance and retreat are alike impossible, what should +be done in such a case?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"This is called War in valleys where numbers are of no avail. The +ablest officers should be collected, and set against the enemy. Men +light of foot and well armed should be placed in front; the chariots +divided; the horsemen drawn up, and placed in ambush on four sides, +with many leagues between, and without showing their weapons. Then, +the enemy will certainly make his defence firm, and neither advance +or retreat. Whereupon, the standards will be raised, and the ranks of +banners shown, the mountains left, and camp pitched in the plain. + +"The enemy will then be fearful, and should be challenged by chariot +and horse, and allowed no rest. + +"This is the method of fighting in valleys." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If the enemy be met in a marsh where the water is out, so that the +wheels of the chariots sink in, and the shafts be covered, and the +chariots and horsemen overcome by the waters, when there are no boats +or oars, and it is impossible either to advance or retreat, what should +be done in such a case?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"This is called water fighting. Chariots and horsemen cannot be used, +and they must be put for a time on one side. Go up to the top of a high +place, and look out to the four quarters. Then the state of the waters +will certainly be seen; their extent, and the deep places and shallows +fully ascertained. Then, by stratagem, the enemy may be defeated. + +"If the enemy should cross the waters he should be engaged when half +over." + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If there has been long continued rain so that the horses sink, and the +chariots cannot move; if the enemy appear from four quarters, and the +forces are frightened, what is the course in such a case?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"When wet and overcast, the chariots should halt; when fine and dry, +they should arise. Seek height, and avoid low places; drive the strong +chariots, and choose well the road on which to advance or halt. If the +enemy suddenly arise, immediately pursue them." + +Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If our fields and pastures be suddenly pillaged, and our oxen and +sheep taken, what should be done?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"Lawless enemies that arise are to be feared; defend well and do not +reply. When, at sunset, they seek to withdraw, they will certainly +be overladen and fearful. Striving to return quickly to their homes, +connection will be lost. Then if they be pursued and attacked, they can +be overthrown." + +Wu the Master said:-- + +"The way of attacking the enemy and investing his castle is as +follows:-- + +"When the outlying buildings have been taken, and the assaulting +parties enter the innermost sanctuary, make use of the enemy's +officials, and take charge of their weapons. Let the army on no account +fell trees or enter dwellings, cut the crops, slay the six domestic +animals, or burn the barns; and show the people that there is no cruel +desire. Those who wish to surrender, should be received and freed from +anxiety." + + + + +VI + +ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE TROOPS + + +And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +"If punishment be just and reward impartial, is victory thereby gained?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"I cannot speak of all the things that concern justice and impartiality, +but on these alone dependence cannot be placed. + +"If the people hear the word of command, or listen to the order with +rejoicing; if, when the army be raised, and a multitude assembled, they +go forth gladly to the fight; if, in the tumult of the fight, when +blade crosses blade, the soldiers gladly die; upon these three things +can the lord of the people place his trust." + +And Lord Wen said:-- + +"How can this be brought about?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"Seek out merit, advance and reward it, and encourage those without +fame." + +Accordingly Lord Wen set seats in the garden of the palace in three +rows, and made a feast unto his chief retainers. In the first row were +set those of chief merit, and on the table were placed the best meats +and precious utensils. Those of medium merit were set in the middle +row, and the utensils on the table were fewer in number. Those without +merit were set in the last row, and utensils of no value were put +before them. And when the feast was over, and they had all departed, +the parents, wives, and children of those with merit were given +presents outside the gates of the palace according to their degree. + +Further, messengers were sent yearly with gifts to condole with the +parents of those who had lost a son in the service of the state, and to +show that they were had in remembrance. + +And after this was carried out for three years, the people of Chin +gathered an army, and came as far as the Western River. And when the +soldiers of Wei heard this, without waiting for orders, they armed +themselves and fell upon them; and they that went forth were 10,000 in +number. + +And Lord Wen called Wu and said:-- + +"The words that you spoke unto me, have they not indeed been carried +out?" + +And Wu answered and said:-- + +"I have heard that there are men, great and small; souls, grand and +feeble. + +"As a trial, let 50,000 men, without merit, be collected, and placed +under my command against the country of Chin. If we fail, the state +will be the laughing-stock among the princes, and its power under +heaven will be lost. If a desperate robber be hidden in a wide plain, +and 1,000 men be pursuing him, their glances will be furtive like the +owl, looking backward like the wolf, for they are in fear of harm from +a sudden onslaught. + +"One desperate man can put fear in the hearts of a thousand. Now, +if this host of 50,000 men become as a desperate thief, and are led +against Chin, there is nought to fear." + +On hearing these words Lord Wen agreed, and adding further 500 chariots +and 3,000 horse, the hosts of Chin were overthrown, all being due to +the encouragement of the troops. + +On the day before the battle Wu gave orders to the forces, saying:-- + +"The army will attack the enemy's chariots, horse and foot, in +accordance with our commands. If the chariots do not capture the +enemy's chariots, or the horse those of the enemy's, or the foot the +enemy's footmen, even if their army be overthrown, no merit will be +gained." + +Therefore on the day of the battle, the orders were simple, and fear of +Wei shook the heavens. + + + + +INDEX + + + A + + Abnormal manoeuvres, 31, 32 + + Advance, followed by retirement, a lure, 51 + + Advantages, the five, 45 + + Ally, war to be avoided, if enemy has powerful, 91 + + Altar, Wu made general before, 77; + difficult matters to be laid before, 78 + + Ambition, one of five causes of war, 80 + + Ambush, likely places for enemy to be in, 49 + + Ammunition, lack of, may cause disaster, 41 + + Anger of officers, cause of, 51; + not a fit reason for battle, 69 + + Animals, the six domestic, to be preserved by besiegers, 115 + + Apologies, what implied, by general who offers, 52 + + Archers, employment of, in sieges, 25, _note_ + + Armies, five, alternate onslaughts by, 111 + + Armistice, what betokened by sudden desire for, 51 + + Armour, cost of upkeep of, 21; + and of renewing, 22; + condition of, an influence in battle, 94 + + Arms, profession of, not highly regarded in China, 9; + the five, 88, _note_ + + Army, control of the, 93-100; + orderly, likened to father and children, 96 + + Articles of Suntzu, 17-74 + + Assault, by stratagem, 25 + + Attack, proportionate number required for, 26; + on undefended positions, 35; + place of, to be kept secret, 37; + five ways of, by fire, 67-68; + eight cases of, 89; + reckless, 92 + + + B + + Banners, use of, to inspirit troops, 9; + used, in day fighting, 43; + enemy's lines not to be attacked where waving, 43-44; + changing of, 51; + to be entrusted to strong men, 98; + Wutzu on attraction of, 104, 108 + + Barrack burning, 67 + + Batons, in day fighting, 108 + + Battle, the Order of, 28-30 + + Beacons, in night fighting, 43 + + Beasts, startled, indicate stealthy approach, 50 + + Bell, use of, in war, 31; + a signal to halt, 31, _note_; + Wutzu on, 95; + to be entrusted to the bold, 98; + use of, attracts ear, 104 + + Benevolence, quality needed by general, 103 + + Birds, rising of, indicates ambush, 50; + clustering of, round position, shows it unoccupied, 51 + + Bluster in General, 52 + + Bogs, movement of troops regarding, 49 + + Booty, exhaustion betrayed by disregard of, 51 + + Bows, weapons for tall men, 98 + + Broken ground, 54 + + Burning barrack, commissariat, equipment, store, and company, 67-68 + + + C + + Calamities, six, among troops, 55 + + Camp, safe position for, 47; + skilful changes of, 63 + + Castle, Wutzu's counsel for investing, 115 + + Catapults, weapons for tall men, 98 + + Causes of war, 80 + + Cautiousness-over, one of five dangerous faults for general, 46 + + Chang Mt., illustration of snakes of, 62 + + Changes, the Nine, 44-46 + + Chariots, number of, required, 20-21; + cost of renewing, 22; + rewards for taking from enemy, 23; + advance of light, 50; + great size of, 76; + axles of, to be well oiled, 94 + + Cheng, Lord Tang, of, 79 + + Chengsang, Prince, 76 + + Chi, estimation of forces of, 85; + nature of, 86 + + Chieh, Lord, 79 + + Chin, nature of, 86; + unsuccessfully opposes Wei, 117-118 + + Chins, the three, 87-88 + + China, profession of arms not highly regarded in, 9; + large rivers of, affect military operations, 12 + + Chinese, greatly affected by climate, 9 + + Chinese literature, place of Suntzu and Wutzu in, 7 + + Chinese wars, patriotism not a factor in, 8 + + Chou, Wu, of, 79 + + Chu, courage of, 62; + foundation of state of, 74; + want of endurance of army of, 85 + + Chuang, of Chu, holds consultation, 84 + + Chuyin, use of, in sieges, 25, and _note_ + + Circumspection, circumstances requiring, 52 + + Cohesion of troops, in interior of hostile country, 64 + + Colours must be bright, in war, 104 + + Commander, professional, in China, 9 + + Commissariat burning, 67 + + Confidence, importance of, in operations, 94 + + Contention, ground of, 58 + + Continuity of military principles illustrated, 12 + + Control of army, 93-100 + + Converted spies, 71 + + Cooking pots may betray end of resources, 51-52 + + Cost of war, 21; + of supplying army at distance, 22 + + Courage, universal, dependent on good management, 63; + not the only attribute necessary to general, 101; + but nevertheless essential, 103 + + Cowardly, place of the, in action, 43 + + + D + + Daylight fighting, use of flags, banners, pennons, and batons in, 108 + + Death, when only alternative, ensures exertion, 61 + + Death ground, 58; + fighting on, 60; + soldiers must recognise conditions of, 64 + + Death spies, 71, 72 + + Declaration of war, action following, 66 + + Decoration for skill in five arms, 88 + + Defeat, internal causes of, 28; + skilful soldiers make impossible, 28; + army destined to, trusts in chance, 30; + causes of, 55-56 + + Defence, long, difficulties in, 110 + + Defensive warfare, when victory unattainable, 28; + skill in, 28-29 + + Deficiency, defence compelled by, 28 + + Despair, energy born of, wins victory, 15 + + Desperate enemy not to be pressed, 44 + + Determination, one of five important matters for general, 101, 102 + + Dignity, essential for general, 103 + + Discipline, one of seven important matters in war, 18; + perfection of, leads to simulation, 33 + + Discussion of omens, forbidden, 61 + + Disorder, a cause of defeat, 96 + + Disputed ground, action regarding, 64 + + Distracting ground, action regarding, 64 + + Disturbing ground, action regarding, 64 + + Dragons, green (banners), 99 + + Dragons' heads (mountain extremities), 99 + + Drum, use of, 31; + in night fighting, 43; + sounds for advance, 95; + meaning of different beats of, 98; + to be entrusted to the bold, 98; + Wutzu on the, 104, 108 + + Dust, spurts, masses, columns and clouds of, meaning of, 50 + + + E + + Ear, to be attracted in war, 104 + + Earth, one of five indispensable matters in war, 17, 18; + the ninth, 29, and _note_ + + Elements, five, 39, and _note_ + + Emptiness and strength, 34-39 + + Enclosed ground, 58; + stratagem to be used on, 60; + action regarding, 64 + + Enemies, six to be avoided, 90-91 + + Equipment, umbrella part of Chinese soldier's, 9 + + Estimation of enemy, 56; + Wutzu on, 85-93 + + Exhaustion, result of lateness in field, 34; + avoided by good tactics, 35; + shown by disregard of booty, 51 + + Expectation of life or death, 96 + + Eye, to be struck in war, 104 + + + F + + Famine, a cause of war, 80 + + Faults, five, dangerous for generals, 46 + + Feast, given by Wen to guests with high, medium, and deficient merit, + 117 + + Feints, use of, 36, 38 + + Fens, advance in wide, 112 + + Fighting races, consequences of victories by, 80 + + Fire, five modes of assault by, 67-68; + attack on enemy in overgrown marsh land by, 106 + + Flag, use of, in war, 31; + in day fighting, 43; + change of, 51; + Wutzu on use of, 104 + + Flanking (or reserve) force, 12 + + Flat country, disposal of troops in, 48 + + Flutes, Wutzu on use of, 108 + + Fodder, charge of, given to the feeble, 98 + + Food, taken from enemy, 22; + obtained by skilful general, 23; + killing of horses for, 51; + attack on enemy without, 90; + charge of, given to the feeble, 98 + + Force, one of four important influences in war, 102, 103 + + Foreign lands, war in, 60 + + Formation-battle, 97 + + Frontal attack, 11 + + + G + + General, interference with, ill-advised, 10; + ability of, one of seven important matters, 18; + skilful, is steadfast in "Way" and "Law," 30; + as "God of War" changes tactics, 39; + must know the Nine Changes, 45; + five faults dangerous for, 46; + what implied by exceeding graciousness of, 52; + blustering and obsequious, 52; + strange to troops, 52; + weak and amiable, 55; + calamities due to defects in, 55; + unable to estimate enemy, 56; + anxious for people's welfare, 56; + must be calm, inscrutable, just, and prudent, 63; + conceals plans, 63; + must have topographical knowledge and use guides, 65; + bestows rewards discreetly, 66; + is not actuated by anger, 69; + should be in accord with soldiers, 93; + must not procrastinate, 97; + Wutzu on qualities of, 101-107; + five matters important for, 101; + of the enemy to be appraised, 104; + action in accordance with judgment of enemy's, 105; + how to judge enemy's, 106-107 + + Gongs, use of, in war, 108 + + Government of a country, 77-84; + object of, 79; + good, foundation of victory, 95 + + Ground, influence of, in war, 12; + marshy, to be avoided for camp, 44; + action in mountainous and wooded, 45; + disposal of troops on high, marshy, flat, sunny, steep, boggy, + and tangled, 47-49; + object of enemy encamped on open, 49; + Suntzu on, 53-67; + open, 53-54; + broken, 54; + suspended, 54; + defiles in, 54; + precipitous, 54; + the handmaid of victory, 56; + results from good use of, 63; + one of four important influences in war, 102, 103; + inundation of enemy on marshy, 106 + + Grounds, the Nine, 58-67; + action with regard to, 64; + knowledge of, necessary to general, 65 + + Guests, entertainment of, costly in war, 21 + + Guides, employment of, necessary, 42, 65 + + + H + + Halberd, one of the five arms, 88, _note_ + + Halberds, great length of, 75-76 + + Harness, must be strong in all details, 100 + + Health of troops, consideration for, 48 + + Heat, attack on enemy who has endured, 89 + + Heaven, one of five indispensable matters in war, 17, 18 + + Heaven, the Ninth, 29, _note_ + + Highways, when not to interrupt, 59 + + Horses, killed for food, 51; + care for, 94; + treatment of, 99-100 + + Hsia, 73 + + Hsihe, defence of, 77 + + Huangti, cause of victory by, 48 + + Humane treatment ensures obedience, 53 + + Hunger, how shown, by use of weapons, 51; + how to meet, in case of enemy, 97 + + + I + + Ichih, 73 + + Ignorance, three ways of, embarrassing to armies, 26; + of enemy causes defeat, 27 + + Impartiality, Wutzu on, 116 + + Impetuosity, blind, dangerous fault in general, 46 + + Indispensable matters, five, Suntzu on, 17 + + Indulgence, ill effects of, 57 + + Influences, four important, in war, 102 + + Initiative, disadvantage of, on suspended ground, 54 + + Inner spies, 71 + + Internal disorder, a cause of war, 80 + + Intersecting ground, 58; + action on, 64 + + Inundation of enemy, on marshy ground, 106 + + Invincible, how ancient masters made armies, 28 + + Involved ground, 58, 59; + action regarding, 59, 64 + + + J + + Japan, Sun and Wu revered in, 14 + + Japanese tactics, unlike Chinese, 10; + commentators on Chinese literature, 14 + + Javelin, one of the five arms, 88, _note_ + + Justice, importance of, in rewards and punishment, 18; + Wutzu on, 116 + + + K + + Kingdom, the Middle, 87-88 + + Kuei, courage of, 62 + + + L + + Lateness in field, cause of exhaustion, 34 + + Law, the, one of five indispensable matters in war, 17; + includes partition and ordering of troops, 18; + for defeating a country, or taking it, without strife, 24; + touching the rule, measure, tables, and scales, and the foretelling + of victory, 30 + + Leader, one of five indispensable matters in war, 17. + (_See_ General) + + Letters, general should be master of, 101 + + Light esteem of enemy, result of, 52 + + Lightness, importance of, in operations, 93; + four natures of, 93-94 + + Literature, Chinese, place of Suntzu and Wutzu in, 7; + Japanese commentators on, 14; + thought compressed in, 14 + + Living spies, 71, 72 + + Lu, number of men in, 24, _note_ + + Luya, 74 + + + M + + Manoeuvre, battle avoided by, 11; + normal and abnormal, 31, 32; + master in art of, 40 + + March, forced, 41; + should be calm, like forest, 42 + + Marshes, unsuitable for camp, 44; + disposal of troops regarding, 48; + attack by fire of enemy encamped in, 106; + inundation of enemy in, 106 + + Measure, the second law of war, 30 + + Meres, ambush to be expected in, 49 + + Merit, recognition of, by enemy, 91; + to be sought, advanced, and rewarded, 116; + Lord Wen discriminates between guests with and without, 117 + + Messengers, enemy's movements revealed by, 51 + + Midday, time for spirits of troops to flag, 43 + + Middle Kingdom, the, 87-88 + + Might, war of, 81 + + Modification of military plans, 19 + + Moon, in quarters suitable for attack by fire, 67-68 + + Moral of troops, 8; + use of banners to maintain, 9 + + Motion of troops, dignified, 95 + + Mountain warfare, disposal of troops in, 47 + + Mountains, advance among, 112 + + Movement of troops, 47-53 + + Mu, Prince of Chin, example of, 82 + + Mysterious Thread, the, 71 + + Mystery, supposed to surround art of war, 14 + + + N + + Night, fighting in, 43; + voices calling in, 51 + + Nine Changes, the, 44-46 + + Nine Grounds, the, 58-67; + action with regard to, 64; + knowledge of, necessary to general, 65 + + Normal manoeuvres, 31, 32 + + Numbers, proportionate, needed to attack and to divide, 26; + subdivision of, 31; + superiority of, an economy of strength, 37; + no certain mark of strength, 52; + Prince Yuhu's trust in, 76; + tactics regarding differences in, 109; + of no avail in war in valleys, 112 + + + O + + Obedience ensured by humane conduct, 53; + early training in, 53 + + Obsequiousness in general, 52 + + Officers, when angered by soldiers, 51; + weak with strong soldiers, and _vice versa_, 55 + + Officials, who have care for people, 91 + + Omens, discussion of, to be forbidden, 61 + + Open ground, movement on, 53-54 + + Opportunity, one of four important influences in war, 102, 103 + + Oracles, cases for attack, when needless to consult, 89 + + Order of Battle, the, 28-30 + + Order, importance of, 95 + + Outlet, for retiring enemy, 44; + from enclosed ground, 59 + + Ovens, natural (mouths of valleys), 99 + + + P + + Pass, when to meet enemy in, 109 + + Passages, narrow, avoidance of, 49 + + Path-ridden ground, 58-59 + + Patriotism, not a factor in Chinese wars, 8 + + Penalties, Wutzu on, 104 + + Pennons, Wutzu on use of, 108 + + Pestilence, attack on enemy who endures, 90 + + Pike, one of five arms, 88, _note_ + + Pillage by enemy, Wutzu on, 115 + + Plan of campaign, modifications in, 19 + + Pole star (standard), 99 + + Population, told by tables of laws of war, 30; + division of, into military groups, 70, _note_; + cases of enemy's large, 90 + + Precipitous ground, occupation of, 54 + + Preparation, one of five important matters for general, 101-102 + + Pretence, war a thing of, 19 + + Procedure, military, 40 + + Procrastination, evil of, in war, 97 + + Profit, a cause of war, 80 + + Punishment, frequent, what betokened by, 52; + when ordered by strange general, 52 + + + Q + + Qualities, of the general, 101-107 + + + R + + Rank, for those skilful in five arms, 88 + + Reason, one of five important matters for general, 101 + + Regard-over, for troops, dangerous fault, 46 + + Relaxation of troops, 55 + + Repulse, resulting from general's incapacity, 55 + + Requirements of war, 20-21 + + Reserve (or flanking) force, 12 + + Rest, propriety in, 95 + + Rewards, justice in according, 18; + for those who take advantage of enemy, 23; + frequent, show lack of discipline, 52; + general's freedom in bestowing, 66; + for families of skilful in five arms, 88; + consequence of enemy's wise bestowal of, 91; + in advance, 94; + to be given to merit, 116 + + Revenge, war of, 81 + + Riches, why denied to soldiers, 61 + + Right-hand men, 73, and _note_ + + Righteous war, 81 + + Righteousness, overcome by propriety, 81; + at root of achievement and merit, 79 + + Rivers of China affect operations, 12; + encampment on, inundation, and poisoning of, 12; + not to be crossed when turbulent, 49; + observation of drawers from, 51 + + Roads to avoid, 45 + + Rule, as to survey of land, 30; + general above, in bestowing rewards, 66; + modified by circumstances, 67 + + + S + + Sanctuary, reckoning in, before fighting, 20 + + Scales, in laws of war, 30 + + Secret of war, Wutzu on, 104 + + Secret, ground of approaching attack to be kept, 37 + + Shen, Duke, 84 + + Shield, one of five arms, 88, _note_ + + Siege, not to be undertaken, if avoidable, 25; + misfortunes entailed by, 25 + + Simplicity, one of five important matters for leader, 101, 102 + + Simulation, use of, 33 + + Situation, important matter in war, 17 + + Snakes (banners), 99 + + Soldiers, training of, 18; + strength of, 18 + + Sparrows, red (banners), 99 + + Spears, weapons for short men, 98 + + Spies, estimation of, in China, 13; + Suntzu on power of, 13-14; + on titles and salaries to, 70; + five kinds of, 71; + of enemy, 73; + skillfully sown, 103 + + Spirit of troops, 31-34; + compared to torrent, 33; + good fighter seeks victory from, 34; + keen in morning, 43; + sustained by speed, 60; + influence of, 102 + + Stables, care of, 99 + + Standard of Takeda Shingen, 42, _note_ + + Standards to be entrusted to strong men, 98; + Wutzu on use of, 104 + + Strata, Chinese division of earth and sky into nine, 29, _note_ + + Stratagem, the attack by, 24-27; + use of, on enclosed ground, 60; + importance of, in war, 17 + + Strategy, secrets of, 20; + how to outwit enemy by, 24; + assault by, 25; + in offering apparent advantage, 35; + not to be repeated, if victorious, 39 + + Steep place, advantage of, 109 + + Store burning, 67 + + Strength, first in field husbands, 34; + economy of, 37; + ways of husbanding, 43 + + Strong, place of, with cowardly, 43 + + Sun. (_See_ Suntzu.) + + Sunny ground, 9 + + Suntzu, place of, in Chinese literature, 7; + on march of army, 9; + on offensive action, 10; + tactics of, unlike Japanese, 10; + disinterested comments on war by, 12-13; + revered in Japan, 14; + influence of, in late Japanese war, 15; + not patriot, but strategist, 15; + story told of, 15-16; + Articles of, 17-74; + on five indispensable matters, 17; + on operations of war, 20-23; + on attack by stratagem, 24-27; + on Order of Battle, 28-30; + on spirit of troops, 31-34; + on emptiness and strength, 34-39; + on battle tactics, 40-44; + on the Nine Changes, 44-46; + on movement of troops, 47-53; + on ground, 53-57; + on the Nine Grounds, 58-67; + on assault by fire, 67-69; + on the employment of spies, 70-74 + + Surprise, case of enemy taken by, 106 + + Survey of land, 30 + + Suspended ground, 54 + + Swamps, movements regarding, 49 + + Sympathy, between general and soldiers, 53; + consequences of, 56-57 + + + T + + Tables of population, 30 + + Tactics, skill in change of, 39; + difficulty of military, 40; + battle, 40-44 + + Takeda Shingen, words on standard of, 42, _note_ + + Tang, Lord, of Cheng, 79 + + Temper, quick, dangerous fault in general, 46 + + Tigers, white (banners), 99 + + Tortoises (banners), 99 + + Training, one of seven important military matters, 18; + Wutzu esteems first requirement in war, 97 + + Transport, loss of, through bad tactics, 41 + + Trees, movement among, 49-50 + + Truce, apologies betray anxiety for, 52 + + Tsu, number of men in, 24, _note_ + + Turtle, enquiry by, 78, and _note_ + + Tyranny, war of, 81 + + + U + + Umbrella, part of Chinese soldier's equipment, 9 + + Uniformity, brought about by authority, 53 + + Unity results from position of troops in enemy's land, 61 + + Unrighteous war, 81 + + + V + + Valleys, movement of troops regarding steep, 49; + advance in, 112; + war in, 112 + + Victory, how to foretell, 18; + instruments of, 21; + the object of war, 23, 69; + five heralds of, 27; + skillful soldiers ensure, 28; + not always real success, 29; + how to calculate, 30; + spirit, great factor in, 34; + ground handmaid of, 56; + good government foundation of, 95 + + Vigilance, when especially necessary, 52; + one of five important matters for general, 101, 102 + + Village spies, 71 + + Virtue of the prince, one of seven important matters, 18; + essential for general, 103 + + Virtues, the five, comprised in "The Way," 17, _note_ + + Voices in night, signification of, in war, 51 + + + W + + Waggons, cost of upkeep of, 21 + + War, evils in train of, 12-13; + a thing of pretence, 19; + requirements of, 20-21; + quick accomplishment of, desirable, 21, 22; + evils of, should be realised, 22; + victory--not long operations--object of, 23; + supreme art of, 24; + no fixity in spirit of, 39; + action on declaration of, 66; + five causes of, 80; + five natures of, 81; + ways of overcoming five natures of, 81 + + Water, army likened to, 39; + troops in relation to, 47; + observation of drawers of, 51; + isolation or division of enemy by, 68-69; + attack on enemy who lacks, 89; + striking of enemy when half across, 93, 114 + + Way, the, an indispensable matter in war, 17; + skillful leader steadfast in, 30; + Wutzu on, 78-79 + + Weapons, the five, 88, _note_; + condition of enemy's important, 91; + distribution of, to tall, short, strong, bold, feeble, and wise, 98 + + Wei, Wen, Lord of, 75; + army of, opposes that of Chin, 117-118; + victory by, 119 + + Wen, Prince of Chin, example of, 82 + + Wen, Lord of Wei, questions Wutzu, 75; + result of questioning by, 77; + addresses further questions, 81, 83, 85, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, + 106, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116; + treatment by, of guests with great, medium, and deficient merit, 117; + proposal by Wutzu to, 118 + + Whistles, Wutzu on use of, 108 + + Wind, question of, in assault by fire, 68; + attack on enemy who has encountered, 89; + direction of, to be studied, 99 + + Woods, advance among, 112 + + Words, big or smooth, meaning of, 50 + + Wu, number of men in, 24, _note_ + + Wu, soldiers of, 38; + hatred between men of, and those of Yueh, 62 + + Wutzu, place of, in Chinese literature, 7; + offensive-defensive tactics of, 10; + comments disinterestedly on war, 12-13; + revered in Japan, 14; + influence of, in late Japanese war, 15; + not patriot, but strategist, 15; + instance of low moral character of, 16; + sayings of, 75-119; + a scholar, but skilled in war, 75; + made general before altar, 77; + on controlling army, selecting men, and strengthening country, 81-82; + on distribution of men, 82; + on battle array, 83; + gives instance of Lord Chuang of Chu, 84; + sayings on estimation of the enemy, 85-93; + on eight cases of attack, 89; + on six enemies to avoid, 90-91; + on judgment of enemy's condition, 92; + on best time for attack, 92-93; + on control of army, 93-100; + on maintenance of order, 96; + on expectation of life or death, 96; + on training, 97; + on treatment of horses, 99; + on qualities of general, 101-107; + on four important influences of war, 102; + on use of bells, drums, flags, standards, banners, laws, and + penalties, 104; + on secret of war, 104; + advice for case of troops in confusion, 108; + on numerical differences, 109; + on division of troops into five armies, 110-111; + on differences of position, 112; + on war in valleys, 112; + on water fighting, 114; + on fighting after long rain, 114; + on pillage by enemy, 115; + on investing a castle, 115; + on impartiality, 116; + success of counsels of, 119 + + + Y + + Yang, principle in Chinese philosophy, 18, _note_ + + Yen, estimation of soldiers of, 85-86; + nature of, 87 + + Yin, principle in Chinese philosophy, 18, _note_ + + Yin, province of, 73 + + Yin, even number, 76, _note_ + + Yueh, continually at war with Wu, 38, _note_ + + Yuhu, Prince, 76 + + + PRINTED AT THE EDINBURGH PRESS, 9 AND 11 YOUNG STREET + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] The five virtues of humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and +faith are known as The Way. + +[2] The Yin and Yang are the two principles into which natural +phenomena are divided in Chinese philosophy. Yin is the masculine, +active, or light principle, and Yang is the feminine, passive, or dark +principle. In this connection, day and night, rain, mist and wind are +designated. + +[3] The Chinese army consisted of 12,500, the "lu" of 500, "tsu" of 50, +and the "wu" of 5 men. + +[4] The "Chuyin" was a large tower or work constructed to give command +over the interior of the enemy's fortress. + +High poles were also erected, from the top of which archers, each +encased in an arrow-proof box and raised by a rope and pulley, shot at +the besieged. + +[5] Literally 9th heaven, and 9th earth. The Chinese divided the earth +and sky each into 9 strata. + +[6] An animal's coat is thinnest in autumn. + +[7] The drum was used to beat the assembly and in the advance, the bell +as a signal to halt. Flags were of two kinds, signalling flags and +distinguishing banners. + +[8] The normal and the abnormal refer to what in modern phrase are +termed the frontal or holding force and the flanking or surprise force. + +[9] The five cardinal tastes are, acridity, bitterness, sourness, +sweetness and saline taste. + +[10] Sun, as has been said, was a man of Wu. Wu and Yueh were +continually at war. + +[11] Wood, fire, earth, metal and water. + +[12] This passage was written on the standard of Takeda Shingen, one of +Japan's most famous generals. + +[13] This and the following are so called because the men are +continually thinking of, and slipping back to their homes. + +[14] The population was divided, for military purposes, into groups of +eight families. In time of war, each group sent one man into the field, +furnished his wants, and provided for his family. Therefore if 100,000 +men are taken, 700,000 homes are affected. + +[15] So called because they are put to death when the enemy finds out +that he has been tricked. + +[16] Messengers and others, who do not disguise their identity, are +included under this heading. + +[17] Literally, right and left men, _i.e._ they who sat on either side. + +[18] All numbers connected with weapons were Yin, that is to say--even, +or belonging to the negative principle of Chinese philosophy from their +connection with death. + +[19] The back of a turtle was burnt, and the answer was ascertained by +the manner in which the shell split. + +[20] Halberd, shield, javelin, pike, and short pike. + +[21] Silently. + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as + possible. + + OE ligatures have been expanded. + + The following is a list of changes made to the original. + The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one. + + Page 40: + + reap advantage; the wrangles of a multitude are frought with peril. + reap advantage; the wrangles of a multitude are fraught with peril. + + Page 92: + + Chi answered and said:-- + Wu answered and said:-- + + Page 95: + + "By what means can the army gain the victory? + "By what means can the army gain the victory?" + + Page 109: + + And Lord Wu asked and said:-- + And Lord Wen asked and said:-- + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44024 *** |