"The spirits of the five phases are constants of the Tao.57 Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth-each according to their conquest relationship-[can be employed to] attack the enemy. In antiquity, during the period of the Three Sage Emperors, they used the nature of vacuity and non-action to govern the hard and strong. They didn't have characters for writing; everything proceeded from the five phases. The Tao of the five phases is the naturalness of Heaven and Earth. The division into the six chia58 is [a realization] of marvelous and subtle spirit.
"Their method was, when the day had been clear and calm-without any clouds, wind, or rain-to send light cavalry out in the middle of the night to approach the enemy's fortifications. Stopping about nine hundred paces away, they would all lift their pipes to their ears and then yell out to startle the enemy. There would be a very small, subtle sound that would respond in the pitch pipes.
"If the chiao note responded among the pipes, it indicated a white tiger.
"If the cheng note responded in the pipes, it indicated the Mysterious Military.
"If the shang note responded in the pipes, it indicated the Vermillion Bird.
"If you yii note responded in the pipes, it indicated the Hooked Formation.
"If none of the five notes responded in the pipes, it was kung, signifying a Green Dragon.
"These signs of the five phases are evidence to assist in the conquest, the subtle moments of success and defeat."
"Excellent," said King Wu.
The T'ai Kung continued: "These subtle, mysterious notes all have external indications."
"How can we know them?" King Wu asked.
The T'ai Kung replied: "When the enemy has been startled into movement, listen for them. If you hear the sound of the pao drum, then it is chiao. If you see the flash of lights from a fire, then it is cheng. If you hear the sounds of bronze and iron, of spears and halberds, then it is shang. If you hear the sound of people sighing, it is yu. If all is silent, without any sound, then it is kung. These five are the signs of sound and appearance."
King Wu asked the T'ai Kung: "Before engaging in battle I want to first know the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, to foresee indications of victory or defeat. How can this be done?"
The T'ai Kung replied: "Indications of victory or defeat will be first manifest in their spirit. The enlightened general will investigate them, for they will be evidenced in the men.
"Clearly observe the enemy's coming and going, advancing and withdrawing. Investigate his movements and periods at rest, whether they speak about portents, what the officers and troops report. If the Three Armies are exhilarated [and] the officers and troops fear the laws; respect the general's commands; rejoice with each other in destroying the enemy; boast to each other about their courage and ferocity; and praise each other for their awesomeness and martial demeanor-these are indications of a strong enemy.
"If the Three Armies have been startled a number of times, the officers and troops no longer maintaining good order; they terrify each other [with stories about] the enemy's strength; they speak to each other about the disadvantages; they anxiously look about at each other, listening carefully; they talk incessantly of ill omens, myriad mouths confusing each other; they fear neither laws nor orders and do not regard their general seriously-these are indications of weakness.
"When the Three Armies are well ordered; the deployment's strategic configuration of power solid-with deep moats and high ramparts-and moreover they enjoy the advantages of high winds and heavy rain; the army is untroubled; the signal flags and pennants point to the front; the sound of the gongs and bells rises up and is clear; and the sound of the small and large drums clearly rises-these are indications of having obtained spiritual, enlightened assistance, foretelling a great victory.
"When their formations are not solid; their flags and pennants confused and entangled with each other; they go contrary to the advantages of high wind and heavy rain; their officers and troops are terrified; and their ch'i broken while they are not unified; their war horses have been frightened and run off, their military chariots have broken axles; the sound of their gongs and bells sinks down and is murky; the sound of their drums is wet and damp-these are indications foretelling a great defeat.
"In general, when you attack city walls or surround towns, if the color of their ch'i is liked dead ashes, the city can be slaughtered.59 If the city's ch'i drifts out to the north, the city can be conquered. If the city's ch'i goes out and drifts to the west, the city can be forced to surrender. If the city's ch'i goes out and drifts to the south, it cannot be taken. If the city's ch'i goes out and drifts to the east, the city cannot be attacked. If the city's ch'i goes out but then drifts back in, the city's ruler has already fled. If the city's ch'i goes out and overspreads our army, the soldiers will surely fall ill. If the city's ch'i goes out and just rises up without any direction,60 the army will have to be employed for a long time. If, when you have attacked a walled city or surrounded a town for more than ten days without thunder or rain, you must hastily abandon it, for the city must have a source of great assistance.
"Those are the means by which to know that you can attack and then go on to mount the attack, or that you should not attack and therefore stop." "Excellent," said King Wu.
King Wu asked the T'ai Kung: "If All under Heaven are at peace and settled, while the state is not engaged in any conflicts, can we dispense with maintaining the implements of war? Can we forego preparing equipment for defense?"
The T'ai Kung said: "The implements for offense and defense are fully found in ordinary human activity. Digging sticks serve as chevaux-de-frise and caltrops. Oxen and horse-pulled wagons can be used in the encampment and as covering shields. The different hoes can be used as spears and spear tipped halberds. Raincoats of straw and large umbrellas serve as armor and protective shields. Large hoes, spades, axes, saws, mortars, and pestles are tools for attacking walls. Oxen and horses are the means to transport provisions. Chickens and dogs serve as lookouts. The cloth that women weave serves as flags and pennants.
"The method that the men use for leveling the fields is the same for attacking walls. The skill needed in spring to cut down grass and thickets is the same as needed for fighting against chariots and cavalry. The weeding methods used in summer are the same as used in battle against foot soldiers. The grain harvested and the firewood cut in the fall will be provisions for the military. In the winter well-filled granaries and storehouses will ensure a solid defense.
"The units of five found in the fields and villages will provide the tallies and good faith that bind the men together. The villages have officials and the offices have chiefs who can lead the army. The villages have walls surrounding them, which are not crossed; they provide the basis for the division into platoons. The transportation of grain and the cutting of hay provide for the state storehouses and armories. The skills used in repairing the inner and outer walls in the spring and fall, in maintaining the moats and channels are used to build ramparts and fortifications.
"Thus the tools for employing the military are completely found in ordinary human activity. One who is good at governing a state will take them from ordinary human affairs. Then they must be made to accord with the good management of the six animals,61 to the opening up of wild lands, and the settling of the people where they dwell. The husband has a number of acres that he farms, the wife a measured amount of material to weave-this is the Way to enrich the state and strengthen the army."
"Excellent," said King Wu.
King Wu asked the T'ai Kung: "When the king mobilizes the Three Armies, are there any rules for determining the army's equipment, such as the implements for attack and defense, including type and quantity?"
The T'ai Kung said: "A great question, my king! The implements for attack and defense each have their own categories. This results in the great awesomeness of the army. ,12
King Wu said: "I would like to hear about them."
The T'ai Kung replied: "As for the basic numb
ers when employing the army, if commanding ten thousand armed soldiers the rules for [the various types of equipment and their] employment are as follows.
"Thirty-six Martial Protective Large Fu-hsit Chariots. Skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers-total of twenty-four for each flank [and the rear].63 The chariots have eight-foot wheels. On it are set up pennants and drums which, according to the Art of War, are referred to as `Shaking Fear.' They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat strong enemies.
"Seventy-two Martial-Flanking Large Covered Spear and Halberd Fu-hsu Chariots.64 Skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers comprise the flanks. They have five-foot wheels and winch-powered linked crossbows which fire multiple arrows for self-protection.65 They are used to penetrate solid formations and defeat strong enemies.
"One hundred and forty Flank-supporting Small Covered Fu-hsu Chariots equipped with winch-powered linked crossbows to fire multiple arrows for self-protection. They have deer wheels and are used to penetrate solid formations and defeat strong enemies.
"Thirty-six Great Yellow Triple-linked Crossbow Large Fu-hsu Chariots. Skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers corn prise the flanks, with `flying duck' and `lightning's shadow' arrows for selfprotection. `Flying duck' arrows have red shafts and white feathers, with bronze arrowheads. `Lightning's shadow' arrows have green shafts and red feathers, with iron heads.66 In the daytime they display pennants of red silk six feet long by six inches wide, which shimmer in the light. At night they hang pennants of white silk, also six feet long by six inches wide, which appear like meteors. They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat infantry and cavalry.
"Thirty-six Great Fu-hsu Attack Chariots.67 Carrying Praying Mantis Martial warriors, they can attack both horizontal and vertical formations and can defeat the enemy.
"Baggage Chariots [for repelling] mounted invaders, also called `Lightning Chariots.' The Art of War refers to their use in `lightning attacks.i6S They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat both infantry and cavalry.
"One hundred and sixty Spear and Halberd Fu-hsu Light Chariots [for repelling] night invaders from the fore. Each carries three Praying Mantis Martial knights. The Art of War refers to them as mounting `thunder attacks.' They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat both infantry and cavalry.
"Iron truncheons with large square heads weighing twelve catties, and shafts more than five feet long, twelve hundred of them. Also termed 'Heaven's Truncheon.'
"The Great Handle Fu Ax with an eight-inch blade, weighing eight catties, and a shaft more than five feet long, twelve hundred of them. Also termed `Heaven's Yi eh Ax.'
"Also the Iron Square-headed Pounder, weighing eight catties, with a shaft of more than five feet, twelve hundred. Also termed `Heaven's Pounder.' They are used to defeat infantry and hordes of mounted invaders.
"The Flying Hook, eight inches long. The curve of the hook is five inches long, the shaft is more than six feet long. Twelve hundred of them. They are thrown into masses of soldiers.
"To defend the Three Armies deploy Fu-hsu [chariots] equipped with wooden Praying Mantises and sword blades, each twenty feet across, altogether one hundred and twenty of them. They are also termed chevaux-de- frise.69 On open, level ground the infantry can use them to defeat chariots and cavalry.
"Wooden caltrops which stick out of the ground about two feet five inches, one hundred twenty. They are employed to defeat infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against invaders, and to intercept their flight.70
"Short-axle Quick-turning Spear and Halberd Fu-hsu Chariots, one hundred twenty. They were employed by the Yellow Emperor to vanquish Ch'ih- yu. They are used to defeat both infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against the invaders, and to intercept their flight.
"For narrow roads and small bypaths, set out iron caltrops eight inches wide, having hooks four inches high and shafts of more than six feet, twelve hundred. They are for defeating retreating" cavalry.
"If, in the darkness of night the enemy should suddenly press an attack and the naked blades clash, stretch out a ground net and spread out two arrowheaded caltrops connected together with `weaving women'-type caltrops on both sides. The points of the blades should be about two feet apart. Twelve thousand sets.
"For fighting in wild expanses and in the middle of tall grass, there is the square-shank, arrow-shaped spear, twelve hundred of them. The method for deploying these spears is to have them stick out of the ground one foot five inches. They are used to defeat infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against invaders, and to intercept their flight.
"On narrow roads, small bypaths, and constricted terrain, set out iron chains, one hundred twenty of them, to defeat infantry and cavalry, urgently press the attack against the invaders, and intercept their flight.
"For the protection and defense of the gates to fortifications, there are small [mobile] shields with spear and halberd [tips affixed], twelve of them, and winch-driven, multiple arrow crossbows for self-protection.72
"For the protection of the Three Armies, there are Heaven's Net and Tiger's Drop, linked together with chains, one hundred twenty of them. One array is fifteen feet wide and eight feet tall. For the Fu-hsu [chariot] with Tiger's Drop and sword blades affixed, the array is fifteen feet wide and eight feet tall. Five hundred ten of them.
"For crossing over moats and ditches, there is the Flying Bridge. One section is fifteen feet wide and more than twenty feet long. Eight of them.73 On top there are swivel winches to extend them by linked chains.74
"For crossing over large bodies of water, there is the Flying River, eight of them. They are fifteen feet wide and more than twenty feet long and are extended by linked chains.
"There is also the Heavenly Float with Iron Praying Mantis, rectangular inside, circular outside, four feet or more in diameter, equipped with plantern winches. Thirty-two of them. When the Heavenly Floats are used to deploy the Flying River to cross a large lake, they are referred to as `Heaven's Huang' and also termed `Heaven's Boat.'
"When in mountain forests or occupying the wilds, connect the Tiger's Drops to make a fenced encampment. [Employ] iron chains, length of more than twenty feet, twelve hundred sets. [Also employ] large ropes with rings,75 girth of four inches, length of more than forty feet, six hundred; midsized ropes with rings, girth of two inches, length of forty feet or more, two hundred sets; and small braided cords with rings, length of twenty feet or more, twelve thousand.
"Wooden canopies for covering the heavy chariots, called `Heaven's Rain,' which fit together along serrated seams, each four feet wide and more than four feet long, one for each chariot. They are erected by using small iron posts.
"For cutting trees there is the Heavenly Ax, which weighs eight catties. Its handle is more than three feet long. Three hundred of them. Also the mattock with a blade six inches wide and a shaft more than five feet long, three hundred.
"Copper rams for pounding, more than five feet long, three hundred.
"Eagle claws with square hafts, iron handles, and shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.
"Square-shafted iron pitchforks with handles more than seven feet long, three hundred.
"Square-shafted double-pronged iron pitchforks with shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.
"Large sickles for cutting grass and light trees with shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.
"Great oar-shaped blades, weight of eight catties, with shafts more than six feet long, three hundred.
"Iron stakes with rings affixed at top, more than three feet long, three hundred.
"Large hammers for pounding posts, weight of five catties, handles more than two feet long, one hundred twenty.
"Armored soldiers, ten thousand. Strong crossbowmen, six thousand. Halberdiers with shields, two thousand. Spearmen with shields, two thousand. Skilled men to repair offensive weapons and sharp
en them, three hundred.
"These then are the general numbers required for each category when raising an army."
King Wu said: "I accept your instructions."
King Wu asked the T'ai Kung: "In employing the army there are the Heavenly Deployment, the Earthly Deployment, and the Human Deployment. What are these?"
The T'ai Kung replied: "When you accord with the sun and moon, the stars, the planets, and the handle of the Big Dipper-one on the left, one on the right, one in front, and one to the rear-this is referred to as the Heavenly Deployment.76
"When the hills and mounds, rivers and streams are similarly to your advantage to the front, rear, left, and right, this is referred to as the Earthly Deployment."
"When you employ chariots and horses, when you use both the civil and martial, this is referred to as the Human Deployment."78
"Excellent," said King Wu.
King Wu asked the T'ai Kung: "If the enemy surrounds us, severing both our advance and retreat, breaking off our supply lines, what should we do?"
The T'ai Kung said: "These are the most distressed troops in the world! If you employ them explosively, you will be victorious; if you are slow to employ them, you will be defeated. In this situation if you deploy your troops into martial assault formations on the four sides, use your military chariots and valiant cavalry to startle and confuse their army, and urgently attack them, you can thrust across them."
King Wu asked: "After we have broken out of the encirclement, if we want to take advantage of it to gain victory, what should we do?"
The T'ai Kung said: "The Army of the Left should urgently strike out to the left, and the Army of the Right should urgently strike out to the right. But do not get entangled in protracted fighting with the enemy over any one road. The Central Army should alternately move to the front and then the rear. Even though the enemy is more numerous, their general can be driven off."
The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China Page 11
