Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China
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武王问太公说：率领军队深入敌国境内，国君主将想要与敌交战，根据情况进行灵活的机动，以求取得出其不意的胜利，事情繁乱，阴符难于说明，彼此相距又很遥远，语言不通，怎么办？
太公说：所有密谋大计，应当用阴书，不用阴符，国君用阴书指示主将，主将用阴书请示国君。这种书信都是”一合而再离，三发而一知”。”一合而再离”就是把 一封书信分为三部分；”三发而一知”就是用三个人送信，每人送一部分，相互参差，即使送信的人也不知道书中的内容，这就叫做阴书。敌人无论怎样聪明，也不 能识破我的秘密。
武王说：好啊！
Army's Disposition
King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “What is the Way of aggressive warfare?”
Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “The Army's attacking disposition should change in accordance with the enemy’s movements, and changes coming from the confrontation between the two armies. Indirect and direct tactics are produced from the inexhaustible resources of the mind. Thus the greatest affairs are not discussed, and employment of troops is not spoken about. Moreover, words which discuss ultimate affairs are not to be discussed openly. The employment of troops is not so definitive as to be visible. They go suddenly, they come suddenly. Only when one can exercise sole control over the army, without being governed by other men, is such a one a military weapon.
“If your plans are heard, the enemy will make counterplans. If you are perceived, they will plot against you. If your objectives are known, they will put you in difficulty. If you are fathomed, they will endanger you.
“Thus one who excels in warfare has already won before the deployment of forces. One who excels at eliminating the misfortunes of the people manages them before they appear. Conquer the enemy; be victorious by being formless. The superior fighter has won before engaging in battle. Thus one who fights and attains victory in using blades is not a good general. One who makes preparation after the battle has been lost is not a superior Sage. One whose skill is the same as the masses is not a superior craftsman.
“In military affairs, nothing is more important than certain victory. In employing the army, nothing is more important than obscurity and silence. In movement, nothing is more important than the unexpected. In planning, nothing is more important than not being knowable. To be the first to gain victory, initially display some weakness to the enemy and only afterward do battle. Then your effort will be half, but the achievement will be doubled.
“The Sage observes signs from the movements of Heaven and Earth, and knows its principles. He observes the movement of the sun and the moon and understands their seasonal activity. He follows the cycles of day and night, taking them as his constant. All things have life and death in accordance with the principles of Heaven and Earth. Thus it is said that if one fights before understanding the situation, even if his army is more numerous, he will certainly be defeated.
“One who excels at warfare will await events in the situation without making any movement. When he sees he can be victorious, he will arise; if he sees he cannot be victorious, he will desist. Thus it is said, that he does not have any fear, he does not vacillate. Of the many various types of harms that can befall an army, indecision is the greatest. Of the disasters that can befall an army, none surpasses doubt.
“One who excels in warfare will not lose an advantage when he perceives it, or be doubtful when he meets the opportunity. One who loses an advantage or lags behind the time for action will, on the contrary, suffer from disaster. Thus the wise follow the time and do not lose an advantage; the skillful are decisive and have no doubts. He strikes like a sudden clap of thunder, which does not give time to cover the ears; strike like a flash of lightning, which does not give time to close the eyes. Advance as if suddenly startled; employ your troops as if deranged. Those who oppose you will be destroyed; those who come near will perish. Who can defend against such an attack?
“Now when matters are not discussed and the general preserves their secrecy, he is superior. When things are not manifest but he discerns them, he is wise. Thus if superior and wise, no enemies will act against him in the field, nor will any state stand against him.”
“Excellent!” said King Wu.
武王问太公说：进攻的原则是什么?
太公说：作战的形势是随着敌人的行动而变化的，临机应变产生于两军对阵的时候，奇正运用来源于将帅智慧与思虑。所以，机要的大事不能泄露，用兵的策略不可外传，重大决策不容纷纷议论，作行动不可暴露于敌，忽往忽来，独断专行而不受制于人，这是用兵重要原则。一般作战，敌人探听到我军兴兵，就要研究应付的策略；敌人发现了我军行动，就要设法破坏我军行动；敌人了解了我军企图，必致为敌所困扰；敌人摸清了我军规律，必致为敌所危害。所以善用兵的人，取胜于展开 军队之前；善于除害的，消灭祸患于萌芽前；善于取胜的人，取胜于无形之中；最好的作战是不战而屈人兵。所以用死拚硬斗来取胜的将领，不算是好的将领；在失 败之后来设防的，不是聪明的人。智慧与一般人相同的，不是国家的导师；技术与一般人相同的，不能算是能工巧匠。用兵最重要的是所攻克，作战最重要的是保守 机密，行动最重要的是出敌不意，计谋最要的是不被识破。凡是未战而先胜的，都是先示弱于敌，而后进战，这样可以事半而功倍。
圣人观察天地的变化，反复探索其原因，根据日月的运行，遵季节的变化，比照昼夜长短等自然现象，掌握了普遍的规律，就知道万物的生死枯荣是随着天地的变化而变化的必然性。所以说，没有摸清敌人情况就去作战，虽然军队众多，也必定失败。
善于打仗的人，军队处于待机状态时不受干扰，看到有胜利把握就进攻，没有胜利把握就停止。所以说，不要惧怕，不要犹豫，用兵的害处，犹豫最大，军队的灾 祸，莫过于狐疑。善于打仗的人，看到有利的情况决不放过，遇到有利的战机决不迟疑。因为失去有利条件和错过有利时机而动，反而会使自己受害。因此，明智的 将冲抓住战机就不放过，机智的指挥者，一经决定就不犹豫。所以才能象迅雷一样使人不及掩开，象闪电一样使人不及闭眼，前进如惊马奔驰，战斗如狂风骤雨，阻 挡它的就被击破，靠近他的都被消灭，谁能抵抗得了这种军队呢!
将帅用兵，能不声不响而胸有成竹的叫做神，情况尚未明朗而看出端睨的叫做明。所以懂得神明的道理，作战就没有势均力敌的手，面前就没有敢于抵抗的敌国了。
武王说：好啊！
Indirect Troops
King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “In general, what is most essential in the art of employing the army?”
Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “The ancient saying, ‘excelling at warfare’ does not mean they excelled in waging war above Heaven, nor waging war below Earth. Their success and defeat in all cases proceeded from their spirit-like disposition. Those who attained it flourish; those who lost it perished.
“Now when our two armies, opposing each other, have deployed their armored soldiers and established their battle arrays, releasing some of your troops to create chaos in the ranks is the means by which to fabricate deceptive changes.
Deep grass and dense growth are the means by which to stage a concealed escape.
Valleys with streams and treacherous ravines are the means by which to stop chariots and defend against cavalry.
Narrow passes and mountain forests are the means by which a few can attack a large force.
Marshy depressions and secluded dark areas are the means by which to conceal your appearance.
Deploying on clear, open ground without any concealment is the means by which to fight with strength and courage.
Being as swift as a flying arrow, attacking as suddenly as the release of a crossbow are the ways by which to destroy b
rilliant plans.
Setting up ingenious ambushes and preparing indirect troops, stretching out distant formations to deceive and entice the enemy are the means by which to destroy the enemy’s army and capture its general.
Dividing your troops is the means by which to attack their circular formations and destroy their square ones.
Taking advantage of their fright and fear is the means by which one can attack ten.
Taking advantage of their exhaustion and encamping at dusk are the means by which ten can attack 100.
Unorthodox technical skills are the means by which to cross deep waters and ford across rivers.
Strong crossbows and long weapons are the means by which to fight across water.
Distant observation posts and far-off scouts, explosive haste and feigned retreats are the means by which to force the surrender of walled fortifications and compel the submission of towns.
Drumming and setting up a great tumult are the means by which to implement unorthodox plans.
Attacking during high winds and heavy rain are the means by which to strike the front and seize the rear.
Disguising some men as enemy emissaries is the means by which to sever supply lines.
Forging enemy commands and orders and wearing the same clothes as the enemy are the means by which to be prepared for retreat.
Warfare which is invariably in accord with righteousness is the means by which to incite the masses and be victorious over the enemy.
Honored ranks and generous rewards are the means by which to encourage the obeying of orders.
Severe punishments and heavy fines are the means by which to force the weary and indolent to advance.
Happiness and anger, bestowing and taking away, civil and martial measures, at times slowly, at others rapidly – all these are the means by which to order and harmonize the army, to govern and unify subordinates.
Occupying high ground is the means by which to be alert and assume a defensive posture.
Holding defiles and narrows is the means by which to be solidly entrenched defensively.
Mountain forests and dense growth are the means by which to come and go silently.
Deep moats, high ramparts, and large reserves of supplies are the means by which to fight a prolong wall.
Thus it is said, ‘One who does not know how to plan for aggressive warfare cannot be spoken with about the enemy. One who cannot divide and move his troops cannot be spoken with about unorthodox strategies. One who does not have a deep understanding of both order and chaos cannot be spoken with about changes.’
“Accordingly it is said: ‘If the general is not benevolent, then the army will not be close or support him. If the general is not courageous, then the army will not be fierce. If the general is not wise, then the army will be in doubt. If the general is not perspicacious, then the army will be confounded. If the general is not quick-witted and acute, then the army will lose the opportunity. If the general is not constantly alert, the army will be weak in defense. If the general is not strong and forceful, then the army will fail in their duty.’
“Thus the general is the Master of Fate. The army is ordered because of him, and they are disordered because of him as well. If one obtains someone who is Worthy to serve as general, the army will be strong and the state will prosper. If one does not obtain a Worthy as general, the army will be weak and state will perish.”
“Excellent!” said King Wu.
武王问太公说：用兵的法则，其大要如何？
太公说：古代善于用兵的人并不是能战于天上，也不是能战于地下，其成功与失败，都在于能否造成神妙莫测的态势，得此势的就胜利，不得此势的就失败。当两军对峙出兵列阵时，放纵士卒，混乱行列，目的是引诱敌人；占领草木茂盛的地区，是为了便于隐蔽撤退；占领溪谷险阻的地形，是为了阻止敌人战车和骑兵的行动； 占领险隘关塞山林地区，是为了便于以少击众；占领低湿幽暗的地区，是为了隐蔽队形；占领平坦开阔的地区，是为了比勇斗力；行动快如飞箭，猛如发机，是为了 以迅雷不及掩耳之势，打乱敌人的计划；巧妙埋伏，设置奇兵，虚张声势，诱骗敌人，是为了歼灭敌军、俘虏敌将；从多方面袭击，是为了打破敌人圆阵或方阵；乘 敌惊慌失措进攻，是为了达到以一击十的目的；趁敌疲劳农宿袭击，是为了达到以十击百的效果；利用奇妙的渡江手段，是为了克服江河障碍；使用强驽和长兵器是 为了便于越水作战；在远方设关卡、派斥侯，快速行动、不拘常法，是为了袭取故人城邑；故意鼓噪喧嚣前进，是乱敌耳目、施行奇计妙策，冒着大风大雨前进，是 为了达到攻前袭后多方进击；伪称敌使者游行于敌后的，是为了切断敌人粮道；诈用敌人号令、敌人服装的，是为了便于准备撤退；作战时先对官兵喻以大义，激励 士气战胜故人的方法；加封官爵，加重奖赏，是为了劝勉兵执行命令；实行严刑重罚，是为了督促疲弊的军队坚持战斗；有怒，有赏有罚，有礼有威，有慢有快，是 为了协调全军意志，统一动；占领高大而又视界开阔的地形，是为了利于警戒和守御；守住阻要地，是为了固守；占领山林深草的地形，是为了隐蔽军队行动构筑深 沟高全，多储粮秣，是为了持久作战。
所以说，不懂攻战的策略，就谈不上对敌作战；不会机动使用力，就谈不上出奇制胜；不精通军队治乱的原因，就谈不上应变。所说，将帅不仁爱，军队就不拥护； 将帅不勇敢，军队就没有战斗力；将帅不机智，军队就会迟疑；将帅不英明，军队就会大败；将帅考虑问题不精细，军队就会失掉战机；将帅缺乏警惕，军队就会疏 于戒备；将帅领导不坚强，军队就会失职败事。所以将帅是军队的主宰，将帅精明军队就严整，将帅无能军队就混乱。有了精明能干的将帅，就会兵强国昌；没有精 明能干的将帅，就会兵弱国亡。
Five Notes
King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “From the sound of the pitch pipes, can we know the fluctuations of the army, foretell victory and defeat?”
Jiāng Zǐyá said: “Your question is profound indeed! Now there are twelve pipes, with five major notes: Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng and Yu. These are basic, orthodox sounds, unchanged for over thousands of generations. The spirits of the five notes is similar to the five elements. Metal, wood, water, fire and earth – each according to their conquest relationship, can be employed to counteract each other – the five notes can be used to know more about 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 in accordance to the behavior of the five elements. The behavior of the five elements is in accordance to Heaven and Earth. The division into the six jia 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 900 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 Jiao note responded among the pipes, then we should attack from the west. If the Zheng note responded in the pipes, then we should attack from the north. If the Shang note responded in the pipes, then we should attack from the south. If the Yu note responded in the pipes, then we should attack its center. If none of the notes responded, it is then Gong, and we should attack from the east.
“These signs of the five notes are evidence to assist in the conquest, the subtle moments of success and defeat.”
“Excellent!” said King Wu.
Jiāng Zǐyá continued: “These subtle, mysterious notes all have external indications.”
“How can we know them?” King Wu asked.
武王问太公说：从律管发出的五音，可以知道三军的消长，胜负的征兆吗?
太公说：深奥啊！这个问题。十二律管主要有五个音阶——宫、商、角、徵、羽，这是它的基本声音，千年万代不会改变的。五微妙变化是自然的常法，借此可以推知敌情变化，金木水火土各生克取胜。用兵之道也是以其胜攻不胜啊！
古代三皇用”虚无”以制刚强，当时没有文字，一切都按王行生克行事。五行生克的道理是天地自然法则，六甲之分是非常微妙的。运用五音五行的方法是：当天气晴朗，没有阴云风雨时，半夜派遣轻骑前往敌人营全，距敌九百步以外，都拿着律管对着耳朵。对敌方大声疾呼以震惊它，敌方会有回声反应于律管中，反应来的声音是微弱的。律管中如有”角”声反应，应当从西方去打它；律管中如有”徵”声反应，应当从北方去打它；律管中如有”商”声反应，应当从南方去打它；律管中如有”羽”声反应，应当从敌人中央去打它；所有律管都没有回声是”宫”声的反应，应当从东方去打它。这是五行生克的应验，辅助制胜的征兆，胜败的关键。
武王说：好啊！
太公说：五音微妙，都有外在的征候！
武王问：怎么知道的?
太公说：当敌人惊动时就听音并观察。听到鼓声是角声的反应；见到火光是徵声的反应；听到金铁矛戟兵器声是商声的反应；听到敌人的呼啸声是羽声的反应；寂寞无闻的是宫声的反应。这五种音和色是相符合的。