Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  To feign disorder, one must possess strict discipline. To feign cowardice, one must possess great courage. To feign weakness, one must possess great superiority. Order and disorder depend on organization and structure. Courage and cowardice depend on posture and circumstances. Strengths or weaknesses depend on the formation and dispositions of the army.

  以乱诱敌的基础在于治，以怯欺敌的基础在于勇，以弱致敌的基础在于强。严整或混乱，是由组织编制好坏造成的；勇敢或怯弱，是由态势优劣所造成的；强大或弱小，是由实力大小对比所造成的。

  Thus the person, who is adept at warfare, manipulates the enemy by creating circumstances that will make them conform. Entice the enemy with baits he cannot resist. Keep him on the move and ambush him.

  所以善于调动敌方者，制造假象迷惑敌人，敌人必会依从其调动。用敌人必取之利诱敌。用利诱的话，必须用重兵等待敌人，给一重击。

  Thus, the person who is adept at warfare uses the battle circumstances and does not solely depend on his troops to seek victory. As such, he is able to select the right men and trust them to exploit the battle circumstances. The person who knows how to exploit battle circumstances is able to command his troops like rolling logs and boulders. The characteristics of the logs and boulders are such that they are not dangerous when not moving, but have destructive effects when moving. If they are square they cease to move, but when they are round, they roll. Thus the person who is adept at warfare can resemble that of moving logs, and boulders moving down the mountain, when he uses battle situations.

  所以善于用兵作战者，总是设法造成有利的态势，而不岢求于将吏。他能选择人才去创造或利用有利态势。善于用势者，指挥其部队如同滚动木头和石头一般。木头和石头放在平地就稳，放在斜坡就容易滚动，方的容易静止，圆的灵活滚动。善于用势者，指挥其部队如同像转动圆石从万丈高山飞滚下来之势。

  Chapter 6

  Weaknesses and Strength

  Those who arrive first at the battleground will have sufficient time to rest and prepare against the enemy. Those who arrive late to the battleground will have to rush into battle when they are already exhausted.

  凡先占据会战地点等候敌人可安逸，后到达会战地点而仓促参战则疲惫。

  Thus the person adept in warfare seeks to control and manipulate his enemy instead of being manipulated and controlled. He can cause his enemy to arrive on his own accord by luring him with benefits. He can deter his enemy from coming by creating dangers and harm.

  所以善于作战者，使敌人被自己所调动，而不被敌任所调动。能使敌人自己来，是因为利益。能使敌人不要来，是因为有害处。

  Thus when the enemy is well-rested, disturb and tire him. When the enemy is well stocked with food, starve him. When he is encamped and comfortable, make him move. Attack places where the enemy needs to rush to defend. Move quickly along routes where the enemy least expects.

  当敌人安逸时，使他们疲劳。当敌人饱食时，使他们饥饿。当敌人扎营安定时，使他们移动。出动于敌人必救之地，活动于敌人意想不到之地。

  An army can travel for a thousand li without being exhausted if it moves along places where there are no enemies. To be certain to capture what you attack is to attack a place where the enemy does not defend, or where his defense is weak. To be certain to hold on to what you defend is to defend a place, such that the enemy does not have the courage to attack, or where the defense is made invulnerable to attacks. Thus, the person who is adept at offence, attacks places which the enemy does not know how to defend. The person adept at defense protects places such that the enemy has no idea how to attack. Such is the intricacy, and subtlety of an expert in warfare that he appears to be invisible and without trace. Such is the mystery of the expert in warfare that he is not heard or detected.

  行军千里而不觉疲劳，是因为行于无敌人阻碍之地。攻打敌人而必取，是因为攻击敌人不能守的地方。防守能稳固，是因为防守让到敌人不知如何攻击。所以，善于攻者，让敌人不知如何防守。善于守者，让敌人不知如何攻击。微妙啊微妙，微妙到无形可见；神奇啊神奇啊，神奇到无声可闻。所以这样的人可成为敌人的主宰。

  He is able to advance without resistance because he accelerates along areas that are not defended by the enemy. He is able to retreat without being pursued because he withdraws at a much faster speed than the enemy.

  前进而不受到抵御，是因为攻击其防守薄弱之处；撤退而不受敌人阻止，是因为迅速撤退到远处，使敌人赶不上。

  Thus, when I desire to go into battle, even if the enemy is behind high walls and deep moats, he will have no choice but to engage me because I attack where he needs to rescue or protect. When I do not desire to go into battle, even though I may be occupying any ground and not erecting any form of defense, the enemy will still be unable to start a battle with me. This is because I contradict the normal rules of engagement and prevent him from reaching his desired destination.

  所以如果我想打，敌人虽然有高垒深沟，也不得不与我战，因为我进攻敌人必定会救援的地方；如果我不想作战，即使画地界而防守，敌方也不会与我作战，因为我已把他引向别处或阻止他抵达目的地。

  Thus, if I can uncover the dispositions of the enemy while remaining concealed myself, I can keep my forces concentrated and united, and force those of the enemy to be divided and dispersed. If I can concentrate and unite my troops at one place, while those of the enemy are scattered at ten different places, then I can use my entire force against one tenth of his. Thus, I will be able to have numerical strength over him. If I can use a larger and stronger force to attack a smaller and inferior enemy force, those enemies will surely be defeated. If the enemy does not know where I am going to attack, he will have to defend many places. The more places he needs to defend, the more dispersed his force will be. Thus, I am able to engage a small part of his troops with my full force. If he strengthens the front, the rear will be weakened. If he strengthens the rear, his front will be weakened. If he defends his left, his right will be exposed. If he defends his right, his left will be exposed. If he tries to defend everywhere, he will be vulnerable everywhere.

  若知敌人兵形而我方兵形不被敌方所知，则我方兵力可集中在一处而敌方兵力被分散。我方集中在一处，敌方分散在十处，这就是说我方有十倍于兵力攻击敌人，造成我方有优势。能以众击寡，那么正面作战的敌人就少了。我与敌方交战的地点不为人知，敌方所要防备的地方就多；敌方所要防备的地方多，则我方所攻击的地方敌人就会少；前方设防则后方薄弱，后方设防则前方薄弱，左方设防则右方薄弱，右方设防则左方薄弱，处处设防，则处处薄弱。

  The inferiority or weakness in numbers is normally associated with the defending side. The superiority or strength in numbers is associated with the attacking side.

  劣势，是居于防守的一方；优势，是居于攻击的一方。

  If you know the terrain of the battleground and the exact date of engagement of battle, your army can travel a thousand li and still be ready for battle. If you do not know the location of the battleground and the exact date of engagement, then your left flank will not be able to rescue your right flank, and the right flank will not be able to rescue your left flank. The front will not be able to rescue the rear and the rear will not be able to rescue the front. This problem is compounded even more, considering that the farthest force may be ten li away or the nearer force only several li apart.

  预先知道作战地点和时间，才能千里行军而又可交战。不预先知道作战地点和时间，则左翼不能救右翼，右翼不能救左翼，前方不能救后方，后方不能救前方，更何况是远在数十里，或近在数里？

  Base
d on my analysis and evaluation, the army may have superiority in numbers, but does this mean that it has the definite advantage in winning battles? Thus I say: victories can be created by us. Although the enemy may have a larger and stronger force, he can be prevented from engaging me. Therefore, scheme to discover the plans of the enemy so as to know their likelihood of success. Provoke him so as to know his reasons and basis for movement and actions. Know his dispositions so as to know the vulnerability of the ground he is occupying. Throw some contests against the enemy so as to know his area of his strengths and weaknesses.

  依我看，越国的兵力虽多，但对它争取胜利会有什么帮助呢？胜利可以造成的，敌人虽多，但可以使它无法与我争斗。通过策略可知敌我双方优劣，通过挑动可知敌人活动之道理，同过调查可知地形，通过较量来得知双方实力强弱。

  The ultimate skill in the deployment of troops is to ensure that it has no fixed or constant formation and disposition. Without ascertainable formations, even the most well-placed and observant spy will not be able to probe and comprehend, and the wisest strategist will not be able to uncover your plans or plot against you. The victory gained as a result of adapting to the circumstances of the enemy will never be understood by the troops. Everyone may know the formation that I used to secure victory. However, no one will know the ways, methods and reasons behind how I went about creating that victory.

  所以部署兵队最高境界，是无任何形。无形，则深入我方的间谍刺探不到情报，敌方谋略者也想不出对策。运用多变战术引导众人取得胜利，众人也不了解如何取胜。人们知道我取得胜利的态势，可是不知我如何创造此态势。

  Therefore, the victory gained from each battle comes about because strategies and tactics are never repeated. Rather, they should vary according to the circumstances, with infinite possibilities. The principle underlying military deployment may be likened to water. It is the inherent characteristic of flowing water to flow from high places and hasten its movement in low places. In the same way, the disposition and deployment of an army should be to avoid strengths and attack weaknesses. Just as water controls its flow according to the characteristics of the terrain, an army should try to create its victory according to the situations of the enemy. So, in the conduct of war, there are no fixed situations and conditions, just like water has no constant shape and configuration. The persons who gains victories by adapting to the changing conditions and situations of the enemy can be considered a legend in warfare. Thus, there is no guaranteed victory among the five elements of nature. There is no permanency for each of the four seasons. There are days which are short and days which are long. There are changes in the shape of the moon throughout a month.

  所以作战胜利都不是重复旧方式，而是适应不同的态势而不变化无穷。兵力的部署应该像流水，水的流向从高向低，进攻敌人应该避开敌人坚实之处，而趋向薄弱之处。流水的方向是由地势决定，军队作战也应该根据不同敌人而决定制胜策略。所以军队作战没有固定的态势，如同水也没有固定的形状。能够根据敌人的变化而取得胜利者，可称之为“神”。所以五行相生相克，没有固定常胜，四季变化也没有固定的开始与结束，白昼有长短，月亮有圆缺。

  Chapter 7

  Military Maneuvers

  In any military campaign, the general will first receive orders from his ruler. He then assembles the troops and mobilizes the people. He must harmonize these diverse groups and build their relationships and comradery. However, none of these are more difficult than military maneuvers. The difficulty about the art of maneuvering is to convert difficult and torturous routes into direct accesses, and to turn disastrous circumstances into advantageous situations.

  一般用兵法则是，将帅从君主领命，招募士卒，组织与训练一支军队，和部署建立同生共死的关系等等。但这些并不难，而最难的是争取有利战机。争取有利战机的困难在于把迂回的路变为直路，把不利条件变为有利。

  Thus, advance by using indirect routes, and lure the enemy by offering enticements as bait. As such, while you may set off later than your enemy, you will be able to arrive earlier than him. The one who knows how to do this understands the use of direct and indirect strategies.

  用迂回的道路前进，并用利来引诱敌人，这样一来即使比敌人晚出发，也还能先到达战场。这就是懂得弯路和直路的道理。

  In maneuvering there are advantages to be gained and dangers and calamities as well. One who attempts to mobilize a complete and fully equipped army, so as to go after advantages and gains will be late in seizing them. One who sends a lightly equipped army to go after advantages and gains is likely to suffer severe losses of stores and supplies.

  An army may bundle up and keep wearing armor, in order to rush its movement forward through nights and days without rest, so that double the distance can be covered. It can travel 100 li to contend for advantages against the enemy. However, such an army is likely to risk having the generals of its three divisions captured. This is because the stronger and fitter men will be in front while the weaker ones are far behind. As a result, only one tenth of it will reach the destination. It can travel 50 li to contend for advantages against the enemy. In this case, the general of the vanguard will be humiliated and defeated. This is because only half the troops will arrive at the destination. It can travel 30 li to contend for advantages against the enemy, but only two thirds of the troops will arrive at the destination.

  It follows that an army without heavy equipment and supplies will perish. An army without sufficient food and grain will die. An army without sufficient stockpiles and reserves will not survive.

  军争有其有利的一面，也有其危险的一面。如果携带所有辎重与敌争利，则赶不上。若放弃所有辎重与敌争利，则辎重损失。因此，卷起盔甲，昼夜不停，加速赶路，走上一百里与敌争利，三军将领有可能被俘虏，体力好的士卒在前，体力不好的在后，一般只有十分之一的部队会抵达；若是五十里与敌争利，则上将军受折损，一般只有二分之一的部队会抵达；若是三十里与敌争利，一般只有三分之二的部队会抵达。所以军队没有足够辎重就会灭亡，没有足够粮食就会灭亡，没有足够物资积蓄就会灭亡。

  Thus, if the schemes and ploys of the neighboring warlords are not known, one should not be keen to enter into any alliances with them. Those who do not know the conditions of the forested mountains, the dangerous terrain of mountain paths, and the treacherous nature of swamps and marshes will not be able to conduct the movement of troops. Those who do not use local guides will not be able to gain the advantages of the terrain.

  所以，如果不知各诸侯的打算，则不可与之结交；如果不掌握地形，则不可行军；如果不用乡导，则不能得地利。

  Thus, war is based on who applies deception best. Move when there are advantages. Create changes in situations through the dispersion and concentration of forces. Thus, when in movement, be as swift as the wind. When in slow marches, be as majestic as the forest. When raiding, be as ferocious as the fire. When not in movement, be as steady as the mountains. When in concealment, be as inscrutable as the darkness. When attacking, be as overwhelming as the roar of thunder and merciless as the strike of lightning. When looting and plundering the villages, share the bounty with the troops; when occupying conquered territories, also share the bounty. Consider and deliberate carefully before deciding on any action. Those who can master beforehand the skill of using the indirect and direct approaches, strategies and schemes will win. Such is the art of maneuvering military forces.

  所以用兵打战要靠权变才能成功，有利可图则动，以分散或集中军队为变换战术。军队行动应该，快如疾风，慢如森林，掳掠如火，不动如山，不可窥测如阴暗，攻击冲锋如雷电；掳掠乡邑，所得分发给兵众；扩张�
�土，分发所得之利；权衡利害得失而后动。预先得知迂直之计能得胜。此乃军争之法。

  According to the Military and Political Guide, “In battles, as verbal communication cannot be heard clearly, cymbals and drums are used as commands.” As visual communication and eye contact are hampered, banners and flags are used as signals. Now the purpose of using cymbals, drums, flags and banners is to draw attention of the troops and focus them for combat under the direction of the commander. Once the troops are united as one body, the courageous ones will not advance forward by themselves and the cowardly ones will not retreat by themselves. This is the art of directing larges forces in battles.

  <<军政>> 说：“作战中用口令指挥无效，所以应该用金鼓；因为看不见，所以应该用。” 金鼓和金鼓，是用来统一全军行动的。全军统一，则勇者不会擅自前进，怯懦者不会擅自后退。这就是指挥军队的方法。

  For battles at night, use more torches and drums. For battles in the day, use more banners and flags. These different means of communication can be designed to influence the judgment of the enemy.

  夜战多用金鼓和火把指挥，白天作战则多用旌旗指挥军队，也可用它们误导敌人。

  Thus, they serve to destroy the morale of the enemy’s army. With regard to the generals of the enemy, they serve to rob them off their decisiveness. At the beginning of a military campaign, the fighting spirit of the forces is high. As the campaign progresses, the spirit of the forces become sluggish and tiredness sets in. Towards the end of the campaign, thoughts of returning home will set in. Therefore, the adept at warfare avoids engaging the enemy when their morale is high, and only attacks them when their spirits are sluggish, and the soldiers are homesick. This is how to control the morale factor.