Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  所以将帅应该以文明与人性来喝令士卒，用军纪、军法来来统一士卒。这样的军队打起战来会取得胜利。平时能认真贯彻命令、教育士卒，士卒就能养成服从的习惯；平时不认真贯彻命令、不教育士卒，士卒就会养成不服从的习惯；平时能认真执行命令，是由于将帅与士卒相互取得信任的缘故。

  Chapter 10

  Terrain

  There are different kinds of terrain, such as: communicative ground, entrapping ground, indifferent ground, constricted ground, key ground and distant ground.

  地形有“通”“挂”“支”“隘”“险”“远”等六种。

  An area that is easily accessible to me and the other side is considered as a communicative ground. On a communicative ground, the priority is to occupy a high and sunny position that is convenient and beneficial for overseeing the supply routes for food and rations. In this way, advantages in battle are gained.

  我可以去、敌可以来的地域，叫做“通”。在通形地域，要抢先地势高而又向阳，沟通并保护粮道，这样与敌交战就比较有利。

  An area that is easy to enter but difficult to retreat from is called an entrapping ground. On an entrapping ground, when the enemy is ill-prepared in defense, one can launch attacks to capture successfully. However, if the enemy proves to be well prepared and the assault fails, one is hard put to beat a retreat, and is thus placed in a very disadvantageous position.

  可以前进，难以后退的地域称作为“挂”。在挂形地域，敌人若无防备，就可以出击取胜；若敌人有所防备，出击而不能胜，又难以退回，就不利了。

  An area that is not advantageous for occupation for both sides is called an indifferent ground. On an indifferent ground, should the enemy throw out bait, one must never take it, nor launch an attack. Instead, one should pretend to retreat and, in turn, lure the enemy out. When half of his troops have been drawn out, it is then advantageous to launch an attack.

  敌我双方出击都不利，此地域称作为“支”；在支地，纵然敌人如何引诱我方，我方都不可出击；可引兵离去，诱使敌人前出一半时，我军突然出击，就有利。

  On a constricted ground, one must be the first to occupy it; one should then fortify the strategic access points with troops and await the arrival of the enemy. If the enemy occupies the constricted ground first and has already fortified the strategic access points, refrain from attacking. Only attack the strategic access points when they are weak and not fortified.

  在隘形地域，若我方先占领，应当用重兵占领隘口；若敌人先占领，并以重兵把守隘口，不可攻击，若没重兵把守，就因该迅速攻击隘口。

  On key ground, first occupy and then camp on higher, sunnier ground to await the arrival of the enemy. If the enemy occupies the key ground first, he has to be lured away. One must not follow to attack him.

  在险形地域者，如果我军先到达，应占据地势高而向阳的地方，等待来犯的敌人；如果敌军先占据，就应引敌军离去，而不追击。

  On a distant ground, if both forces are equally matched, it becomes difficult for one to provoke the other into battle, as there is no advantage to be gained in a direct battle.

  在远形地域，双方势均力敌，不宜挑战，勉强求战，于我不利。

  The natural laws of terrain underlie these six types of ground. It is the general’s responsibility to study and examine their characteristics thoroughly.

  以上六点，是利用地形的法则；观察地形是当将帅的一大责任。

  An army suffers from flight, insubordination or collapse. It may also suffer from ruin, disorganization and rout. The six calamities mentioned are not due to natural causes but are the fault of the general.

  军队失败的六种情况是“走”“弛”“陷”“崩”“乱”和“北”。这六种情况，非天灾，而是将帅的过失。

  Even when all other conditions and characteristics are comparable, if an army insists on attacking an enemy force ten times its size, the result will be flight. When the soldiers are strong and courageous but the officers are weak and cowardly, the result will be insubordination. When the officers are strong and brave but the soldiers are weak and timid, the result will be collapse. When the senior officers are angry and insubordinate because of the general’s failure to recognize their capabilities, and they engage the enemy in a spirit of resentment and act out of their own will, the result will be ruin. When the general is weak and lacks discipline, when his orders and instructions are not enlightened, when his officers and men do not have clear lines of responsibilities, and when the command structure and formations are confusing, the result is disorganization. When the general, unable to assess the enemy’s character, allows a smaller force to strike a larger one, pitting its weakness against the enemy’s strengths, and having no elite troops at the front, the result will be rout. The above six situations are definite causes of defeat. It is again the responsibility of the general to study these situations thoroughly.

  在敌我条件相当的情况下，如果攻击十倍于我的敌人，因而失败，这称作为“走”。兵卒强悍而将吏懦弱,因而失败，称作为“弛”。将吏强悍而兵卒懦弱,因而失败，称作为“陷”。偏将怨怒而不服从指令，遇到敌人，擅自率军出战，主将又不肯定他们能否取胜，因而失败，称作为“崩”。主将软弱又不威严，训练没有章法，吏卒无所遵循，布阵杂乱无章，因而失败，这称作为“乱”。将帅不能判断敌情，以少击众，以弱击强，作战又没有精锐作骨干，因而失败，这称作为“北”。以上六种情况，必然造成失败，观察军队是否有以上的情况是当将帅的一大责任。

  Advantages of terrain are exploited to complement the deployment of troops. The general must be able to also assess the enemy so as to secure victories. He must be able to determine the characteristics of terrain to understand its dangers, distance, scope and coverage in the use of battle. Those are the moral responsibilities of the supreme commander. He who knows these factors and applies them in battle will win. He who does not know these factors, nor applies them will be defeated in battle.

  地形是用兵作战的辅助条件。正确判明敌情，研究地形险易，计算道路远近，这是将帅的责任。懂得这些并能用来指导作战，就必然胜利。不懂得这些道理去指挥作战，就必然失败。

  If an assessment of the battle situations is one of definitive victory, the general must engage in battle even though the ruler has issued orders not to do so. If an assessment of the battle situation is one of definitive defeat, the general must not engage in battle, even though the ruler has issued orders to do so. The loyal general is thus able to advance in battle without thought of seeking personal fame or glory. He retreats without fear of punishment. His concerns are always on protecting the welfare of the people and the upholding of interest of the ruler. Such a general is a precious talent that is favored by the nation.

  所以如果根据战场实际确有必胜把握，即使国君命令不许打，也可以坚决去打；如果根据战场实际不能取胜，即使国君命令打也可以不打。所以，进不求名誉，推不避罪责，只求保护民众和维护国君的根本利益，这样的将帅，是国家最宝贵的财产。

  When the general regards his troops as infants, they will be willing to follow him through the greatest threats and gravest danger. When the general treats his troops like beloved sons, they will be willing to support and die for him. An army may be so overly pampered by the general that it cannot be useful, so excessively loved that it cannot be commanded and so disorderly that it cannot be disciplined. Such an army is like a bunch of spoiled and arrogant brats, and cannot be deployed.

  将帅对待士卒能够像对待婴儿那样关切，士卒就可以随将帅赴汤蹈火；将帅对待士卒像对待自己的儿子那样，士卒就会与将帅共患难、共生死。但是
，对待士卒如果厚待而不能使用，溺爱而不能命令，违法乱纪也不能严肃处理，这样的军队就像娇惯的子女一样，不能用来作战。

  If I know that my troops are capable of attacking the enemy, but do not know if the enemy is invulnerable to being attacked, the chance of victory is half. If the enemy is vulnerable to attack, but I am unaware that my troops are incapable of the task, the chance of victory is only half. In war, I may know that the enemy is vulnerable to attack and my troops are capable of attacking. But, if I do not know that the terrain is not favorable for the conduct of such assault, then the chance of victory is half.

  只了解我军能打，而不了解敌军不可以打，胜利的可能性只有一半；了解敌军可打，而不了解我军不能打，胜利的可能性也只有一半；了解敌军可打，也了解我军能打，而不了解地形不利于作战，胜利的可能性仍然只有一半。

  Thus, he who is adept at warfare, when deploying his troops for battle, is never confused or misguided. When he mounts a military campaign, he never runs out of strategies or plans. Thus it is said: Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will not be threatened. Know the weather, know the terrain, and your victories will be limitless.

  所以真正懂得用兵的人，行动起来目的明确而不迷惑，采取措施或谋略变化无穷而不呆板；所以，了解敌人，了解自己，争取胜利不会有危险；懂得天时，懂得地利，胜利可保全。

  Chapter 11

  The Nine Battlegrounds

  In the deployment of troops, there are nine types of ground:

  Dispersive ground

  Frontier ground

  Key ground

  Communicative ground

  Focal ground

  Serious ground

  Treacherous ground

  Constricted ground

  Death ground

  用兵的方法，有散地，有轻地，有争地，有交地，有衡地，有重地，有圮地，有围地，有死地。有

  When the warlords are fighting in their own territory, it is on dispersive ground. When a force has just made a shallow penetration into the territory of the enemy, it is considered to be on frontier ground. A terrain is equally advantageous for the general and the other side to occupy is considered key ground.

  诸侯在自己境内作战，叫做散地。进入敌国但入境不深，叫做轻地。我军得到有利，敌军得到也有利的战地，叫做争地。

  An area that is easily accessible to me and to the other side is considered communicative ground. When a territory is surrounded by three other states, and when its seizure by any of the states is crucial to the determination of supremacy over the rest, then the surrounding territory is considered focal ground. When an army has penetrated deep into the territory of the enemy, leaving behind hostile fortified cities and towns, it is considered to be on serious ground.

  我可以往，敌可以来的地区，叫做交地。与多国交接，先到达就可以得天下之众的地区，叫做衢地。进入敌国而且入境深，经过的城邑多的地区，叫做重地。

  When an army is moving along forested mountains, dangerous mountain passes, swamps, marshlands, difficult paths and roads, it is considered to be on treacherous ground. An area that can only be reached through narrow passes, that allows retreat only through dangerous and crooked paths and where a small force of the enemy is sufficient to strike a larger force of yours, is classified as constricted ground. An area in which one can only survive through fearless fighting, and will definitely perish if one does not, is called a death ground.

  山林、险阻、沼泽，一切难以行走的道路，叫做圮地。进口狭隘，退路迂曲，敌军能以其少胜我多的地区，叫做围地。迅速作战则能生存，不迅速作战则覆灭的地区，叫做死地。

  Therefore, when on dispersive ground, do not engage in battle. When on frontier ground, do not stop advancement of troops. When the enemy is occupying key ground, do not launch assaults. When on communicative ground, ensure that your forces are not separated. When on focal ground, you must attempt to befriend and ally with neighboring states. When on serious ground, forage on the supplies and resources of the enemy. When on treacherous ground, hurry the movement of the troops. When on constricted ground, plan and strategize. When on death ground, fight relentlessly.

  所以散地不宜作战，轻敌不宜停留，争地不宜进攻，交地行军不可间断，衢地当四面结交诸侯，重地当掠取粮物，圮地当迅速通过，围地当设制计谋，死地应拼死而战。

  It is said that the skillful military strategists of the past were able to ensure that the front and rear troops of the enemy could not reinforce each other on time. They ensured that the larger and smaller forces of the enemy would not be able to support nor rely on one another. They ensured that the officers and men of the enemy would not be able to rescue each other. They ensured that the commands and orders of the enemy from top to bottom would not be accepted nor obeyed. As a result, the troops of the enemy would be scattered and unable to concentrate. Even when they manage to gather together, they could never have a complete and orderly army. Move only when there are advantages to be gained. Cease when there are no advantages to be gained.

  古代善于用兵的将帅，能使敌人前面和后面不相衔接，主力和非主力不相策应，官兵不相救援，上级与下级失去团结，士卒溃散难以集中，即使兵力集中也不能保持整齐。对我方有利就行动，对我方无利就停止。

  When I am asked: What can be done to an approaching enemy that is superior in numbers, orderly and well-commanded? I would suggest: Be first to capture something the enemy treasures most and he will accede to your demands.

  试问：如果敌人人数众多而且又阵势严整地前来与我作战，应用什么方法对付？ 回答是： 先夺敌人要害就能使他听从于我。

  Speed is of the essence in the use and deployment of troops in war. Exploit the enemy who is unprepared. Travel routes that he does not expect nor is concerned about. Attack your enemy in places expected least.

  用兵关键在于速度，乘敌人尚未赶到，走敌人意想不到的道路，去攻击敌人没有防备的地方.

  The principles governing an invading force are as follows: when you have penetrated deep into the territory of the enemy, your forces must be highly focused and concentrated so that the enemy will not be able to overwhelm you. You must be able to forage and live off the resources of the enemy, so that your troops will have adequate food and supplies. Nourish and nurture the troops prudently and do not tire them unnecessarily. Unite the spirit and morale of the troops and conserve and accumulate their combat prowess. When deploying the troops, use strategies and plans that are beyond the predictions of the enemy.

  一般对敌国进攻的规律是，越深入敌境，士卒的意志越须专一，让防守之敌越是不能抵御；掠取富饶的乡村，三军就有足够粮食；注意休整军队，不使之过于劳累，鼓足士气，养精蓄锐；部署兵力，设制计谋，使敌人无法揣测我方意图。

  Place your troops in positions where they cannot escape and they will fight fearlessly unto death, with no thought of fleeing. This is because when they are not afraid to die, the officers and men will give their utmost for battle. When the troops are trapped in dangerous and treacherous situations, they will lose their sense of fear. When they have nowhere to flee, they will be firm and resilient in their fighting spirit. When they have penetrated deep into hostile territory, they will be extra cautious in action. When there is no other choice left, they will fight fearlessly. Thus, such an army requires no instruction to be vigilant and ready for combat. The troops require no asking in order to do what is expected of them. No discipline is needed to gain their close rapport and support. No other orders are needed to obtain their trust and reliance. Such an army forbids superstitious practices and casts away doubts and rumors, thus enabling it to confront death without any fear.

>   把军队投之于无路可走的境地，士卒就会宁可战死也不会败退，而既然宁死不退，就会竭尽全力。军队陷于危险的境地就会无所畏惧，而无路可走，军心就会稳固。如敌境越深就会越拘束，迫不得已就会奋战到底。所以不用训练也会戒备，不用强求也能做到，不用约束也会亲附，不用命令也会遵守，禁绝占卜，祛除疑虑，即使战死也不会逃跑。

  My officers and men do not have excess wealth; but it is not because they detest the accumulation of material possessions. They do not fear for their lives, but it is not because they do not yearn for longevity. On the day when the orders for war are issued, the troops will weep; those sitting down will have their tears and mucus wetting their garments. Those lying down will have their tears streaming down their cheeks. However, when thrown into positions of no escape, they will display the fearless courage of Zhuan Zhu and Cao Gui.[9]

  我军士卒没有多余的钱财，并不是他们不爱钱财，不贪生怕死，也不是不想长寿。作战命令下达的时候，士卒们坐着的泪湿衣襟，躺着泪流满面，把他们投之于无路可走的绝地，他们就会向专诸、曹刿一样勇敢。

  Thus the army adept in warfare may be likened to the snake, Shuai Ran. The Shuai Ran is a snake found in the Chang Mountains. When you strike its head, its tail will attack you. When you strike its tail, its head will attack you. When you strike its body, both its head and tail will attack you.

  所以，善于用兵的将帅，就好像率然一样。率然是恒山的一种蛇，打它的头，尾巴就会来救应，打它的尾巴，头就会来救应，打它的身子，头和尾巴都会来救应。

  When I am asked: Can the deployment of troops have the same capability as the Shuai Ran? My answer is: It is possible. It was said that the people and soldiers of the kingdom of Wu and Yue hated one another tremendously. However, if they were placed in the same boat facing strong and threatening winds, they would cooperate and help one another like a left hand and a right hand. Thus it is not sufficient to rely on tying up the horses and burying the wheels of the chariots as a means to control the army. The effective deployment of both the strong and weak forces depends on the understanding and exploitation of the terrain. Thus the adept in warfare leads his army as if he was leading a single person; this is inevitable.