Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China
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在战斗中没有立功的，罚戊守边疆三年。
Verse 1.7
If the army engages in a major battle and the commanding general dies, all of the subordinate officers whose commanding units of more than 500 men, who were not able to fight to the death with the enemy should be beheaded. All the troops near to the commanding general, on the left and right in protective formation, should be beheaded. As for the remaining officers and men in the army, those who have merit should be demoted by one grade. Those who do not have merit should be sent to three years’ border duty.
三军大战，如果大将战死，其部下凡是带领五百人以上的将吏，没有与敌死战的都处死，大将左右的亲兵凡当时在阵中的，都一律死，其余士兵有军功的降一级，没有军功的罚戍边三年。
Verse 1.8
If the squad of five loses a man in battle, or if a squad member dies in battle but they do not retrieve his corpse, then take away all the merit of his squad members. If they retrieve his corpse, then their crimes should all be pardoned.
战斗时伍内有逃亡的人，以及伍内有人战死而不能夺回他的尸体的，同伍的人都要剥夺军功，能够收回死者尸体的，都赦免其罪。
Verse 1.9
The army’s advantage and disadvantage lie in the strength of the state. Today if a person’s name appears as holding a particular military office, but in reality he is at home, then the office has not gained from his presence, and the household does not have the registration of his name. When troops are assembled to compose an army, it will have an empty name without substance. Outside of the state, it will be inadequate to repel enemies, while within the borders, it will be inadequate to defend the state. This is the way in which the army becomes insufficient; in which the general has his military grandeur taken away.
军队的利害得失，在于国家的编制名额与实际人数是否相符。现在不少士兵的名字列在军队，而本人却在家中，军队没有实际的兵员，家中没有本人的名字。国家调集士兵编成军队时，只有空的名额而无实际的兵员，对外不足以抵抗敌人，对内不足以守卫国家，这就是军队之所以战力不强，将帅之所以丧失威望的缘故。
Verse 1.10
In my opinion, when soldiers abandon their units and return home, the other members of their squad in the same barracks and their officers would be punished by taking their rations, to be put into the army’s provisions. Thus a person is nominally with the army, but in reality, double the ration is taxed from the household. The resources of the state are then expended, and the harvest of the people is naturally exhausted. How can the disaster of defeat be avoided in such a case?
我认为现在士兵逃亡回家的，就对原籍同伍的五家人和主管官吏，罚以粮食，充实仓库，作为军需物资，这样一来，名义上是一支军队，而民众却有两倍的负担，弄得国内空虚，民不聊生，怎能避免失败的灾难呢?
Verse 1.11
Today, if the rules are able to stop deserters from returning home, this prevents the loss of an army and is the first military victory. When the squads of five and ten are mutually bound to the point that in battle, the troops and officer will aid each other, this is the second military victory. If the general is able to establish his military grandeur and set a great example, the soldiers to master and follow instructions, while the commands and orders are clear and trusted, and attacking and defending are both properly executed, this is the third military victory.
现在以法令禁止士兵逃亡，能禁止士兵逃亡，这是战争取得胜利的第一个因素。平时什伍之内能互相联保，战时官兵就能互相救援，这是战争取得胜利的第二个因素。将帅能够树立威信，士兵能够听从指挥，号令明确坚定，攻守运用得当，是战争取得胜利的第三个因素。
Verse 1.12
I have heard that in antiquity, those who excelled in employing the army could motivate half of their officers and soldiers to fight to death in war. The next could motivate a third of their officers and soldiers to fight to death in war. And the next could motivate a tenth of their officers and soldiers to fight to death in war. One who could motivate half his troops to fight till death will have his military grandeur spread throughout the land. One who could motivate one third of his troops to fight till death is equivalent to the strength of the warlord. One who could motivate a tenth of his troops to fight till death can thoroughly execute orders given to him.
Thus I say that a mass of a million that does not follow orders is not as good as 10,000 men who fight. 10,000 men who fight are not as good as 100 men who are truly aroused. Thus rewards should be as clear as the sun and moon, credibility should be given accurately, like the cycle of the four seasons; orders should be like the Axe of Authority that commands with authority, and regulations are as sharp and clear as the famous sword Gan Chiang. Only when such conditions are met, officers and troops will follow orders.
我听说古代善于用兵的人，能使半数士卒甘愿战死，其次能使十分之三的士卒甘愿战死，其下能使十分之一的士卒甘愿战死。能使半数士卒甘愿战死的，威势可以驾凌天下。能使十分之三的士卒甘愿战死的，武力可以驾凌诸侯。能使十分之一的士卒甘愿战死的，号令可使士卒贯彻执行。
所以说，百万之众如不贯彻执行命令，还抵不上一万人齐心协力去战斗。用万人进行战斗，如果不贯彻执行命令，还抵不上百人齐心战斗。因此，奖赏要象日月当空那样光明，守信要象四时交替那样准确，号令要象斧钺那样威严，决断要象干将那样锐利。这样，士兵不服从命令的，就不会有了。
The Three Strategies of Huang Shigong
黄石公三略
The Three Strategies of Huang Shigong (黄石公三略) is a legendary military text which focuses on concepts of government, the administration of forces, the characteristics of a capable general, and implementing a system of rewards and punishments. The strategies are divided into “Upper”, “Middle” and “Lower”. Although called ‘The Three Strategies of Huang Shigong’, there is no agreement on historical authorship. It has been variously attributed to Huang Shigong and Jiang Ziya. Other scholars believe it may be a complete forgery. It is believed to have been written during the Han dynasty (c. 210 CE).
The Upper Strategy
The Upper Strategy - Popular Support
The ruler should focus on winning the minds of the capable, rewarding those of merit and having his policies adopted by the people. Thus, if he has the same wishes as the people, there is nothing he cannot accomplish. If he has the same hatred as the people, there is nothing he cannot overturn. Governing the state, and providing security for one's family, is a matter of gaining the people's trust. Losing control of the state and endangering one's family is a matter of losing the people's trust. At the end of the day, all people want to realize their ambitions.
做主将的方法，务必收揽那些杰出人物的心，赏赐禄位给有功的人，使自己的意志成为众人的意志。所以，与众人有共同的愿望，就没有做不成的事业，与众人有共同的仇恨，就没有不可战胜的敌人。国治家安，在于得人心。国亡家破，由于失人心。因为人们总是务实现自己的愿望的。
The Upper Strategy - Being Resolute and Flexible
Military theory states: The soft can counter the hard; the weak can counter the strong. Being soft at the appropriate time can be a virtue; being hard inappropriately can be a fault. The weak is what the people will help; pretending to be strong is what people will resent. Soft, hard, weak and strong - each has its appropriate place, and one should combine these four and use them where it is most appropriate. When neither the beginning nor end is visible, no one is able to gain full understanding. Heaven and Earth, like the myriad of things, also changes and transforms. Thus the commander should make changes and be flexible when the situation warrants. He should change and transf
orm in response to the enemy. He does not precede affairs; when the enemy realigns, he immediately adapts. Thus he is able to formulate inexhaustible strategies and methods of control to secure victory, sustain his gains, bring tranquility and order to the whole land, and settle the Nine Barbarians.[16] Such a strategist is a teacher for an emperor.
Everyone covets strength and power, but rare are those capable of using “soft” and “weak” appropriately. If one can use them well, he can protect his life. If the ruler can use them well, he will be able to adapt to change. Such principles can be promoted throughout the land, and threats can be met without requiring special accommodation. Using these principles, one can make enemy states submit.
Military theory states: If the ruler can be soft and hard, the future of his state will be increasingly bright. If the ruler can be weak and strong, his state will be increasingly prosperous. If purely soft and weak, his state will inevitably decline. If purely hard and strong, his state will inevitably be destroyed.
《军谶》说：柔能制刚，弱能制强。柔而恰当是美德，刚而不当是祸害，示弱的往往得到人们的同情和援助，逞能的常常遭到人们的怨恨和非难。柔有柔的用处，刚有刚的用处，弱有弱的用处，强有强的用处，应该把这四者巧妙地结合起来，因事制宜地加以运用。 还不知道事情的始末，人们就不能认识它。“天地神明”也是随着事物的推移而变化无常的。所以军事上也要根据敌情而变化，不要首先行动，而要随着敌人行动采取适当的对策。这样就能图谋制胜，无往不利，辅佐君主，树立天威，拯济天下，安定“九夷”。这样出谋划策的人，就能做帝王的老师。
所以说，人们没有不好强的，但却很少有人能掌握“柔能克刚，弱能胜强”这个微妙的道理。如果人们能掌握这个微妙的道理，就可以保全自己的性命，君主掌握了这个微妙的道理，就能够适应事物的变化。推行它可以遍布于天下，收起来可以藏之于心里，不须用房屋安置它，也不须用城郭保护它，只需在心中巧妙运用，就可以使敌国屈服了。
《军谶》说：既能用柔，又能用刚，国家就充满光明，既能用弱，又能用强，国家就更加昌盛。如果单纯用柔或单纯用弱，国家就必定削弱，单纯用刚或单纯用强，国家就必定灭亡。
The Upper Strategy - Talent and People
The basic principle of governing the state is to rely on those people who are capable. If you trust those who are capable, and employ them as if they were your four limbs, then all your plans will be accomplished. Your measures will follow each other as naturally as your four limbs, or the way the joints work with each other, without any hindrance.
治理国家的原则，在于依靠贤人和民众。信任贤人如腹心，使用民众如手足，就不会失策。这样，行动起来就象肢体相随，骨节相应，自然而然，巧妙得没有间隙。
The Upper Strategy - Handling People, the Enemy and Victory
The essence of governing the state and army lies in understanding the needs of the people and managing the affairs of the state.
Protect those who are in danger; bring happiness to those who are in fear; forgive and ask for the return of those who rebel; make right the injustice done to those who have been wronged; investigate all grievances that are submitted; raise up the lowly; suppress those who are strong and arrogant; destroy the enemy; enrich the greedy; use those who have desires; relieve those who are fearful; get close to good strategists; stay away from slanderers; check all negative comments; eliminate the rebellious; stifle those who act willfully; diminish the arrogant; summon and use those who turn their allegiance to you; settle those who submit to you; release those who surrender.
If you gain a strong position, defend it. If you gain a narrow defile, block it. If you gain a difficult position, encamp to hold it. If you secure a city, cut it up. If you seize territory, then divide it up. If you obtain spoils, distribute them.
When the enemy moves observe him; when he approaches, prepare for him. If the enemy is strong and morale is high, be deferential to make him more arrogant. If the enemy is well rested, avoid him. If the enemy has not made a move, be persistent with your resistance. If the enemy is a tyrant, use benevolence to comfort his people. If the enemy is rebellious, attack him in the name of righteousness. If your enemies are united, and in harmony, separate them. In accordance with the enemy's action, initiate relevant measures to repress him and use force to destroy him. Mislead him with false information; cause him to make mistakes and capture him when he does.
When you gain something, do not keep it for yourself. If you occupy a territory, do not set up a permanent defense. Do not occupy a city for too long. Establish a ruler within the population; do not take over the position. The governing direction should come from you but the credit should go to the officials. Such action is where the greatest benefit lies. Allow others to become the warlords, while you yourself become the emperor. Allow the warlords to run the states themselves and set their own taxation.
统军治国的兵诀，在于体察民心，处理各种事务。
对处境危险的人要予以保护；对心存畏惧的人要给与安抚；对叛国离乡的人要赦罪召还；对含冤受屈的人要予以昭雪；对有所申诉的人要为他查清；对才高位低的人要予以提拔；对恃强骄横的人要予以压制；对与我为敌的人要加以消灭；对爱财的人要多给些财物；对自愿效力的人要予以任用；对怕人揭短的人要予以隐讳；对有深谋远虑的人要加以亲近；听到谗言不要相信；听到坏话要反复核查；对谋反的人要杀掉他；对蛮横的人要挫折他；对骄傲自满的人要抑制他；对愿意归顺的人要招抚他；对已被征服的人要给予安置；对战败投降的人要给予宽恕。
占领了坚固的地方要守备，占领了险区的地方要阻塞，占领了难于攻取的要地要驻兵屯守，得到城邑要分赏给有功的人，得到土地要分封给出力的人，得到财物要分散给众人。
敌人行动时要注意侦察，敌人接近时要严加戒备，敌势强盛时要示弱使它骄傲，敌人以逸待劳就要避开它，敌人未犯就要坚决抵抗，敌人暴虐无道要用仁德安抚民众， 敌人背逆无理要用正义声讨，敌人和睦团结要使它分化。顺应敌之行动以挫败它，根据敌之形势而击破它，放出假情报使它发生过失，四面包围把它歼灭。
胜利不要归功于己，获得财物要分给众人，夺取城池不要旷日持久，立其国人为君，不要自取其位，决策出于自己，功劳归于将士；哪知这正是大利之所在啊！让别人当诸侯，自己当天子，使他们各保城邑，让他们各自征收赋税。
The Upper Strategy - How a Good Ruler Treats His People
Since ancient times, all rulers have venerated their ancestors, but few have treated the people as they should have been treated. Those rulers who venerated their ancestors did so because it was required of them by ancestral rules. Those who treated the people as they should have been treated showed the greatness of the ruler. A ruler who treats his people well concentrates on agriculture and silk production and does not disturb the people during their vital seasonal occupations. He also keeps taxes and impositions to a minimum, not exhausting the wealth of the people. If a ruler imposes few labor services and does not cause the people to be over-labored, the state will be prosperous and families will enjoy happiness. Only then, does the good ruler select officers to control and supervise the people.
Good officers are men of valor and character. Thus it is said that drawing men of valor and character from enemy states will impoverish the enemies. These valiant men are the pillars of the state and the commoners are the roots. Securing the pillars and the roots, the measures of the government can then be implemented without resentment.
世上的君主多能尊敬他的祖先，但很少能爱护他的民众。尊敬祖先只是家族的礼法，爱护民众才是君主的盛德。爱护民众的君�
�，重视农桑，不侵占农时，减轻赋税，不使民众贫穷，减少摇役，不使氏力疲困。这样，国家富足，家庭快乐了，然后选“士”去管理他们。所谓“士”，就是英雄人物。所以说，收罗了敌国的英雄，敌国就会陷于困窘。英雄是国家的骨干，民众是国家的根本，获得了骨千，掌握了根本，政令就会通行而不致引起民众的不满。
The Upper Strategy - Attracting the Capable
The essence of employing the army lies in respecting the forms of propriety and making salaries generous. When propriety is observed, wise officers will come. When salaries are generous, righteous officers will disregard death. Thus when granting salaries to the capable, do not begrudge the expense, and when rewarding them, do not delay. Only then, subordinates will unite together and then the enemy states will be reduced.
The way to employ those who are capable is to honor them with ranks, and remunerate them generously with material goods, and then the capable will come forward on their own accord. Welcome them according to the forms of propriety; stimulate them with righteousness, and then the officers will be willing to lay down their lives for the state.
用兵的要诀，在于有隆重的礼节和优厚的俸禄。礼节隆重，有智谋的人就会自动到来，俸禄优厚有义气的人就乐于效死。所以，用厚禄优待贤人，不要吝惜财物，奖赏有功的人不要拖延时间，这样，就能使部属同心协力而削弱敌国。用人的方法是，封爵位尊重他，给资财赡养他，“士”就会自愿投效。用礼节接待他，用大义鼓励他，“士”就会以死相报。
The Upper Strategy - How Good Generals Treat Their Armies
Those who command an army must share in the advantages and disadvantages of the officers and men; they must share in both safety and danger. Only then can they confidently confront the enemy, gain full victory and completely destroy the enemy. Once in antiquity, when a great general was presented with a cask of good wine, he ordered the wine poured into the river, and then he shared the drinking of wine with his officers and men as it flowed downstream. Although a cask of wine is unable to flavor a river of water, the men and officers of the army were motivated to fight to the death because their general’s regard for them touched them personally.