Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  如果要打击强大的敌人，应当设法使之分散兵力，然后各个击破。与其向敌人面前进攻，不如在他空虚的后方给以痛击。

  This strategy derives its name from a famous incident that occurred in 354 BC. At this time, one of China's most renowned strategists, Sun Bin, a descendent of Sun Tzu (Sun Zi), was an advisor to the Lord of the State of Qi. Sun Bin had previously been at the court of the State of Wei, but another minister, Pang Juan, who is believed to have had the same teacher as Sun Bin, became jealous of his cleverness. He had Sun Bin framed as a spy, sentenced to the mutilation of having his kneecaps removed, and imprisoned; but Sun Bin escaped and fled to the State of Qi.

  Several years later, the Lord of the State of Wei appointed the same Pang Juan as commander of the army, and sent him to attack the capital of the State of Zhao. The Lord of Zhao, Han Dan, appealed to the State of Qi for help. When the Lord of Qi consulted his advisors, they all spoke in favor of immediately sending aid to their ally. Only Sun Bin recommended against attacking immediately. Sun Bin advised: “To intervene between two warring armies is like trying to divert a tidal wave by standing in its path. It would be better to wait until both armies have worn themselves out.” The Lord agreed to wait.

  The siege of Zhao had lasted more than a year before Sun Bin decided the time was ripe to come to Zhao's aid. The King of Qi appointed prince Tian Ji as general and Sun Bin as military advisor. Tian Ji planned to attack the Wei forces directly to lift the siege of Zhao, but again Sun advised against direct intervention saying: “Since most of Wei's troops are out of the country engaged in the siege, their own defenses must be weak. By attacking the capital of Wei, we will force the Wei army to return to defend their capital; thereby lifting the siege of Zhao. This will provide the opportunity to destroy the Wei forces.” Tian Ji agreed to the plan and divided his army into two parts, one to attack the capital of Wei, and the other to prepare an ambush along the route to the capital.

  When the Wei general, Pang Juan, heard that the capital was being attacked, he broke off the siege of Wei and rushed his army back to defend his capital. Weakened and exhausted from the year long siege and the forced march, the Wei troops were caught completely by surprise in the ambush and suffered heavy losses. Zhao was thus rescued, while Pang Juan barely escaped back to Wei to recoup his losses.

  事见《史记．孙子吴起列传》，是讲战国时期齐国与魏国的桂陵之战。公元前354年，魏惠王欲释失中山的旧恨，便派大将庞涓前去攻打。这中山原本是东周时期魏国北邻的小国被魏国收服，后来赵国乘魏国国丧伺机将中山强占了，魏将庞涓认为中山不过弹丸之地，距离赵国又很近，不若直打赵国都城邯郸，既解旧恨又一举双得。魏王从之，欣欣然似霸业从此开始，即拨五百战车以庞涓为将，直奔赵国围了赵国都城邯郸。赵王急难中只好求救于齐国，并许诺解围后以中山相赠。齐威王应允，令田忌为将，并起用从魏国救得的孙膑为军师领兵出发。这孙膑曾与庞涓同学，对用兵之法谙熟精通。魏王用重金将他聘得，当时庞涓也正事奉魏国。庞涓自觉能力不及孙膑，恐其贤于己，遂以毒刑将孙膑致残，断孙两足并在他脸上刺字，企图使孙不能行走，又羞于见人。后来孙膑装疯，幸得齐使者救助，逃到齐国。这是一段关于庞涓与孙膑的旧事。

  且说田忌与孙膑率兵进入魏赵交界之地时，田忌想直逼赵国邯郸，孙膑制止说：解乱丝结绳，不可以握拳去打，排解争斗，不能参与搏击，平息纠纷要抓住要害，乘虚取势，双方因受到制约才能自然分开。现在魏国精兵倾国而出，若我直攻魏国。那庞涓必回师解救，这样一来邯郸之围定会自解。我们再于中途伏击庞涓归路，其军必败。田忌依计而行。果然，魏军离开邯郸，归路中又陷伏击与齐战于桂陵，魏部卒长途疲惫，溃不成军，庞涓勉强收拾残部，退回大梁，齐师大胜，赵国之围遂解。

  3. Kill with a Borrowed Knife

  When the enemy has been identified, and the intentions of one’s allies are unclear, it is advisable to use the allies to attack the enemy. This will establish the loyalty of the allies and fight off the enemy without incurring any costs.

  敌方已经明确，而盟友的态度还未明朗，那诱使盟友去消灭敌人，自己不必付出代价。

  Toward the end of the Spring and Autumn Era, Lord Jian of the State of Qi was preparing to send an expedition against the State of Lu. The State of Lu was no match for the State of Qi. Therefore, the State of Lu was in a panic. Zi Gong, a disciple of Confucius, analyzed the situation and came to the conclusion that only the State of Wu was a match for the State of Qi. Thus he thought of using Wu to attack Qi.

  Zi Gong went to see Tian Chang, who was then one of the highest ranking officials in Qi, one who wished to obtain more power from the Lord of Qi. Zi Gong advised Tian Chang that since he was opposed by the Commander of the Army, he should make things difficult for the Commander. Instead of having the Commander of the Army gain credit by defeating Lu, why not get him to attack State of Wu instead, which would be more difficult. Tian Chang liked the idea, but since Qi was prepared to attack Lu, he wondered how he could change the mind of the Lord of Qi. Zi Gong said, “This is easy. Let me persuade the State of Wu to save Lu. This will give the Lord of Qi reasons to change the target.”

  So Zi Gong traveled to the State of Wu. There Zi Gong said to the Lord of Wu, Fu Chai, “When the State of Qi has defeated Lu, their next target will be State of Wu. Why not make the first move and attack the State of Qi now?” Fu Chai agreed but was worried about being attacked from his rear by the State of Zhao. So, Zi Gong went to the State of Zhao, and managed to persuade them to join in the battle, thus securing the rear for Wu.

  After travelling to the three states, Zi Gong had apparently achieved his goal, but after further analysis, he realized that the future of Lu was still not secure. So he went to the State of Jin and spoke to Lord Ding. He told Lord Ding, “If the State of Wu manages to conquer Qi, their next target would be State of Jin, so please make preparation for an expedition from Wu.”

  In 484 BC, Lord Fu Chai of the State of Wu led his army of 103,000 men on an expedition against State of Qi. The Qi army was ambushed by Wu, and several generals including the Commander of the Army were killed. Qi suffered huge losses and brokered for peace. As expected, Lord Fu Chai, after winning the battle, wanted to use his momentum to attack Jin and then Lu. However, on the advice of Zi Gong, Jin was prepared, and managed to fend off Wu. Zi Gong had finally achieved his goal by using the strategy twice: First by using State of Wu to save Lu and second by using the State of Jin to fend off the State of Wu.

  春秋末期，齐简公兴兵伐鲁。鲁国实力不敌齐国，形势危急。孔子的弟子子贡分析形势，认为唯吴国可与齐国抗衡，可借吴国兵力挫败齐国军队。于是子贡游说齐相田常。田常当时蓄谋篡位，急欲铲除异己。子贡以”忧在外者攻其弱，忧在内者攻其强”的道理，劝他莫让异己在攻弱鲁中轻易主动，扩大势力，而应攻打吴国，借强国之手铲除异己。田常心动，但因齐国已作好攻鲁的部署，转而攻吴怕师出无名。子贡说：”这事好办。我马上去劝说吴国救鲁伐齐，这不是就有了攻吴的理由了吗？”田常高兴地同意了。子贡赶到吴国，对吴王夫差说：”如果齐国攻下鲁国，势力强大，必将伐吴。大王不如先下手为强，联鲁攻齐，吴国不就可抗衡强晋，成就霸业了吗？”子贡马不停蹄，又说服赵国，派兵随吴伐齐，解决了吴王的后顾之忧。子贡游说三国，达到了预期目标，他又想到吴国战胜齐国之后，定会要挟鲁国，鲁国不能真正解危。于是他愉偷跑到晋国，向晋定公陈述利害关系：吴国伏鲁成功，必定转而攻晋，争霸中原。劝晋国加紧备战，以防吴国进犯。

  公元前484年，吴王夫差亲自挂帅，率十万精兵及三千越兵攻打齐国，鲁国立即派兵助战。齐军中吴军诱敌之计，陷于
重围，齐师大败，主帅及几员大将死于乱军之中。齐国只得请罪求和。夫差大获全胜之后，骄狂自傲，立即移师攻打晋国。晋国因早有准备，击退吴军。子贡充分利用齐、吴、越、晋四国的矛盾，巧妙周旋，借吴国之刀”，击败齐国；借晋国之”刀”，灭了吴国的威风。鲁国损失微小，却能从危难中得以解脱。

  4. Conserve Energy while Exhausting Enemies

  Put the enemy in difficult situations; avoid a direct attack in the initial stage. Reduce the advantages of your enemy; turn him from strong to weak

  要使敌人处于困难的境地，不是直接出兵攻打，而是采取能消耗敌人锐利的方法，令敌人由盛变衰、由强变弱。

  At the end of the Warring States Period, the State of Qin sent an expedition, with Li Xing as the Commander of the Army, to attack the State of Chu. At first the aggressive Li Xing was able to capture several cities in Chu, but then met with strong resistance from the Chu army, which was headed by Xiang Yan, who was able to ambush Li Xing’s army and dealt them heavy losses.

  Before long, the Lord of Qin replaced Li Xing with Wang Jian, an old and experience general. Wang Jian had no intention of launching further attacks right away. Instead he concentrated on building up his defenses. The Chu army was on high alert and anxious to ward off further attacks by the Qin army; but for a year there were no attacks. The Qin army had dug in and was resting and eating well.

  When the Chu forces saw that the Qin had no intention of attacking, but were merely prepared to defend, they begin to let their guard down, and Xiang Yan began to pull back the Chu army to their capital. On seeing the Chu army's movement, Wang Jian seized the opportunity to let loose his army onto the unsuspecting Chu. Being well-rested, the Qin army was unstoppable. They dealt a huge blow to the Chu. Riding on the momentum, the Qin army marched into the heart of Chu state and, in 223 BC, the Qin annexed Chu.

  以逸待劳，语出于《孙子．军争篇》：以近待远，以佚（同逸）待劳，以饱待饥，此治力者也。”又，《孙子．虚实篇》：”凡先处战地而待敌者佚（同逸），后处战地而趋战者劳。故善战者，致人而不致于人。” 原意是说，凡是先到战场面等待敌人的，就从容、主动，后到达战场的只能仓促应战，一定会疲劳、被动。所以，善于指挥作战的人，总是调动敌人，而决不会被敌人调动。

  战国末期，秦国少年将军李信率二十万军队攻打楚国，开始时，秦军连克数城，锐不可挡。不久，李信中了楚将项燕伏兵之计，丢盔弃甲，狼狈而逃，秦军损失数万。后来，秦王又起用已告老还乡的王翦。王翦率领六十万军队，陈兵于楚国边境。楚军立即发重兵抗敌。老将王翦毫无进攻之意，只是专心修筑城池，摆出一派坚壁固守的姿态。两军对垒，战争一触即发。楚军急于击退秦军，相持年余。王翦在军中鼓励将士养精蓄锐，吃饱喝足，休养生息。秦军将士人人身强力壮，精力充沛，平时操练，技艺精进，王翦心中十分高兴。一年后，楚军绷紧的弦早已松懈，将士已无斗志，认为秦军的确防守自保，于是决定东撤。王翦见时机已到，下令追击正在撤退的楚军。秦军将士人人如猛虎下山，只杀得楚军溃不成军。秦军乘胜追击，势不可挡，公元前223年，秦灭楚。

  5. Loot a Burning House

  When the enemy is in a difficult situation, one must seize the opportunity to attack, and use the momentum to obtain victory.

  敌方出现危难时，就要乘机进攻夺取胜利。这是强大者利用优势，抓住战机，制服弱敌的策略。

  During the Spring and Autumn Era, the State of Wu and the State of Yue were constantly fighting each other. After many years of fighting, Yue finally succumbed to Wu. The Lord of Yue, Gou Jian, was captured and sent to the Wu as a slave. He vowed to resurrect his state. So, on the surface, he pretended to be obedient towards Lord of Wu, Fu Chai and ultimately managed to gain his trust. Finally, Gou Jian was released back to Yue as its administrator. At Yue, Gou Jian continued his presence, paying tribute to Wu every year. This behavior relaxed Fu Chai's guard against Yue, and allowed its military and economy to be strengthened.

  In the meantime, Fu Chai was so impressed by his repeated victories that he became very arrogant. He began to build lavish palaces and appointed deferential and incompetent officials. He suppressed advice and opinions against him, causing great disarray in Wu. In 473 BC, Wu suffered poor a harvest. During that time, the stronger lords would attend an annual celebration that was, in actual fact, a show of strength of each state. Wu being one of the strong states was no exception. Although provisions were scarce due to the poor harvest, Fu Chai brought most of his army to the ceremony. Gou Jian took the opportunity to launch an attack on Wu and managed to seize it without much effort.

  春秋时期，吴国和越国相互争霸，战事频繁。经过长期战争，越国终因不敌吴国，只得俯首称臣。越王勾践被扣在吴国，失去行动自由。勾践立志复国，十年生聚，十年教训，卧薪尝胆。表面上对吴王夫差百般逢迎，终于骗得夫差的信任，被放回越国。因国之后，勾践依然臣服吴国，年年进献财宝，麻痹夫差。而在国内则采取了一系列富国强兵的措施。越国几年后实力大大加强，人丁兴旺，物资丰足，人心稳定。吴王夫差却被胜利冲昏了头脑，被勾践的假象迷惑，不把越国放在眼里。他骄纵凶残，拒绝纳谏，杀了一代名将忠臣伍子胥，重用奸臣，堵塞言路。生活淫靡奢侈，大兴土木，搞得民穷财尽．公元前473年，吴国颗粒难收，民怨沸腾。越正勾践选中吴王夫差北上和中原诸侯在黄池会盟的时机，大举进兵吴国，吴国国内空虚，无力还击，很快就被越国击破灭亡。勾践的胜利，正是乘敌之危，就势取胜的典型战例。

  6. Feign East and Attack in the West

  By feigning in one direction and attacking in another, the enemy will be in chaos and will have no idea what might happen next. This is similar to the Cui sign in the Book of Changes. One should seize the opportunity to attack the enemy when he is thus unprepared.

  敌人乱得像野生的草，意料不道所要发生的事，这是《易经》萃卦中所说的那种混乱溃败的象征。因此，要利用敌人不能自主的机会去夺取胜利。

  During the period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Ban Chao was sent to Xiyu with the goal of persuading the smaller countries to join forces with the Han forces to attack Xiongnu. In order for the alliances to work, the Han forces, together with their allies the Yu Tian, would have to create a north-south corridor, which cut across the small country of Sha Che. No friend to Han, Sha Che had been trying to rally the other smaller countries to succumb to Xiongnu and go against the Han. So, Ban Chao decided to attack Sha Che.

  On becoming aware of the situation, Sha Che sought reinforcements from Gui Ci, who sent a force of 50,000 men. Ban Chao, together with his ally, the Yu Tian, had only 25,000 soldiers and, thus, was no match for Sha Che. So, Ban Chao hatched a plot to achieve victory in spite of the numerical inequity.

  Ban Chao spread rumors within his camp that he was contemplating a retreat because they were seriously outnumbered. This rumor was intentionally spread to the captured Sha Che soldiers. That very night, the Han troops started to retreat to the east together with their allies the Yu Tian. As they retreated, they pretended to be retreating hastily and in disarray. The Sha Che prisoners took this ‘fortunate opportunity’ to escape and reported the matter to Gui Ci.

  Gui Ci was pleased to hear the news and was confident that the Han and Yu Tian forces were afraid of him. Gui Ci led his 10,000 of his men on a chase after the retreating Han and Yu Tian forces. But, Ban Chao had merely used the darkness of night to help him hide his forces. Gui Ci, being very eager for victory, rushed his soldiers to find Ban Chao and, thus, very soon they were some distance away from Sha Che. Once Gui Ci had gone far enough, the Han and Yu Tian armies turned back and launched an attack on Sha Che. The troops def
ending Sha Che were caught by surprise and the King of Sha Che surrendered to the Han. After an unfruitful night, Gui Ci heard that Sha Che had suffered huge losses and had surrendered to the Han and Yu Tian forces. Knowing he was fighting a lost cause, Gui Ci gathered what remained of his army and returned home.

  东汉时期，班超出使西域，目的是团结西域诸国共同对抗匈奴。为了使西域诸国便于共同对抗匈奴，必须先打通南北通道。地处大漠西缘的莎车国，煽动周边小国，归附匈奴，反对汉朝。班超决定首先平定莎车。莎车国王北向龟兹求援，龟兹王亲率五万人马，援救莎车。班超联合于阗等国，兵力只有二万五千人，敌众我寡，难以力克，必须智取。班超遂定下声东击西之计，迷惑敌人。他派人在军中散布对班超的不满言论，制造打不赢龟兹，有撤退的迹象。并且特别让莎车俘虏听得一清二楚。这天黄昏，班超命于阗大军向东撤退．自己率部向西撤退，表面上显得慌乱，故意放俘虏趁机脱逃。俘虏逃回莎车营中，急忙报告汉军慌忙撤退的消息。龟兹王大喜，误认班超惧怕自己而慌忙逃窜，想趁此机会，追杀班超。他立刻下令兵分两路，追击逃敌。他亲自率一万精兵向西追杀班超。班超胸有成竹，趁夜幕笼罩大漠，撤退仅十里地，部队即就地隐蔽。龟兹王求胜心切，率领追兵从班超隐蔽处飞驰而过，班超立即集合部队，与事先约定的东路于阗人马，迅速回师杀向莎车。班超的部队如从天而降，莎车猝不及防，迅速瓦解。莎车王惊魂未定，逃走不及，只得请降。龟兹王气势汹汹，追走一夜，未见班超部队踪影，又听得莎车已被平定，人马伤亡稍重的报告，大势已去，只有收拾残部，悻悻然返回龟兹。