Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  24. Borrow a Passage to Attack Guo

  A smaller state situated between an enemy and oneself should be given immediate support when the enemy threatens to attack it. In this way, one will earn the trust of the smaller state, and may eventually exert one's influence on it. Words without action will not win the trust of the small state in a precarious situation.

  地处敌我两大国之间，当敌方胁迫它屈服的时候，我方要立即援助，并借机把自己的势力渗透进去。对于处于困境的国家，只有空话而无实际的援助，是不能取得信任。

  During the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Jin was eyeing two smaller states beside it, the State of Yu and Guo. The problem was that the relationship between these two states was strong; whoever is attacked, the other people will definitely send reinforcements. A Jin advisor, Xun Xi, suggested sowing discord between the two states, by bribing the Lord of Yu with a prized horse and a precious jade piece that the Lord Xian of Jin was holding. Since these were prized possessions of the Lord of Jin, thus was he hesitant. Xun Xi persuaded Lord of Jin, “My lord, there is no need to worry. You will get back your prized possessions once you have annexed the two states. You are just entrusting them temporarily to the Lord of Yu.” Lord Xian was convinced and sent someone to present the gifts to the Lord of Yu. The Lord of Yu was overjoyed when he received the gifts.

  For the next step of the plan, Lord Xian sent someone to create trouble at the border of the States of Jin and Guo, thus creating an excuse to send an army against Guo. Lord Xian requested safe passage through the State of Yu to attack the State of Guo. As the Lord of Yu had initially accepted the gifts from Jin, he felt obliged to accede to the request, but his advisors were against it. The Lord of Yu rationalized his decision by saying, “It would be stupid to honor the alliance to a weak state by sacrificing the relationship with a strong state.”

  So the Jin troops used the path to attack Guo and they scored a decisive victory. When they returned past the State of Yu, they shared their bounty with the Lord of Yu. The Lord of Yu was immensely happy and even allowed the Jin troops to rest near the capital. A few days later, Lord Xian of Jin arrived with a large army and the Lord of Yu went out to welcome Lord Xian. Lord Xian invited the Lord of Yu for a hunting trip, and the latter obliged. Before long, the capital of Yu was captured by the large Jin army that was left behind. Thus both the States of Yu and Guo were captured.

  春秋时期，晋国想吞并邻近的两个小国：虞和虢，这两个国家之间关系不错。晋如袭虞，虢会出兵救援；晋若攻虢，虞也会出兵相助。大臣荀息向晋献公献上一计。他说，要想攻占这两个国家，必须要离间他们，使他们互不支持。虞国的国君贪得无厌，我们正可以投其所好。他建议晋献公拿出心爱的两件宝物，屈产良马和垂棘之壁，送给虞公。献公哪里舍得？苟息说：大王放心，只不过让他暂时保管罢了，等灭了虞国，一切不都又回到你的手中了吗？献公依计而行。虞公得到良马美璧，高兴得嘴都合不拢。

  晋国故意在晋、虢边境制造事端，找到了伐虢的借口。晋国要求虞国借道让晋国伐虢，虞公得了晋国的好处，只得答应。虞国大臣宫子奇再三劝说虞公，这件事办不得的。虞虢两国，唇齿相依，虢国一亡，唇亡齿寒，晋国是不会放过虞国的。虞公却说，交一个弱朋友去得罪一个强有力的朋友，那才是傻瓜哩！

  晋大军通过虞国道路，攻打虢国，很快就取得了胜利。班师回国时，把劫夺的财产分了许多送给虞公。虞公更是大喜过望。晋军大将里克，这时装病，称不能带兵回国，暂时把部队驻扎在虞国京城附近。虞公毫不怀疑。几天之后，晋献公亲率大军前去，虞公出城相迎。献公约虞公前去打猎。不一会儿，只见京城中起火。虞公赶到城外时，京城已被晋军里应外合强占了。就这样，晋国又轻而易举地灭了虞国。

  Chapter 5 – Stratagems of Deception

  25. Replace Good Beams with Rotten Timber

  Find a chance to change the enemy's battle formation frequently, and try to take away its main source of power. Wait until it is unable to cope with the situation before attacking it. This is similar to taking control of the wheels of a wagon; one can then control the direction of the wagon as well.

  频繁的变动敌人的阵容，抽调开敌人的精锐主力，等待它自行败退，然后乘机取胜。这就好像拖住了大车的轮子，也控制了大车的运行一样。

  Liu Bang emerged the victor when he fought Xiang Yu, and established the Han Dynasty as a result. During the start of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang perceived that those who did not share his surname were potential dangers, and saw that dealing with them would be a major issue during his reign. Of all these lords that Liu Bang conferred, Han Xin was the greatest threat, as Han Xin was the chief commander of his army when Liu Bang fought Xiang Yu. With this in mind, Liu Bang made up an excuse to reduce Han Xin's rank, by conferring the title “Duke Huai Yin” to him and ordered him to stay in the capital.

  During the power struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, Han Xin gained a lot of achievements under Liu Bang. During that time, one advisor, called Kuai Che suggested to Han Xin to rebel against Liu Bang, splitting the kingdom into three parts, each held by Liu Bang, Xiang Yu and Han Xin. But Han Xin did not take the advice which he regretted after his 'demotion'.

  In 200 BC, Liu Bang appointed Chen Xi as the Commander-in-Chief for border defense against the Xiongnus. Han Xin went to see Chen Xi secretly and reminded Chen Xi to use him as an example of what would happen. He said to Chen Xi, “See what has happened to me? Liu Bang would not trust you. Why not take the opportunity to revolt against Liu Bang and I will assist you from the inside?” Chen Xi agreed and planned the uprising for when the correct opportunity arose.

  In 197 BC, Chen Xi revolted and Liu Bang personally led an army to suppress the rebellion. Han Xin acted according to plan. The plan was to fake the edict of Liu Bang, which was to order the killing of Empress Lu and the Crown Prince, and then ride out with the army to attack Liu Bang from the rear. But the plan was discovered by the Lu Empress.

  Empress Lu consulted with advisor Chen Ping to counteract Han Xin's plan. Empress Lu began spreading rumors in the capital that Liu Bang had successfully suppressed the rebellion, killed Chen Xi and that all the officials should be in court to celebrate Liu Bang's victory. The order was conveyed to Han Xin as well. Han Xin did not know whether to believe the rumor so he attended court with Chen Ping. On his way, he was captured and was killed. Han Xin never realized that all were rumors, and the actual Chen Xi's rebellion was only suppressed two years later.

  楚汉相争，以刘邦大胜，建立汉朝为结局。这时，各异姓王拥兵自重，是对刘氏天下潜在的威胁。翦灭异姓诸王，是刘邦日夜考虑的大事。异姓诸王中，韩信势力最大。刘邦借口韩信袒护一叛将为由，把他由楚王贬为淮阴侯，调到京城居住，实际上有点”软禁”的味道。韩信功高盖世，忠于刘邦。当年楚汉相争，战斗激烈之时，谋士蒯彻曾建议韩信与刘邦分手，使天下三分。韩信拒绝了蒯彻的建议，辅佐刘邦夺得天下。而今却落得这样的下场，心中怨恨至极。

  公元前200年，刘邦派陈烯为代相，统率边兵，对付匈奴。韩信私下里会见陈烯，以自己的遭遇为例，警告陈烯，你虽然拥有重兵，但并不安全，刘邦不会一直信任你，不如乘此机会，带兵反汉，我在京城里接应你。两个人秘密地商量好，决定伺机起事。

  公元前197年，陈烯在代郡反汉，自立为代王。刘邦领兵亲自声讨陈烯。韩信与陈烯约定，起事后他在京城诈称奉刘邦密诏，袭击吕后及太子，两面夹击刘邦。可是，韩信的计谋被吕后得知。吕后与丞相陈平设下一计，对付韩信。

  吕后派人在京城散布：陈烯已死，皇上得胜，即将凯旋。韩信听到这个消息，又没有见到陈烯派人来联系，心中甚为恐慌。一日�
�丞相陈平亲自到韩信家中，谎称陈烯已死，叛乱已定，皇上已班师回朝，文武百官都要入朝庆贺，请韩信立即进宫。韩信本来心虚，只得与陈平同车进宫。结果被吕后逮捕，囚系在长乐宫之钟室。半夜时分，韩信被杀。后世称”未央官斩韩信”。盖世英名的韩信至死也不知道，陈烯已死的消息，完全是谎言。陈烯叛乱，是在韩信死了两年之后才平定的。

  26. Point at the Mulberry but Scold the Locust Tree

  A stronger force can use warning or admonishment to control a weaker force. A suitable display of power will receive support and the use of a decisive method will demand reverence. It is not necessary to destroy the smaller force when one is much stronger.

  强者慑服弱小者，要用警戒的方法加以诱导。威严适当，可以获得拥护。手段高明，可以使人顺服。

  During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Lord Jing of the State of Qi appointed Sima Rangju as the commander-in-chief to lead an expedition against the States of Jin and Yan, and sent one of his favored officers, Zhuang Jia as the supervisor. Sima Rangju, on knowing the appointments, arranged with Zhuang Jia to meet at the campsite at exactly noon. The next day, Sima Rangju arrived at the camp very early and ordered that a wooden pole be placed at the campsite as a time dial.

  When noon was reached, there was still no sign of Zhuang Jia. Sima Rangju sent several messengers to hurry Zhuang Jia, but to no avail. It was finally evening when Zhuang Jia made his way to the campsite, in a drunken stupor. Sima Rangju asked Zhuang Jia, “Why are you late?” Zhuang Jia replied nonchalantly, “A few of my friends and relatives came to send me off, so we had a few rounds of drinks. Since so many people came, I had to entertain them, right? That is the reason why I am late.” Sima Rangju was furious and scolded, “As the appointed supervisor of the army, instead of putting state military matters ahead of everything else, you rather bothered with your family affairs.” Zhuang Jia, taking advantage of the fact that he was a favored official, took no heed of the scolding.

  Sima Ranju ordered the disciplinary officer to come forward and asked, “To be late without reason, what is the punishment according to martial laws?” The disciplinary officer replied, “Execution!” Sima Rangju immediately asked men to arrest Zhuang Jia. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, Zhuang Jia's followers rushed back to look for Lord Jing.

  Before the messenger of Lord Jing arrived, Zhuang Jia was executed on the spot. The soldiers were stunned and scared stiff. Everyone understood the consequences of not following orders. Later, the messenger of Lord Jing came rushing into the camp with his chariots, carrying with him the order to release Zhuang Jia. But Sima Rangju said, “When the general is outside (the court), there are orders that the general can choose not to follow.” And on seeing that the messenger was arrogant, he again summoned the disciplinary officer and asked, “To rush into the camp with a chariot in a disorderly manner, what is the punishment?” The disciplinary officer again replied, “Execution.” Once the word was uttered, the messenger's face turned white.

  Sima Rangju said, “Since you are a messenger sent by Lord Jing, we shall not execute you.” Sima Rangju ordered that the messenger's follower and three horses from the chariot be executed, and let the messenger go. With this showing, the soldiers knew that they must follow what Sima Rangju ordered, thus the army was very disciplined and went on to win many victories.

  春秋时期，齐景公任命田禳苴为将，带兵攻打晋、燕联军，又派宠臣庄贾作监军。禳苴与庄贾约定，第二天中午在营门集合。第二天，禳苴早早到了营中，命令装好作为计时器的标杆和滴漏盘。约定时间一到，禳苴就到军营宣布军令，整顿部队。可是庄贾迟迟不到，禳苴几次派人催促，直到黄昏时分，庄贾才带着醉容到达营门。禳苴问他为何不按时到军营来，庄贾无所谓，只说什么亲威朋友都来为我设宴饯行，我总得应酬应酬吧？所以来得迟了。禳苴非常气愤，斥责他身为国家大臣，有监军重任，却只恋自已的小家，不以国家大事为重。庄贾以为这是区区小事，仗着自己是国王的宠臣亲信，对禳苴的话不以为然。禳苴当着全军将士，命令叫来军法官，问：”无故误了时间，按照军法应当如何处理？”军法官答道：”该斩！”禳苴即命拿下庄贾。庄贾吓得浑身发抖，他的随从连忙飞马进宫，向齐景公报告情况，请求景公派人救命。在景公派的使者没有赶到之前，禳苴即令将庄贾斩首示众。全军将士，看到主将杀违犯军令的大臣，个个吓得发抖，谁还再敢不遵将令。这时，景公派来的使臣飞马闯入军营，拿景公的命令叫禳苴放了庄贾。禳苴沉着地应道：”将在外，君命有所不受。”他见来人骄狂，便又叫来军法官，问道：”乱在军营跑马，按军法应当如何处理？”军法官答道：”该斩。” 来使吓得面如土色。禳苴不慌不忙地说道：”君王派来的使者，可以不杀。”于是下令杀了他的随从和三驾车的左马，砍断马车左边的木柱。然后让使者回去报告。禳苴军纪严明，军队战斗力旺盛，果然打了不少胜仗。

  27. Pretend to be a Fool

  It is better for one to pretend that he knows nothing, and take no action, rather than pretending to know everything, and rush into a situation. One should prepare his forces in the dark and not let others know of his secret, waiting for an opportunity to strike, just as lightning and thunder wait to strike in winter.

  宁可假装糊涂而不次采取行动，也绝不假装聪明而轻举妄动。要沉着冷静，深藏不露，就像雷电在冬季蓄力待发一样。

  During the period just before the Three Kingdom Periods, where the many warlords were fighting for territories, two prominent heroes were outstanding. They were Liu Bei and Cao Cao. When Liu Bei was serving under Cao Cao, he hid his ambitions by drinking and tending to his vegetables every day. Once, Cao Cao invited Liu Bei over for a drink, and the topic that came up during the chat concerned who were the heroes of that time. Liu Bei listed several names, but was denounced by Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, “The only people that can be considered heroes of our time are you and me.” This shocked Liu Bei, till he dropped the chopsticks he was holding, because he thought all along he had hid his ambition from Cao Cao very well. At the right moment, the lightning struck and immediately, Liu Bei used it as an excuse for dropping his chopsticks, saying, “I was scared stiff by the lightning. That is why I dropped the chopsticks.” With that explanation, Cao Cao laughed and thought that since Liu Bei was so cowardly, it was unlikely he would achieve his ambition. Cao Cao, from then onward, let down his guard on Liu Bei. In the end, Liu Bei managed to break free from Cao Cao, and formed one of the three kingdoms, vying with Cao Cao.

  三国时期，曹操与刘备青梅煮酒论英雄这段故事，就是个典型的例证。刘备早已有夺取天下的抱负，只是当时力量太弱，根本无法与曹操抗衡，而且还处在曹操控制之下。刘备装作每日只是饮酒种菜，不问世事。一日曹操请他喝酒，席上曹操问刘备谁是天下英雄，刘备列了几个名字，都被曹操否定了。忽然，曹操说道：”天下的英雄，只有我和你两个人！”一句话说得刘备惊慌失措，深怕曹操了解自己的政治抱负，吓得手中的筷子掉在地下。幸好此时一阵炸雷，刘备急忙遮掩，说自己被雷声吓掉了筷子。曹操见状，大笑不止，认为刘备连打雷都害怕，成不了大事，对刘备放松了警觉。后来刘备摆脱了曹操的控制，终于在中国历史上干出了一番事业。

  28. Burn the Bridge after Crossing the River

  Pretend to expose one's weakness to lure the enemy into one's trap. When the enemy is within your control, cut off the supply routes, and eventually destroy him. Do not go for the small advantage, when one can go for the kill, as it may result in one's destruction.

  故意露出破绽，给敌人提供方便条件。诱使敌人深入我方阵地，然后切断其前应与后援，使其陷入困境。敌人贪图不应得的利益，必遭祸患。
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  Towards the end of the Han Dynasty, when the warlords were fighting amongst each other for territories, there was one warlord by the name of Liu Biao. He favored his youngest son, Liu Zhong, and did not like his eldest son, Liu Qi. Liu Qi's stepmother, who is Liu Zhong's natural mother, was afraid that Liu Qi would inherit the power and wealth from Liu Biao, since the eldest son was bent on harming him. Liu Qi knew that his situation was precarious, so he sought advice from Zhuge Liang many times, but to no avail. So Liu Qi thought of a plan.

  Liu Qi invited Zhuge Liang to the second floor of a restaurant for a meal. When they were in the midst of the meal, Liu Qi arranged beforehand for someone to remove the ladder that led to the second floor. Liu Qi again sought advice from Zhuge Liang, “We are now neither near the Earth nor Heaven, what you said would only enter the ears of Liu Qi, please advise me on my situation.” Zhuge Liang, seeing that he could not get out of the circumstance, told Liu Qi a story, “During the Spring and Autumn Period, Concubine Li of Lord Xian of the State of Jin wanted to do harm to two of her stepsons; Shen Sheng and Zhong Er. Knowing her intention, Zhong Er escaped to another state. Shen Sheng on the other hand was filial, and wanted to stay and serve his father. One day, Shen Sheng came back with delicious food to be presented to his father. But Concubine Li had the food laced with poison.