Rapidity is the essence of war:
兵之情 means “the conditions of war,” not, as Capt. Calthrop says,
“the spirit of the troops.” According to Tu Mu, 此統言兵之情狀
“this is a summary of leading principles in warfare,” and he adds:
此乃兵之深情將之至事也 “These are the profoundest truths of military
science, and the chief business of the general.” The following
anecdotes, told by Ho Shih, show the importance attached to speed
by two of China’s greatest generals. In 227 A.D., 孟達 Mêng Ta,
governor of 新城 Hsin-ch‘êng under the Wei Emperor Wên Ti, was
meditating defection to the House of Shu, and had entered into
correspondence with Chu-ko Liang, Prime Minister of that State.
The Wei general Ssŭ-ma I was then military governor of 宛 Wan, and
getting wind of Mêng Ta’s treachery, he at once set off with an
army to anticipate his revolt, having previously cajoled him by a
specious message of friendly import. Ssŭ-ma’s officers came to him
and said: “If Mêng Ta has leagued himself with Wu and Shu, the
matter should be thoroughly investigated before we make a move.”
Ssŭ-ma I replied: “Mêng Ta is an unprincipled man, and we ought to
go and punish him at once, while he is still wavering and before
he has thrown off the mask.” Then, by a series of forced marches,
he brought his army under the walls of Hsin-ch‘êng within the
space of eight days. Now Mêng Ta had previously said in a letter
to Chu-ko Liang: “Wan is 1200 _li_ from here. When the news of
my revolt reaches Ssŭ-ma I, he will at once inform his Imperial
Master, but it will be a whole month before any steps can be
taken, and by that time my city will be well fortified. Besides,
Ssŭ-ma I is sure not to come himself, and the generals that will
be sent against us are not worth troubling about.” The next
letter, however, was filled with consternation: “Though only eight
days have passed since I threw off my allegiance, an army is
already at the city-gates. What miraculous rapidity is this!” A
fortnight later, Hsin-ch‘êng had fallen and Mêng Ta had lost his
head. [See _Chin Shu_, ch. 1, f. 3.] In 621 A.D., Li Ching was
sent from 夔州 K‘uei-chou in Ssŭ-ch‘uan to reduce the successful
rebel 蕭銑 Hsiao Hsien, who had set up as Emperor at the modern
荆州 Ching-chou Fu in Hupeh. It was autumn, and the Yangtsze being
then in flood, Hsiao Hsien never dreamt that his adversary would
venture to come down through the gorges, and consequently made no
preparations. But Li Ching embarked his army without loss of time,
and was just about to start when the other generals implored him
to postpone his departure until the river was in a less dangerous
state for navigation. Li Ching replied: “To the soldier,
overwhelming speed is of paramount importance, and he must never
miss opportunities. Now is the time to strike, before Hsiao Hsien
even knows that we have got an army together. If we seize the
present moment when the river is in flood, we shall appear before
his capital with startling suddenness, like the thunder which is
heard before you have time to stop your ears against it. [_See_
VII, § 19, note.] This is the great principle in war. Even if he
gets to know of our approach, he will have to levy his soldiers in
such a hurry that they will not be fit to oppose us. Thus the full
fruits of victory will be ours.” All came about as he predicted,
and Hsiao Hsien was obliged to surrender, nobly stipulating that
his people should be spared and he alone suffer the penalty of
death. [See _Hsin T‘ang Shu_, ch. 93, f. 1 _v_^o.]
take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected
routes, and attack unguarded spots.