and ability employed.
"Fifth, where the troops are many and their weapons excellent.
"Sixth, when help is at hand on every side, or from a powerful ally.
"For, if the enemy excel in the foregoing, he must be avoided without
hesitation. As it is written, if it be judged good, advance; if it be
known to be difficult, retreat."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"I desire to know how the interior of the enemy can be known from his
outer appearance; the form of his camp by observing his advance, and
how victory may be determined?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"If the coming of the enemy be reckless like roaring waters, his
banners and pennons disordered, and horses and men frequently looking
behind, then ten can be struck with one. Panic will certainly seize
them.
"Before the various princes have assembled, before harmony has been
established between lord and lieges, before ditches have been dug, or
regulations established, and the army is alarmed; wishing to advance,
but unable; wishing to retreat, but unable: then the force can strike
twice their numbers, and in a hundred fights there is no fear of
retreat."
Lord Wen asked:--
"How can the enemy be certainly defeated?"
Wu answered and said:--
"Make certain of the enemy's real condition and quickly strike his
weak point; strike an enemy who has just arrived from afar, before his
ranks are arranged; or one who has eaten and has not completed his
dispositions; or an enemy who is hurrying about, or is busily occupied;
or has not made favourable use of the ground, or has let pass the
opportunity; or one who has come a long distance, and those in rear are
late and have not rested.
"Strike an enemy who is half across waters; or who is on a difficult
or narrow road; or whose flags and banners are in confusion; or who is
frequently changing position; or whose general is not in accord with
the soldiers; or who is fearful.
"All such should be assaulted by the picked men; and the remainder of
the army should be divided, and follow after them. They may be attacked
at once without hesitation."
III
CONTROL OF THE ARMY
Lord Wen said:--
"What is of first importance in operations of war?"
Wu answered and said:--
"Lightness, of which there are four natures, Weight, of which there
are two natures, and Confidence must be clearly comprehended."
And Wen said:--
"What are these?"
And Wu answered:--
"If the way be easy, the horses are light of foot; if the horses be
light of foot, the chariots travel freely; if the chariots travel
easily, men can ride in them without difficulty; if the men be free
to move, the fight prospers. If the difficult and easy ways be known,
the horses are lightened; if the horses be fed at proper intervals,
the chariots are swift; if there be plenty of oil on the axles of the
chariots, the riders are quickly conveyed; if the spears be sharp and
the armour strong, the men make the fight easy.
"Large rewards in advance, heavy punishment in retreat, and impartiality
in their bestowal are required.
"He who well understands these things is the master of victory."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"By what means can the army gain the victory?"
And Wu answered:--
"The foundation of victory is good government."
Again, Wen asked and said:--
"Is it not determined by numbers?"
And Wu replied:--
"If laws and orders be not clear; if rewards and punishments be not
just; if the bell be sounded and they halt not, or drum be beaten and
men do not advance; even if there be a hundred thousand men at arms,
they are of no avail.
"Where there is order, then there is propriety at rest, and dignity in
motion; none can withstand the attack, and retreat forbids pursuit;
motion is regulated, and movements to right and left are made in answer
to the signal; if the ranks be cut asunder, formation is preserved;
if scattered, they are maintained; in fortune or in danger, there is
unity; if a number be collected, they cannot be separated; they may be
used but not wearied; in whatever situation they are placed, nothing
under heaven can withstand them. The army may be called a father and
his children."
And Wu said:--
"In marching, movements and halts must be properly adjusted, suitable
occasions for rationing not missed; the strength of men and horses
not exhausted. If these three things be observed, the commands of
the superior can be carried out; if the commands of the superior be
carried out, order is maintained. If advances and halts be without
method, victualling unsuitable, horses and men tired and weary--neither
unsaddled or housed--it is because the orders cannot be obeyed;
if the orders be set aside, there is disorder in the camp, and in
battle--defeat."
Wu the Master said:--
"On that depository of corpses, the battlefield, if there be certain
expectation of death, there is life; if there be happy expectation of
life, there is death. The good general is like unto one sitting in
a leaking ship, or lying under a burning roof; the wisest man cannot
contrive against him; the strongest man cannot destroy his composure;
and the enemy's onslaught can be withstood. For procrastination is
the greatest enemy of the general; disasters to the army are born of
indecision."
Wu the Master said:--
"Men meet their death from lack of ability or unskilfulness. Wherefore
training is the first requirement of war. One man with a knowledge of
war can teach ten; ten men skilled in war can teach one hundred; one
hundred can teach one thousand; one thousand can teach ten thousand;
and ten thousand men can train an army.
"An enemy from a distance should be awaited, and struck at short range;
an enemy that is tired should be met in good order; hunger should
be opposed by full bellies; the battle formation should be round or
square, the men should kneel or stand; go or remain; move to the right
or left; advance or retire; concentrate or disperse; close or extend
when the signal is given.
"All these changes must be learnt, and the weapons distributed. This is
the business of the general."
Wu the Master said:--
"In the teaching of war, spears are given to the short; bows and
catapults to the tall; banners and standards to the strong; the
bell and drum to the bold; fodder and provisions to the feeble; the
arrangement of the plan to the wise. Men of the same district should
be united; and groups and squads should help each other. At one beat
of the drum the ranks are put in order; at two beats of the drum,
formation will be made; at three beats of the drum, food will be
issued; at four beats of the drum, the men will prepare to march; at
five beats of the drum, ranks will be formed; when the drums beat
together, then the standards will be raised."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"What is the way of marching and halting an army?"
And Wu answered:--
"Natural ovens and dragons' heads should be avoided. Natural ovens are
the mouths of large valleys. Dragons' heads are the extremities of
large mountains. The green dragons (banners) should be placed on the
left, and the white tigers on the right; the red sparrows in front; the
snakes and tortoises behind; the pole star (standard) above; and the
soldiers will look to the standard.
"When going forth to battle, the direction of the wind must be
studied; if blowing in the direction of the enemy, the soldiers will
be assembled and follow the wind; if a head wind, the position will be
strengthened, and a wait made for the wind to change."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"In what way should horses be treated?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"The places where they are kept should be made comfortable; fodder
should be suitable and timely. In winter their stables should be
warmed, and in summer sheltered from the heat; their coats clipped,
their feet carefully pared, their attention directed so that they
be not alarmed, their paces regulated, and their going and halting
trained; horses and men should be in accord, and then the horses can be
used. The harness, the saddle, bit, bridle, and reins must be strong;
if the horse be without vice at the beginning, he can be used to the
end; if the horse be hungry it is good; if his belly be full, his value
decreases; if the sun be falling and the way still long, dismount
frequently. For it is proper that the men be worked, but the horses
must be used with discretion, so that they may be prepared should the
enemy suddenly attack us.
"If these things be well known, then there is free passage under
heaven."
IV
QUALITIES OF THE GENERAL
Wu the Master said:--
"The leader of the army is one who is master of both arms and letters.
He who is both brave and tender can be entrusted with troops.
"In the popular estimation of generals, courage alone is regarded;
nevertheless, courage is but one of the qualifications of the leader.
Courage is heedless in encounter; and rash encounter, which is ignorant
of the consequences, cannot be called good.
"There are five matters which leaders must carefully consider.
"First, reason; second, preparation; third, determination; fourth,
vigilance; fifth, simplicity.
"With reason, a multitude can be controlled like a small number.
"Preparedness sees an enemy outside the gate.
"Determination before the enemy has no thought of life.
"Even after a victory, vigilance behaves as before the first encounter.
"Simplicity ensures few regulations, and preserves order.
"When the leader receives his orders, he forthwith departs. Not until
the enemy has been vanquished does he speak of return. This is the duty
of the general.
"Wherefore, from the day of departure of the army, the general seeks
glory in death, and dreams not of return in dishonour."
Wu the Master said:--
"In war there are four important influences.
"First, spirit; second, ground; third, opportunity; fourth, force.
"The military value of the nation's forces--of one hundred times ten
thousand fighting men--depends upon the personality of one man alone;
this is called the influence of spirit.
"When the road is steep and narrow, when there are famous mountains and
fastnesses where ten men can defend and one thousand cannot pass them
by; such is the influence of ground.
"When spies have been skilfully sown, and mounted men pass to and from
the enemy's camp, so that his masses are divided, his sovereign and
ministers vexed with each other, and superiors and inferiors mutually
censorious; this is the moment of opportunity.
"When the linch-pins are secure, the oars and sweeps ready for use in
the boats, the armed men trained for war, and the horses exercised, we
have what is called the influence of force.
"He who understands these four matters has the qualifications of a
general. Furthermore, dignity, virtue, benevolence, courage, are needed
to lead the troops, to calm the multitude, to put fear in the enemy,
to remove doubts. When orders are issued, the subordinates do not defy
them. Wheresoever the army is, that place the enemy avoids. If these
four virtues be present, the country is strong; if they be not present,
the country is overthrown.
"Of such is the good general."
Wu the Master said:--
"The use of drums and bells is to attract the ear; of flags, standards,
and banners to strike the eye; of laws and penalties to put fear in the
heart.
"To attract the ear the sound must be clear; to strike the eye the
colours must be bright. The heart is awed by punishment, therefore
punishment must be strict.
"If these three matters be not ordered, the state may, peradventure,
be preserved, but defeat by the enemy is certain. Therefore, as it has
been said (if these three things be present), there is no departing
from the commands of the general; when he orders, there is no going
back from death."
Wu the Master said:--
"The secret of war is, first, to know who is the enemy's general, and
to judge his ability. If our plans depend on his dispositions, then
success will be achieved without toil.
"If their general be stupid, and heedlessly trustful, he may be enticed
by fraud; if he be avaricious and careless of his fame, he may be
bribed with gifts. If he make unconsidered movements without plan, he
should be tired out and placed in difficulties. If the superiors be
wealthy and proud, and the inferiors avaricious and resentful, they
should be set against each other. An enemy that is undetermined, now
advancing and then retreating, whose soldiers have nought wherein to
put their trust, should be alarmed, and put to flight.
"When an enemy thinks lightly of the general, and desires to return
home, the easy roads should be blocked, and the difficult and narrow
roads opened; await their coming and capture them.
"If their advance be easy and retreat difficult, await their coming and
then advance against them.
"If their advance be difficult and retreat easy, then press and strike
them.
"An army that is camped in marshy ground, where there are no
water-courses, and long and frequent rains, should be inundated.
"An army that is camped in wild marshes, covered with dark and
overhanging grass and brambles, and swept by frequent high winds,
should be overthrown by fire.
"An army that has halted long without moving; whose general and
soldiers have grown careless, and neglect precautions, should be
approached by stealth, and taken by surprise."
Lord Wen asked, saying:--
"If the two armies be facing each other, and the name of the enemy's
general unknown, in what manner can we discover it?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"A brave man of low degree, lightly but well equipped, should be
employed. He should think only of flight and naught of advantage. Then,
if he observe the enemy's pursuit, if there be first a halt and then
an advance, order is established. If we retreat and the enemy pursue,
but pretend not to be able to overtake us, see an advantage but pretend
not to be aware of it, then their general may be called a wise general,
and conflict with him must be avoided. If their army be full of uproar;
their banners and standards disordered, their soldiers going about
or remaining of their own accord, some in line, others in column; if
such an enemy be eager to pursue, and see an advantage which they are
desperate to seize, then their general is a fool: even if there be a
host, they may be taken."
V
SUITING THE OCCASION
Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If strong chariots, good horses, strong and valiant soldiers suddenly
meet the enemy, and are thrown into confusion, and ranks broken, what
should be done?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"In general, the method of fighting is to effect order in daylight by
means of flags and banners, pennons and batons; at night by gongs and
drums, whistles and flutes. If a signal be made to the left, the troops
move to the left; if to the right, they move to the right. Advance is
made at the sound of the drum; halt at the sound of the gong; one blast
of the whistle is for advance, two for the rally. If those who disobey
be cut down, the forces are subject to authority. If officers and
soldiers carry out orders, a superior enemy cannot exist; no position
is impregnable in the attack."
Lord Wen asked and said:--
"What is to be done if the enemy be many and we be few?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"Avoid such an enemy on open ground, and meet him in the narrow way;
for, as it is written, if 1 is to stand against 1,000, there is naught
better than a pass; if 10 are to hold against 100, there is nothing
better than a steep place; if 1,000 are to strike 10,000, there is
nothing better than a difficult place. If a small force, with beat
of gong and drum, suddenly arise in a narrow way, even a host will
be upset. Wherefore it is written: 'He who has a multitude seeks the
plain, and he who has few seeks the narrow way.'"
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"A mighty host, strong and courageous, which is on the defence with a
mountain behind, a precipice between, high ground on the right, and
a river on the left, with deep moats, and high walls, and which has
artillery; whose retreat is like the removal of a mountain, advance
like the hurricane, and whose supplies are in abundance, is an enemy
against whom long defence is difficult. In effect, what should be done
in such a case?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"This indeed is a great question, whose issue depends, not upon the
might of chariot and horse, but upon the schemes of a wise man.
"Let 1,000 chariots and 10,000 horse, well equipped and with foot-men
added to them, be divided into five armies, and a road allotted to each
army.
"Then if there be five armies, and each army take a different road, the
enemy will be puzzled, and know not in what quarter to be prepared. If
the enemy's defence be strong and united, send envoys quickly to him
to discover his intention. If he listen to our advices, he will strike
camp and withdraw. But, if he listen not to our advice, but strikes
down the messenger, and burns his papers, then divide and attack
from five quarters. If victorious, do not pursue; if defeated, flee
to a distance. If feigning retreat, proceed slowly, and, if the enemy
approach, strike swiftly.
"One army will hold the enemy in front, with another cut his rear,
two more with gags in their mouths[21] will attack his weak point,
whether on the right or on the left. If five armies thus make alternate
onslaughts, success is certain.
"This is the way to strike strength."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If the enemy draw near and encompass us, and we would retreat, but
there is no way, and in our multitude there is fear, what should be
done?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"In such a case, if we be many and they be few, divide and fall upon
them; if the enemy be many and we be few, use stratagem and act
according to opportunity; and if opportunities be untiringly seized,
even if the enemy be many, he will be reduced to subjection."
Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If, in a narrow valley with steep places on either side, the enemy be
met, and they are many and we are few, what should be done?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"If they be met among hills, woods, in deep mountains, or wide fens,
advance quickly, retire swiftly, and hesitate not. If the enemy be
suddenly met among high mountains or deep valleys, be the first to
strike the drum and fall upon them. Let bow and cross bow advance;
shoot and capture; observe the state of their ranks; and, if there be
confusion, do not hesitate to strike."
Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If the enemy be suddenly met in a narrow place with high mountains on
either side, and advance and retreat are alike impossible, what should
be done in such a case?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"This is called War in valleys where numbers are of no avail. The
ablest officers should be collected, and set against the enemy. Men
light of foot and well armed should be placed in front; the chariots
divided; the horsemen drawn up, and placed in ambush on four sides,
with many leagues between, and without showing their weapons. Then,
the enemy will certainly make his defence firm, and neither advance
or retreat. Whereupon, the standards will be raised, and the ranks of
banners shown, the mountains left, and camp pitched in the plain.
"The enemy will then be fearful, and should be challenged by chariot
and horse, and allowed no rest.
"This is the method of fighting in valleys."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If the enemy be met in a marsh where the water is out, so that the
wheels of the chariots sink in, and the shafts be covered, and the
chariots and horsemen overcome by the waters, when there are no boats
or oars, and it is impossible either to advance or retreat, what should
be done in such a case?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"This is called water fighting. Chariots and horsemen cannot be used,
and they must be put for a time on one side. Go up to the top of a high
place, and look out to the four quarters. Then the state of the waters
will certainly be seen; their extent, and the deep places and shallows
fully ascertained. Then, by stratagem, the enemy may be defeated.
"If the enemy should cross the waters he should be engaged when half
over."
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If there has been long continued rain so that the horses sink, and the
chariots cannot move; if the enemy appear from four quarters, and the
forces are frightened, what is the course in such a case?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"When wet and overcast, the chariots should halt; when fine and dry,
they should arise. Seek height, and avoid low places; drive the strong
chariots, and choose well the road on which to advance or halt. If the
enemy suddenly arise, immediately pursue them."
Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If our fields and pastures be suddenly pillaged, and our oxen and
sheep taken, what should be done?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"Lawless enemies that arise are to be feared; defend well and do not
reply. When, at sunset, they seek to withdraw, they will certainly
be overladen and fearful. Striving to return quickly to their homes,
connection will be lost. Then if they be pursued and attacked, they can
be overthrown."
Wu the Master said:--
"The way of attacking the enemy and investing his castle is as
follows:--
"When the outlying buildings have been taken, and the assaulting
parties enter the innermost sanctuary, make use of the enemy's
officials, and take charge of their weapons. Let the army on no account
fell trees or enter dwellings, cut the crops, slay the six domestic
animals, or burn the barns; and show the people that there is no cruel
desire. Those who wish to surrender, should be received and freed from
anxiety."
VI
ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE TROOPS
And Lord Wen asked and said:--
"If punishment be just and reward impartial, is victory thereby gained?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"I cannot speak of all the things that concern justice and impartiality,
but on these alone dependence cannot be placed.
"If the people hear the word of command, or listen to the order with
rejoicing; if, when the army be raised, and a multitude assembled, they
go forth gladly to the fight; if, in the tumult of the fight, when
blade crosses blade, the soldiers gladly die; upon these three things
can the lord of the people place his trust."
And Lord Wen said:--
"How can this be brought about?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"Seek out merit, advance and reward it, and encourage those without
fame."
Accordingly Lord Wen set seats in the garden of the palace in three
rows, and made a feast unto his chief retainers. In the first row were
set those of chief merit, and on the table were placed the best meats
and precious utensils. Those of medium merit were set in the middle
row, and the utensils on the table were fewer in number. Those without
merit were set in the last row, and utensils of no value were put
before them. And when the feast was over, and they had all departed,
the parents, wives, and children of those with merit were given
presents outside the gates of the palace according to their degree.
Further, messengers were sent yearly with gifts to condole with the
parents of those who had lost a son in the service of the state, and to
show that they were had in remembrance.
And after this was carried out for three years, the people of Chin
gathered an army, and came as far as the Western River. And when the
soldiers of Wei heard this, without waiting for orders, they armed
themselves and fell upon them; and they that went forth were 10,000 in
number.
And Lord Wen called Wu and said:--
"The words that you spoke unto me, have they not indeed been carried
out?"
And Wu answered and said:--
"I have heard that there are men, great and small; souls, grand and
feeble.
"As a trial, let 50,000 men, without merit, be collected, and placed
under my command against the country of Chin. If we fail, the state
will be the laughing-stock among the princes, and its power under
heaven will be lost. If a desperate robber be hidden in a wide plain,
and 1,000 men be pursuing him, their glances will be furtive like the
owl, looking backward like the wolf, for they are in fear of harm from
a sudden onslaught.
"One desperate man can put fear in the hearts of a thousand. Now,
if this host of 50,000 men become as a desperate thief, and are led
against Chin, there is nought to fear."
On hearing these words Lord Wen agreed, and adding further 500 chariots
and 3,000 horse, the hosts of Chin were overthrown, all being due to
the encouragement of the troops.