Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  武王问太公说：选编士卒的方法怎样?

  太公说：“军队中有勇气大、不怕死、不怕伤的，把他们编为一队，叫做”冒刃之士”，有锐气旺盛、年壮勇猛、强横凶暴的，把他们编为一队，叫做”陷阵之士”；有姿态奇异各用长剑，步伐稳健能在行列中整齐行动的，把他们编为一队，叫做”勇锐之士”：有臂力过人能伸直铁钓、强壮有力能冲入敌阵摧破敌人金鼓、撕破敌人旗帜的，把他们编为一队，叫做”勇力之士”；有能越高城，行远路，轻足善走的，把他们编为一队，叫做”寇兵之士”，有因王公大臣失势，而要重立功劳的，把他们编为一队，叫做”死斗之士”，有阵亡将帅的子弟，要为其父兄报仇的，把他们编为一队叫做”敢死之士”，有曾被招赘、被俘虏，要求扬名遮丑的，把他们编为一队，做”励钝之士”；有因贫穷而愤怒，要求立功受赏的，把他们编为一队，叫做”必死之士”；有刑徒免罪，要掩盖其耻辱的，把他们编为一队，叫 做”幸用之士”，有才技胜人，能任重致远的，把他们编为一队，叫做”待命之士”。这是军队中选士的方法，不可不详加考虑啊！

  Teaching Combat

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “When we have assembled our body of men to form an army, and wish to train both the officers and men fully with the way of combat; how should we proceed?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá said: “For leading the whole army, you must have the appropriate gongs and drums by which to order and assemble the officers and men. The generals should clearly instruct the commanders and officers, teaching them the use of weapons, mobilization, and stopping, all to be in accord with the movement of flags and signal pennants.

  “Thus when teaching the commanders and officers, when ten individuals have completed their study of combat instructions, have each of them extend their study to ten men. Then, ten men who have completed their study of combat instructions will extend them to 100. And from 100 who have completed their study, it will be extended to a 1,000; And from 1,000 to 10,000, and from these 10,000 to the whole army.

  “When all have completed their study of combat, have the whole army practice together. In this fashion, you will be able to realize a Great Army and establish your military authority throughout the realm.”

  “Excellent!” said King Wu.

  武王问太公说：编成全军部队，要使士卒的动作娴熟，其训练方法如何?

  太公说：统率三军必须用金鼓来指挥，这是为了统一军队的行动。将帅必先明确告诉官兵怎样操练，而又要反复讲解清楚，训练他们操作兵器熟悉战斗动作，和依照 各种族帜指挥信号的变化而变更行动的方法。所以训练军队时，先进行单人教练，单人教练完成了，再十人合练；十人学战，教练完成了，再百人合练；百人学战， 教练完成了，再千人合练；十人学战，教练完成了，再万人合练，万人学战，教练完成了，再三军合练以训练大军作战的方法。各项教练完成了，就可会集成百万大 军，组成强大的军队，立威于天下。

  武王说：好啊！

  Forces' Equivalents

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “When chariots and infantry engage in battle, one chariot is equivalent to how many infantrymen? When cavalry and infantry engage in battle, one cavalryman is equivalent to how many infantrymen? When chariots and cavalry engage in battle, one chariot is equivalent to how many cavalrymen?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “Chariots are the wings of the army; they are the means to penetrate solid formations, to press strong enemies and to cut off their flight. Cavalry are the army’s keen observers; they are the means to pursue a defeated army, to sever supply lines and to strike roving forces.

  “Thus when chariots and cavalry are not engaged in battle with the enemy, one cavalryman is not able to equal one foot soldier. However, after the masses of the army have been arrayed in opposition to the enemy, when fighting on easy terrain, the rule is that one chariot is equivalent to eighty infantrymen. One cavalryman is equivalent to eight infantrymen. Then, one chariot is equivalent to ten cavalrymen.

  “The rule for fighting on difficult terrain is that one chariot is equivalent to forty infantrymen. One cavalryman is equivalent to four infantrymen. One chariot is equivalent six cavalrymen.

  “Chariots and cavalry are the army’s strong weapons. Ten chariots can defeat 1,000 men; 100 chariots can defeat 10,000 men. Ten cavalrymen can drive off 100 men, and 100 cavalrymen can drive off 1,000 men. These are the approximate numbers.”

  King Wu asked: “What are the ranks of the chariot and cavalry officers who command the various units and the numbers in the corresponding units?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “As for the chariots – there is a leader for five chariots, a captain for ten, a commander for fifty and a general for 100.

  “For battles on easy terrain, five chariots comprise one line. Each line is forty paces apart; the chariots from left to right should be ten paces apart, with detachments sixty paces apart. On difficult terrain the chariots must follow the roads, with ten chariots comprising a company and twenty a regiment. Front to rear spacing should be twenty paces, left to right six paces, with detachments thirty six paces apart. If they venture off the road more than two miles in any direction, they should return to the original road.

  “As for the number of officers in the cavalry: there is a leader for five men, a captain for ten, a commander for 100 and a general for 200. The rule for fighting on easy terrain: five cavalrymen will form one line, and front to back their lines should be separated by twenty paces with a left to right distance of four paces and with fifty paces between detachments. On difficult terrain, the rule is: that each line of five cavalrymen will deploy front to back, ten paces; left to right, two paces; between detachments, twenty five paces. Thirty cavalrymen comprise a company; sixty form a regiment. For every ten cavalrymen, there is a captain. In action, they should not move out of the range of 100 paces, after which they should circle back and return to their original positions.”

  “Excellent!” said King Wu.

  武王问太公说：用车兵对敌步兵战斗，一辆战车相当于几名步兵？几名步兵相当于一辆战车？用骑兵与步兵战斗，一名骑兵相当于几名步兵？几名步兵相当于一名骑兵？用战车对骑兵战斗，一辆战车能当几名骑兵？几名骑兵相当于一辆战车？

  太公说：战车是加强军队战斗力的，用以攻坚陷阵，截击强敌，切断其退路的。骑兵是军队中窥探敌人，乘敌之隙的，用以跟踪追击，断敌粮道，袭击散乱流审的敌 人的。因此车骑使用不恰当，在战斗中一名骑兵还不能抵挡一名步兵。全军布列成阵，骑步配合得当，那么在平坦地形上作战，一辆战车可以抵挡步兵八十名，步兵 八十名相当于一辆战车，一名骑兵可以抵挡步兵八名，八名步兵相当于一名骑兵，一辆战车可抵挡骑兵十名，十名骑兵相当于一辆战车。在险阻地形上作战，一辆战 车可抵挡步兵四十名，四十名步兵相当于一辆战车；一名骑兵可抵挡步兵四名，四名步兵相当于一名骑兵；一辆战车可抵挡骑兵六名，六名骑兵相当于一辆战车。战车和骑兵是军队中威烈快速的冲击力量。十辆战车可以击败敌千人，百辆战车可以击败敌万人，十名骑兵可以击退敌百人，百名骑兵可以击退敌千人，这些是大约的 数字。

  武王说：战车和骑兵应配置的军官数量和作战方法怎样？

  太公说：战车应配备军官的数量是，五车设一长，十车设一吏，五十车设一率，百车设一将。在平坦地形上作战的战法，五车为列，前后相距四十步，各车间隔十 步，队间距离和间隔各六十步。险阻地形上作战的战法，战车必须沿道路行进，十车为一聚，二十车一屯，车与车前后距离二十步，左右宽约六步，队间距离和间隔 各十六步，活动范围前后左右各二里，各车战斗后仍由原路返回。骑应配备军官的数�
��是，五骑设一长，十骑设一吏，百骑设一率，二骑设一将。在平坦地形作战的 战法，五骑为一列，前后相距二十步，左右间隔四步，队间距离和间隔各五十步。在险阻地形上作战时，后相距十步。左右间隔二步，队间距离和间隔各二十五步， 三十骑为一屯，六十骑为一辈。活动范围前后左右各百步，战斗后各返原来位置。武王说：好啊!

  Chariot Warriors

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “How should one go about selecting warriors for chariots?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá said: “The rules for selecting warriors for chariots are to pick men under forty years of age, who are five feet and seven inches or taller; whose running ability is such that they can pursue a galloping horse, who can race up to it, mount it and ride it forward and back, left and right, up and down, and all around; They should be able to quickly furl up the flags and pennants and have the strength to fully draw an eight-picul crossbow; They should practice shooting front and back, left and right, until thoroughly skilled. They are termed ‘Martial Chariot Warriors’. With them, you must be most generous.”

  武王问太公说：怎样选拔车上武士?

  太公说：选拔车上武士的标准，取其年龄四十以下，身长七尺五寸以上；跑起来追得上奔跑的马，能在奔驰中跳上战车，并能对前后、左右、上下各方应战力能掌握旗帜，拉满八石弩，熟练地向左右、前后射箭的人，这种人称为武车士，待遇不可不优厚。

  Cavalry Warriors

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “How should one go about selecting warriors for the cavalry?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá said: “The rules for selecting warriors for the cavalry are to take only those who are under forty, those who are at least five feet and seven inches tall, who are strong and quick, who surpass the average; Men, who while racing a horse, can fully draw a bow and shoot; men, who can gallop forward and back, left and right, and all around, both advancing and withdrawing; Men who, while racing a horse, can jump over moats and ditches, ascend hills and mounds, gallop through narrow confines, cross large water bodies, and race into a strong enemy, causing chaos among their masses. These are called the ‘Martial Cavalry Warriors’. With them, you must be most generous.”

  武王问太公道：怎样选拔骑士?

  太公说：选拔骑士的标准，取其年龄四十以下，身长七尺五寸以上，身强力壮，敏捷快速，超过一般人的，能在乘马疾驰中挽弓射箭，对前、后、左右各方应战或回 旋进退，越过沟堑攀登高地，冲过险阻，横渡大水，追逐强敌，打乱众多敌人的，这种人称为武骑士，待遇不可不优厚。

  Battle Chariots

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “What is the best way to use battle chariots?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “The infantry’s value may be maximized by knowing changes and movement; the chariot’s value may be maximized by knowing the terrain’s configuration; the cavalry value may be maximized by discovering the unknown short-cuts and side roads. Thus these three bodies share the same goal, but their employment differs. In chariot battles, there are ten types of fatal situations in which defeat is likely and eight on which victory can be achieved.”

  King Wu asked: “What are the ten fatal situations?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “1. If after advancing, there is no way to withdraw, this is fatal terrain for chariots:

  2. If after passing beyond narrow defiles, you pursue the enemy some distance, this is terrain which will exhaust the chariots.

  3. If the land in front makes advancing easy, while that to the rear is treacherous, this is terrain that will entrap the chariots.

  4. If you penetrate into narrow and obstructed areas from which escape will be difficult, this is terrain on which the chariots may be cut off.

  5. If the land is collapsing, sinking, and marshy, with black mud sticking to everything, this is terrain which will ‘labor’ the chariots.

  6. If the left is precipitous while the right is easy, with high mounds and sharp hills. This is terrain contrary to the use of chariots.

  7. If luxuriant grass runs through the field, and there are deep, watery channels throughout. This is terrain which thwarts the use of chariots.

  8. If our chariots are few in number, the land easy, and we are outnumbered by enemy infantry, this is terrain on which our chariots may be defeated.

  9. If there are water filled ravines and ditches to the rear, deep water to the left and steep hills to the right, this is terrain on which chariots may be destroyed.

  10. If it has been raining day and night for more than ten days without stopping and if the roads have collapsed so that it not possible to advance or to escape to the rear. This is the terrain that will sink the chariots.

  “These ten are the deadly terrains for chariots. Thus they will cause the stupid general will be captured and allow the wise general to escape.”

  King Wu asked: “What are the eight conditions of terrain that may yield victory?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “1. If the enemy’s ranks - front and rear - are not yet settled, you may strike into them.

  2. If their flags and pennants are in chaos and their men and horses are frequently shifting about, you may strike into them.

  3. If some of their officers and troops advance while others retreat, others move to the left, and yet others move to the right, then you may strike into them.

  4. If their battle array is not yet solid and their officers and troops are looking around at each other, they you may strike into them.

  5. If as they advance, they appear full of doubts, and as they withdraw, fearful, then you may strike into them

  6. If the enemy’s whole army becomes suddenly frightened, all of them rising up in great confusion, then you may strike into them.

  7. If you are fighting on easy terrain and twilight has not ended, then you may strike into them.

  8. If, after traveling far, at dusk they are camping and their whole army is terrified, you may strike into them.

  “These eight circumstances constitute conditions in which the chariots will be victorious. If the general is clear about the ten fatal situations where defeat is probable and the eight favorable situations where victory is possible, then even if the enemy should surround him - attacking with 1,000 chariots and 10,000 cavalry from the front and the flanks – the wise general will invariably be victorious.”

  “Excellent!” said King Wu.

  武王问太公说：战车怎样作战?

  太公说：步兵作战贵在熟悉情况变化，车兵作战贵在熟悉地形状况，骑兵作战贵在熟悉别道捷径，车骑步同是作战部队而用法不同。车兵作战有十种死地、八种有利的情况。

  武王问；什么是十种死地?

  太公说：可以前进而不能退回，这就是战车的死地。越险阻，长途追逐敌人，这就是战车的竭地。前面平坦，后面险阻，这就是战车的困地。陷入危险而难于出来， 这就是战车的绝地。毁塌积水粘泥地带，这就是战车的劳地。左面险阻右面平坦，还要爬坡，这就是战车的逆地。盛草连垄，还要渡过水泽，这就是战车的拂地。车少地平，而又战车与步兵配合不当这是战车的败地。后有沟渠，左有深水，右有高坡，这就是战车的坏地。昼夜大雨，连日不停，道路毁坏，前不能进，后不能退， 这就是战车的陷地。这十种都是战车的”死地”。所以愚将由于不了解这十种死地而被擒，智将由于了解之十种死地，就能避开它。

  武王又问：八种有利的情况是什么?

  太公说：敌人的前后行阵尚未排列完毕就乘机攻破它。敌人旌旗紊乱，人马不断调动，就来机攻破它。敌士卒有的向前，有的退后，有的往左，有的往右，混乱不已，就乘机攻破它。敌阵势不稳定，士卒前后相互观望，就乘机攻破它。敌前进犹豫，后退害怕，就乘机攻破它。故三军突然惊乱，轻举妄动，就乘机攻破它。敌与我�
�于平坦地形上，日暮还未结束战斗，就用战车攻破它。敌长途行军，宿营很晚，三军惧战，就乘机攻破它。这八种情况都是对战车作战有利的情况。将帅明白了十种”死地”和八种”胜地”，敌人即便四面包围，用千乘万骑向我正面压迫，两侧突击，也不可怕，无论多少次战斗都必定取得胜利。

  武王说：好啊！

  Cavalry in Battle

  King Wu asked Jiāng Zǐyá: “How can the cavalry best be employed in battle?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá responded: “For the cavalry, there are ten circumstances that can produce victory and nine that will result in defeat.”

  King Wu asked: “What are the ten circumstances that can produce victory?”

  Jiāng Zǐyá replied: “When the enemy first arrives, before their lines and deployment are settled, when the front and rear not yet united, if our cavalry strikes into their forward cavalry, with simultaneous attacks to their left and right flanks. They will certainly flee.

  “When the enemy’s lines and deployment are well-ordered and solid, when their officers and troops are eager to fight, our cavalry should outflank the enemy but not go too far off. Some of our cavalry should be seen to race away and some race forward. They should be fast as the wind, as explosive as thunder, so that their dust turns the daylight as murky as dusk. Our flags and pennants and even our uniforms should be changed several times to exaggerate our strength and confuse the enemy. Then they can be conquered.

  “When the enemy’s lines and deployment are not solid, if their officers and troops do not want to fight, press them both front and rear, make surprise attacks on their left and right. If you then outflank and encircle them, they will certainly be afraid.

  “When, at sunset, if the enemy wants to return to his camp and their army is frightened, if we can outflank them on both sides, urgently striking their rear, pressing them up to the entrance to their fortifications, and then, we do not allow them to go in. They will certainly be defeated.