Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

Verse 4

  Appoint a company commander for 100 men, a Sima (battalion commander) for 1,000 men, and a general for 10,000 men. This is how a small number can control a large number; a smaller authority can manage a large group of people. If they listen to my techniques of management of troops, he can control the whole army as well. If no single man can escape punishment, fathers will not dare conceal their sons and sons will not dare conceal their fathers, so how much more so the citizens of the state?

  如今百人设一卒长，千人设一司马，万人设一将军，这是以少数人管辖多数人，以少数将吏去治理整个部队的事务。如果能听从我的统御方法，就可以驾驭三军之众。如果做到一个违犯者也不放过，就是父亲也不敢放过儿子，儿子也不敢放过父亲，何况对于一般的人呢！

  Verse 5

  If a warrior wields a sword to strike people in the marketplace, among 10,000 people, there will not be anyone who does not avoid him. If I say it is not that only one man is courageous, and that the 10,000 are useless, what is the reason? Being committed to dying and being committed to staying alive are not comparable. If you listen and use my techniques, you will find they are sufficient to cause the whole army to put their lives forward. No one will stand before them, no one will chase after them. They will be able to come and go without obstacles; the characteristic of an army that belongs to a king or hegemon.

  一个亡命之徒，持剑在持市上杀人，众人没有不躲避他的。我认为这并不是由于这个人特别勇敢而众人都无能。为什么呢？因为抱必死决心的人和贪生怕死的人，本来是不相向的。如果依照我的办法行事，可以使三军之众，就象一个持剑的亡命之徒那样，前进时敌人不敢抵抗，后退时敌人不敢追击，而能做到进退无阻。能够进退无阻的军队，那就是图王称霸的军队了。

  Verse 6

  Who led a mass of 100,000 and no one under Heaven opposed him? Duke Huan. Who led a mass of 70,000 and no one under Heaven opposed him? Wu Qi. Who led a mass of 30,000 and no one under Heaven opposed him? Sun Tzu. Today among the armies led by commanders from the various feudal states, there is not one that does not reach a mass of 200,000 men. Yet they are unable to succeed in establishing their merit; it is because they do not understand prohibitions, pardons, education and prevention. If you make the ordinances clear so that one man will be victorious, then ten men will also thereby be victorious. Thus I say if you improve our weapons and equipment, nurture our martial courage, when you release our forces it will be like a bird attacking, like water rushing down a thousand-fathom valley.

  Now, a state that finds itself in difficulty, sends its valuable treasure out with emissaries to other states, sends its beloved sons out as hostages, and cedes land along its borders. Although the troops coming to assist are said to have the strength of 100,000, but in actuality they do not exceed tens of thousands. When their troops come forth, there are no generals to whom the ruler has not said: ‘Do not be the first to fight.’ In reality, one cannot enter battle with them.

  有统率十万军队而天下无敌的，是谁呢？是齐桓公。有统率七万军队而天下无敌的，是谁呢？是吴起。有统率三万军队而天下无敌的，是谁呢？是孙武子。现在各国一些杰出的将领，所统率的军队都不下二十万，其所以不能功成名就，就在于没有建立明确的奖惩制度。如果明确建立了这些制度，一个人取得胜利，就会带动十个人 取得胜利，十个人取得胜利，就会带动百人、千人、万人取得胜利。所以说，改善我们的武器装备，培养我们的战斗作风，军队一旦出动，就象鸷鸟捕食那样凶猛，像倾泻到深谷的急流那样势不可当。

  如今有的国家遇到外患的时候，总是以贵重的珍宝作为礼品，以爱子作为人质，以国土割让给别人，用这些条件去乞求别国派兵援助，而派来的援军往往名为十万，其实不过几万罢了。而且当其出发的时候，他们的国君总是告诉他的将领说：”不要在别人之前进入战斗”。他们是根本不可能为你奋力作战的。

  Verse 7

  If we want to manage the population within our borders, without the system of five, no one could order them. Through proper ordinances, the mass of 10,000 troops can then be used in battles. If such a mass has worn our uniform, eaten our food and still cannot emerge victorious, then it is not the fault of the soldiers. Rather, it is fault brought about internally. Even if we are aided by allied feudal states, and they behave like a slow horse, and the enemy acts like a strong horse, it would be like pitting a weak horse against a strong horse. How would it improve our disposition?

  治理全国民众，没有什伍的制度，就没有谁能治理好他们。编成十万大军，就必能用它们去取胜。如果这些军队，穿了国家的衣服，吃了国家的粮食，战不能胜，守不能固，这不是士兵的罪过，而是由于军内没有建立良好的制度或指挥不当的缘故。在这种情况下，纵然有别国军队帮助作战，而敌人好象一匹飞驰的骏马，援兵却象一匹迟顿的劣马，劣马去和骏马较量，这怎能有助于我军的气势呢。

  Verse 8

  We should employ all resources available for our own use. We should study all the known regulations to create our own regulations. We should revise our commands and orders and make punishments and rewards clear. We should make clear that for those who do not engage in agriculture, there will be no means to eat; and for those who do not engage in battle or achieve battle merits, there will be no means to attain ranks. We should cause the people to compete to go out to the farms and into battle. Then we will remain invincible! Thus I say that when a command is promulgated, an order issued, its credibility will extend throughout the state.

  利用天下的财富来充实我们的国力，参考天下的制度来修订我们的制度。整肃号令，严明赏罚，使天下都知道不耕种的人不能得食，无战功的人不能得爵。鼓励民众奋勇争先地投入生产和战斗，这样就可以天下无敌了。所以说，号令一经发出，就必须取信于民而风行全国。

  Verse 9

  If among the populace, there are those who say they can vanquish the enemy, do not allow them to speak idly but absolutely test their ability to fight. To look at people’s lands and have a desire to gain them, to divide up other ruler’s subjects and nourish them, one must be able to have the help of capable talents. If you are unable to bring in and employ your capable talents, but want to possess all lands, you must destroy armies and slay generals. In this way, even though you may be victorious in battle, the state will grow increasingly weak. Even though you gain territory, the state will be increasingly impoverished. All this proceeds from the state’s bad regulations.

  如果有人说他有战胜敌人的办法，可不能轻信他的空话，必须实践中考验他。要想兼并别国的土地，统治别国的人氏，必须国内贤才辅佐。如果在国内没有贤才辅佐， 而想统一天下，必然招致兵败将亡的后果。即使侥幸获胜，国家也会因此而更加衰弱，即使攻占别国的土地，国家也会因此而更加贫困，这些都是由于国家制度有病，[不能选贤任能的缘故]。

  Chapter 4 – Combat Superiority

  Verse 1

  In general, in warfare, there are those who gain victory through the Way; those who gain victory through military greatness, and those who gain victory through strength. Holding careful military discussions and evaluating the enemy; causing the enemy morale to be lost and his forces to be disunited, so that even if his disposition is complete, he will not be able to employ it; this is victory through the Way. Being precise about laws and regulations, making rewards and punishment clear, improving weapons and equipment, causing the people to have minds totally committed to fighting; this is victory through military grandeur. Destroying armies and slaying generals, using all tools to attack the city, overwhelming the populace and seizing territory, returning only after being successful, this is victory through strength. When kings and feud
al lords know these, their education in the three ways to victory will be complete.

  战争有用道胜的，有用威胜的，有用力胜的。讲求军事准备，判明敌人虚实，设法促使敌人士气沮丧而内部分化，虽然军队的组织形式完整但却不能用来作战，这就是以道胜。审定法制，严明赏罚，改善武器装备，使人人都有必战的决心，这就是以威胜。击破敌军，斩杀敌将，使用各种攻城器械强攻敌人城邑，粉碎敌人防御，占领敌国土地，功成之后，班师回国，这就是以力胜。战争决策者明白这些，就能完全掌握三种胜利方式的具体运用了。

  Verse 2

  Now, the means by which the general fights is with the people; the means by which the people fight is their fighting spirit. When their fighting spirit is substantial they will fight; when their fighting spirit has been snatched away, they will run off. Before formation has been formed, before the soldiers have clashed, the means by which one overpowers the enemy are five:

  Producing great strategy to pre-empt the enemy.

  Giving the correct mandate to the correct person.

  Being able to cross into an enemy’s border.

  Having a great defense, like deep moats and high walls.

  Proper mobilizing, deploying, and applying punitive measures to the enemy.

  In these five cases, first evaluate the enemy, and afterward move. In this way, you can attack their weakness and seize them.

  One who excels at employing the army is able to seize men and not be seized by others. This requires wisdom. Orders unify the minds of the masses. When the masses are not understood by the general, the orders will have to be changed frequently. When orders are changed frequently, then even though orders are issued, the masses will not have faith in them. Thus the rule of thumb for giving commands is that small errors need not be rectified, minor doubts need not be cleared. Thus when those above do not issue doubtful orders, the masses will not listen to two different versions. When actions do not have any questionable aspects, the multitude will not have divided intentions. There has never been an instance where the people did not believe in the capability of their leader and the generals were still able to retain their strength. There has never been the case that the general did not make the masses voluntarily offer their services and still gain their services.

  将军所赖以作战的是军队，军队所赖以作战的是士气。士气旺盛就勇于战斗，士气沮丧就会溃败。在军队还未行动，双方还未接触时就能够压倒敌人的条件有五个方面，一是朝廷的决策英明，二是将军选拔的人，三是进入敌境的迅速突然，四是本国防务的坚强充实，五是列阵决战的指挥正确。这五个方面都要先分析敌情，而后行动，用以实击虚的办法去压倒敌人。善于用兵的人，能压倒敌人。而不为敌人所压倒。压倒敌人，在于将帅的机智。号令是用来统一军队行动的，对军队情况不了解，号令就会经常变更，经常变更的号令，纵然下达了，大家也都不会相信。因此，下达号令的原则是，有小的缺点不必变更，有点不明确也不须重申。所以，上级没有可疑的命令，大众也就不会无所适从；行动没有犹豫不定的事情，大众就不会三心二意。从来就没有不取得大众衷心信任，而能得到他们自愿效力的，也没有不取得大众自愿效力，而能使他们拚命作战的。

  Verse 3

  A state must promote and practice etiquette, trust, familiarity, and love. And only then can it tolerate hunger and overcome problems. The state must first promote and practices of filial piety, parental love, honesty and shame. And only then would people be willing to use their life to protect the state. In antiquity, rulers ruled with respect and integrity, and then used rewards and ranks to motivate the people. They educated the populace first as to what was considered “honesty and shame”, and punishments and fines afterwards; comfort the populace with benevolence and love, and impose constraints on the populace afterwards.

  一个国家必须有崇礼守信相亲相爱的风气，民众才能忍饥耐饿克服困难。国家必须有孝顺慈爱廉洁知耻的习俗，民众才能不惜牺牲去捍卫国家。古代君王治理民众，必须先以礼信感化他们，然后用爵禄鼓励他们；先以廉耻教育他们；然后用刑罚督促他们；先用仁爱抚慰他们，然后用法律约束他们。

  Verse 4

  Thus, those who engage in combat must take the lead in person, in order to incite the masses and officers, just as the mind controls the four limbs. If the masses and officers are not incited, then they will not die for their country. When they will not die for their country, then the whole army cannot do battle. In order to stimulate the soldiers, the people’s material welfare has to be ample. The ranks of nobility, the degree of comforting for the dead, the materials which the people chase after must be made evident. One must govern the people in accordance with their needs. One must govern the people by giving due credit for achievements. Actually giving people rewards for going into the field, feasting done together with relatives and friends, the mutual encouragement from fellow villagers, mutual assistance in times of crisis, marching off to war together – these are what stimulate the people. Ensure that the members of the five member squads and ten member squads take care of each other, as though they were relatives; the members of the companies and their officers behave like close friends. When they stop, they will be like a solid, encircling wall; when they move, they move like the wind and rain. The chariots will not make retreats; the soldiers will not turn around. This is the Way to establish the foundation for combat.

  将帅指挥作战，必须用自己的表率行为来激励部队，这样才能象头脑指挥四肢一样的灵活自如。战斗意志不加激励，士兵就不会为国家效死，士兵不为国家效死，部队就没有作战能力。激励士气的方法，就是使民众都过富裕的生活。官职的等级，死丧的抚恤，民众所追求的，应该有明确的规定。必须根据民众的生活需要制定保障措施，根据民众的功绩给予表彰奖励，使他们在田地体禄方面得到实惠，起居饮食方面得到照顾，邻里互相鼓励，死生互相帮助，战时携手应征入伍，这就是激励民众的办法。使同什同伍的人，象亲戚那样互相关心，上下级关系象朋友那样亲密无间，军队驻止下来就象铜墙铁壁一样的坚固，行动起来就象急风暴雨一样的迅猛，战车一往直前，士兵绝不后退，这就是战胜敌人的根本原则。

  Verse 5

  Land is the means by which to nourish the populace; fortified cities, the means for defending the land; combat, the means for defending the cities. Thus if one concentrates on agriculture, the people will not be hungry; if one concentrates on defense, the land will not be endangered; if one concentrates on combat, the cities will not be encircled. These three were the fundamental concerns of the Former Kings, and among them military affairs were the most urgent. Therefore the Former Kings concentrated on five military affairs: When the food supply is not substantial, the soldiers do not set out. When rewards and salaries are not generous, the people are not stimulated. When military warriors are not selected based on capabilities, the masses will not be strong. When the weapons and implements are not prepared, their fighting strength will not be great. When punishments and rewards are not appropriate, the masses will not respect them. If one emphasizes these five, then at rest, the army will be able to defend any place it secures, and in motion it will be able to attain its objectives.

  土地是用来养活民众的，城塞是用来保卫土地的，战斗是用来防守城塞的。所以，注重农业生产的，民众就不会受饥荒，注重边疆守备的，领土就不会被侵犯，注重机动作战的，城市就不会被围困。这件事是古代君王立国的根本问题，而其中军事问题又最为紧要。所以古代君王特别注意军事方面的五个问题：粮食储备不充分，军队就难以行动；奖赏待遇不优厚，民众就得不到鼓励；武士不经严格挑选，部队就不会坚强；武器装备不�
�实，战斗力就不会强大；赏罚不公正，民众就不会畏服。能够注意到这五个方面的问题，防守时就能守必固，行动时就能战必胜。

  Verse 6

  As for moving from the state from being motionless, to going forth to attack, the defense should be strong. In deploying your troops, you want the formations to be solid. In launching an attack you want to make the utmost effort. And in going forth to battle, you want to be of one mind.

  要由防御转入进攻，防御就要稳定，阵地就要坚固，发起进攻要使用全部力量，战斗行动要协调一致。

  Verse 7

  The state of a king enriches its people; the state of a hegemon enriches its officers. A state that merely survives, enriches the high officials, and a state that is about to perish, enriches the king’s own granaries and storehouses. Thus to satisfy the high ranks but neglect those at the bottom would result in a disaster with no means of rescue.

  实行王道的国家，注意增加人民的收入；实行霸道的国家，注意增加武士的待遇；没落的国家，只图增加中上层贵族们的财富；濒于灭亡的国家，只图增加君王自己的库存财物。所以说，只满足上层而忽略下层，其祸患是无法挽救的。

  Verse 8

  Thus I say that if you hire the Worthy and give responsibility to the capable, even without selecting an auspicious time to do it, it will still be advantageous. If you make the laws clear and are cautious in issuing orders, then without performing divination, you will obtain good results. If you esteem achievement and nurture effort, without praying, you will still attain blessings. Thus it is said, ‘Gaining the Heavenly timing is not as good as the advantages of terrain. Advantages of terrain are not as good as harmony among men.’ What Sages esteem is human effort; that is all!

  常言说，选用贤能，不须选择吉日良辰，也会顺利。法令明确，不必占卜吉凶，结果也会圆满。尊重功劳，不必祈祷也会得福。又说，天时有利不如地形有利，地形有利不如人心和睦。圣人所重视的，只在人的作为罢了。