Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China

by Shawn Conners

  The sixth, ‘commands are distinguished’, refers to the forward rows concentrating on advancing, thereby being distinguished from those in the rear; who are not to compete to be the first to ascend, nor overstep their positions.

  The seventh, ‘five emblems’, refers to distinguishing the rows, with emblems so that the troops will not be disordered.

  The eighth, ‘preserving the units’, refers to units breaking up and following each other, each having their appointed sections.

  The ninth, ‘gongs and drums’, refers to stimulating the troops to achievement and compelling them to great heights.

  The tenth, ‘arraying the chariots’, refers to making the formation tight, with the spears deployed to the front and putting blinders on the horses’ eyes.

  The eleventh, ‘warriors of death’, refers to selecting the courageous and strong from among the masses of the army to ride in war chariots. They race forward and back, across and about, using tactics to gain mastery over the enemy.

  The twelfth, ‘strong troops’, refers to regulating the flags and preserving the units. Without the flags signaling an order, they do not move.

  When the instructions for these twelve rules have been successfully taught, anyone who contravenes an order should not be pardoned. As such, a weak army will be able to strengthen. If a ruler does not have a reputation, they will be able to know him. If orders become enervated, they will be able to revitalize them. If the people become migrants, they will be able to attract them. If the people are numerous, they will be able to govern them. If the territory is vast, they will be able to defend it. Without sending out the chariots or taking the armor from the storage bags, your military grandeur will still spread throughout the land.

  我听说人君掌握了必胜的方法，就能兼并广大的土地，实行统一的制度，从而威震天下。其方法有十二条：一是”连刑”，即一个犯罪，全伍连坐；二是”地禁”，即是管制交通，以防止奸细；三是”全车”，就是说战车上的甲士和随车步卒都要在车长统一指挥下，协调一致地行动；四是”开塞”，即划分防区，各自尽忠职责以行坚守；五是”分限”，即营阵左右相互警卫，前后相互照顾，环列战车，形成坚固营垒，用以抗拒敌人和保障宿营安全；六是”号别”，即前列部队进战时，与后列界限分明，后列不得抢先突进，以免次序紊乱；七是”五章”，即用五种颜色的标记以区别行列；保持部队始终不乱；八是”全曲”，即各部队在行动中互相连系，保持自己在战斗队形中的关系位置；九是”金鼓”，即激励将士杀敌主功，为国牺牲；十是”阵车”，即驻止时用战车前后连结成阵，遮蔽马的双目以免惊驰；十一是”死士”，即从各军中选拔有才而能勇敢的人，乘着战车，忽左忽右、忽前忽后地出奇制胜；十二是”力卒”，即选用才力超群的人掌管军旗，指挥部队，没有命令不得擅自行动。按照以上十二条进行教育后，有效逼犯教令的决不宽容。这样，军队战斗力弱的可以增强，君主威望不高的可以提高，法令废弛的可以整顿，人民流散的可以归附，人口众多而庞杂的也可以治理好，土地广大的可以守得住，不必出兵打仗，也能威服天下。

  Verse 1.2

  Soldiers have five commitments: for their general, they forget their families; when they cross the border, they forget their relatives; when they confront the enemy, they forget themselves; when they are committed to die, they will live; urgently seeking victory is the lowest. 100 men willing to suffer the pain of a blade can penetrate a line and cause chaos in a formation. 1,000 men willing to suffer the pain of a blade can seize the enemy and kill its general. 10,000 men willing to suffer the pain of a blade can transverse anywhere at will.

  对军队有五条要求：受命为将要忘掉家庭，出国作战要忘掉亲戚，临阵杀敌要忘掉自己，只有抱必死的决心，才可以求得生存，急于求胜，是不好的。百人死战，就可以摧破敌阵。千人死战，就可以擒敌杀将。万人死战，犹可以横行天下。

  Verse 1.3

  King Wu asked Tai Gong Wang: “I want to know the essence of employing men.” Tai Gong Wang replied: “Your rewards should be like mountains, your punishments like streams. When carrying out punishment and rewards, make no errors; the next is to correct mistakes immediately, if any. As such, there would not be disputes. Now anyone who, when about to be punished, requests that he not be punished should die. Anyone who, when about to be rewarded, requests that he not be rewarded should die. Attack a country when it has major changes. Observe their display of riches in order to observe their poverty. Observe their display of weaknesses in order to determine their ‘illnesses’. If the ruler is immoral and the people disaffected, in cases such as these, one has a basis for attack.”

  周武王问太公望说：”我想用最少时间来了解用人的要领。 太公望说：”奖励好人好事，要象高山那样的坚定不秽，惩罚坏人坏事，要象溪水那样的通行无阻。执行赏罚最重要的是不发生差错，其次是有了差错及时纠正，这就不合使人背后议论了。凡是有罪当罚而请求不罚的处死，有功当赏而请求不赏的处死。讨伐别的国家，必须利用它国内的变乱。观察它的财政情况，看它是否穷困，观察它国内的弊端，看它有何危机，看它上层是否专横暴戾，下层是否离心离德，有了这些情况就是有了可以讨我伐的因素。

  Verse 1.4

  In general, whenever about to mobilize the army, you must first investigate the strategic balance of power both within and outside the borders, in order to decide whether to mount a campaign. You must know whether the army is well prepared or suffers from inadequacies, whether there is a surplus or shortage of food. You must determine the route for advancing and returning. Only thereafter can you mobilize the army to attack the weakest points and be certain of being able to enter his state.

  If the territory is vast but the cities small, you must first occupy their land. If the cities are large but the land narrow, you must first attack their cities. If the country is vast, and the populace is small, isolate their strategic points. If the land is confined, but the people are numerous, then construct fortifications in order to attack them. Do not destroy their material gains nor delay people’s scheduled agricultural activities. Be magnanimous towards government officials, stabilize the people’s occupations, and provide relief for the impoverished, for then your virtuous deeds will be sufficient to spread throughout the land. Today, warring states attack each other and mount large assaults on the virtuous. From the squads to the platoons, from the platoons to the army, none have unified orders. They cause the people to have unsettled minds; these rulers incline toward arrogance and extravagance. Officials are constantly involved in disputes, spending their time investigating matters. These are entanglements that cause all parties to be tired and dispirited, thus bringing about defeat. After the sun has set, the road remains long, and when the soldiers return to camp, they are dispirited. The army is tired from the campaign, the general covetous. Thus the troops will plunder to seize material gains and will be easily defeated.

  兴兵作战，必须详细研究敌我形势的变化，以计划军队的行动。敌我战备的程度，粮食的多少，比较双方进出道路的远近险易，然后出兵进攻，必能顺利攻入敌境。敌人地大而城小，必先占领广阔的土地。城大而地窄，必先攻占它的城市。土地广阔而人口少的，就要控制它的枢纽要害，城市狭小而人口稠密的，就构筑土山攻城。 对敌国不要损害其民众的利益，不要耽误民众的耕种，废除苛刻的法令，安定人民的生活，拯救民众的疾苦，这就是施恩于天下了。现今各国互相攻伐，往往仗恃强大，攻击施行德政的国家。军队从”伍”到”两”，从”两”到”师”，命令不统一，军心不安定。崇尚骄奢，惹事生非，官吏忙于处理这些事情，徒劳精力，招致战败。还师罢军，挫伤士气，久战疲惫，将帅贪功，士卒劫掠，�
��就很容易被战败了。

  Verse 1.5

  When the general is arrogant and obnoxious, the fortifications are low, and the troop’s minds unstable, they can be attacked. If the general can be counted on, fortifications are high, but the masses are afraid, they can be encircled. In general, whenever you encircle someone, you must provide them with a prospect for some escape, causing them to become weaker day by day. When time passes, even if the defenders reduce their rations, they will have nothing to eat. When their masses fight with each other at night, it is a sign that they are terrified. If the masses avoid following instructions, they have become disaffected. If they just wait for others to come and rescue them, and when the time for battle arrives, they are tense; they have all lost their will and are dispirited. Being dispirited defeats an army; distorted plans defeat a state.

  凡是敌人将帅轻浮、营垒低矮、军心动摇的，就可以进攻它。将帅稳重、营垒高大、军心恐惧的，可以围困它。围困敌人，必须给它展示一线希望，使它斗志逐渐削弱，时间一久，即使敌人节约粮食，也会陷于饥饿了。敌方士兵夜间自相攻击，是军队惊恐不安的表现。士兵不听指挥，是上下离心离德的表现。等待别国救援，会战前局促不安的，是信心丧失，士气沮丧的表现。士气沮丧，军队就会失败；谋略错误，国家就会败亡。

  Chapter 23 – Army Orders I

  Verse 1.1

  Weapons are implements for killing. War is contrary to Virtue. Plundering is an underhanded activity. Therefore when a true king attacks the brutal and chaotic, he takes benevolence and righteousness as the foundation for it. At the present time, the warring states, to establish their military grandeur, resist their enemies and plot against each other. Thus they cannot disband their armies.

  兵器，是杀人的工具。战争，是违反道德的行为。掠夺，是卑鄙的手段。所以王者讨伐暴乱，是为了申张仁义的。战国诸侯为了树立自己的权威，抵抗外敌侵略，互相图霸称雄，因而战争。

  Verse 1.2

  War takes the military as its trunk and political gains as its seed. War can be seen as the exterior and politics as the interior. One who can investigate and fathom the two will know the difference between victory and defeat. Politics is the means to discern benefit and harm, to discriminate between security and danger. The military is the means to contravene a strong enemy, to forcefully attack and defend.

  战争这个问题，军事是手段，政治是目的。军事是现象，政治是本质。能弄清这二者的关系，就懂得胜败的道理了。政治是用来明察利害，辨别安危的。军事是用来战胜强敌，保卫国家的。

  Verse 1.3

  One who is unified will be victorious; one who is beset by dissension will be defeated. When formations are tight, they are solid; when using weapons, it is better that the formations are loose. One whose troops fear their general far more than the enemy will be victorious. One whose troops fear the enemy far more than their general will be defeated. Thus to know who will be victorious and who defeated, measure your general with the enemy. If the general is settled and quiet, the troops are well-ordered; if the general is brutal and hasty, they are in chaos.

  意志统一就能胜利，离心离德就会失败。布阵队形密集有利于巩固，行列疏散则便于使用兵器。士卒畏惧将帅超过畏惧敌人的就能胜利，士卒畏惧敌人超过畏惧将帅的就会失败，所以要预知胜败，就可以比较士卒畏敌还是畏将，用这个比较来预见胜败，就象用秤称物一样准确。将帅沉着，军队就会严整，将帅急躁，军队就会混乱。

  Verse 1.4

  Sending troops forth and deploying the army have standard orders; the dispersal and density of the lines and squads have standard methods; and arraying the rows from the front to rear has appropriateness and suitability. Standard orders are not employed when pursuing a fleeing enemy or suddenly striking a city. If the front and rear are disordered, then the army loses the ability to achieve victory. If anyone causes confusion among the lines, behead him.

  出兵列阵有一般的法则，队形疏密有一定的标本，先后次序有适当的规定。这里所说的一般法则，不是用于追击和奔袭城邑的。前后次序紊乱了就会战败，所以对扰乱次序的人要处死。

  Verse 1.5

  The standard deployment for formations is always facing toward the enemy. There are also internally oriented formations, externally oriented formations, standing formations, and sitting formations. Internally oriented formations provide the means to preserve the center; externally oriented formations provide the means to defend against external threats. Standing formations are the means to move, sitting formations the means to stop or defend. Standing or sitting formations deployed in accordance with the need to move or stop, with the general being in command in the middle. The weapons of the seated soldiers are the sword and axes; the weapons of the standing soldiers are the spear tipped halberd and crossbow; the general also occupies the middle, in command.

  布阵通常是面向敌人的，但根据情况也有向内的，也有向外的，有立阵，也有坐阵。向内是为了保卫中军的安全，向外是为了防备敌人的袭击，立阵是准备进攻的，坐阵是用于驻止和防守的。采取立阵还是坐阵，应该根据军队的进止攻守来决定，将帅总是居中指挥。坐阵的兵器主要使用剑斧以备近战。立阵的兵器主要使用戟弩以利远战，将帅也是居中指挥。

  Verse 1.6

  Those who excel at repelling the enemy, first join battle with regular troops, then use surprise strategies to control them. This is the technique for certain victory. Array Axes of Authority: make a display of the emblems and flags. Those who have merit must be rewarded; those who contravene orders must die. The preservation or destruction of the state and the life or death of the soldiers lies at the hands of the general. Even though there are those under Heaven who excel at commanding armies, no one will be able to repel an army whose general does the above.

  善于抵御敌人的，通常先以正面兵力与敌作战，然后以机动兵力乘机打击它，这是必胜的方法。战斗时还要陈列斧钺，设置旗章，有功必赏，犯令必杀。国家的存亡，官兵的生死，全都系于将帅的指挥。能这样去指挥军队，纵然天下有善于用兵的人，也是不能抗拒他的。

  Verse 1.7

  Before arrows have been shot and cross in flight, before the long blades have clashed, if the enemy’s front lines are noisy, it means their army is weak. If the back lines are noisy, it means they are strong in numbers. If both the front and the back lines are not noisy, it means there is a plan. All three situations are typical war situations.

  在敌我双方还没有交锋的时候，如果敌人前军呼噪是它兵力虚弱的表现，后军呼噪是它兵力充实的表现，前后都不呼噪的是有秘密的企图。虚、实、秘三者都是作战的形态。

  Chapter 24 – Army Instructions II

  Verse 1.1

  Units are dispatched from the main army to undertake advance preparations for defense. They should set up observation posts along the borders every three to five miles. When they hear that the main army is making preparations to advance, mount a defense, and engage in battle, they should prohibit all movement in order to provide security to the state.

  在主力前方担任警戒的部队，他们在彼此相距三至五里的地方，各自占领要点。一听到主力出动，就立即做好戒备措施。战时，边境一律要禁止通行，这是为了保障国家安全的缘故。

  Verse 1.2

  When troops from the interior are about to set out for border duty, have the commanding officer provide them with their flags, drums, halberds, and armor. On the day for issuing forth, anyone who leaves after the commanding officer has gone out beyond the district border shall be liable to the law, for late arrival for border duty.

  The term of border duty for a soldier is one year. Anyone who leaves before bei
ng replaced shall be punished analogously to the law for deserting the army. If his parents, wife, or children know about it, they will share the crime with him. If they do not know about it, pardon them.

  内地士兵去守卫边疆时，应使将吏发给旗鼓戈甲。到了出发的日期，如有士兵在将吏之后离开县界的，应以后期出境论罪。士兵守卫边疆一年，而不等到接替的人到来就擅自离开的，应同逃兵一样治罪，父母妻子知道情况的，与犯人同罪，不知道情况的，免罪。

  Verse 1.3

  If a soldier arrives at the headquarters of the Grand General a day after his commanding officer, his parents, wife and children should all share the crime with him. If a soldier abandons his post to return home for a day and his parents, wife, or children do not arrest him, hold him or report it, they should also share the crime with him.

  士兵在将吏之后一日至大将处所报到的，父母妻子都与他同罪。士兵逃亡到家已过一日，父母妻子既不拘捕又不报告的，也与他同罪。

  Verse 1.4

  If they should abandon their commanding officer in battle, or if their commanding officer should abandon his troops and flee by himself, behead them all.

  凡是在战斗中，士兵擅自脱离将吏的，以及将吏抛弃所属部队自逃跑的，都应处死。

  Verse 1.5

  If a forward officer should abandon his troops and flee, any officer to the rear who is able to kill him and reassemble his troops should be rewarded.

  前方的将吏抛弃他所属部队逃跑的，后方的将吏能杀掉他，并把他的部队收容在一起的有赏。

  Verse 1.6

  Anyone among such troops who has not achieved merit within the army must serve three years at the border.