金鼓

King Wu asked Taigong: "If we lead our army deep into hostile territory facing the enemy, and the weather turns bitterly cold or scorching hot, with continuous rain day and night for ten days without stopping, ditches and ramparts all destroyed, passes undefended, scouts growing negligent, soldiers off guard, and the enemy comes by night — the three armies are unprepared, and chaos reigns from top to bottom. What should be done?" Taigong said: "For the three armies, vigilance is the foundation of security, and negligence the road to defeat. Station sentries on our ramparts who challenge ceaselessly, each man holding a banner, inner and outer posts watching each other, calling out signals so the sound never lapses, all facing outward. Group three thousand men into one garrison, instruct them strictly, and each must be careful at his post. If the enemy comes and sees our army is vigilant, they will arrive but certainly turn back. When their strength is spent and their energy depleted, send out our elite soldiers to pursue and strike them."

King Wu said: "If the enemy knows we are pursuing and has posted elite troops in ambush, feigning retreat without stopping, and when we encounter the ambush and turn back, they strike our front and rear or press against our ramparts — our three armies are terrified, thrown into disorder and scattered from their positions. What should be done?" Taigong said: "Divide into three columns and pursue, but do not advance past their ambush positions. When all three columns have arrived, some strike the enemy's front and rear while others break into their flanks. Make the signals clear and the orders precise, strike with speed and press forward. The enemy will certainly be defeated."