教戰 (Teaching Battle) — Chinese ink painting

六韜 Liutao · Chapter 54

教戰

Teaching Battle

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教戰之道

The Method of Teaching Battle

武王問太公曰:「合三軍之眾,欲令士卒練習,教戰之道奈何?」太公曰:「凡領三軍,有金鼓之節,所以整齊士眾者也。將必先明告吏士,申之以三令,以教操兵起居、旌旗指麾之變法。故教吏士,使一人學戰,教成,合之十人;十人學戰,教成,合之百人;百人學戰,教成,合之千人;千人學戰,教成,合之萬人;萬人學戰,教成,合之三軍之眾;大戰之法,教成,合之百萬之眾。故能成其大兵,立威於天下。」武王曰:「善哉!」

King Wu asked Taigong: "When assembling the three armies, I wish to have the soldiers drilled and trained. What is the method for teaching battle?" Taigong said: "In commanding the three armies, the rhythm of gongs and drums is what brings order to the soldiers. The general must first clearly instruct all officers and men, reinforcing the three standing orders, to teach them weapons drill, camp routine, and the methods of signaling with banners. Therefore the training of officers and soldiers proceeds thus: have one man learn to fight; when his training is complete, combine ten men. Ten men learn to fight; when their training is complete, combine a hundred. A hundred men learn to fight; when their training is complete, combine a thousand. A thousand men learn to fight; when their training is complete, combine ten thousand. Ten thousand men learn to fight; when their training is complete, combine the full three armies. When the methods of large-scale battle are mastered, combine an army of a million. In this way you can build a great military force and establish authority over all under heaven." King Wu said: "Excellent!"

Edition & Source

Text
《六韜》 Liutao
Edition
中華古詩文古書籍網 transcription
Commentary
Traditional military commentaries