威王問

King Wei of Qi asked Sun Bin about the use of troops: 'When two armies are equally matched and two generals face each other, both entrenched and solid, neither daring to make the first move — what should be done?' Sun Bin replied: 'Send light troops to probe them, commanded by men of low rank but great courage. Plan for retreat, not for gain. Deploy a concealed formation to strike their flank. This is called achieving a great gain.' King Wei asked: 'Is there a method for using large and small forces?' Sun Bin said: 'There is.' King Wei asked: 'If we are strong and the enemy weak, we numerous and the enemy few — how should we proceed?' Sun Bin bowed twice and said: 'This is the question of an enlightened king! To be numerous and strong yet still ask how to employ them — this is the way to secure the state. It is called assisting the army. Disrupt their troops and disorder their ranks by following their intentions, and they will be compelled to fight.' King Wei asked: 'If the enemy is numerous and we are few, the enemy strong and we weak — how should we proceed?' Sun Bin said: 'This is called yielding authority. You must protect your rear and ensure the troops can withdraw. Place long weapons in front and short weapons behind [lacuna], deploy mobile screens to support the hard-pressed. [Lacuna] Do not move, and await the enemy's capability to be exhausted.'

King Wei asked: 'If both sides deploy simultaneously and we do not know whether the enemy is numerous or few — what should be done?' Sun Bin said: 'This is called [lacuna]...' King Wei asked: 'How does one strike a cornered enemy?' Sun Bin said: '[lacuna]...one may thereby plan for survival.' King Wei asked: 'How does one strike an evenly matched enemy?' Sun Bin said: 'Encamp and divide them. Concentrate our troops and strike, without letting the enemy know. If they do not divide, hold position and stop. Do not attack when in doubt.' King Wei asked: 'Is there a method for one to strike ten?' Sun Bin said: 'There is. Attack where they are unprepared; appear where they do not expect.' King Wei asked: 'On level ground with equal troops, engaging yet being defeated — why is this?' Sun Bin said: 'Because the formation lacks a cutting edge.' King Wei asked: 'How does one ensure the people habitually obey?' Sun Bin said: 'Through habitual trustworthiness.' King Wei said: 'Excellently spoken! The potential of military force is inexhaustible.'

Tian Ji asked Sun Bin: 'What troubles an army? What traps an enemy? What prevents ramparts from extending? What is the loss of heaven? What is the loss of ground? What is the loss of the people? Is there a method for these six things?' Sun Bin said: 'There is. What troubles an army is terrain. What traps an enemy is obstacles. Therefore it is said: three li of marshland will trouble an army [...] fording will delay heavy armor. Therefore it is said: what troubles an army is terrain, what traps an enemy is obstacles, and what prevents ramparts from extending is cold. [Lacuna]...'

'...What should be done?' Sun Bin said: 'Sound the drums and have them sit; after ten [drum beats], lead them forward.' Tian Ji asked: 'Once formations are set and the troops are moving, how does one ensure the soldiers obey commands?' Sun Bin said: 'Be strict and show them the advantage.' Tian Ji asked: 'Are rewards and punishments the most urgent matters in warfare?' Sun Bin said: 'No. Rewards make the troops glad and cause soldiers to forget death. Punishments correct disorder and make the people fear their superiors. These can enhance victory but are not the most urgent matters.' Tian Ji asked: 'Are authority, momentum, strategy, and deception the most urgent matters in warfare?' Sun Bin said: 'No. Authority is how you gather the multitude. Momentum is how you compel soldiers to fight. Strategy is how you ensure the enemy has no defenses. Deception is how you entrap the enemy. These can enhance victory but are not the most urgent matters.' Tian Ji flushed with anger: 'These six things are all what skilled commanders employ, yet you say none of them is the most urgent. Then what is the most urgent?' Sun Bin said: 'Assessing the enemy and calculating the terrain, always surveying distances [...] this is the way of the general. To always attack where the enemy does not defend — this is the most urgent matter in warfare. [...is its] bone.'

Tian Ji asked Sun Bin: 'Is there a method for deploying the army without fighting?' Sun Bin said: 'There is. Occupy rugged positions and strengthen your ramparts. Maintain strict vigilance and do not move. Do not [let yourself be provoked], do not let yourself be angered.' Tian Ji asked: 'If the enemy is numerous and fierce, is there a method for forcing battle?' Sun Bin said: 'There is. Lower your ramparts and broaden your resolve. Be strict, correct, and unified in your forces. Avoid the enemy to make him arrogant; lure him to exhaust him. Attack where he is unprepared; appear where he does not expect. You must be prepared for a prolonged engagement.'

Tian Ji asked Sun Bin: 'What is the wedge formation? What is the goose formation? What are elite shock troops? What are rapid-firing strong crossbowmen? What is the whirlwind formation? What is the mass infantry?' Sun Bin said: 'The wedge formation is for breaking through solid defenses and smashing strong points. The goose formation is for striking flanks and responding [lacuna]. Elite shock troops are for cutting through formations and capturing generals. Rapid-firing strong crossbowmen are for sustaining prolonged engagement. The whirlwind formation is for encircling [lacuna]. Mass infantry is for dividing tasks and achieving victory.' Sun Bin said: 'An enlightened ruler and a general who understands the Way do not rely on mass infantry alone to seek merit.'

When Sun Bin came out, his disciples asked: 'How were the questions from King Wei and the minister Tian Ji?' Sun Bin said: 'King Wei asked nine questions and Tian Ji asked seven. They have nearly attained an understanding of warfare, but have not yet reached the Way. I have heard that those who practice habitual trustworthiness will flourish, and those who establish righteousness [...]. Those who wage war without preparation will be harmed; those who exhaust their military will perish. Within three generations, Qi will have cause for worry.'