陳忌問壘 (Tian Ji Asks About Ramparts) - Sun Bin Bingfa Chapter 4

以器代壘

Using Equipment in Place of Fortifications

田忌問孫子曰："吾卒..不禁，為之奈何？"孫子曰："明將之問也。此者人之所過而不急也。此□之所以疾..志也。"田忌曰："可得聞乎？"曰："可。用此者，所以應猝窘處隘塞死地之中也。是吾所以取龐□而擒太子申也。"田忌曰："善。事已往而形不見。"

Tian Ji asked Sun Bin: 'Our troops [...] cannot hold — what should be done?' Sun Bin said: 'This is the question of an enlightened general. This is something people overlook and do not consider urgent. This is what [lacuna] ... morale.' Tian Ji said: 'May I hear more?' Sun Bin said: 'You may. This technique is used when responding to a sudden crisis in a narrow pass or deadly ground. This is how I defeated Pang [Juan] and captured Crown Prince Shen.' Tian Ji said: 'Excellent. But the events have passed and the circumstances are no longer visible.'

Notes

1person太子申Tàizǐ Shēn

Crown Prince Shen (太子申) was the heir apparent of Wei who was captured during the Battle of Maling (341 BC). His capture alongside the defeat of Pang Juan effectively ended Wei's military dominance.

器用代壘之法

Methods for Field Fortification with Equipment

孫子曰："蒺藜者，所以當溝池也。車者，所以當壘[也]。□□[者]，所以當堞也。發者，所以當俾堄也。長兵次之，所以救其隋也。次之者，所以為長兵□也。短兵次之者，所以難其歸而徼其衰也。弩次之者，所以當投機也。中央無人，故盈之以..卒已定，乃具其法。制曰：以弩次蒺藜，然後以其法射之。壘上弩戟分。法曰：見使諜來言而動..去守五里置候，令相見也。高則方之，下則圓之。夜則舉鼓，晝則舉旗。"

Sun Bin said: 'Caltrops serve in place of moats and ditches. Chariots serve in place of ramparts. [Lacuna] serves in place of crenellations. Crossbow mounts serve in place of parapets. Long weapons are deployed next, to cover the gaps. The next layer supports the long weapons [lacuna]. Short weapons are deployed next, to make the enemy's return difficult and exploit his exhaustion. Crossbowmen are deployed next, to serve in place of catapults. The center has no men, so it is filled with [...]. Once the troops are positioned, then implement the regulations. The rule states: deploy crossbowmen behind the caltrops, then have them shoot according to the method. On the ramparts, crossbows and halberds are divided. The method states: when scouts come with reports, then act [...]. Place sentinels at five-li intervals from the defensive position, so they can see each other. On high ground use square formations; on low ground use circular formations. At night use drums; during the day use flags.'

Notes

1context

This chapter describes improvised field fortifications — using military equipment to substitute for permanent defensive works when caught in unfavorable terrain. Caltrops (蒺藜) replace moats, wagons replace walls, and layered weapon deployments create depth of defense. This is one of the earliest descriptions of wagon-laager tactics in military literature.

以器代壘

器用代壘之法

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