兵教下

Your servant has heard that a ruler possesses a path to certain victory, enabling him to annex and expand broadly. By unifying his institutions, his authority extends over All-Under-Heaven. There are twelve methods:

First, 'linked punishment' -- meaning collective liability through the mutual guarantee of squads. Second, 'territorial prohibition' -- meaning restricting movement on roads to net external enemies. Third, 'complete army' -- meaning squad leaders stay with their men and groups of three and five remain together, binding them in cohesion. Fourth, 'opening and blocking' -- meaning dividing territory into sectors where each man guards his post to the death. Fifth, 'dividing boundaries' -- meaning left and right flanks check each other, front and rear echelons support each other, with walled wagons forming strongpoints to resist and halt the enemy. Sixth, 'distinguishing by call-signs' -- meaning front ranks press forward to distinguish themselves from those behind, preventing disorder from men competing to be first. Seventh, 'five badges' -- meaning making ranks and files visually clear so that order holds from start to finish. Eighth, 'complete formations' -- meaning all turns and maneuvers are coordinated, with each unit having its assigned sector. Ninth, 'gongs and drums' -- meaning using them to promote merit and recognize virtue. Tenth, 'arrayed chariots' -- meaning linking forward spears in a continuous line with the horses' eyes blinkered. Eleventh, 'death warriors' -- meaning selecting the strongest men from the army to ride war chariots, ranging forward and back, east and west, to launch surprise attacks against the enemy. Twelfth, 'steadfast troops' -- meaning maintaining flags and complete formations, never moving unless waved forward.

When these twelve methods are fully trained, no violations of orders are tolerated. A weak army can be made strong, a humble ruler can be made respected, decayed orders can be revived, wandering people can be brought together, large populations can be governed, and vast territories can be defended. War chariots need not pass beyond the threshold, nor armor leave its cases, yet the whole world will submit in awe.

The army requires five commitments: as a general, forget your family; when crossing the border, forget your kin; when facing the enemy, forget yourself; embrace certain death and you will live; pursuing quick victory is the lowest strategy.

A hundred men willing to bare their blades can break through formations and scatter ranks. A thousand men willing to bare their blades can capture the enemy and kill his general. Ten thousand men willing to bare their blades can march freely across All-Under-Heaven.

King Wu asked the Grand Duke Wang: 'I wish to learn briefly the essential principles of employing men.' The Grand Duke replied: 'Let rewards be as immovable as mountains; let punishments flow as surely as streams. The highest principle is to commit no errors; the next best is to correct errors. Allow no one to whisper privately. Anyone who is condemned to punishment and petitions for exemption shall die. Anyone who is awarded a reward and petitions for it to be withheld shall die.'

To attack a state, you must exploit its upheavals. Display wealth to observe its desperation. Expose its weaknesses to reveal its ailments. When the rulers are divided, the subordinates scatter. Conditions of this kind are the occasions for attack.

Whenever deploying forces, you must carefully assess the balance of power both internally and externally, and calculate the routes of advance. Examine whether military preparations have gaps, whether food supplies are sufficient or deficient, and verify the routes of entry and exit. Only then deploy forces to punish the disordered -- and you will certainly penetrate their defenses.

When the territory is large but the cities are small, first seize the territory. When the cities are large but the territory is narrow, first attack the cities. When the land is vast but the population sparse, cut off the strategic passes. When the land is narrow but the population dense, build great siege mounds to overlook them.

Do not waste your advantages. Do not miss your opportunities. Broaden your governance, level your administration, and remedy your defects -- then you will have the capacity to manage All-Under-Heaven.

Today the Warring States attack each other, and even great campaigns lack moral purpose. From squads to companies, from companies to divisions, orders are not unified. They lead the people with unsettled minds, merely promote extravagance and arrogance, scheme over grievances, and debate lawsuits while officials investigate petty matters -- all of which accumulates into defeat.

When the day grows late and the road is long, the returning army's morale is broken. When the army grows weary and the general grows greedy, the scramble for plunder invites easy defeat.

When the enemy's general is reckless, his fortifications low, and his troops restless, he can be attacked. When the enemy's general is cautious, his fortifications high, and his troops fearful, he can be besieged.

In any siege, you must leave open small advantages to lure the enemy, gradually weakening him until even his most frugal men run out of food. When troops launch night attacks, it is because they are panicked. When troops avoid engagement, it is because their cohesion has broken. When they wait for rescue and fight on a deadline under pressure, their hearts have failed and their morale is wounded.

Wounded morale defeats armies; crooked strategy defeats states.