料敵

Marquis Wu said to Wu Qi: "Now Qin threatens us from the west, Chu girds us on the south, Zhao presses us from the north, Qi faces us on the east, Yan cuts off our rear, and Han sits at our front. The armies of six states guard against us on all sides — the strategic position is extremely unfavorable. What can be done about this?"

Wu Qi replied: "The method for securing a state begins with vigilance — that is the most precious thing. Since my lord is already vigilant, disaster is far away. Allow me to analyze the customs of the six states. Qi's formations are heavy but not solid. Qin's formations are dispersed but self-fighting. Chu's formations are orderly but cannot sustain. Yan's formations hold their ground but will not flee. The Three Jin states' formations are well-organized but ineffective."

"The Qi temperament is fierce, their state is wealthy, their rulers and ministers are arrogant and extravagant and neglect the common people. Their governance is lax and stipends are unequal. Their formations have divided loyalties — heavy in front, light in the rear — so they are weighty but not solid. The method for attacking them: divide your force into three, harry their flanks, press and follow up — their formations can be broken. The Qin temperament is tough, their terrain is perilous, their governance is strict, their rewards and punishments are reliable, and their people yield to no one — all have the will to fight. So they are dispersed yet each man fights on his own. The method for attacking them: first display profit to lure them away. Their soldiers, greedy for gain, will separate from their commander. Exploit the disorder, hunt down the scattered, set ambushes and seize the opportunity — their general can be captured. The Chu temperament is pliant, their territory is vast, their governance is chaotic, and their people are exhausted. So they are orderly but cannot sustain. The method for attacking them: strike to disrupt their encampments, first strip away their fighting spirit, advance lightly and withdraw quickly, wear them down and exhaust them, do not engage in pitched battle — their army can be defeated. The Yan temperament is honest, their people are cautious, they love bravery and duty but lack cunning. So they hold their ground and will not retreat. The method for attacking them: make contact and press them, then overrun them and pull back to a distance, charge and fall behind them. Their commanders will grow suspicious and their troops fearful. Deploy your chariots and cavalry to block their escape routes — their general can be captured. The Three Jin states are in the heartland. Their temperament is moderate, their governance is even-handed, their people are weary of war though accustomed to military service. They look down on their generals and their pay is meager; soldiers have no will to fight to the death. So they are well-organized but ineffective. The method for attacking them: block their formations and press them. When they mass, resist them; when they withdraw, pursue them — exhaust their army. This is the strategic reality."

"Furthermore, within any army there must be warriors of extraordinary valor — men whose strength can lift a cauldron, whose speed matches a war horse, who can seize the enemy's banner and cut down his general. Such men assuredly exist. Select them, set them apart, cherish them, and honor them — this is called the army's lifeline. Those who are skilled with all five weapons, physically powerful and fast, and whose ambition is to devour the enemy — promote them in rank. This will decide victory. Provide generously for their parents, wives, and children. Encourage them with rewards and hold them in check with punishments. These are the soldiers who solidify formations, who can endure prolonged campaigns. If you can accurately assess such men, you can defeat an enemy of double your numbers."

Marquis Wu said: "Excellent!"

Wu Qi said: "In assessing the enemy, there are eight situations where you should attack without consulting the oracle. First: in fierce wind and bitter cold, the enemy rises early and moves camp while half asleep, felling trees and fording rivers, heedless of hardship. Second: in the heat of high summer, the enemy rises late without respite, marching through hunger and thirst, straining to cover great distance. Third: the army has been in the field too long, provisions are exhausted, the people are resentful and angry, ill omens have appeared repeatedly, and the commanders cannot restore order. Fourth: military supplies are depleted, fuel and fodder are scarce, the sky brings constant overcast rain, and there is nowhere to forage. Fifth: their troops are not numerous, the terrain and water sources are unfavorable, men and horses are struck by epidemic, and no allies are coming to their aid. Sixth: the road is long, dusk is falling, the soldiers are exhausted and afraid, weary and unfed, and they have removed their armor to rest. Seventh: their general lacks authority, their officers lack respect, the troops have no cohesion, the entire army has been startled repeatedly, and their forces have no support. Eighth: their formations are not yet set, their encampment is not yet complete, they are traversing slopes and crossing rough terrain, half concealed and half exposed. In any of these situations, attack without hesitation."

"There are six situations where you should avoid battle without consulting the oracle. First: the enemy's territory is vast and its population wealthy and numerous. Second: the rulers care for their subordinates and their generosity is widely distributed. Third: their rewards are reliable and their punishments are discerning, and their mobilizations are always timely. Fourth: they rank men by merit and employ the worthy and capable. Fifth: their forces are numerous and their weapons and armor are of excellent quality. Sixth: they receive aid from neighboring states and support from a great power. In any case where you are inferior to the enemy in these respects, avoid battle without hesitation. This is what is meant by 'advance when you see opportunity; withdraw when you recognize difficulty.'"

Marquis Wu asked: "I wish to observe the enemy's exterior to understand his interior, and study his advance to know when he will halt, in order to determine victory or defeat. May I hear about this?"

Wu Qi replied: "When the enemy approaches carelessly and without precaution, his banners in disorder, his men and horses constantly looking back — then one can strike ten and you will certainly throw them into confusion. When the lords have not yet assembled, ruler and ministers are not yet in accord, field fortifications are not yet complete, prohibitions and orders have not yet been imposed, and the entire army is in an uproar — wanting to advance but unable, wanting to retreat but not daring — then with half their numbers you can attack double, and fight a hundred battles without danger."

Marquis Wu asked about the conditions under which the enemy can certainly be struck.

Wu Qi replied: "In employing military force, you must assess the enemy's strengths and weaknesses and move against his vulnerabilities. When the enemy has come from afar and just arrived, his ranks not yet formed — strike. When he has just eaten but not yet set his defenses — strike. When he is in flight — strike. When he is fatigued from labor — strike. When he has not secured advantageous terrain — strike. When he has missed his timing and lost coordination — strike. When his banners are moving in disorder — strike. When he has traveled a long road and the rear columns have not yet rested — strike. When he is crossing water and half his force is across — strike. When he is on a dangerous road or narrow path — strike. When his formations are repeatedly shifting — strike. When his general is separated from his troops — strike. When his men are terrified — strike. In all such cases, select your elite troops to spearhead the assault, divide your forces to follow up, and attack urgently without hesitation."