論將

Wu Qi said: "The general of an army must command both the civil and the martial. The conduct of warfare must combine both hardness and flexibility. When people evaluate a general, they usually look at his courage — but courage is only one of many qualities a general needs. A courageous man will rush into battle recklessly, and reckless engagement without understanding advantage is unacceptable. Therefore there are five things a general must be careful about: first, principle; second, preparedness; third, decisiveness; fourth, vigilance in arms; fifth, simplicity. Principle means governing a large force as though governing a small one. Preparedness means stepping out the gate as though the enemy were already in sight. Decisiveness means facing the enemy with no thought of personal survival. Vigilance in arms means that even after victory, you fight as though the battle were just beginning. Simplicity means keeping orders and regulations concise and uncomplicated. To accept a commission without hesitation, and to speak of returning only after the enemy is destroyed — this is the general's code of conduct. Therefore on the day the army marches out, there is the honor of death but no disgrace of survival."

Wu Qi said: "There are four pivots in warfare: first, the pivot of morale; second, the pivot of terrain; third, the pivot of stratagem; fourth, the pivot of capability. When the multitude of the three armies, a force of a million men, has its deployments of light and heavy units determined by a single man — this is the pivot of morale. When roads are narrow and passes are perilous, when famous mountains form great barriers, and ten men can hold what a thousand cannot pass — this is the pivot of terrain. When you skillfully employ spies, send light forces to probe back and forth, scatter the enemy's concentrations, and cause their ruler and ministers to blame each other and superiors and subordinates to find fault with one another — this is the pivot of stratagem. When chariots are sturdy with well-fitted axles, boats are swift with strong oars, soldiers are drilled in battle formations, and horses are trained in pursuit — this is the pivot of capability. He who understands these four can serve as a general. Yet his authority, virtue, compassion, and courage must be sufficient to lead subordinates, steady the masses, intimidate the enemy, and resolve uncertainty. When he issues orders, none below dare disobey. Wherever he is stationed, no enemy dares engage him. Gain such a man and the state grows strong; lose him and the state perishes. This is called a superior general."

Wu Qi said: "Drums and bells command the ears. Banners and standards command the eyes. Prohibitions, orders, and punishments command the heart. Since the ears are commanded through sound, sounds must be clear. Since the eyes are commanded through display, displays must be distinct. Since the heart is commanded through penalties, penalties must be strict. If these three are not established, then even though you possess a state, you will inevitably be defeated by the enemy. Therefore it is said: where the general directs, all move to follow; where the general points, all advance to die."

Wu Qi said: "The key to any battle is to first assess the enemy general and analyze his character, then adapt your tactics to the situation — and victory will come without great exertion. If their general is stupid and trusts others easily, he can be deceived and lured. If he is greedy and careless of reputation, he can be bribed. If he changes plans impulsively and lacks forethought, he can be worn down and trapped. If the officers above are wealthy and arrogant while the soldiers below are poor and resentful, they can be divided through agents. If the general is full of doubt in advancing and retreating and his troops have nothing to rely on, he can be shocked into flight. If the soldiers despise their general and want to go home, block the easy routes and open the dangerous ones — then intercept and capture them. When the road forward is easy but the road back is difficult, lure them forward. When the road forward is dangerous but the road back is easy, press the attack. When the enemy camps on low, wet ground with no drainage and heavy rains come frequently, flood and drown them. When the enemy camps in desolate marshland with dense, tangled vegetation and strong winds blow frequently, burn and destroy them. When the enemy has stopped for a long time without moving, officers and men are slack, and the army's guard is down — infiltrate and strike."

Marquis Wu asked: "When two armies face each other and I do not know the quality of the enemy general, how can I assess him?"

Wu Qi replied: "Send a low-ranking but brave officer to lead a light, elite force in a probing attack. His objective is to retreat, not to win. Then observe the enemy's response. If they sit and rise in orderly fashion, if their control is disciplined, if in pursuing the retreat they pretend they cannot catch up, and if upon seeing an advantage they pretend not to notice — such a general is called an intelligent general. Do not engage him in battle. But if their troops are noisy and disorderly, their banners are in confusion, their soldiers move and halt on their own, their weapons point every which way, they pursue the retreat in fear of not catching up, and they see an advantage in fear of not seizing it — this is a foolish general. Even if he has a large force, he can be captured."