應變

Marquis Wu asked: "If our chariots are sturdy, horses excellent, generals brave, and soldiers strong, but upon suddenly encountering the enemy the troops fall into disorder and lose formation — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "The method for all battles is this: by day, use banners, pennants, and signal flags as coordination markers; by night, use gongs, drums, reed pipes, and flutes. Signal left and they go left; signal right and they go right. The drum means advance; the gong means halt. One blast of the pipe means march; two blasts mean assemble. Anyone who disobeys orders is executed. When the entire army submits to authority and the soldiers carry out commands, then in battle there is no enemy too strong, and in attack there is no formation too solid."

Marquis Wu asked: "If the enemy is numerous and we are few, what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "Avoid them on open ground; intercept them at chokepoints. Therefore it is said: for one to strike ten, nothing is better than a chokepoint. For ten to strike a hundred, nothing is better than rough terrain. For a thousand to strike ten thousand, nothing is better than a natural barrier. If a small force now rises up and sounds gongs and drums at a narrow pass, even a great host will be shaken. Therefore it is said: he who commands many seeks open ground; he who commands few seeks narrow ground."

Marquis Wu asked: "Suppose the enemy army is very powerful, both well-armed and brave. They have a great natural barrier at their back, mountains on their right, a river on their left, deep ditches and high ramparts, and defend with strong crossbowmen. Their retreat is like a mountain moving; their advance is like wind and rain. Their provisions are abundant. It would be hard to outlast them in a prolonged standoff — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "What a great question! This cannot be overcome by chariots and cavalry alone — it requires the stratagem of a sage. Assemble a thousand chariots and ten thousand cavalry, supplemented by infantry, and divide them into five armies, each taking a separate road. Five armies on five roads — the enemy will be confused and unable to decide where to concentrate. If the enemy holds fast and consolidates his position, send spies urgently to probe his intentions. If he accepts our diplomatic overtures, resolve the matter and withdraw. If he rejects them, execute the envoys and burn the documents. Then split into five attacking forces. If you win, do not pursue. If you lose, withdraw swiftly. Feign retreat in this manner, march steadily but fight rapidly. One force blocks his front, one cuts off his rear. Two forces advance silently with bits clamped between their teeth, striking from left or right against his position. When all five forces converge, there will certainly be an advantage. This is the method for attacking a strong enemy."

Marquis Wu asked: "If the enemy closes in and presses us, we want to withdraw but have no route, and our troops are very frightened — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "The technique for this situation depends on relative numbers. If we outnumber them, divide our force and attack from multiple directions. If they outnumber us, form up in a square and engage them, pressing the attack without pause. Even a larger force can be subdued this way."

Marquis Wu asked: "If we encounter the enemy between ravines and valleys, with dangerous and obstructed terrain on all sides, and they outnumber us — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "When you encounter the enemy among hills, forests and ravines, deep mountains, or great marshes — march through quickly and leave without delay. But if in high mountains or deep valleys you suddenly come upon the enemy, immediately sound the drums and war cry and charge them. Advance with bows and crossbows, shooting while taking prisoners. Carefully observe their state of order. If they are in disorder, attack without hesitation."

Marquis Wu asked: "If there are high mountains on both sides and the ground is extremely narrow, and we suddenly encounter the enemy — we dare not attack, yet cannot withdraw. What should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "This is called valley warfare. Large numbers are useless here. Select our best soldiers to match the enemy, with light-footed men and sharp weapons as the vanguard. Divide the chariots and array the cavalry hidden on all four sides, several li apart, keeping them out of sight. The enemy will inevitably form a tight defensive formation, not daring to advance or retreat. At that point, display your banners and pennants and march out of the valley to set up camp beyond the mountains. The enemy will certainly be frightened. Send the chariots and cavalry to harass them, giving them no rest. This is the method of valley warfare."

Marquis Wu asked: "If we encounter the enemy at a great flooded marsh, wheels are tipping and yokes are submerged, water is lapping at our chariots and cavalry, no boats have been prepared, and we can neither advance nor retreat — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "This is called water warfare. Chariots and cavalry are useless — leave them to the side. Climb high ground and survey the surroundings in all four directions. You must understand the water conditions — its breadth and narrowness, its shallows and depths. Then you can devise an unorthodox plan to win. If the enemy is crossing the water, attack when half their force has crossed."

Marquis Wu asked: "When it has rained continuously for days, horses are mired and chariots are stuck, the enemy threatens from all four sides, and the entire army is panicked — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "The general rule for employing chariots: in wet and overcast conditions, halt; in dry and clear conditions, move. Favor high ground over low ground. Drive the strongest chariots forward. Whether advancing or halting, always follow the roads. If the enemy begins to move, pursue along his tracks."

Marquis Wu asked: "If raiders suddenly arrive, pillaging our fields and seizing our cattle and sheep — what should be done?"

Wu Qi replied: "When raiders come, you must assess their strength first. Defend well and do not engage. They will withdraw at dusk, their baggage will be heavy, and their hearts will be fearful. In their haste to retreat, there will inevitably be gaps in their column. Pursue and strike them — their force can be destroyed."

Wu Qi said: "The method for attacking and besieging an enemy's cities is as follows: once the city has fallen, enter their government buildings, take control of their official records and salaries, and confiscate their equipment and materiel. Wherever the army goes, do not cut down their trees, tear down their houses, take their grain, kill their livestock, or burn their stores. Show the people that you have no intention of cruelty. If any offer to surrender, accept and reassure them."