Chinese War Strategies

VI. Stratagems for desperate situations

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31. The Strategy of Beautiful Women

Send your enemy beautiful women to cause discord within his camp. This strategy can work on three levels. First, the ruler becomes so enamored with the beauty that he neglects his duties and allows his vigilance to wane. Second, other males at court will begin to display aggressive behavior that inflames minor differences hindering co-operation and destroying morale. Third, other females at court, motivated by jealousy and envy, begin to plot intrigues further exasperating the situation.

Han Dynasty China

In 199 BC the Han emperor, Gaozu personally led his army against the invading Xiongnu. The emperor, however, was no match against the cunning tribesmen and he was led into a trap and suffered serious casualties. (See chapter 15) He and his remaining forces retreated to the city of Pingcheng for refuge but were surrounded by some 300,000 horsemen. There the emperor remained surrounded for seven days with no possibility of bringing in either provisions or reinforcements. The emperor thought here was nothing left to do but surrender when his advisor, Chen Ping, came up with another strategy. Chen had a painting made of a beautiful Chinese princess that he secretly delivered to the wife of the Xiongnu commander. Along with the painting he sent a message that read: `My Emperor intends to surrender to your husband and so to win his favor he is sending him a present of one of China's famous beauties to be his concubine.' When the Xiongnu commander's wife saw the painting and read the note she was mad with jealousy. Fearing that such a beautiful rival would steal her husband's affections, she persuaded her husband to lift the siege and return home. The next morning when the emperor awoke he discovered the Xiongnu had left and he was able to return safely to his capital.

32. The Strategy of Open City Gates

When the enemy is superior in numbers and your situation is such that you expect to be overrun at any moment, then drop all pretence of military preparedness and act casually. Unless the enemy has an accurate description of your situation this unusual behavior will arouse suspicions. With luck he will be dissuaded from attacking.

Three Kingdoms Period China

In 149 BC, the famous strategist Kong Ming of Shu, launched an attack against the state of Wei by sending an advance force to scout for the enemy. Leading the army of Wei was Suma-I who also sent an advance force of fifty thousand troops. The two vanguards met and engaged in battle but the Wei forces were superior and won the day. The defeated Shu vanguard raced back to the main body of Kong Ming's army whose troops, seeing the look of fear in the faces of their comrades, thought that the enemy was upon them and fled in panic. Kong Ming and a few bodyguards fled to the city of Yangping with the Wei army in hot pursuit. Vastly outnumbered and unable to either retreat or sustain a siege, Kong Ming played a last resort strategy that made him famous throughout China. He removed all the guards and battle flags from the walls and had all four of the city gates flung open. When Suma-I approached the city he could see only a few old men nonchalantly sweeping the grounds within the gates. Kong-Ming was seen sitting in one of the towers smiling and playing his lute. Suma-I remarked to his advisors: "That man seems to be too happy for my comfort. Doubtless he has some deep laid scheme in mind to bring us all to disaster." As they stood spell bound, the strains of Kong Ming's lute reached their ears and this only heightened their sense of foreboding. Such peculiar behavior was too suspicious and, fearing a clever trap, Suma-I turned his army back and retreated. After the army left Kong Ming and his remaining troops departed in the opposite direction and made their way safely back to their capital.

33. The Strategy of Sowing Discord

Undermine your enemy's ability to fight by secretly causing discord between him and his friends, allies, advisors, family, commanders, soldiers, and population. While he is preoccupied settling internal disputes his ability to attack or defend, is compromised.

Six Dynasties Period China

In the later Wei dynasty, the emperor Tai Wu led a hundred thousand troops against the Song general Zang Zhi. The emperor, with his superior forces, chased general Zhang to the city of Yu where he was cornered. The city was strongly fortified and so the emperor planned to surround it and starve the defenders into surrender. Feeling confident of his position, the emperor sent a cart carrying a large jar of wine to the city gate with the message asking for the traditional exchange of wine before commencing his siege of the city. Zang Zhi knew that he needed to fight a decisive battle quickly, or suffer defeat, saw this as an opportunity. He sent some soldiers to gratefully accept the jar of wine and in turn deliver another large jar sealed with the wine maker's stamp. When a cup of this wine was poured for the emperor it was discovered to be urine. This caused the emperor a humiliating loss of face before his own troops and in a rage ordered an immediate assault on the city. The defenders were well prepared and the bodies of the slain imperial troops piled up nearly to the top of the ramparts.In his haste and anger the emperor lost half his forces.

34. The Strategy of Injuring Yourself

Pretending to be injured has two possible applications. In the first, the enemy is lulled into relaxing his guard since he no longer considers you to be an immediate threat. The second is a way of ingratiating yourself to your enemy by pretending the injury was caused by a mutual enemy.

Edo Period Japan

During the Tokugawa period, Kaei Juzo a former spy had come under suspicion and was in danger of being assassinated. It turned out that the man sent to kill him was a former acquaintance called Tonbe. Not wishing to kill his old friend, Tonbe and Juzo worked out the classic ploy as follows. Tonbe brought Juzo back as a prisoner to the Shogun. Juzo begged the Shogun to allow him one last dignity, permission to commit Harakiri. The Shogun, curious to see the notorious spy's bravery in death, allowed him that privilege. Juzo was given a tanto (dagger) that he plunged into his belly, and, cutting sideways, spilled his intestines onto the ground before falling over. The guards removed the body and threw it in the castle's moat. A short time later Juzo quietly swum to shore and escaped the district. Knowing that his warrior's reputation would merit him the right of committing Harakiri, Juzo had strapped a dead fox across his abdomen, when the fox's intestines spilled out it was indistinguishable from human intestines.

35. The Tactic of Combining Tactics

In important matters one should use several strategies applied simultaneously. Keep different plans operating in an overall scheme; in this manner if any one strategy fails you would still have several others to fall back on.

Warring States Era China

In 284 BC the state of Yan attacked and defeated Qi. The remaining Qi forces under the command of Tien Tan fled to the city of Ji Mo for a last stand. First, Tien Tan had the womenfolk line the city walls and beg for a peaceful surrender while he sent gold and treasure collected from the city's wealthiest citizens to general Qi Che with a note asking that the women and children be spared in return for the peaceful surrender of the city. These events convinced Qi Che that the city was truly about to capitulate and he allowed his troops to relax their guard. After this careful preparation Tien Tan felt the time was right to launch his counter attack. First he had the citizens of the city gather with drums and cooking pots and instructed them that on a signal they were to make as much noise as possible. He then had breaches made along the city walls from the inside. Next a herd of cattle was painted in bizarre patterns and knives and sickles tied to their horns and torches tied to their tails. Just before daylight three events occurred in rapid succession. The citizens within the city struck up a cacophony of noise that startled the sleeping Yan troops. Then the torches on the tails of the cattle were lit and they were released through the breaches in the wall. The enraged animals ran madly about the Yen camp killing stunned troops with their horns and setting fire to tents with their tails. Then Qi's crack troops rushed out from the gates to attack the now terrified and utterly confused troops. Tien Tan defeated the Yan army and went on to take more than seventy cities.

36. If All Else Fails Retreat

If it becomes obvious that your current course of action will lead to defeat then retreat and regroup.

Ming Dynasty China

The Ming emperor Hwei Ti, had disposed of all his uncles except one who feigned madness. (See chapter 27) This very uncle, the prince of Yan, in 1403 led a huge army to the capital of Nanking to seize the throne. The city was surrounded and the emperor considered committing suicide when he was stopped by a eunuch who told him that his grandfather, the emperor Hong Wu, had left a chest in his care with orders that should any great crisis occur to threaten the dynasty then the reigning emperor should open the chest.

"Let us open it at once then," said the emperor, "and see what my father would do were he here now." When the lid was lifted the box was found to contain the robes of a Buddhist monk, a diploma, a razor, and ten ingots of silver. The emperor understood the meaning at once and with a handful of attendants fled the palace through a secret tunnel to a Buddhist temple. There he shaved his head and put on the robes. He made his way out of the city and all the way to Sichuan province where he lived in obscurity in a remote monastery.

Meanwhile the palace had burned down during the fighting and it was assumed that the emperor had died in the fire. Forty years later during the rein of emperor Ying Tsung (the fourth since Hwei Ti's time) an old Buddhist priest arrived at court and claimed to be the old emperor Hwei Ti. It turned out the man was an imposter but a rumor began that Hwei Ti was still alive. To quell the rumors and settle the issue, an official investigation was made which discovered that Hwei Ti was indeed still alive living as a Buddhist priest. The old emperor was invited back to the capital with great ceremony and he lived out his last days as a guest in the palace. However, he was kept under a watchful eye.

V Stratagems for gaining ground

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25. Replace The Beams With Rotten Timbers

Disrupt the enemy's formations, interfere with their methods of operations, change the rules in which they are used to following, go contrary to their standard training. In this way you remove the supporting pillar, the common link that makes a group of men an effective fighting force.

Six Dynasties Period China

In 383 emperor Fu Jian of Qin, personally led an advance guard of 5,000 horses to attack the Jin general Xie Shi. Discovering that the Jin forces were greater than he anticipated, the emperor had his army form defensive positions along the bank of the river. The Jin armies likewise encamped on the opposite side. Neither side wished to cross first since it was well known that an army is most vulnerable when crossing a river. General Shi sent an envoy across the river with a message that read: " My lord, your army has entered deeply into our territory, and in deploying your ranks you have crowded upon the river. This is the plan for a lengthy stalemate. Do you really want to fight? If you will order your men to withdraw to a safe distance and allow us to cross we can then fight it out and settle the matter quickly."

The emperor agreed to the request. When his advisors objected, emperor Fu Jian told them that he planned to turn his army about and attack the Jin after half their troops had crossed. But general Xie anticipated the emperor's treachery and sent scouts disguised as imperial troops to infiltrate the Qin ranks. When the emperor ordered his army to pull back, the disguised Jin troops began to incite panic by spreading the rumor that Qin was withdrawing in defeat and that Jin was in hot pursuit. The retreat quickly turned into a rout as the Qin troops broke formation to escape. The emperor and his generals raced frantically after the fleeing soldiers with whips in hand to stop them, but to no avail. The Jin army quickly crossed the river and pursued the Qin forces inflicting enormous casualties. The emperor was wounded and narrowly escaped. He was captured and strangled a few weeks later.

26. Point At The Mulberry But Curse The Locust Tree

To discipline, control, or warn others whose status or position excludes them from direct confrontation; use analogy and innuendo. Without directly naming names, those accused cannot retaliate without revealing their complicity.

Han Dynasty China

After Gaozu had become Emperor he invested many of his followers. One day while he was strolling along the balcony of his palace he noticed several ministers milling about below speaking in hushed tones. "What are they talking about?" he asked his advisor Chang Liang. "Your majesty does not know? They are plotting a revolt."

"But peace has been restored to the empire. Why should they be planning a revolt?"

"When your majesty rose from among the common people, it was through these men that you seized control of the empire. You have become the Son of Heaven, but those whom you have invested have all been close friends from the old days. Now these younger officers of your army, reckoning up the merits they have won, believe that there is not sufficient land in the whole empire to invest them all. So some of them fear they will not receive their just allotment. Therefore they plot rebellion."

"What should I do?" asked the Emperor

"Among all your followers whom do you dislike the most?"

"Yong Chi and I are ancient enemies," replied the Emperor.

"You must hurry and invest Yong Chi before anyone else, and make known what you have done to your other followers. When they see Yong Chi has been invested, they will all feel assured of their own rewards." said Chiang

The emperor agreed and held a feast honoring Yong Chi with lands and titles. When the other ministers left the banquet they said to each other happily, "If even Yong Chi can become a marquis, the rest of us have nothing to worry about!"

27. Feign Madness But Keep Your Balance

Hide behind the mask of a fool, a drunk, or a madman to create confusion about your intentions and motivations. Lure your opponent into underestimating your ability until, overconfident, he drops his guard. Then you may attack.

Sui Dynasty China

During the final years of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty there appeared a ballad that foretold the fall of the house of Sui and the ascent of a man named Li as emperor. The ballad became immensely popular among the disaffected subjects of Emperor Yang's infamous rule. The emperor, being superstitious and believing in the prophecy himself, began a campaign to search out and execute anyone of importance with the surname Li. He had numerous ministers and officials along with their entire families put to the sword. A minor official whose name was, Li Yuan, was serving as superintendent in the provinces when he was summoned to the court. Li Yuan delayed appearing in court by claiming poor health. Li Yuan had a niece who was a palace maid and one day the emperor asked her where her uncle Li has been. The lady replied that her uncle was ill. The emperor said: "I wonder if he is courting death?" When Li Yuan heard this he was certain that if he obeyed the summons to court he would never return. Thereupon he feigned madness and pretended to become an incorrigible drunk. When the imperial spies reported Li's behavior the emperor thought that a madmen could never fulfill the prophesy and was no longer suspicious of Li. Surprisingly, two years later the Sui emperor placed Li in charge of a field army to defend the empire against barbarian incursions. Li fought bravely, won the respect of his troops, marched on the capital, and went on to found the illustrious Tang dynasty thus fulfilling the prophecy.

28. Lure Your Enemy Onto the Roof, Then Take Away the Ladder

With baits and deceptions lure your enemy into treacherous terrain. Then cut off his lines of communication and avenue of escape. To save himself he must fight both your own forces and the elements of nature.

Han Dynasty China

After defeating the rebel kingdom of Wei, the famous Han general Han Xin was sent to quell the other two kingdoms that had revolted, Qi and Chu. General Han set out towards Qi but Chu sent its general Long Chu with a force of two hundred thousand men to intercept Han's invasion of Qi. The two armies met on opposite sides of the Wei river. General Han ordered his men to fill over ten thousand sandbags and carry them up-river to dam the flow of water. The next morning General Han led his army across the lowered river and attacked Chu, but after a short engagement pretended defeat and fled back across the river. General Long announced, " See I always knew Han Xin was a coward!" and he led his army across the river in pursuit. Through a prearranged signal, General Han had his men break the dam and free the pent up waters. Only half of the Chu army was across the river when the flood cut the army in half drowning those caught midstream. General Han then wheeled around his retreating forces and attacked the advance guard of Chu killing its general Long Chu. The remaining troops panicked and fled in all directions but were captured by the pursuing Han soldiers.

29. Tie Silk Blossoms to the Dead Tree

Tying silk blossoms on a dead tree gives the illusion that the tree is healthy. Through the use of artifice and disguise make something of no value appear valuable; of no threat appear dangerous; of no use, useful.

Three Kingdoms Period China

During the final years of the Three Kingdoms, Suma Yan usurped the throne of Wei, made himself king, and changed the name of the kingdom from Wei to Jin. News of this reached the neighboring king of Wu who knew that his kingdom would be the next likely target of the ambitious Suma. He worried so much that he died several days later. Sun Hao then inherited the throne of Wu and immediately took to pleasure and vice neglecting state affairs. Over the next few years the new king of Wu grew increasingly paranoid and had dozens of his advisors and commanders and their entire families executed on the slightest suspicion and as a result he was widely reviled. Hearing that the people of Wu despised their king, Suma ordered a naval attack led by commander Wang Chun. The king of Wu had no idea of what to do against the impending naval attack. He convened what remained of his council and one advisor recommended stringing a bamboo barrier across the river to prevent the fleet from reaching the Wu capital of Jian Yeh. The king agreed and heavy bamboo cords were made and strung just below the surface. When Commander Wang heard about the barrier he laughed. He ordered his men to build huge rafts from timbers on which were erected straw dummies dressed in armor and holding weapons. The dummies were soaked in oil and a trip mechanism was attached that would ignite the dummies when the rafts struck the barrier. The rafts burned through the bamboo and continued on down stream to the Wu capital. The spectacle of a fleet of rafts full of burning men so frightened the Wu troops that they fled in terror. Suma captured Wu and went on to found the short-lived Jin dynasty.

30. Exchange the Role of Guest for that of Host

Defeat the enemy from within by infiltrating the enemy's camp under the guise of cooperation, surrender, or peace treaties. In this way you can discover his weakness and then, when the enemy's guard is relaxed, strike directly at the source of his strength.

Japanese Folk Tale

In feudal Japan there lived a venerable Kendo master who decided to test his three highest-ranking students. He brought them one by one to an old temple in the nearby mountains where he told each student the following: "You have studied with me many years, now lets see if my teaching has been in vain. There within the temple awaits your test, pass and you will have graduated."

Within the dimly lit temple the Master had hidden four Samurai armed with clubs and instructions to jump anyone who entered the temple. The first student entered the temple and before his eyes could adjust to the light, was surprised and beaten by the Samurai."I am sorry, you have failed." Said the master.

The second student entered the temple and sensed the attackers. He was able to deftly evade their attack and defeat them. The student came out of the temple triumphant, but again the master said, "I am sorry, you have failed'

Finally the third student was brought to the temple and told about the test. The student replied, "But venerable master, protocol dictates that when entering a temple the master must always precede the student, so if you please, I shall follow you in." To which the master replied, "You rascal, you have learned all I can teach you."

IV Stratagems for confused situations

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19. Steal The Firewood From Under the Pot

When faced with an enemy too powerful to engage directly you must first weaken him by undermining his foundation and attacking his source of power.

Legendary Era Japan

Japan's ancient hero Yamato Takeru was one of the eighty children of emperor Keiko. One day he was sent to kill a notorious outlaw who was such an expert swordsman that all who had gotten in his way were killed. Yamato Takeru did not intend to duel with the bandit and pretended to be ignorant of the man's reputation in order to befriend him. They became such good friends that they even went swimming together on a regular basis. When Yamato Takeru was assured the bandit harbored no suspicions he was ready to act. One day when they went swimming he brought with him a wooden sword that he hid in his travel kit. They were in the habit of racing each other around a small island but this time while they were racing Takeru let the bandit take the lead and, once he was out of sight behind the island, Takeru swam back to shore and quickly replaced the bandit's sword with the wooden one. After they had gotten dressed Takeru turned to the bandit and revealed his true purpose. The bandit immediately went for his sword, but the wooden sword had become wedged in the scabbard. While he was struggling to draw the wooden sword, Takeru took the bandit's head off in a single stroke.

20. Trouble The Water To Catch The Fish

Before engaging your enemy's forces create confusion to weaken his perception and judgment. Do something unusual, strange, and unexpected as this will arouse the enemy's suspicion and disrupt his thinking. A distracted enemy is thus more vulnerable.

Spring and Autumn Period China

In 632 BC the armies of Jin and Chu faced each other at Chengbu before the battle of the same name. Chu sent an envoy to Jin requesting to fight a chariot duel the next day to which the Jin ruler, Duke Wen, agreed. In the morning Duke Wen climbed to the top of an observation tower and looking down on his camp's preparations said: A Young and old conduct themselves according to ritual. They are fit for use!" He then ordered his troops to cut down trees to be used as part of an unorthodox tactic. While the chariot duel was underway Duke Wen launched a sudden cavalry attack against the Chu right wing causing it to collapse in. At the same time as the right was being pushed into the main body, the Jin troops in the center raised the retreat pennants and began pulling back. As the Jin troops retreated they dragged behind them the trees they had cut down earlier that morning. This raised such a dust cloud that the Chu commanders thought the Jin were fleeing in panic and eagerly gave chase. When the main body of the Chu army was enveloped in the cloud of dust they were unable to see that the Jin forces had split into two divisions and had turned around. The Jin attacked in a classical pincer movement on both of the Chu flanks. The result was a resounding defeat after which the Chu general was ordered to commit suicide. Duke Wen had taken advantage of the distraction provided by the chariot duel to launch both a surprise attack, and a retreat, manipulating the Chu forces into a trap

21. Shed Your Skin Like the Golden Cicada

When you are in danger of being defeated, and your only chance is to escape and regroup, then create an illusion. While the enemy's attention is focused on this artifice, secretly remove your men leaving behind only the facade of your presence.

Three Kingdoms Period China

The warlord Cao Cao of Wei, was pursuing the fleeing army and population of Shu led by the heroes of the Peach Grove, Liu Pei and Chang Fei. The retreating column came upon the Changpan bridge over the Wei river with the enemy army only hours behind. On the opposite side of the river there was heavy forest. Chang Fei turned to his general Liu Pei and said: "This bridge is the only crossing point for miles and provides us with an advantage. You take the army and people across while I hold off the Wei army to give you as much of a lead as possible." After the Shu army had crossed over, Chang Fei sent his small group of cavalrymen across the bridge into the forest where they tied branches to their horses tails and rode around in circles. Chang Fei remained sitting on his charger in the middle of the bridge. When the pursuing army of Wei came upon the sight of Chang Fei alone on the bridge they stopped. Cao Cao noticed the huge dust cloud in the distance behind the woods and suspected a trap. Chang Fei roared out a challenge to the Wei army but Cao Cao, now convinced this was a ruse, turned his men around to retreat. Chang Fei seeing the Wei army turn about spurred his charger towards the Wei as though to attack them single handedly. This so unnerved the Wei forces that they made a mad scramble to escape the area convinced a trap was closing around them. This trick bought Lui Pei and Chang Fei enough time to escape with their men and regroup at Chianling.

22. Shut the Door to Catch the Thief

If you have the chance to completely capture the enemy then you should do so thereby bringing the battle or war to a quick and lasting conclusion. To allow your enemy to escape plants the seeds for future conflict. But if they succeed in escaping, be wary of giving chase.

Warring States Era China

In 449 BC the state of Wu had invaded the state of Yue and carried off its duke Guo Jian holding him prisoner for three years before releasing him back to his kingdom. When he returned Guo Jian planned his revenge. For seven years he ruled with benevolence and generosity making a reputation as a wise and virtuous ruler until he felt his loyal subjects were prepared to undergo any hardship for him. He accordingly assembled his forces and attacked Wu gaining a decisive victory.(See Chapter 5) The king of Wu had to flee but it would only be a matter of time before he was caught. He sent ambassadors to Guo Jian begging for mercy. They reminded him of how Wu, though she had him firmly in her grasp, had released him to return to his state. The king of Wu now asked to be granted the same favor. Guo Jian was contemplating granting this appeal when his prime minister Fan Li intervened and said: "When heaven gave the duke of Wu the grand opportunity for gaining power he did not take advantage of it and so he is a fugitive today. Should you fail to accept what fortune has now given you, you may be driven from your state, and then all the years of hardships you have bourn will have been endured in vain." The duke was swayed by the argument and sent the ambassador back with the message that he would not grant any mercy. When the king of Wu received the message he gave up all hope and committed suicide.

23. Befriend a Distant Enemy to Attack One Nearby

It is known that nations that border each other become enemies while nations separated by distance and obstacles make better allies. When you are the strongest in one field, your greatest threat is from the second strongest in your field, not the strongest from another field.

Han Dynasty China

In 110 AD the province of Honan had suffered through droughts and floods, the harvests were poor and the people starving. The corrupt government only made matters worse and soon the whole province was in chaos. The numerous bands of bandits and robbers that roamed the countryside pillaging and terrorizing the population thwarted any hope of bringing in outside relief. A provincial official by the name of Yu-Hu was appointed full powers to try to restore some order to the province. When he arrived at the district capital he issued a notice that he was going to organized a military force and that he was looking for recruits. First he promised a pardon for past crimes and immunity for anyone who joined up. Then he announced that he was looking for men for three classes of troops. The first class of troops were to consist of men who had committed robbery and murder. They would be the commanders and receive the highest salaries. The second class would consist of men who had committed mere thievery. They would receive the next highest salaries. The third class would consist of men who had joined the robber bands simply because they were lazy and wished to avoid real labor. They would be paid the lowest salaries. Within a couple of weeks Yu-Hu had over three hundred new recruits. When they had been issued uniforms and weapons he had them paraded before him and addressed them as follows: "Your past deeds are now forgiven and you are free from prosecution. But you must still atone for the crimes you have committed against society. To do this you must now go out and hunt down all your past colleagues who have not answered my call." This they did and within a year the fraternity of bandits was extinct and the countryside made safe.

24. Borrow the Road to Conquer Guo

Borrow the resources of an ally to attack a common enemy. Once the enemy is defeated, use those resources to turn on the ally that lent you them in the first place.

Spring and Autumn Period China

The small states of Yu and Guo bordered the larger state of Jin. Duke Xian of Jin desired to conquer both states. This desire was not unknown to the two smaller states and both had taken steps to defend their borders with Jin. The duke's general, Xun Xi, suggested they make a roundabout attack at Guo through the state of Yu to catch them by surprise. General Xun suggested that since the duke of Yu was a greedy man he could be bribed with gifts of jade and horses in exchange for safe passage through his territory. Duke Xian objected to the idea of giving away so much treasure and asked: "What if the duke of Yu accepts our gifts but refuses us passage?" but general Xun replied: "If he doesn't intend to let us through, then he wouldn't accept them, but if he does accept the gifts, and he does let us through, then it will only mean that the treasure is stored temporarily in his storehouse rather than ours."

When the bribe was sent to the duke of Yu one of his ministers, Gong Ziqi, cautioned against accepting them saying: "Yu is to Guo, like lips are to teeth. Our ancestors had a saying; `If the lips are gone, the teeth will be exposed to cold'. That Guo is able to exist depends on Yu while Yu's ability to survive hinges on Guo. If we make way for Jin, then the day will see Guo perish in the morning to be followed by Yu in the evening. Why should we ever let Jin pass?" The duke of Yu, however, refused to listen to this advice. Jin was given safe passage and succeeded in conquering Guo. On their way back they stopped to conquered Yu. After taking the Yu capital and recovering the treasure, general Xun returned the jade and horses to the duke. Duke Xian was pleased and said in good humor "The jade is untouched but the horses seem to have gained some more teeth!"

III. Stratagems for attack

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13.Beat The Grass To Startle The Snake

When you cannot detect the opponent's plans launch a direct, but brief, attack and observe your opponent reactions. His behavior will reveal his strategy.

Song Dynasty China

One day, in the county of Jian-zhou, there was a man who lost a precious object. The local magistrate Chen Shu-ku, was called in to investigate. He questioned several people, but no one could tell him who the thief was. So Magistrate Chen laid a trap for those he suspected. "I know of a temple," he told them, "whose bell has great spiritual power that can tell a thief from an honest man. Since my investigation is at a standstill we must employ the supernatural powers of the bell to solve the matter." The magistrate had the bell brought to the courthouse and displayed in the rear chamber. Then he had the suspects brought in to testify to their guilt or innocence. He explained to them that if an innocent man touched the bell it would remain silent, but, if a guilty man touched the bell it would ring out. After lighting incense and chanting prayers, the magistrate had curtains erected around the bell. Previously he had instructed one of his assistants to secretly smear ink on the bell after the curtains were closed. Each suspect was then told to place his hand through the curtain and touch the bell. As they withdrew their hands Chen would examine them. Everyone's hands were stained except those of one man, who confessed to the theft. He did not touch the bell for fear it would ring.

14. Borrow a Corpse to Raise the Spirit

Take an institution, a technology, or a method that has been forgotten or discarded and appropriate it for your own purpose. Revive something from the past by giving it a new purpose or to reinterpret and bring to life old ideas, customs, and traditions.

Han Dynasty China

When the emperor Huidi died in 188 BC he left no heir. His mother, the empress Lu, bought a child several years before his death and had her daughter-in-law pretend that it was her own. To cover her tracks the empress had the boy's natural mother executed. After the emperor's death, the empress had this boy installed on the throne with herself as regent. However, within two years the boy, after learning that his true mother had been executed, was heard to say: "When I become emperor I will know what to do." When the empress's spies reported the words spoken by the young emperor she had him murdered and another puppet set in his place. The empress ruled a prosperous empire for eight years through the six successive child emperors that she installed on the throne before dying of a mysterious illness. Rumor said her death was the result of a curse from one of her late husband's concubines, who was horribly mutilated and tortured according to the empress's precise instructions. The empress Lu is remembered in Chinese history as one of three notorious `dragon ladies' who had seized the imperial throne.

15. Lure the Tiger Down the Mountain

Never directly attack a well-entrenched opponent. Instead lure him away from his stronghold and separate him from his source of strength.

Three Kingdoms Period China

In the year 199, Sun Ce had consolidated his newly conquered territories in the south and his next goal was the prosperous area of Lujiang to the north. However, Lujiang had a professional army and was well defended. In addition it also had the advantage of terrain, being accessible only through a couple of easily defended passes. Sun Ce's advisors cautioned against moving directly against such a well-entrenched and powerful state so they devised another scheme. Sun Ce sent an emissary laden with gifts and a letter to the king of Lujiang, Liu Xun. The letter praised the King's military skills and begged for his assistance. Sun Ce wrote: " For years the state of Shangliao has invaded my territory unhindered and carried away booty, yet we are too weak to launch a retaliatory raid. If Your Majesty would attack Shangliao we would give assistance and you could annex the state for yourself." Flattered and covetous of increasing his domains, The king of Lujiang disregarded the advice of his counselors and attacked the state of Shangliao. Several weeks later, while the king of Lujiang was busy laying siege to Shangliao's capital, Sun Ce attacked the almost undefended Lujiang and easily seized the capital. Without the expected support from Sun Ce, The king of Lujiang failed to take the capital of Shangliao and he returned only to find his own capital already in enemy hands. Sun Ce now had the advantage of the Lujiang terrain and the former king could do nothing but flee with his army.

16. To Catch Something, First Let It Go

Cornered prey will often mount a final desperate attack. To prevent this you let the enemy believe he still has a chance for freedom. His will to fight is thus dampened by his desire to escape. When in the end the freedom is proven a falsehood the enemy's morale will be defeated and he will surrender without a fight.

Six Dynasties Period China

During the Southern Song period, general Tan Dao-Ji launched an attack against the north on behalf of the emperor. Throughout the campaign he seized cities and destroyed fortifications, taking more than four thousand prisoners. His advisors suggested that he should execute them all and erect a victory mound with the dead. Tan Dao-Ji replied: "At this time we have attacked the guilty and consoled the people. The army of a true king takes the upright as its position, so why is it necessary to slay the people?" He released all the prisoners and sent them back to their homes. These former prisoners told their kinsmen of their capture and release and of the fair treatment they received at the hands of general Tan. Thereupon the barbarians dwelling in the region were elated, and wherever general Tan, went a great many came forward to give their allegiance to the emperor.

17. Toss Out A Brick To Attract Jade

Prepare a trap then lure your enemy into the trap by using bait. In war the bait is the illusion of an opportunity for gain. In life the bait is the illusion of wealth, power, and sex.

Warring States Era China

The earl of Zhi was preparing to attack Lesser Wei. To prepare for his attack he presented the king of Wei with four hundred mustangs and a beautiful white jade Bi. The king was overjoyed and his ministers all offered their congratulations, but one minister, Nan-wen Ci looked distressed. The king seeing his demeanor asked: "The great state is very pleased with us! Why then do you look troubled?" The minister replied: "One must always examine thoroughly a reward given for no merit and deference shown where no force has been applied. Four hundred mustangs and a white jade Bi constitute the kind of gift a small state might give when serving a great one. But in this case the larger state makes the gift. Your majesty should ponder this." As a precaution, the king of Wei told his commander of the border guards what his minister had cautioned and ordered his troops to be on full alert. Shortly thereafter, as the minister intimated, the earl of Zhi arrived at the border at the head of a large army. But when the earl saw the border guards posted at full strength, he retired saying: "Alas, there are worthy men in Wei, for they have anticipated my plans."

18. To Catch the Bandits First Capture Their Leader

If the enemy's army is strong but is allied to the commander only by money or threats then, take aim at the leader. If the commander falls the rest of the army will disperse or come over to your side. If, however, they are allied to the leader through loyalty then beware, the army can continue to fight on after his death out of vengeance.

Spring and Autumn Period China

In 756 BC the rebel commander Yin Ziqi led an army to lay siege against the strategic city of Suiyang. The defending commander, Zhang Xun, noticed that Yin Ziqi oversaw the siege from well outside the range of the city's archers. He believed that if he could take out the leader the rebel's morale would sink and he would be able to launch a counter attack. He devised a plan with his best archers. The next time the rebels assailed the wall they were to shoot back using the branches of trees. When Yin Ziqi heard that the defenders were reduced to shooting with branches he felt certain the city was ready to be taken. Before the next assault he moved in closer to better oversee the final victory. Riding atop his horse he unknowingly came within range of the archers who had saved their arrows for just such a moment. One arrow hit Yin Ziqi in the left eye killing him instantly. The spectacle of their commander's death in front of almost the entire rebel army served to demoralize them to such an extent that they dispersed the field.

II. Stratagems for confrontation

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7. Create Something From Nothing
You use the same feint twice. Having reacted to the first and often the second feint as well, the enemy will be hesitant to react to a third feint. Therefore the third feint is the actual attack catching your enemy with his guard down.

Tang Dynasty China

During the An Lushan rebellion in 756 AD the Tang general Chang Shun was under siege by the forces of general Linghu Chao. Outnumbered twenty to one, the defending Tang forces soon ran out of arrows. To remedy this general Chang ordered his men to make straw dummies and to dress them in black uniforms. That night the dummies were lowered over the city walls by ropes, accompanied to the beat of war drums and gongs. General Linghu thought the enemy was launching a surprise night offensive and ordered his archers to shower the figures descending the walls with arrows. Once the dummies where riddled with arrows the Tang soldiers pulled them back up the walls and thus restored their supply of arrows.

The next day general Linghu realized he had been tricked and attacked the walls in revenge for being humiliated. That night the Tang again lowered the dummies but General Linghu ordered his men to ignore them believing it was the same trick to get more arrows. When general Chang saw that no one was firing at the straw dummies, he ordered that five hundred of his best troops be lowered instead. They made a lightning raid on the encamped soldiers who were caught completely by surprise. The siege was lifted and general Linghu's army fled the field.

8. Openly Repair The Walkway, Secretly March to Chencang
Attack the enemy with two convergent forces. The first is the direct attack, one that is obvious and for which the enemy prepares his defense. The second is the indirect, the attack sinister, that the enemy does not expect and which causes him to divide his forces at the last minute leading to confusion and disaster.

Muromachi Period Japan

In 1560 one of Japan's greatest warlords, Oda Nobunaga, then still a minor commander, marched his force of 2,000 men to stop the incursion of a rival warlord Imagawa Yoshimoto. Even though Nobunaga was outnumbered twelve to one he set out humming a tune. Nobunaga's scouts reported that Imagawa was resting his troops at a village that was nestled near a narrow gorge that Nobunaga knew would be ideal for a surprise attack.

The scouts further reported that Imagawa's troops were celebrating and viewing the heads taken in a previous battle. Nobunaga devised the following ploy. He made camp some distance away from the village. He placed numerous flags and had straw dummies made to give the impression that a large host had arrived. Imagawa's forces thus expected an attack to come from the direction the enemy camp. Meanwhile Nobunaga's troops secretly made a forced march in a wide circle in order to come up from behind the Imagawa encampment. Weather favored Nobunaga's scheme for late in the day there was a heavy downpour. Taking advantage of the foul weather, Nobunaga's troops launched a sudden attack from the rear. So unexpected was this attack that Imagawa a first thought that a brawl had broken out among his own troops. Only when he saw two enemy Samurai charging towards him did he realize he was under attack. The realization came too late and Imagawa was beheaded and his troops scattered. The battle lasted only a few minutes but it made Oda Nobunaga's reputation and he quickly rouse in power until he became one of Japan's greatest warlords.

9. Observe the Fire on the Opposite Shore
Observe the Fire on the Opposite Shore

Delay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. Then go in full strength and pick up the pieces.

Hojo Regency Japan

In 1583 the great general Toyotomi Hideyoshi was positioning his forces against Akechi Mitsuhide in what would be the battle of Yamazaki. Shortly after the battle had engaged, Tsetsui Junkeian, an ally of Mitsuhide arrived on the scene. Impressed by the superior forces of Hideyoshi, he refused to attack but instead ordered his men to line up in battle formation on a hill above the Hora-ga-toge pass where he could watch the battle before deciding which general to side with. Seeing Hideyoshi gaining the advantage he betrayed his ally and sent his troops over to Hideyoshi's side. This incident was never forgotten and henceforth the Japanese equivalent of `Watching the fire...' is known as `To wait at Hora-ga-toge.'

10. Hide Your Dagger Behind a Smile
Charm and ingratiate yourself to your enemy. When you have gained his trust, you move against him in secret.

Warring States Era China

The king of Wei sent a beautiful courtesan to the king of Chu who took great delight in the new girl. His queen, Zheng Xiu, knowing how fond the king was of his new woman, treated the newcomer as a sister supplying her with gifts and treasures and whatever she needed. The king hearing of this summoned his queen and said: AA woman serves a man with her beauty and thus jealousy is a part of her very nature. Yet you, knowing how much the new woman pleases me, have treated her more kindly than I have myself. These actions are those of a child to her parents or a minister to his ruler, how unexpected it is to find this in a queen to her husband." The queen thus knew that her husband did not suspect her of jealousy. When she next met with the new girl the queen told her: "His majesty is much taken with your beauty but he dislikes the shape of your nose. When next you serve him be sure to cover it with your hand." Grateful for the advice, when she next served the king this is what she did.

The next day the king asked his queen: "The new woman covers her nose when she is with me. Do you know why?"

"I know." replied the queen.

"Well then no matter how unpleasant you must tell me the reason."

"It seems she does not like the way your majesty smells."

"The shrew!" cried the king.

In a rage the king ordered that the unfortunate girl's nose be cut off.

11. Sacrifice the Plum Tree In Place of the Peach
There are circumstances in which you must sacrifice short-term objectives in order to gain the long-term goal. This is the scapegoat strategy whereby someone else suffers the consequences so that the rest do not.

Three Kingdoms Period China

On one of his campaigns Cao Cao was running short of food. He asked his supply sergeant what he could do. The sergeant suggested reducing the rations by secretly using a smaller cup to parcel out the rice. Cao Cao praised the sergeant and gave his consent to use the smaller measuring cup. After a few days the soldiers began to complain and accused their commander of cheating them. Cao Cao again called in the supply sergeant and told him the situation.

"I will do anything I can to help but what would you have me do?" asked the sergeant.

"I'm afraid I am going have to borrow your head." replied Cao Cao and he had the sergeant decapitated and his head stuck on a tall pole with a banner that read "Caught cheating on supplies by using a smaller measuring cup."

12. Seize the Opportunity To Lead a Sheep Away
While carrying out your plans be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, however small, and avail yourself of any profit, however slight.

Yuan Dynasty China

During the final days of the Yuan dynasty, rebellion had broken out throughout the empire. Initially there were several contenders vying to be the first to found a new dynasty on the imminent fall of the house of Yuan, but the field was narrowed to two; Chu Yuan-Chang and Chen Yifu. The two armies met at Poyang Lake where a naval engagement was to take place. General Chen had the advantage of both troops and ships. His ships were large and sturdy and he had them lined up side to side across the entire expanse of the lake. He furthermore had the ships joined together with iron chains so as to create an impenetrable barrier. General Chu sent his ships to attack but they were defeated having failed to break through the cordon. Fortunately for Chu the next day a violent northwest gale began to blow. Since Chen's flotilla was situated downwind, Chu took advantage of the situation to launch fireboats against the barrier. Soon Chen's troops were in a frenzy to save their ships from both the rising storm and the fire, which was fanned into a blazing fierceness by the wind. Taking advantage of the panic and confusion that ensued, Chu launched his own fleet into the attack and they completely defeated Chen's forces. An arrow through his eye killed General Chen while general Chu became the founder of the Ming Dynasty.

I. Stratagems when in a superior position

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1.Fool the Emperor to Cross the Sea

Moving about in the darkness and shadows, occupying isolated places, or hiding behind screens will only attract suspicious attention. To lower an enemy's guard you must act in the open hiding your true intentions under the guise of common every day activities.

Japanese Folk Tale

There once lived a Samurai who was plagued by a large and clever rat who had the run of the house. This annoyed the Samurai to no end so he went to the village to buy a cat. A street vendor sold him a cat that he said would catch the rat and indeed the cat looked trim and fit. But the rat was even quicker than the cat and after a week with no success the Samurai returned the cat. This time the vendor pulled out a large and grizzled cat and guaranteed that no rat could escape this master mouser. The rat knew enough to stay clear of this tough alley cat, but when the cat slept, the rat ran about. Half the day the rat would hide, but the other half he again had the run of the place. The Samurai brought the cat back to the vendor who shook his head in despair saying he had given the Samurai his best cat and there was nothing more he could do. Returning home with his money, the Samurai happened upon a monk and sought his advice. After hearing the Samurai's story the monk offered him the services of the cat that lived in the temple. The cat was old and fat and he scarcely seemed to notice when he was carried away by the doubtful Samurai. For two weeks the cat did little more than sleep all day and night. The Samurai wanted to give the cat back to the temple but the monk insisted he keep him a while longer assuring him the rat's days were close to an end. The rat became accustomed to the presence of the lazy old cat and was soon up to his old tricks even, on occasion, brazenly dancing around the old cat as he slept. Then one day, as the rat went about his business without any concern, he passed close by the cat - who swiftly struck out his paw and pinned the rat to the floor. The rat died instantly.

2. Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao

When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Know that in all things he cannot be superior. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.

Warring States Era China

This strategy derives its name from a famous incident that occurred in 354 BC. At this time one of China's most renowned strategists, Sun Bin (A descendent of the even then famous Sun Zi) was an advisor to the king of Qi. Sun had earlier been at the court of Wei but another minister, Pang Juan, became jealous of Sun's cleverness. Through court intrigues he had Sun framed as a spy, sentenced to mutilation, and imprisoned. Sun escaped and fled to Qi. Several years later the king of Wei appointed the same Pang Juan as commander of the army and sent him to attack the capital of Zhao. The king of Zhao immediately appealed to Qi for help. The king of Qi consulted his advisors who all spoke in favour of rushing to aid their ally, only Sun Bin recommended against attacking. Sun advised: " To intervene between two warring armies is like trying to divert a tidal way by standing in its path. It would be better to wait until both armies have worn themselves out." The king agreed to wait.

The siege of Zhao had lasted more than a year when Sun Bin decided the time was ripe to come to Zhao's aid. The king of Qi appointed prince Tian Ji as general and Sun as military advisor. Tian Ji wanted to attack the Wei forces directly to lift the siege of Zhao, but again Sun advised against direct intervention saying: " Since most of Wei's troops are out of the country engaged in the siege, their own defence must be weak. By attacking the capital of Wei, we will force the Wei army to return to defend their own capital thereby lifting the siege of Zhao while destroying the Wei forces in turn." Tian Ji agreed to the plan and divided his army into two parts, one to attack the capital of Wei, and the other to prepare an ambush along the route to the capital.

When the Wei general Pang Juan heard that the capital was being attacked, he rushed his army back to defend the capital. Weakened and exhausted from the year long siege and the forced march, the Wei troops were completely caught by surprise in the ambush and suffered heavy losses. Chao was thus rescued while Pang Juan barely escaped back to Wei to recoup his losses. Sun Pin would later defeat his nemesis Pang Juan using another classic strategy.

3. Kill with a Borrowed Sword

When you do not have the means to attack your enemy directly, then attack using the strength of another. Trick an ally into attacking him, bribe an official to turn traitor, or use the enemy's own strength against him.

Warring States Era China

Chang Tuo defected from Western Zhou and went to Eastern Zhou where he revealed all of Western Zhou's state secrets. Eastern Zhou rejoiced while Western Zhou was furious. Minister Feng Chu said to the king of Western Zhou: "I can assassinate that man if your highness will give me thirty catties of gold." The king consented and the next day Feng Chu sent an agent to the Eastern Zhou court bearing the gold and a letter addressed to Chang Tuo. The letter read: `This is to remind Chang Tuo that you must complete your mission as soon as possible for the longer the delay the more likely you will be found out.' Before the first agent departed, Feng Chu then sent another agent to the Eastern Zhou border guards informing them that a spy would be crossing the border that night. When the second agent arrived at the border he was stopped and searched. The border guards found the gold and the letter to Chang Tuo and turned them over to the Zhou court officials. Shortly afterwards Chang Tuo was executed

4. Await the Exhausted Enemy at Your Ease

It is an advantage to choose the time and place for battle. In this way you know when and where the battle will take place, while your enemy does not. Encourage your enemy to expend his energy in futile quests while you conserve your strength. When he is exhausted and confused, you attack with energy and purpose.

Chinese Folk Tale

The emperor Xuan of Zhou loved to gamble on cock fights and kept a stable of specially bred fighting roosters. Although they were strong and fierce they would nevertheless lose against the roosters trained by Ji Xing Ze. The emperor therefore hired Ji to train his roosters.

Ten days had passed when the emperor went to the stables to ask if they were ready to fight.

"No." said Ji, " They are far too fierce and proud of their strength. They rush to attack even the slightest noise."

After another ten days passed the emperor returned to enquire again.

"Not yet. They are still haughty and jump at everything that moves."

After another ten days the emperor again asked the question.

"No, still not yet. Although they no longer rush to attack, they still raise their hackles and stare fiercely at the slightest provocation."

After yet another ten days the emperor again asked if the roosters were ready.

"Yes, they are nearly ready. Although some still crow from time to time, none ever change their countenance. From a distance they appear as steady is if they were made of wood. Before them, their untrained opponents would not dare accept their challenge and could only turn back and run."

5. Loot a Burning House

When a country is beset by internal conflicts, when disease and famine ravage the population, when corruption and crime are rampant, then it will be unable to deal with an outside threat. This is the time to attack.

Warring States Era China

Qi and Han were allies when Chang Yi attacked Han with the combined forces of Qin and Wei. Han asked Qi for assistance. The king of Qi said:" Han is our ally and since Qin has attacked her we must go to her rescue." But his minister Tian-chen Su disagreed saying: "Your majesty's planning is faulty. You should merely agree to assist Han but take no action there. However, in the kingdom of Yan, their king has recently resigned the throne to his despised prime minister. This has enraged both the noble houses and the common people causing turmoil at court. Now if Qin attacks Han, Chu and Chao will surely come to her aid and this will be as good as heaven bestowing Yan upon us."

The king approved and promised the Han envoy assistance before sending him back to Han believing he had Qi's backing. When Qin attacked Han, Chu and Chao intervened as expected. While all the major kingdoms were thus engaged in the battle for Han, Qi quickly and quietly attacked Yan. Within thirty days Yan was captured.

6. Clamor in the East, Attack in the West

In any battle the element of surprise can provide an overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint.

Song Dynasty China

Once there was an official who was transferred to the capital. The front part of the inn where he stayed was a teahouse, and across the street was a shop that sold expensive dyed silks. Whenever he had nothing to do, he would sit at a table watching the people and activity on the street. One day he noticed with surprise that several suspicious looking characters were walking back and forth observing the silk shop with great interest. One of them came up to his table and whispered: "We're in the robbery business and we're here to steal those fine silks. Since you noticed us I came to ask you not to mention it."

"That has nothing to do with me," the official replied. "Why should I say anything about it?"

The fellow thanked him and left him. The official thought to himself: 'the silk shop has its wares openly displayed on a busy street. In broad daylight, with a thousand eyes watching, if they have the skill to steal those silks, then they must be smart thieves indeed.' So he watched carefully to see how they would manage it. But what he saw was only the same people walking back and forth in front of the silk shop. Sometimes they gathered on the left, sometimes on the right. The official sat watching until after sunset when everyone had gone and the shop had closed. "Those fools." said the official to himself. "They were putting one over on me." When he returned to his room to order some food, he discovered that all his belongings were gone.

36 STRATEGIES OF ANCIENT CHINA (OVERVIEW)

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"The Thirty-Six Strategies" is a a Chinese collection of 36 proverbs commented as militaristic tactics. Often attributed to Sun Tzu, this is generally rejected by scholars since Sun Tzu lived during the Spring and Autumn Period of China, while most of the 36 proverbs postdate that. It is believed by many to have been written by Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period.

Chapter 1 - Winning Strategies

Strategy 1 "瞒天过海" - Deceive the sky to cross the ocean.
- Moving about in the darkness and shadows, occupying isolated places, or hiding behind screens will only attract suspicious attention. To lower an enemy's guard you must act in the open hiding your true intentions under the guise of common every day activities.
Strategy 2 "围魏救赵" - Surround Wei to rescue Zhao.
- When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Know that in all things he cannot be superior. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.
- In other words, you may try to attack the relatives or dear ones of the enemy to weaken him psychologically.
Strategy 3 "借刀杀人" - Borrow one's hand to kill. (Kill with a borrowed knife.)
- Attack using the strength of another (because of lack of strength or do not want to use own strength). Trick an ally into attacking him, bribe an official to turn traitor, or use the enemy's own strength against him.
Strategy 4 "以逸待劳" - Make your enemy tire himself out while conserving energy.
- It is an advantage to choose the time and place for battle. In this way you know when and where the battle will take place, while your enemy does not. Encourage your enemy to expend his energy in futile quests while you conserve your strength. When he is exhausted and confused, you attack with energy and purpose.
Strategy 5 "趁火打劫" - Use the opportunity of fire to rob others. (Loot a burning house.)
- When a country is beset by internal conflicts, when disease and famine ravage the population, when corruption and crime are rampant, then it will be unable to deal with an outside threat. This is the time to attack.
Strategy 6 "声东击西" - Feign an attack in the east and attack in the west.
- In any battle the element of surprise can provide an overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint.

Chapter 2 - Enemy Dealing Strategies

Strategy 7 "无中生有" - Create something from nothing.
- You use the same feint twice. Having reacted to the first and often the second feint as well, the enemy will be hesitant to react to a third feint. Therefore the third feint is the actual attack catching your enemy with his guard down.
Strategy 8 "暗渡陈仓" - Secretly utilize the Chen Chang passage. (Repair the highway to take the crude path.) e.g., the Allied invasion of Normandy and the Pas de Calais deception.
- Attack the enemy with two convergent forces. The first is the direct attack, one that is obvious and for which the enemy prepares his defense. The second is the indirect, the attack sinister, that the enemy does not expect and which causes him to divide his forces at the last minute leading to confusion and disaster.
Strategy 9 "隔岸观火" - Watch the fires burning across the river.
- Delay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. Then go in full strength and pick up the pieces.
Strategy 10 "笑里藏刀" - Knife sheathed in a smile.
- Charm and ingratiate yourself to your enemy. When you have gained his trust, you move against him in secret
Strategy 11 "李代桃僵" - Plum tree sacrifices for the peach tree. (Sacrifice the silver to keep the gold.)
- There are circumstances in which you must sacrifice short-term objectives in order to gain the long-term goal. This is the scapegoat strategy whereby someone else suffers the consequences so that the rest do not.
Strategy 12 "顺手牵羊" - Stealing a goat along the way (Take the opportunity to pilfer a goat.)
- While carrying out your plans be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, however small, and avail yourself of any profit, however slight.

Chapter 3 - Attacking Strategies

Strategy 13 "打草惊蛇" - Startle the snake by hitting the grass around it.
- When you cannot detect the opponent's plans launch a direct, but brief, attack and observe your opponent reactions. His behavior will reveal his strategy.
Strategy 14 "借尸还魂" - Borrow another's corpse to resurrect the soul. (Raise a corpse from the dead.)
- Take an institution, a technology, or a method that has been forgotten or discarded and appropriate it for your own purpose. Revive something from the past by giving it a new purpose or to reinterpret and bring to life old ideas, customs, and traditions.
Strategy 15 "调虎离山" - Entice the tiger to leave its mountain lair.
- Never directly attack an opponent whose advantage is derived from its position. Instead lure him away from his position thus separating him from his source of strength.
Strategy 16 "欲擒姑纵" - In order to capture, one must let loose.
- Cornered prey will often mount a final desperate attack. To prevent this you let the enemy believe he still has a chance for freedom. His will to fight is thus dampened by his desire to escape. When in the end the freedom is proven a falsehood the enemy's morale will be defeated and he will surrender without a fight.
Strategy 17 "抛砖引玉" - Tossing out a brick to get a jade
- Prepare a trap then lure your enemy into the trap by using bait. In war the bait is the illusion of an opportunity for gain. In life the bait is the illusion of wealth, power, and sex.
Strategy 18 "擒贼擒王" - Defeat the enemy by capturing their chief.
- If the enemy's army is strong but is allied to the commander only by money or threats then, take aim at the leader. If the commander falls the rest of the army will disperse or come over to your side. If, however, they are allied to the leader through loyalty then beware, the army can continue to fight on after his death out of vengeance.

Chapter 4 - Chaos Strategies

Strategy 19 "釜底抽薪" - Remove the firewood under the cooking pot. (Remove the stick from the axe.)
- When faced with an enemy too powerful to engage directly you must first weaken him by undermining his foundation and attacking his source of power.
Strategy 20 "混水摸鱼" - Fish in disturbed waters.
- Before engaging your enemy's forces create confusion to weaken his perception and judgment. Do something unusual, strange, and unexpected as this will arouse the enemy's suspicion and disrupt his thinking. A distracted enemy is thus more vulnerable.
Strategy 21 "金蝉脱壳" - Slough off the cicada's shell. (False appearances mislead the enemy.)
- When you are in danger of being defeated, and your only chance is to escape and regroup, then create an illusion. While the enemy's attention is focused on this artifice, secretly remove your men leaving behind only the facade of your presence.
Strategy 22 "关门捉贼" - Shut the door to catch the thief.
- If you have the chance to completely capture the enemy then you should do so thereby bringing the battle or war to a quick and lasting conclusion. To allow your enemy to escape plants the seeds for future conflict. But if they succeed in escaping, be wary of giving chase.
Strategy 23 "远交近攻" - Befriend a distant state while attacking a neighbor.
- It is known that nations that border each other become enemies while nations separated by distance and obstacles make better allies. When you are the strongest in one field, your greatest threat is from the second strongest in your field, not the strongest from another field.
Strategy 24 "假道伐虢" - Obtain safe passage to conquer the Kingdom of Guo.
- Borrow the resources of an ally to attack a common enemy. Once the enemy is defeated, use those resources to turn on the ally that lent you them in the first place.

Chapter 5 - Proximate Strategies

Strategy 25 "偷梁换柱" - Replace the beams with rotten timbers.
- Disrupt the enemy's formations, interfere with their methods of operations, change the rules in which they are used to following, go contrary to their standard training. In this way you remove the supporting pillar, the common link that makes a group of men an effective fighting force.
Strategy 26 "指桑骂槐" - Point at the mulberry and curse the locust.
- To discipline, control, or warn others whose status or position excludes them from direct confrontation; use analogy and innuendo. Without directly naming names, those accused cannot retaliate without revealing their complicity.
Strategy 27 "假痴不癫" - Pretend to be a pig in order to eat the tiger. (Play dumb.)
- Hide behind the mask of a fool, a drunk, or a madman to create confusion about your intentions and motivations. Lure your opponent into underestimating your ability until, overconfident, he drops his guard. Then you may attack.
Strategy 28 "上屋抽梯" - Remove the ladder when the enemy has ascended to the roof (Cross the river and destroy the bridge.)
- With baits and deceptions lure your enemy into treacherous terrain. Then cut off his lines of communication and avenue of escape. To save himself he must fight both your own forces and the elements of nature.
Strategy 29 "树上开花" - Deck the tree with false blossoms.
- Tying silk blossoms on a dead tree gives the illusion that the tree is healthy. Through the use of artifice and disguise make something of no value appear valuable; of no threat appear dangerous; of no use appear useful.
Strategy 30 "反客为主" - Make the host and the guest exchange places.
- Defeat the enemy from within by infiltrating the enemy's camp under the guise of cooperation, surrender, or peace treaties. In this way you can discover his weakness and then, when the enemy's guard is relaxed, strike directly at the source of his strength.

Chapter 6 - Defeat Strategies

Strategy 31 "美人计" - The beauty trap. (The tender trap, use a woman to ensnare a man.)
- Send your enemy beautiful women to cause discord within his camp. This strategy can work on three levels. First, the ruler becomes so enamored with the beauty that he neglects his duties and allows his vigilance to wane. Second, other males at court will begin to display aggressive behavior that inflames minor differences hindering co-operation and destroying morale. Third, other females at court, motivated by jealousy and envy, begin to plot intrigues further exacberating the situation.
Strategy 32 "空城计" - Empty fort. (Mental trap, empty a fort to make enemy think it is filled with traps.)
- When the enemy is superior in numbers and your situation is such that you expect to be overrun at any moment, then drop all pretence of military preparedness and act casually. Unless the enemy has an accurate description of your situation this unusual behavior will arouse suspicions. With luck he will be dissuaded from attacking.
Strategy 33 "反间计" - Let the enemy's spy sow discord in the enemy camp. (Use enemy's own spy to spread false information.)
- Undermine your enemy's ability to fight by allowing enemy's spy to remain within your ranks,while you feed false information causing enemy discord with his friends, allies, advisors, family, commanders, soldiers, and population. Preoccupied settling internal disputes, your enemy's ability to attack or defend is compromised and your control of him is increased.
Strategy 34 "苦肉计" - Inflict injury on one's self to win the enemy's trust. (Fall into a trap; become baited.)
- Pretending to be injured has two possible applications. In the first, the enemy is lulled into relaxing his guard since he no longer considers you to be an immediate threat. The second is a way of ingratiating yourself to your enemy by pretending the injury was caused by a mutual enemy.
Strategy 35 "连环计" - Chain together the enemy's ships. (Never rely on but a single strategy.)
- In important matters one should use several strategies applied simultaneously. Keep different plans operating in an overall scheme; in this manner if any one strategy fails you would still have several others to fall back on.
The 36th strategy "走为上" - Run away to fight another day.
- If it becomes obvious that your current course of action will lead to defeat then retreat and regroup. When your side is losing there are only three choices remaining: surrender, compromise, or escape. Surrender is complete defeat, compromise is half defeat, but escape is not defeat. As long as you are not defeated, you still have a chance.

Art of War and 36 Strategies of Ancient China

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The Art of War is the name of an ancient Chinese book on military strategy. It was written by Sun Tzu, the earliest international theorist, who was a general by profession and a contemporary of Confucius. He was believed to live in the state of Wu in the 6th century BC.

The book originally contained 6,000 Chinese characters in its traditional form. In its contemporary form it still contains 20,000 modern Chinese characters. Still, Art of War is not regarded as a lengthy book.

The Art of War deals with the art of military strategies and it is probably the most admired work dealing with the philosophy of military. The Diplomats and world politicians refer this book at the time of designing national and international policies. The military academies all over the world can not advance without taking cues from this book written by the great theorist Sun Tzu.

However, not only the politicians, the businessmen and entrepreneurs all over the world consult the book to survive in the challenging situations in their businesses.

Just like the Art of war, the Thirty-Six Strategies are another priceless contribution of ancient China to the rest of the world. These strategies are nothing but a collection of ancient Chinese proverbs. They are in the nature of strategies which are regarded as one of the trickiest in all ages all over the world.

As opposed to the Sun Tzu’s The Art of War that discusses about military organization, leadership, and battlefield tactics, the Thirty-Six Strategies deal with the issues of politics, diplomacy, and most importantly espionage. These strategies include several battlefield tactics. But the unique features of these strategies are: they are applicable more in the areas of psychological warfare. These proverbs help to win over the enemy by undermining his morale, courage and confidence. Sometimes they are used to destroy the sanity of the enemy too.

Here are the examples of some of the most famous strategies:

Double cross
Frame job
Bait and switch
Hide the Dagger behind a Smile
Kill With a borrowed sword
Toss out a brick to attract Jade

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 13 : EMPLOYMENT OF SPIES

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Sun Zi said :

Genrally when an army of one hundred thousand is dispatched to a distant war, the expense borne by the people as well as the disbursements made by the treasury will amount to total of at least one thousand liang (one liang equal. 31.25 grams) of gold.

There will be disturbances both at home and aboard; seven hundred thousand households will be unable to continue their farm work because they will be involved with convoys and exhausted from performing transportation services.

Hostile armies may be at odds with each other for many years in order to win victory in a decisive battle .

Therefore , if one is reluctant to employ the services of spies simply because of the expenditure of rank and money as a result fail to get information about the enemy, and the battle lost, then he is completely devoid of humanity.

Such a man is not a good commander, nor a capable assistant to the sovereign, nor a master of victory.

Use Spy

A great sovereign and a wise commander is able to defeat the enemy and record achievements surpassing those of ordinary men because he is able to obtain enough information about the enemy in advance.

One should not seek information about the enemy from spirits or gods through the practice of sacrificial offerings and divination.
Nor should one assume information by farfetched comparisons with past experience, and verify its accuracy by calculations of constellation movements

Rather information come from people, here referring to spy who has a clear understanding of the enemy's situation.

Five Types Of Spies

There are five kinds of spies :

When these five kinds of spies are working together at the same time and their operations are clandestine, it is called "The divine manipulation of the threads", and it constitutes the sovereign greatest treasure.

Native spies are civilians from the enemy country whom one employs as spies.

Internal spies refer to enemy's officials who are employed as our agents.

Converted spies are those who are originally enemy's spies and who had later turned and are paid to work for our side.

Expendable spies are one own spies who are deliberately given false information, and who then convey the information to the enemy. These spies usually face death after capture, once the enemy discovered that they had been deceived.

Surviving spies are spies sent to enemy country who return with information .

Commander And Spies

Of those who are close to the commander, no one is more intimate than the secret agents; of all the rewards, none should be more liberal than those given to the spies.

Of all military and strategic matter, none are more confidential than those relating to spy operations.

The commander who does not have extraordinary intelligence cannot use spies; neither can a commander who is not humane and generous use them.

A commander who is not delicate and subtle enough cannot ascertain the truth of falseness of the spy's information. A subtle matter indeed!

There is no place that espionage cannot be used. If plans relating to any spy operation are prematurely divulged, the spy and all he spoke to should be put to death !!

Using Of Spies

Generally, whether it is enemy armies that one wishes to strike, cities one wishes to attack or enemy commander one wishes to assassinate, it is always necessary to first send out spy to gather detailed information about the identities of the garrison commanders, the staff officers. the attendants, the gate keepers, and the bodyguard of those in command.

It is also necessary to identify the enemies spies in one's midst so that we can bribe them, persuade them and release them to gather inflammations.

Thus one makes converted spies serve one's own sides.

Obtain Infromations

After obtaining intelligence about the enemy from the converted spies, one will be able to recruit and employ native and internal spies.

Intelligence report from converted spies can will also enable one to manufacture false information for expendable spies to convey it to the enemy, and make it possible for surviving spies to return with information according to schedule.

The sovereign must have a full understanding of how to make use of information provided by these five kinds of spies , especially that of converted spies. Therefore , it is mandatory that the converted spies be given excellent pay and condition.

Rise Of Yin Dynasty

In ancient times, the rise of Yin Dynasty (from about the 16th century BC to the 11th century BC) was due to the placing of Yi Zhi, a Xia Dynasty (the first unified dynasty in China, from the 21st century BC to 16th century BC) officials in an important position; the rise of the Zhou Dynasty (after the Shang Dynasty from 11th century BC to 221 BC) , was likewise due to the placing of Lu Ya, a Yin Dynasty official, in an important position.

It is only the great sovereign and wise commander who are capable to use the most intelligent people as spies, and are thus able to achieve great success. To make use of spies is the crux of war, because the action of the whole army depend on the intelligence furnished by spies.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 12 : FIRE ATTACK

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Sun Zi said :

There are five methods of attacking by fire.

First is to burn the enemy's soldiers in their camp;
Second, burn their provisions;
Third, burn their equipment;
Fourth, burn their warehouse;
Fifth,burn their transport corps;

Fire is used under special circumstances only.

For example, the equipment for setting fire must be available;
There is a proper season for making fire attacks, and special days for setting fire;

The proper seasons is during scorching hot weather, and the most appropriate days are those when the moon is in the constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing, or the Crossbar, for these four intervals are often all days of rising wind.

Attacking By Fire

When making fire attack, one must co-ordinate the military strength with the various variations caused by the five method of attacking by fire mentioned.

When the fire is set inside the enemy's camp, one should immediately make an attack from outside the enemy's camp.

When the fire is started but the enemy remain clam, one should not take any action, but watch and wait until the fire reaches its height, then attack or withdraw according to the situation.

A fire attack can also be made from outside the enemy's camp, in which case no co-ordinating methods from inside the enemy's camp is needed,

Fire can be set when it is suitable. If the fire starts from upwind, do not launch an attack from downwind. When the wind continues blowing during the day, then it is likely to die down at night.

The army must know how to take precautions against the enemy from using fire attack in accordance with meteorological phenomena.

Using Fire Attack

An attack by fire as an aid in military operations has spectacular effects, while an attack by water as an aid only gives some additional power.

Water can divide or isolate the enemy, but cannot destroy the enemy and their equipments and supplies as a fire attack does.

To win the war and capture lands and cities and then fail to exploit these gains is very dangerous and is said to be a waste.

Therefore , an enlightened sovereign must make careful consideration in advance and a good general must deploy his army prudently.

Effects Of War

Do not launch an war unless it is beneficial to the state; do not resort to arms unless one is sure of victory; do not rush into battle unless the situation is critical.

A sovereign should not fight a battle simply out of anger;* a general should not fight a battle simply out of resentment.

Engage in war only when it is in the interest of the state; stop when it is not.

Anger might change to gladness; resentment may change to content. But a destroyed country can never exist again; a dead men may not revive again.

Hence , an enlightened sovereign must be cautious in the matter of war and a wise commander must be vigilant.

These are the fundamental principles for the security of a state and the welfare of its army

One good example here is in the case of Liu Bei. During the period of Romance Of Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu was killed by Sun Quan. Liu Bei declare war against Sun Quan in the rage of anger to avenge Guan Yu's death. But in the end, he was killed in the battle

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 11 : THE NINE VARIETIES OF GROUND

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Sun Zi said :

In military operations the ground can be classified into nine basic categories :

The Nine Varieties Of Ground

When a chieftain fighting in his own territory, the battlefield is called "dispersive" ground;

When one has penetrated enemy territory, but only shallowly, the captured ground is called "frontier" ground.

Ground that is advantageous to either side is called "contentious" ground;

A place that both side can easily approach is "open" ground;

The area which overlaps neighbouring states so that one who occupies it first control three states, is "focal" ground;

An area deep in enemy territory beyond many enemy cities and town is "significant" ground;

Mountains, forests, rough, hilly country, marshlands, swamps or areas that are hard to march through are known as"difficult" ground;

Ground in which the way in is narrow and the way out is tortuous, so small that a enemy force could defeat a large number of one's own troops is considered as "encircling" ground;

An area in which an army can avoid annihilation only through a desperate fight is called "desperate" ground.

The Nine Varieties Of Ground (Cont')

One should not fight on dispersive ground.

And should not stop one's advance in frontier ground.

One should try to occupy contentious ground before the enemy, but if it has been seized by the enemy, one should not attack him.

When on open ground, one should try to prevent one's formation from becoming divided by the enemy.

On focal ground, one should ally oneself with neighbouring states;

On significant ground, one should plunder the enemy to obtain supplies for one's own army.

One should try to pass quickly through difficult ground.

Resort to an ingenious strategy if one must meet the enemy on encirclingground.

On desperate ground, one will have to fight desperately for survival.

Seizing The Enemy

In ancient times, those skilled in the ways of war knew how to make it impossible for the enemy to unite his front and rear, for his large and small divisions to mutually cooperate, for his officers and soldiers to support each other, and for his superiors and subordinates to establish contact with each other.

They kept the enemy's forces scattered and made it impossible for the enemy to concentrate them, and even if the enemy was concentrated, they knew how to throw his force in disorder.

They followed the principle of making a move forward only when its was to their advantage, and to stop when it was not.

If someone asks, "How shall we cope an enemy army large in number and in well organised formations?"

The answer is, "Seize something that the enemy values dearly, and the enemy will allow himself to be controlled by us !"

Principles Of Fighting In The Enemy's Territory

The essence of war is speed.

In war, one should take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, and take unlikely routes to strike areas where the enemy has taken no precautions.

The general principles of fighting in the enemy's territory are as follows :

The deeper one penetrates into the enemy territory, the more united becomes the army, and hence the more unlikely the possibility of defeat.
In fertile country, one should plunder the enemy to supply the army with provisions.
One should show special concern for the soldiers' well being and not fatigue them so as to keep the soldiers in high spirits and conserve their energy, one should keep the army moving and proceed according to plans that are incomprehensible to the enemy.
Place the army in dangerous positions where there are no ways to escape, and soldiers overcome their fear of death, there is nothing they cannot achieve. Officers and soldiers alike will put forth their uttermost to achieve victory.
If the army is in hopeless situation,and the officers and soldiers will be fearless, if there is no way to escape, the soldiers' morale will be firm;
When deep in hostile territory, they will fight to death. Such an army is vigilant without needing instructions and supervision.

It can fulfill any task without needing to be ordered. The soldiers will help one another even though they bear no responsibility for each other, and will observe all regulations without needing to be forced.
Allow no superstitious practices and squelch all rumours. Then even if being confronted with death, one will not escape.
The Soldiers
1. Soldiers may not be overburdened with belongings, but that does not mean that they resent wealth, they may show no fear in the face of death, but that does not mean that they do not desire a long life.
2. When the call to battle comes, tears may wet the clothes of the soldiers who are sitting and run all over the cheeks of those who are lying on the ground, but that does not signify fear.
Once they are brought to bay, the soldiers will become as brave as Zhuan Zhu and Cai Cui, the two most valiant warriors famous for assassination and seizing sovereigns (respectively from the Wu and Lu states in about 500BC during the Spring and Autumn Period)
Shuai Rang - The Snake From Chang Mountain
Troops directed by a skillful commander are comparable to the Shuairang, a kind of snake from the Chang Mountains.

When it is struck on the head it attacks with its tail; when it is struck on the tail, the head try to attack; when struck from in the center, it attacks with both its head and tail.
One may ask "Can the troops be trained to respond instantaneously like the Shuairang?
The answer is "Yes".
For example, though the people of Wu and Yue states usually hate each other, if they are crossing a river in the same boat, and the boat is tossed by strong winds, they will still help each other and cooperate just as the right hand does with the left.
Controlling The Army
Making the soldiers act in unison cannot be achieved by mechanical means such as tying the horse in one straight line or burying chariot wheels.
Only though proper organisation and direction will the soldiers unite as one and automatically fight bravely.
How to employ the talents of both the strong and the weak is largely a matter of taking advantage of the conditions of the ground.
It is by placing the troops in a desperate position that a skillful commander is able to control the whole army as easily as handling one person.
The Commander
It is the business of a commander to be serene, circumspect and farsighted, impartial and self-disciplined.
The commander should be able to mystify his soldiers and officers to keep them ignorant of his plans. He should be able to change his deployment and alter his plans in order to make others unable to see through his strategies.
He should be able to shift his camp and take devious route so as to make it impossible for others to anticipate his intention.
A commander should cut off his soldiers' path of retreat just as he might kick away the ladder from beneath them when they climb height.
When leading the army deep into hostile enemy territory, he should make the troops advance straight forward like a flying arrow. He burns the boats, smashes the cooking pots, and urges the army onwards as if when driving a flock of sheep from here to there, giving them no clue as to were he is going.
It is the duty of a commander to assemble the army and throw it headlong into danger.
Making different plans according to the nine varieties of ground, ordering the troops to advance or withdraw according to circumstances as well as influencing and controlling the soldiers' states of mind require serious study and consideration.
Inavding Enemy's Terroritory
Generally, when invading enemy territory, the principle is that the deeper the troops penetrate, the more cohesive the soldiers will be; the closer the army is to one's border, the more dispersive the soldiers will be. One considers as critical ground* the battlefield in the enemy territory with a neighbouring country in between; the area extending in all directions is "focal" ground; the area close to the border is "frontier" ground; the area with the front part narrow the back precipitous is "encircling" ground; and the area leading off to nowhere is "desperate" ground.
1. Therefore on dispersive ground , try to promote unity of purpose among the soldiers.
2. On frontier ground, make certain that there is close co-ordination among all fractions of the army.
3. On contentious ground, make a quick move to the area behind it.
4. On open ground, be especially vigilant against surprise attacks.
5. On focal ground, try to strengthen alliances with other neighbouring states.
6. On significant ground, make sure the army has constant supply of provisions.
7. Try to pass as quickly as possible through difficult ground,
8. block any opening on encircling ground,
9. and determine to face death on desperate ground.,
10. to have no fear of death on desperate ground.
  It must be part of a soldiers' psychology to make a concerted fight against the enemy when surrounded, to have no fear of death when escape is impossible, and to obey all orders promptly when caught in a dangerous situation
Dos And Don'ts
One cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring states untill one understands their designs.
One cannot lead the army on a march without being familiar with the mountains,forests,dangerous defiles and swamps through the army must pass, nor can one put the ground to good advantage without making use of native guides.
The army whose commanders are ignorant of the advantages and disadvantages of even one of the nine varieties of ground does not deserve the title of Army of the Grand Sovereign.
When attacking a powerful country, the army of a grand sovereign make it impossible for the enemy to assemble his forces. It exerts pressure upon its enemies and prevent their allies from joining against it.
Therefore , a powerful country neither need seek alliances with other neighbouring states nor rely on the power of other states. What it needs is to display its own power to overawe the enemies.
Then it will successfully take the enemy's cities and overthrow his state.
Military Success
Bestow rewards without regard to rule and give orders without regard to convention, and one can command an entire army as though it were but one man. When giving orders to the soldiers, do not revel the plan to them; or revel only the advantages of the action but not the dangers involved.
The soldiers will survive even when thrust into danger. They will live even when positioned on desperate ground, for officers and soldiers will make every effort to fight to save their lives if they find themselves in dire straits.
The key to military success lies in the precept of following the enemy's plan to know his design while waiting for opportunities to attack one of the enemy's weak points with one's forces.
As such , we can certainly win victory and eve kill the enemy's general though we may have to march for a thousand li.
This is what we mean by achieving great success through sheer cunning.
Fighting
On the day of a military action, block all frontier passes, suspend the passports, and stop all diplomatic interchange with the enemy country.
Discuss over and over again in the ancestral temple to decide military actions. When opportunities arise, speedily take advantage of them.
In battle, try first of all to seize something vital to the enemy, and do not negotiate to meet him in a fixed date.
To win the war, the way in which the plan is executed needs to vary in accordance with the enemy's movement.
In the beginning, thus be as coy as a maiden to make the enemy relax in his vigilance, then spring into action as swift as a hare, making it impossible for the enemy to resist.
Critical ground here refers to the same ground as dispersive ground. For the one launching the attack (by crossing a third country), the ground is called "critical ground" while for the one defending, it is called the "dispersive ground"

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 10 - TERRAIN

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Sun Zi said :

T errain may be classified into six kinds:

The Six Terrains

Place that bith sides can reacheasily are called accessible areas.When fighting in these areas,one should try to be the first to occupy the higher sunny ground,and keep the roads open for transport of provisions. Then the situation will be favourable one.

Places where one can easily enter but are more difficult to exit are called entrapping.In these areas, if the enemy army had not taken precautions against one,then one should attack and defeat them. But if they are well prepared and one cannot defeat them, then one will have difficulties in withdrawing.Such situation is unfavourable to one!

Places unfavourable to both sides are considered as temporizing areas.In these areas, do not move forward to attack even if the enemy holds out some advantages.It will be beneficial if one pretends to leave,thus luring the enemy out into the open space,and then makes a sudden assault when they are half way out.

In narrow passes, if one have occupied the ground before the enemy, one should block the garrison and waits for the enemy to make an attack; if the enemy has occupied the ground before one block the pass with a strong garrison, one should not attack them. If the enemy has not guarded his pass with sufficient strength, one should make a quick attack seize the area .

In precipitous heights, if one has occupied precipitous heights before the enemy, then one should seize the higher and sunnier ground and wait for the enemy. If the enemy has occupied those areas before one, then one should retreat and not attack. When the enemy is in the distance, and is evenly matched with oneself, then it would be inadvisable to challenge him, for fighting in such a situation would be to one's disadvantage.

The above six points are principles of how to deal with different topographical situations. As a general, one cannot avoid serious considerations and study of them.

Six Situations That Caused Army To Fail

There are six situations that cause an army to fail. They are :

Flight is a failure resulting from attacking an enemy army ten times as strong as one's own when other circumstances are equal.

When the soldiers are strong but the officers are weak, the failure that resulted is insubordination.

If the officers are valiant and the soldiers are cowardly, the army will decline.

If the officers are angry and insubordinate, and when encountering the enemy , rush into battle without authorisation, even before the commander can assess the feasibility of engaging, the army will collapse.

When the commander is incompetents and has little authourity and his instructions and orders are not strict, when there no consistent rules to guide the officers and soldiers, and troops formations are slovenly, the army will fall into disorder.

When the commanders fails to properly estimate the enemy's strength, and uses a small force to fight a large one, or weak troops to fight a strong one, without picking the troops for the front ranks, then the result is rout.

The above six situations will surely bring the army to defeat. It is one of the heaviest responsibilities of a commander to give them serious study.

Considerations And Caluations

Terrain is a supplementary considerations in military operations. It is the responsibilities of the commanders to make correct judgements as to the enemy's situation, to devise a battle plan to defeat the enemy and to survey the terrain as well as calculate the distance.

Those who have a good understanding of these principles and apply them well will definitely win; otherwise will definitely lose !!

When one finds,after analysing the situation, that success is certain, one must act resolutely even if the sovereign orders against fighting the battle. When the battlefield situation does not promise success, one must refrain from fighting, even if the sovereign orders military action.

A commander advances without coveting personal glory and retreats without fearing punishments.

Knowing Yourself And The Enemy's Strength

If one knows that one is able to strike the enemy, but does not know that the enemy is invulnerable to attack, then one has only half the chance to win.

If one know the enemy is vulnerable , but fails to see that one is incapable of fighting, then again one had only half the chance to win.

If one knows that the enemy is vulnerable, but fails to see that the one is incapable of fighting but does not realise that the topographical situations do not favour an attack, again the chances of winning are only one in two.

Therefore, in war, an experienced commander, once in motion always has a definite objective and is never bewildered; once in war, he always displays a flexible command and is never at a loss.

Thus it can be summed up:

Know the enemy and know and we will always win and never lose; know "weather" and know "terrain", and our victory is complete

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 9: MARCHES

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Sun Zi said :

Genrally in the deployment of troops based on terrain and in the observation and judgement of the enemy's situation, several principles should be taken into account : while marching through the mountains, one should walk along valleys with water and grass; while camping, one should face the sun in heights; if the enemy has seized the heights, do not try to attack them from below.

These are the essential principles for fighting and marching in mountainous areas.

Principles Of Fighting Near Rivers

After crossing a river, one should get far away from it.

When enemy troops cross the river to make an attack, one should not advance to meet them on the shore at once. It will be better to attack them when part of the soldiers are on their way across the river and part of them have reached the shore.
When we are taking on the enemy, we should not go near a river.
When camping in river areas, one should also choose higher ground facing the ground, but not downstream.

These are the essential principles for fighting and marching near rivers.

Priciples Of Marching Through Salt Marshes

When marching through salt marshes, one should leave without delay. When confronting the enemy in such area, one should have water and grass nearby and woods behind.

These are the principles for marching through salt marshes.

Principles Of Fighting On Plain

When stationing oneself on the plain, one should choose flat ground with the right wing (main force) of the army against the ridge with the front lower than the back.

These are the principles for fighting on the plain.

By employing these four sets of principles, the Yellow Emperor (often believed to be the ancestor of the Chinese people) conquered other sovereigns in neighbouring regions.

Marching And Manoeurving

Generally, one prefers high ground to low land; one looks for sunny places instead of shady and wet areas. By camping in places convenient for life and of abundant produce, the army will be free from disease of every kind. This is one of the essential prerequisites for victory.

When stationing oneself on hilly land or along embankments, it is necessary to occupy the sunny side with the right wing of the army back to the slope. In this way, one can exploit the possibilities of the terrain to one's advantage.
When coming to a river that is swollen and foamy, indicating heavy rains upstream, one should not cross the river until after the river has subsided.
Places, where there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running between, deep natural hollows enclosed on every side by steep banks, basins surrounded by precipices, tangled thickets covered with such dense undergrowth that is difficult to advance or retreat, low laying land so heavy with mud as to be impassable for chariots and horsemen and crevasses between beetling cliffs, should be avoid at all costs.

One should try to draw the enemy towards these areas, one should choose positions facing them, so as to cause the enemy to station himself with these areas against his rear.

When marching along dangerous and difficult mountain paths, river areas, low-laying ground overgrown with reeds, or forest areas with dense, tangled undergrowth, one must make a careful search, for these are places where ambushes are easily laid and spies are hidden

Signs Of Enemy's Movements

The enemy who can approach in silence and composure is one who believes he is in a favourable position. The far-off enemy who challenges one to fight is attempting to lure one into advancing. There must be some advantages to the enemy involved when he choose to station at open ground instead of precipitous height.

The enemy is making a raid when one sees the trees move;
the enemy is trying to deceive one when many obstacles are placed in the undergrowth.
Birds suddenly flying into the sky indicates that the enemy is lying in ambush;
animals startled and set to flight show that the enemy in ambush is about to make a sudden attack.
When dust rise in a high column, the enemy is coming by chariots;
when the dust raised is low but over a wide area, the enemy infantry is approaching.
When the dust is scattered in different directions, it means that the enemy is out collecting firewood;
when there is a sparse dust rising here and there, the enemy is surveying the land and encamping his army.

Enemy's Movements

When an enemy's envoy uses humble words while his army is speeding up preparations for battle, it is a sign of impending battle.

When the enemy's envoy uses harsh words and his army is marching towards one, the enemy is actually intending to retreat.

When the chariots are sent out first to occupy both the sides of the battlefield, the enemy is deploying for battle.

When the enemy suddenly sues for peace without previous discussions , there must be schemes or intrigues afoot.

When the enemy army moves rapidly along with his chariots, he is committed to a fight with one;

When the enemy partially advances and partially retreats, he is luring one to penetrate into with pretended confusions.

When the enemy soldiers stand leaning on their weapons, they must be starved and are short of food; when they are fighting to be the first to drink at the well, they must be suffering from thirst ; when they remain unmoved upon seeing an advantage ahead, they must had been exhausted .

Birds gathering at the enemy's campsite indicates that is empty.

Noises and shouting at night from the enemy's camp indicate that the fear in his soldiers.

Disorder in the enemy camp reflects the fact that the enemy officers have no authority.

When the enemy army's flags are in disarray, it is a sign of mutiny.

Impetuousness on the part of the enemy commanders shows that they are exhausted and weary of war.

When the enemy feeds the horse with grains, then killed the beast of burden for food, packs up the cooking utensils and does not plan to return to camp after battle, it shows that they are desperate and want to run away or make a dash through siege.

When the enemy commanders are soft-spoken and submissive to their soldiers, they have lost their support of their men.

When the soldiers are frequently rewarded, the commander is at the end of his resources; and when the soldiers are frequently punished, the enemy is in acute distress.

To begin by bluster , but afterwards to take fright at the soldiers' revolt shows that the enemy commander has a supreme lack of intelligence.

When the enemy sends his envoy for negotiations and does so with compliments, the enemy wants to end the war temporarily; but when the enemy army marches towards one in great anger while neither joining battle nor withdrawing soon, one needs to throughly investigate the situation.

Victory ?

The strength of an army does not depends on sheer number. If one does not act recklessly as a result of underestimating the enemy's strength, and is able to concentrate his military power, to have a clear understanding of the enemy's capabilities and to have the support of his subordinates, a victory is assured.

Those who do not have a well developed plan but make light of the enemy will surely fall captive to the enemy.

Art Of Command

If a commander inflicts punishment on his soldiers before they have grown attached to him, the soldiers will surely resent it, and hence it will be more difficult for the commander to direct the army in war.

If the soldiers who have become attached to the commander and are liked by him, violated military discipline and regulations and yet they go unpunished, then an array of such men will be equally ineffective.

It is therefore necessary to treat the soldiers humanely, but controls the army with regulations and strict discipline. In this way the army will surely win in war.

If orders are always enforced and the soldiers re treated with respects, they will willingly commit themselves to the army, otherwise they will not .

The art of successful command is based on mutual trust between the commanders and the soldiers.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 8 : THE NINE VARIABLES

2008-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

Normally in war, the generals receive commands from the sovereign, then recruit the soldiers and assemble the army.The following points are for attention.

The army should not camp in inaccessible areas such as mountains and forests, dangerous areas with many obstacles and marshes.

In an area where highways radiate in all directions, the army must rely on its allies.

The army cannot stay too long in isolated areas where there is no water and grass.

When an army is caught in a dilemma or in an area easily surrounded one should work out brilliant tactics.

Once trapped in a fatal position, one should put up a desperate fight.

Things That Cannot Do

There are some roads that one should not follow, some enemy armies that one should not assault, some fortified cities that one should not attack and occupy, some places that one should not fight for.

If contrary to these principles and detrimental to one's military operation, some commands from the sovereign need not be obeyed.

The General

A general who is well-versed in making use of the advantages of the nine variable factors will be considered able to direct military operations.

A general who does not know how to apply the nine variable factors, though acquainted with the terrain, will not be able to exploit the topographical advantages.

A general who does not understand how to apply all the nine variable factors will not be able to make the best of the army, even though he may have grasped, say, five of them.

A wise commander always gives consideration not only to favourable factors but also to unfavourable ones.

By taking into account possible misfortunes in favourable conditions, everything can be carried out smoothly.Similarly, by taking into accounts possible advantages in unfavorable situations, one might extricate oneself from misfortune.

Military Operations

To prevent the chieftains of the neighbouring countries from carrying out military plans smoothly, harass them with what they fear most; to make them exhausted, trouble them with difficulties which they have to deal with; to reduce them to a passive position, lure them with advantages.

In war one should not place all hope in the possibility that the enemy will not come, but rather make through preparations to wait for his coming.Nor should one place in the possibility that the enemy will not attack, but rather make oneself invincible to attack.

Five Faults Of General

Therefore, there are five dangerous faults which may affect a commander:

bravery without discretion, which will lead one to be easily lured and then killed;

cowardice, which will make one afraid of death and easily cause one to be captured;

a hot temper, which will provoke one into acting recklessly after being insulted by the enemy;

too much concern about honour, which will make one too sensitive to slanders;

and too much concern for his men, which may expose him to be perplexed by the enemy for the sake of relieving his men.

The above five extreme natures are common flaws of commanders, and are disastrous to military operations.

The ruin of entire armies and the deaths of their commanders are normally caused by these five fatal flaws. Every commander must seriously take heed of them.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 7 : MANOEUVRE

2008-11-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

Genrally in war, the general first receives commands from the sovereign, then recruits soldiers and assembles the army, and moves to the front to fight the enemy army.

In the process, the greatest difficulty is tactical manoeuvering i.e to seize favourable conditions for winning victory. The most difficult part in this manoeuvreing is to turn the devious way into direct one, and the unfavourable situations into favourable.

By purposely taking a roundabout way, and luring the enemy with some advantages to slow them down, one will be able to arrive first to seize the favourable position while setting off later than the enemy.

This is one who knows the strategy of turning the devious way into direct one.

Manoeuvring

Manoeuvring can be both beneficial and dangerous.

If the whole army is sent to seize a favourable position with all its supplies and gear, then one will be too slow to reach the destination in time, whereas if the supplies and gears are leave behind, they will be lost.

If the army is ordered to roll up armour to rush forward, march day and night without stopping, cover double the usual distance at a stretch in order to fight with the enemy one hundred li away form the favourable situation, the commanders of armies could be captured.

The strong and healthy soldiers will arrive first, while the weak will fall behind, with about only tenth of the soldiers being able to reach in destination.

While moving fifty li for the favourable situation, the commanders of the advance troops will be captured or injured, with only one half of the soldiers arrive in time.

In marching thirty li for the favourable situation, only two thirds of the soldiers will arrive. Accordingly, the army will be defeated without gear and supplies. It cannot survive without provisions, nor can it last without accumulation of supply.

Knowing The Situations

One cannot enter alliances with neighbouring countries without a clear understanding of their strategy. Nor can one march through a country without knowing its mountains and forests, all the dangers and difficulties of the route and marshes. One will be incapable of using the terrain to advantage without using native guides.

Military Operations

In military operations , one need to use crafty and flexible strategies so that one's army can get a firm foothold; one takes an action if there is a real advantage to be gained; one adapts oneself to the changeable situation with tactics of using scattered forces or concentrated forces.

Therefore , an army in a rapid motion is as quick as a hurricance; in a slow motion , it is as compact as the trees in the forest.

In attacking it is as fierce as raging fire and in immovability it is as still as a mountain.

While concealing itself, it is as invincible as the Sun, the Moon and the stars in cloudy skies,and when taking actions, as terrible as thunderbolt.

Principle Of Manoeuvring

When seizing the grains and properties of the enemy's territory, one should divide one's spoil among one's soldiers and the people; when capturing new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the officers and soldiers.

Before taking any action, one should make careful comparisons between the enemy's conditions and ours.

Only he who understand the strategy of turning the devious way into direct one can talk about winning victory.

This is the principle of manoeuvring.

The Book of Army Management

The Book of Army Management says : Spoken words cannot be heard in battlefield, hence the institution of gongs and drums; gestures cannot be seen clearly in battles, hence the use of banners and flags.

Both drums and banners are used for the soldiers to hear and see so as to unify the military force in battle.

When the battle are unified, the brave soldiers will not be able to march forward individually, while the cowardly one will not be able to retreat by themselves.

This is the art of directing large armies.

Accordingly, one should use more fires and drums at night battles; and more banner in the daylight. All these changes are made to suit the soldiers' visual and hearing abilities.

Morale

The morale of enemy troops can be dampened and their commander's determination can be shaken. It is common knowledge that when the battles first starts, the army's morale is usually very high; after a while, it declines, and towards the end, the soldiers will be exhausted to fight and inclined to return.

From this perspective, a wise commander always tries to avoid the enemy until they are idle and inclined to return.This is the way to keep an army's morale up.

To meet the enemy's confusion with one's disciplined army, and to meet enemy's panic with one's own calmness are ways to maintains the soldiers' morale.

One tries to be bear the battlefield , while the enemy must come from a long distance; one has had a through rest and has reorganised, while the enemy is exhausted after a long march; one is well fed and still have sufficient food supplies, while the enemy soldiers are starving and no more food supplies.

This is the way to conserve one's strength. One will not meet in battle with enemies whose banner's and deployments are in order; nor will one attack powerful enemies in disciplined manner.

This is the way to vary battle strategy in accordance with the enemy's situation.

Attacking The Enemy

Do not attack an enemy who has seized high ground if it means advancing uphill;

do not oppose an enemy when it comes downhill.

Do not pursue the enemy when he pretends to retreat.

Do not attack the enemy when he is in good battle trim.

Do not taken in by the enemy when he tries to lure you with baits.

Do not stop the enemy when he is withdrawing to his own country.

When surrounding an enemy army. one should always leave an opening; one should nit force the enemy to fight to the death when he is in desperate situations.

These are principles one should know in directing military operations.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 6 : WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

2008-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

Normally, those who arrives at the battlefield first and wait for the enemy to come will be at ease and unhurried, and will have the opportunity to seize the initiative; while those who arrive later and join the battle in haste will easily be exhausted and fill into a defensive position

Therefore, a skillful commander must be able to impose will on the enemy, but not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

He can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord by luring him (enemy) with advantages, or he (commander) can inflict damage on the enemy to make an approach impossible.

Attacking The Enemy

Therefore, if the enemy is taking at ease, exhaust him; if the enemy is well-supplied with provision, starve him out; if the enemy is quietly in camp, forced him into motion !!

Attack where rescue cannot be reached.

Move to place where the enemy is least expected.

An army can march thousands of li without getting exhausted because it marches through the country without enemy.

One can be sure of succeeding an attack if it is made on the enemy's undefended or not easily-defeated areas.

An ever successful defence is guaranteed if defensive positions are in areas where the enemy neither dare to attack nor can easily break through.

Thus, a commander skillful in attack always makes the enemy uncertain of where to defend, while a commander good at defence makes the enemy undecided at where to attack.

What subtlety and mystery ! So subtle that no one sees any trace and so full of mystery that nobody can hear any sound. Only in this way can one decide the fate of the enemy.

When one advances, the enemy cannot stop him because he is moving against the enemy's weak point;

when one retreat, the enemy cannot damage him since he is moving so fast that the enemy cannot catch up.

When one seeks battle, the enemy has to meet the challenge even if he is safe behind deep trenches and high ramparts because we attack the area that the enemy must rescue.

When we do not wish to engage the enemy, we can set up a place for defence anywhere and the enemy will not come to attack us because we had diverted their attention elsewhere.

Diverting Enemy's Force

Accordingly, in order to expose the enemy's dispositions of forces and keep one's own invisible, one should concentrate one's military force while dividing the enemy's force.

If one own military forces stand together, while the enemy force are scattered in ten different places, then one can defeat each component of the enemy with forces ten times stronger !

Hence there will be a whole pitted against separate parts of a whole, which brings about the favourable situation that one shall be many to the enemy's few.If one is thus able to keep one's own forces united and the enemy's divided, then fewer enemy troops can fight directly with one.

The place where one intends to attack must not be made known; for then the enemy will take precautions everywhere against the attack. Thus the enemy army one attacks directly at any given point will be fewer in numbers.

Should he guard his front, his rear will be weak; should he pay attention to his right, his left will be weak; if he sends reinforcement everywhere, then he will be weak everywhere. Having to guard against attacks everywhere dilutes the enemy 's military strength, while forcing the enemy to disperse his forces causes numerical advantage to our favour.

Deployments

Therefore, if one can predict the place and time of the coming battle, then even if one is thousand li away, one can still concentrate one's military forces in advances to fight a decisive battle. If one knows neither the spot nor the time of the battle, then when attacked, one cannot manage to have the left wing help the right wing or vice versa; the forces in the front will be unable to support the rear, and vice versa.

How much more so if the troops deployments extend tens of li in breadth, and even the nearest troops are separated ny serval li !

For example, although the state of Yue (now the province of Zhejiang) has more soldiers in number, what benefits does it have to the decision of the outcome of the war? Even though the enemy is greater in numbers, one can achieve victory by making the enemy incapable in deploying the enemy's full power against us.

Make a careful analysis and judgement so as to have a clear understanding of the strong and weak points of the enemy's battle plan.

Deceptive Apperance

Agitate the enemy so as to find out his pattern of movements.

Lure the enemy into the open by deceptive appearance so ascertain if he holds favourable terrain or not Make probing attack so as to know the weaknesses and the strengths of the disposition of the enemy.

One's camouflage and fake movements must be perfectly executed so that they leave no trace for the enemy to detect.

In this way, even the craftiest spy cannot ascertain one's actual strength, even the wisest commander cannot work out a method to defeat one.

Furthermore, even though one shows people the victory one achieved by using a 'feint' strategy, they cannot tell how one achieved it. People all know the superficial phenomenon of the victory one achieves, but they do not know what false appearance one create to achieve victory.

No one victory is achieved in the same way as another. The method varies each time to suit changes of situation

Military Tactics

Military tactics are like water. The tendency of water is to run away from high places and hasten downwards. Likewise the law in battle is to avoid engaging the enemy in his strong points, and to attack his weak points

Water shape its course according to the nature of the ground over which its flows; tactics to work out one's victory are decided according to the enemy's situation.

Consequently, just as water ceaselessly change its shape, there are no constant tactics in directing military operations.

The one who is to alter and revise his tactics according to the enemy's situation and achieves victory will be considered as a superb military commander.

Law Of Military Operations

The laws of military operations predominate alternatively like the five elements (metal,wood,water,fire and earth) , none is ever predominant. They make way for each other in turn like the four seasons, no one last forever, they vary like days, some days are long while others are short; they are like the Moon which waxes and wanes.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 5 : POTENTIAL

2008-11-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

To manage a military unit with many soldiers as easily as one with a few is a matter of sound organisation. To command any army with many soldiers as easily as one with easily as one with only a few is a matter of strict command. To ensure the army of the whole state to be able to withstand attack without suffering defeat is a matter of the correct application of 'direct' and 'indirect' stratagems. When attacking the enemy, to ensure the army to be as invincible as a stone striking an egg is a matter of the correct application of 'weak' and 'strong' tactics.

Generally, in war, the two belligerent parties will meet each other with their regular troops, while seeking to gain victory with ruses or ingenious military moves.

To the military commander who is adept at winning victory by making surprise moves, tactics are as inexhaustible as the change of Universe, unending as the flow of rivers and streams. They end and begin again like the motions of the Sun and Moon; pass away and return once more like the change of the four seasons.

Combination OF Five

There are no more than five musical notes, but the various combination of them give rise to more melodies than ever be heard. There are only five primary colours, yet they produce more hues than can ever be seen when blended together. There are only five tastes, but the mixture of them can make more flavours than can ever be tasted.

Direct And Indirect Attack

In battle, however, there are only two kinds of attack - the direct and the indirect; yet the various combinations of these two can be endless! The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn, like moving in a circle. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combinations ?

The rushing water flows at such a high speed that it can even move rocks in its way because of its strong mass potential ! The fierce falcon attacks at such a rapid swoop that it can strike and destroy the victim because of its rapid timing.

Military Superiority

Accordingly, the military commander who is well-versed in the art of war must be able not only to concentrate military superiority but to carry out swift and violent attack. To concentrate on military superiority is like a fully drawn crossbow, while the timing of swift and violent attack is like the release of the trigger !!

While fighting with a large army under his command in a chaotic battle, the commander must try to prevent his army from being thrown into confusion; to fight under uncertain circumstances, the commander must deploy his army in such a way that it can deal with enemies from all directions, leaving no opening for the enemy to exploit !

Deceptions

Stimulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated cowardice postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength. Hiding perfect discipline beneath the cloak of disorder is a deceptive appearance stemming from organisation; concealing courage under a show cowardice is a deceptive appearance from the potential of an army's morale; masking strength with weakness is deceptive appearance stemming from military strength.

Therefore, the commander who is skillful in luring the enemy will maintain deceptive appearances to delude the enemy, and baits a trap for the enemy, the enemy will surely be caught. He manoeuvres the enemy with small sacrifices, and waits for the right movement to make a sudden ambush !!

As the saying goes " lay out long string to catch the big fish"

Favourable Situations

A skillful commander will be able to create the favourable situation to defeat the enemy instead of making excessive demands on the troops that he commands. Consequently, he is able to take individual talent into account, and use each man according to his qualifications and talents, thus making full use of favourable situations.

The commander who is able to make full use of favourable situations makes his soldiers like rolling logs or rocks in battle. It is the nature of the logs and rocks to stay stationary when laying on flat ground, and to roll forward when on a slope. Logs and rocks that are squared-shaped are apt to come to a standstill, but the round ones are apt to continue rolling forward.

It follows in a battle, the favourable situation that a skillful commander creates is just like a round rock that quickly tumble from a high mountain; nothing can stop it !

This is what is called potential energy in military operations.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 4 : TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS

2008-11-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

In the old days, skillful fighters would create the conditions to make themselves invincible and then wait for the opportunity to defeat the enemy. It lies in our hands to secure such invincibility, but it depends on the enemy to have his weakness exposed, thus providing us with the opportunity to defeat him.

Therefore a skillful fighter is able to create the conditions to make himself invincible but unable to make the enemy bring about an opportunity to be defeated by him. In this respect, a commander can forecast victory, but he cannot guarantee its actual realisation.

Defence And Attack

When one wants to be invincible, he should be good at defending. When one wants to defeat the enemy, he should be good at attacking.

One sets up a defence when his strength is not enough; and launch an attack when his strength is the most powerful.

The one who is adept at defending himself should be like someone that hides deep underground where the enemy cannot even catch him on sight.

While one who is skillful in attack should be like someone who strikes from high in the sky, so swift and fierce that the enemy army has no way to protect himself.

In this way one can protect himself while achieving complete victory.

Victory

Victory that can be foreseen and predicted simply by ordinary people is not the acme of excellence. Nor is victory won only after fierce fighting, even if is praised by people all over the world. Likewise, being able to lift a length of fine fur does not signify great strength; being able to see the Sun and Moon does not signify good sight; and hearing a thunder bolt does not signify good hearing.

The Triumph Army

In ancient times, a skillful commander always created favourable conditions without attracting people's attention, thus defeating his enemy with ease. Consequently, his victory was characterized neither by reputation for his intelligence nor credit for his courage. He was confident of winning because he had taken measures in advance to subdue the enemy.Therefore he was able to triumph over his enemy who was doomed to defeat.

Accordingly, a wise commander will puts himself into a positions that makes defeated by the enemy impossible; and does not miss any opportunity to defeat the enemy.

Thus a triumph army will not fight until the conditions for victory are created; whereas an army is destined for defeat will always fight its opponent first, in the hope that he will win by sheer good luck !!

Estimation And Calculations

A skillful commander is always adept at cultivating morality among his soldiers and ensuring that the legal system is properly maintained. Therefore, he is able to control the outcome of the war.

In directing military operations , a commander must takes the following estimations and calculations :

the size of the battlefield;
the number of produces and materials required;
the number of soldiers nd quantity of weapons;
comparison of the military strength of both armies; and
the possible outcome of the battle.

The size of the battlefield will determine the number of materials required; the number of materials ( food, armour..etc) needed will determine the number of soldiers supportable ; and the comparison of military strength of both sides will be fundamentally based on the number of soldiers, and thus, the outcome of the battle.

The Victorious Army

Therefore a victorious army is far superior in strength to a defeated one, as one yi (one yi is equivalent to 576 zhu) balanced against one zhu and vice versa. In the battle, an army superior in strength is like a surging river that flows into an chasm from a height of one thousand ren(about 8,000 feet).

This is a tactical disposition, a display of formidable military power.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 3 : OFFENSIVE STRATEGY

2008-11-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

The best strategy in warfare is to capture an enemy country whole and intact without having to resort to arms. To conquer it by force is the second best way.

Likewise, to capture an enemy army (12,500 men) in its entirety is better than to destroy it in battle; it is better to capture entire regiments (each 500 men), brigades (each 150 men), or companies (each 5 men) than to be forced to destroy them.

Therefore, supreme excellence does not lie in winning one hundred victories in one hundred battles but in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

The Three Methods

Accordingly, the best way in directing military operations is to defeat the enemy through strategic superiority, the second best way is to defeat the enemy through diplomatic means; the next best method is resorting to arms to conquer the enemy army, and it is always the least desirable method to besiege a fortified city.

The Worst Method - Besiege A Fortified City.

Laying siege to city is an option taken when there are no other alternatives. It takes at least three months to make large shields and four-wheeled chariots and prepare necessary weapons and equipments. It takes at least another three months to build the mounds for the attack. It is time consuming and strenuous.

The commander will thus become so impatient and reckless that he will order his soldiers to swarm up the walls like ants to attack the city. Consequently, one third of the soldiers will be killed or injured while the city remains unconquered. Such is the kind of disaster that results from the siege of a city.

The Best Method - Victory Without Casualties

A commander who is well versed in directing military operations will force the enemy army to surrender without resorting to arms.

He will capture the enemy city without engaging his army in a tough battle. He will also overthrow the enemy country without going through a long , drawn-out attack.

One should contend for supremacy through strategy of capturing the enemy country and enemy army whole and intact. Thus, the army will not be weary and frustrated and complete victory will be achieved.

This is to defeat the enemy through strategic superiority.

Directing Military Operations

In directing military operations, one should encircle the enemy when one's military strength is ten times as strong as the enemy's;

attack when one's army is five times as big as the enemy's;

try to disperse the enemy forces when one has twice as many soldiers as the enemy;

employ the art of war wisely to defeat the enemy when both sides are equal in strength;

be capable of making retreat when the enemy force are greater in number;

avoid a decisive battle with the enemy when one's conditions are unfavourable in all respects.

A weak army will eventually fall captive to a strong one if it simply holds its ground and conducts a desperate defence.

Harm That Soveregin Might Cause

A commander is an assistant of the sovereign. If he provides competent and consistent assistance, the country will grow powerful and prosperous; otherwise, it will definitely be weakened.

The sovereign may do harm to the army under the following three circumstances :

One is order to advance while ignoring the fact that the army cannot go forward, or by ordering a retreat while ignorant the fact the that the army cannot fall back.

Second, by interfering with the army's administration without any knowledge of its internal affairs. This will caused confusion in both the officers and the soldiers.

Third is by becoming involved in the command structure during military operations while ignorant of military principle of authourity. This will sow doubts and misgiving in the minds of the officers and soldiers.

With the army irresolute and in discord, disasters are sure to follow when the enemy countries take advantage of the situations to make an attack. This is called plunging one's army into confusion and results in the enemy's victory.

Forecast Of Battle Outcome

The following five points are essential to foresee the outcome of war :

The one who knows under what circumstances he should or should not fight will win;
The one who knows how to employ different tactics according to his military strength will win;
The country whose sovereign and people and army are of one mind will win;
The one who has made adequate preparations will defeat the other without preparations;
The commander who is competent and unrestrained by the sovereign will win;

This are five key points to prediction of victory.

Accordingly, knowing the enemy and knowing ourselves, one can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat; while knowing only ourselves but not your enemy will guarantee only half a chance of winning the battle; and knowing neither ourselves nor the enemy well; will definitely lose all the battles !

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 2 : WAGING WAR

2008-11-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

Sun Zi said :

In the operation of war , one should prepare one thousand swift chariots (each drawn by four horses), one thousand heavy vehicles (loaded with ordnance), the armour of one hundred thousand soldiers and provisions sufficient enough to carry them one thousand li ( a measuring unit in ancient China, about 2.78Li equals to a miles).

Expenses Of War

Thus the expenses at both the front and at home , including those for diplomatic contacts, for the maintenance and upkeep of ordnance and equipment, and for the replenishment and supply of chariots and weapons, will be enormous.

It could easily reach a total of a thousand taels of silver per day.

Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men !

Effects Of Long Lasting War

Given the enormous expense of fighting a war, one must try to seek a quick victory. A long lasting war will only fatigue the army and taken the edge off its spirit.

To lay a siege to a fortress will exhaust all the army strength. To engage in a long lasting war outside the home country will drained the country financially. And subsequently into economics chaos.

When the army is weary, its spirit dampened, other state will seek advantages of this precarious situation to launch an attack.

In this case, even the most intelligent commander cannot save his country from the disastrous consequences that must ensure.

Thus we had heard of quick victories that are sought in a practical manner, but never seen intelligent manoeuvres that are associated with long drawn out war.

There has never been a case which a prolonged war has benefited a nation. Obviously, those who do not fully realise the disastrous effects of a protracted war also do not fully appreciate the advantages of a swift victory.

Supplies From Enemy ??

The commander who is well-versed in the art of war will not continually recruiting soldiers and having his supplies delivered from the home country over and over again.

He will only have weapons and armour supplied from the home country, while getting fresh provisions from the conquered local territory of enemy countries

In this way, the army will continually be adequately supplied.

Long Distance Calculation

One of the factors that brings poverty to a country engaged in a war is the cost of long distance transportation.

To maintain a distant army impoverishes the local people. The price of commodities will normally rises in area where army is stationed. Rising prices will drain the people of their wealth and make them unable to pay the taxes.

Thus military strength will be exhausted, the national treasury depleted and seventh-tenths of the people wealth consumed.

At the same time, public expenses for damaged chariots, worn-out horses, breastplate and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantles, draught oxen and heavy wagons will amount to six-tenth of its revenue.

Therefore, a wise commander will do all he can to get provisions from the enemy countries.

One zhong (approx. 640 litres) of provision obtained from the enemy country will equal to twenty zhong from his own. One shi (approx. 60 kg) of forage grass extracted from the enemy country will likewise equal twenty shi of domestic forage.

Expand One Force

To urge his soldiers to kill the enemy, a commander should arouse them to anger. To encourage them to seize the enemy's property, he should award them with war trophies.

Accordingly, in chariot battles, when more than ten enemy chariots had been captured the soldiers who first captured should be awarded generously. the commander should have his own flags erected on the captured chariots, putting the vehicles into his own chariot formation. He should treat the captured soldiers kindly and take care of their daily provisions. This so called expanding one's force in the course of defeating the enemy.

Hence, let military operations be directed towards securing a quick victory, rather than towards prolonging the war.

The commander who is well-versed in the art of war controls his people's fate as well as guarantees the security of the nation.

Thirty-Six Stratagems (from Wikipedia)

2008-11-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

The Thirty-Six Stratagems (traditional Chinese: 三十六計; simplified Chinese: 三十六计; pinyin: Sānshíliù Jì) was originally a Chinese essay used to illustrate a series of stratagems used in politics, war, as well as in civil interaction, often through unorthodox or deceptive means.

Stratagem categories

Senger divides stratagems into six categories:

Simulation or Masking: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 24, 25,
Dissimulation or Feint: 7, 27, 29, 32, 34
Information or Disclosure: 13, 26,
Exploiting, taking Advantage: 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 28, 30, 31, 33
Linking more than one stratagem: 35
Flight Stratagems: 9, 11, 21, 36

Cungen GE, a Chinese researcher of 36 Stratagems from the perspective of modern business competition, supports the ready-made six groups of classification of these stratagems in the book of Thirty-six Stratagems (The Secret of War):

The Stratagems of Winning;
The Stratagems of Defending;
The Stratagems of Attacking;
The Stratagems of Scuffling;
The Stratagems of Merging;
The Stratagems of Losing.

The Art of War (from Wikipedia)

2008-11-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Art of War (Chinese: 孫子兵法; pinyin: Sūn Zǐ Bīng Fǎ) is a Chinese military treatise that was written during the 6th century BC by Sun Tzu. Composed of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to one aspect of warfare, it has long been praised as the definitive work on military strategies and tactics of its time.

The Art of War is one of the oldest books on military strategy in the world. It is the first and one of the most successful works on strategy and has had a huge influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, and beyond. Sun Tzu was the first to recognize the importance of positioning in strategy and that position is affected both by objective conditions in the physical environment and the subjective opinions of competitive actors in that environment. He taught that strategy was not planning in the sense of working through a to-do list, but rather that it requires quick and appropriate responses to changing conditions. Planning works in a controlled environment, but in a competitive environment, competing plans collide, creating unexpected situations.

The book was first translated into the French language in 1782 by French Jesuit Jean Joseph Marie Amiot, and had possibly influenced Napoleon,^[1] and even the planning of Operation Desert Storm.^[2]^[3] Leaders as diverse as Mao Zedong, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and General Douglas MacArthur have claimed to have drawn inspiration from the work.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 1 : LAYING PLANS

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Sun Zi Said :

War is a matter of vital importance to a nation : a matter relating to life and death of the people, survival or ruin of sovereignty. Hence it demands serious study and should not be neglected under any circumstances.

In assessing the outcome of war , one should analyse the actual situation and compared by the strengths and weakness of both sides with respect to thefive fundamental factors :

Five fundemental factors

.Morality enables people to be in complete accord with their sovereign, so that they will follow the general into battle regardless of their lives and without the slightest fear.

.Weather refers to climatic conditions such as day and night, cold and heat as well as the change of seasons.

.Terrain refers to geographical conditions such as long or short distances, perilous or level land, open ground or narrow passes as well as impasse or thoroughfare.

.Commander factor refers to whether the commander possesses attributes such as resourcefulness and ability, fairness in rewarding or punishing, kindness to the soldiers, courage and resolutions as well as strictness od discipline.

.Legal system signifies whether reliable systems are established in the organization of military units, division of responsibilities for officials and management of military supplies.

These five fundamental factors are known to every single commander. However, only one who has a through understanding and full command of them can win the war; otherwise he will fail. fundemental factors

Seven Dimensions

Therefore in order to have a full grasp of the situation of both sides, one should analyse and compare by calculations of the following seven dimensions :

Which of the two sovereigns pursues a just cause and has won the support of their people?
Which of the two commanders is more resourceful and capable?
Which of the two sides holds more advantages in terms of climatic and terrain conditions?
On which side is discipline more strictly enforced?
Which of the two armies is stronger?
Which side has better trained officers and soldiers?

After making a comprehensive analysis based on all the above, one should be able to predict which of the two sides will win the war.

If a commander follows the above , he will surely win. Let him be retained in command! Otherwise he will surely fail, and let him be dismissed.Once a commander has adopted the appropriate stratagems, he should create a readiness to assist the implementation of his war plan. This so called readiness is to take flexible action according to changing circumstances.

Deceptions and Battle Of Wits

All warfare is based on deceptions and battle of wits.

Therefore one should pretend to be unable to make an attack when he is able to.
One should hide his readiness for combat when he is ready to.
If you plan to attack a nearby place, you should pretend to attack from a far-off place and vice-versa.
Lure a greedy enemy with the promise of petty gains. When he is thrown into confusion, seize the opportunity to attack.
Take double precautions against enemy with substantial strength
Evade enemy of superior strength than you
Irritate enemy who is hot temper
Make enemy who is mean and low arrogant
Fatigue the enemy who is ease and comfort
Sow discord in the enemy who is united
Attack the enemy where he least expected and prepared

These are subtle devices to the victory of war but cannot be formulated in detail beforehand

Calculations

Before a war is fought, one should calculate and compare the actual situation of both sides in the ancestral temple.

The side with more superiority is more likely to win, while the side with less superiority has less chance of wining.

Thus doing more calculations and planning will lead to victory, and fewer calculations will lose, what more to no calculations at all !! From this point of view , it is possible to foresee the outcome of a war.

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - INTRODUCTION

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Sun Zi's Art of War was written by Sun Wu in the final year of the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC - 476BC).

It is not only the oldest Chinese military work in existence but also the oldest book of military theory in the world, well-known for a long time in the history of the military academy in China and abroad.

Sun Zi's Art of War have altogether 13 chapters. Both concise and comprehensive, this book sum up the experience of ancient wars, bring to light the many laws of war which are of universal significance.E

EExcerpt

Here is a excerpt from Sun Wu and Wu Chi (both are great military genius) in The Record of the Historians by Sima Qian :

Sun Wu, a native of Qi, presented his work of the art of war to King He Lu of Wu and secured an audience with him.

"I have read all thirteen chapters of your book," said the King. "Will you train my people on a small scale as an experiment for me to see?"

"Yes of course," replied Sun Wu.

"Will you try on women"

"If you wish, Sir"

The king sent him one hundred and eighty beauties from the palace and Sun Wu divided them into two companies with the King's two favorite concubines as their leaders. Then he tell them to hold halberds in theirs hands and asked,

"Do you know the front from the back and your left hand from your right?"

The women assured him they did.

"When I give the order to advance, go forward. At the order 'Left!' turn towards your left hand side, at 'Right!' turn towards your right hand side and "Retreat!" to turn back.Understand?"

They replied, "Yes.We understand all what you had said."

Having laid down these commands, Sun Wu had the executioners' swords and axes made ready and repeated his instructions time and again. Then with the beating of the drum, he gave the order "Turn right!" The women burst out in laughters without making any move.

Sun Wu said, "If the rules are not clear and the orders are not understood, the commander is to blame.".So he repeated all the commands again in details , and he made sure that the women understood it. He beat the drum again and gave the order for a left turn. But once again, the women burst out laughing.

After seeing all this, he said "If the rules are not clear and the orders are not understood, the commander is to blame." But when order are given clearly yet not carried out, it is the officers who are to blame."

Immediately, he ordered that the two company leaders be executed.

The King, wtching from his stand, was aghast to see that his favorites were about to be executed. He hurriedly sent a messenger to Sun Wu with the order against the execution.

"I can see that you are a competent general. But without these two concubines, my food and wine would lose all flavor. Please spare their life."

Sun Wu replied, "Since I have been appointed as the commander of the army, I am not bound by all orders from my sovereign."

So he had the two leaders beheaded as a warning to those who disobey his orders. Then he appointed the pair next in order as new leaders. This time when the drum was beat, the women obey all his commands, not daring to utter a single word.

Then Sun Wu sent a message to the King informing that the troops are well trained and ready for inspection. And that they are now at the King's disposal and will forge ahead unflinchingly even if they have to go through fire or water.

" You may go back and rest, I had no desire to inspect them."

Sun Wu said, "Your Majesty is only interested in theory but not in practical."

King He Lu, convinced of Sun Wu skill as a commander, later made him his general. In the west , Sun Wu defeated the powerful state of that time, Chu and captured Ying, the capital of Chu. In the north, he struck terror into the states of Qi and Jin. His fame spread far and wide among the feudal lords.

Chinese War Strategies

VI. Stratagems for desperate situations

V Stratagems for gaining ground

IV Stratagems for confused situations

III. Stratagems for attack

II. Stratagems for confrontation

I. Stratagems when in a superior position

36 STRATEGIES OF ANCIENT CHINA (OVERVIEW)

Chapter 1 - Winning Strategies

Chapter 2 - Enemy Dealing Strategies

Chapter 3 - Attacking Strategies

Chapter 4 - Chaos Strategies

Chapter 5 - Proximate Strategies

Chapter 6 - Defeat Strategies

Art of War and 36 Strategies of Ancient China

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 13 : EMPLOYMENT OF SPIES

Use Spy

Five Types Of Spies

Commander And Spies

Using Of Spies

Obtain Infromations

Rise Of Yin Dynasty

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 12 : FIRE ATTACK

Attacking By Fire

Using Fire Attack

Effects Of War

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 11 : THE NINE VARIETIES OF GROUND

The Nine Varieties Of Ground

The Nine Varieties Of Ground (Cont')

Seizing The Enemy

Principles Of Fighting In The Enemy's Territory

The Soldiers

Shuai Rang - The Snake From Chang Mountain

Controlling The Army

The Commander

Inavding Enemy's Terroritory

Dos And Don'ts

Military Success

Fighting

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 10 - TERRAIN

The Six Terrains

Six Situations That Caused Army To Fail

Considerations And Caluations

Knowing Yourself And The Enemy's Strength

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 9: MARCHES

Principles Of Fighting Near Rivers

Priciples Of Marching Through Salt Marshes

Principles Of Fighting On Plain

Marching And Manoeurving

Signs Of Enemy's Movements

Enemy's Movements

Victory ?

Art Of Command

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 8 : THE NINE VARIABLES

Things That Cannot Do

The General

Military Operations

Five Faults Of General

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 7 : MANOEUVRE

Manoeuvring

Knowing The Situations

Military Operations

Principle Of Manoeuvring

The Book of Army Management

Morale

Attacking The Enemy

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 6 : WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

Attacking The Enemy

Diverting Enemy's Force

Deployments

Deceptive Apperance

Military Tactics

Law Of Military Operations

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 5 : POTENTIAL

Combination OF Five

Direct And Indirect Attack

Military Superiority

Deceptions

Favourable Situations

SUN TZU ART OF WAR - CHAPTER 4 : TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS