The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China by Sun Tzu et al

Author:Sun Tzu et al
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788880183
Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Limited
Published: 2017-09-05T00:00:00+00:00

Wu Qi said: “There are eight scenarios in which you may join battle without needing to use divination. (1) If a fierce wind is blowing or it is very cold, then march by night and cross rivers on rafts. Do not worry about a little hardship on the way;

(2) In the fiercest heat of summer, set out late in the day and then move quickly without resting throughout the night. March without eating or drinking to cover more ground;

(3) When the army has run out of rations, the locals are discontented, rumors have begun to spread, and the army’s leaders cannot control the situation;

(4) If the army’s supplies are exhausted and it is low on firewood or hay, and the weather is overcast or rainy, the army has no place to raid;

(5) When the army has few men, the terrain is inhospitable, the men and horses are tired and ill, and they are some distance away from any relieving army;

(6) When they have traveled far and it is nearing sunset, the soldiers are tired and afraid, and have not eaten, so they have taken off their armor and are at rest;

(7) When the commanders or officials do not have any authority, the soldiers are unruly, the army as a whole is nervous, and has no relief force nearby;

(8) When the army only has unstable formations, the camp is not yet set up for the night, or when the army is moving across a slope or mountain pass, and is half exposed.

In all of the above situations, you must attack at once.

There are six scenarios in which you should retreat without any need to use divination:

(1) In large countries with large populations;

(2) Where the ruler loves his subjects and the people are widely blessed;

(3) Where the government’s policies are authoritative and justice is transparent, and orders are swiftly obeyed;

(4) Where lower-ranking soldiers can distinguish themselves and move to the top of the army, and where the ruler employs wise advisors;

(5) Where there are large armies full of well-equipped crack troops;

(6) Where the state in question has allies all around and the support of a greater state.

In all of the above situations, you are no match for the enemy. You must retreat without question. To handle these situations, you must know how to advance or retreat according to your strength relative to the enemy’s.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.