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Author: Liu Ke et al. Translated and Annotated
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The book Guanzi is attributed to Guan Zhong. It is a collection of fragmented works from the Warring States period and later. During the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiang compiled and edited it into 86 chapters, of which 76 are preserved today. Guan Zhong was a statesman in the early Spring and Autumn period, named Yi Wu and styled Zhong. In his early years, he was a merchant. In 685 BC, he became a minister of Qi and assisted Duke Huan, implementing numerous reforms in economics and politics, which led to the prosperity of Qi and made Duke Huan a hegemon of the Spring and Autumn period. The Guanzi contains rich military thought, comprehensively reflecting the rational understanding of warfare theory by the Legalist school of Qi. It offers insightful discussions on military philosophy, military governance theory, national defense construction, and operational guidance.
First, in terms of military philosophy, it emphasizes the importance of war, affirming its significance in social life. It holds that war directly determines the prestige of a ruler and the security of a state, serving as a crucial means to achieve a ruler's honor and national stability. "The reason why a ruler is humble or noble, and why a state is in danger or safety, depends most on military affairs." (San Huai) It opposes unconditional disarmament and advocates that the military should not be neglected. At the same time, it also advocates "cautious warfare," opposing the hasty initiation of conflicts. It considers war itself to be fraught with danger: "Military affairs are perilous." (Bing Shi)
Second, in military governance, it closely integrates military development with the improvement of governance and the advancement of the economy, promoting mutual support and progress. "A wealthy state has a strong army, a strong army achieves victory, and a victorious army expands its territory." (Zhiguo) It emphasizes strict rewards and punishments as the core of military governance. "If rewards and punishments are not trustworthy, the state will be ruined within five years." (Ba Guan) "Only by adhering to laws and regulations can one achieve certain victory in battle." (Bingfa) It advocates strengthening military education and training. "The tools may cover the world, but if the soldiers do not, they cannot govern the world." (Qi Fa) "Selecting the finest soldiers leads to victory." (You Guan) It attaches great importance to military equipment, viewing complete and superior weapons as a vital guarantee for winning wars, explicitly stating, "In all military deliberations, the first consideration must be the equipment." (San Huai) It emphasizes surpassing the enemy in equipment, achieving "no match in weapons." It also stresses the cultivation and utilization of commanders, believing that the security of a state often depends on high-ranking officials and ministers, hence the need to value talent acquisition: "Gather the of the world and recruit the ." (Qi Fa)
Third, in operational guidance, it advocates seizing opportunities, leveraging the situation, excelling in strategic planning, and gaining the initiative. "The art of war lies in understanding the timing and situation, and those who understand it are invincible." (Qi Fa) "Understanding the timing and situation" refers to grasping the opportunities for battle and calculating the circumstances. It emphasizes knowing oneself and the enemy, clearly discerning enemy conditions, and understanding the broader context. "The art of war lies in knowing the world thoroughly, and those who know the world are invincible." (Qi Fa) "Knowing the world" not only means understanding the situation of both sides but also comprehensively grasping the attitudes, strengths, and potential actions of all relevant states. It advocates for secretive and adaptable military strategies, defeating the enemy by exploiting weaknesses. It highly praises "no fixed pattern—this is the key to victory." (You Guan) "No fixed pattern" refers to the absence of rigid military tactics, while "key" means the critical point. It advocates attacking the enemy's strong points and exploiting their vulnerabilities: "Abandon the solid and attack the weak, the hard and the soft, the difficult and the easy." (Guanzi)
Due to the passage of time, ancient manuscripts of the Guanzi no longer exist. The annotations of this book primarily draw on Guanzi Jixiao by Mr. Guo Moruo, Guanzi Xiaoshi by Mr. Yan Changyao, and Guanzi Qingxuan by Mr. Ma Feibai, while the translation mainly references Guanzi Zhuyi by Mr. Zhao Shouzheng.