The Art of War - Newly Compiled Little Five Classics Four Books

Author: Zhao Guohua, Xu Jian / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This book is titled The Art of War, primarily compiling classic discussions on traditional military strategy. The compilers believe that traditional military strategy consists of three levels:
First is The Art of War, as the earliest extant military treatise, it runs like a long red thread through the entire course of Chinese military history, playing a significant guiding role.
Second are the Seven Military Classics, including The Art of War, The Art of War of Wu, The Methods of Sima, The Writings of Wu Lie, The Six, The Three, and The Qian Du Gong Wen Du (Qian Du Gong's Questions and Answers). Just as Confucianism has the Five Classics and Four Books, and Taoism has the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, the Seven Military Classics hold a special theoretical value for the development of Chinese military education and military scholarship.
Third are all military writings, in addition to the Seven Military Classics, there is a large number of other military texts, such as The Art of War of Sun Bin, The Art of Commanding, The White Horse Yin Jing, The Tiger Seal Jing, The Essential Records of Military Affairs, He's Doctor's Preparations for War, The Records of Formations, The Strategy of the Hermit, The Practical Records of Military Training, and The Art of War, as well as discussions on military issues by the philosophers of past dynasties. These reflect the characteristics of traditional military strategy from various perspectives. The theoretical contributions of all these works form the main content of this book.
War leads to ruin, forgetting war leads to peril【Original text】
The way of war is not to hinder the farming season, not to march when epidemics are rampant, thus showing love for one's own people; not to take advantage of the time of mourning or disaster in another state, thus showing love for their people; not to wage war in winter or summer, thus showing compassion for both sides. Therefore, even a large country, if it loves war, will inevitably perish; even a peaceful world, if it forgets war, will inevitably face danger. When the world is pacified, the sovereign celebrates great joy, holding spring hunts and autumn hunts. The feudal lords hold spring military inspections and autumn drills, thus never forgetting war. — The Art of War of Wu Lie: Benevolent Foundations
【Translation】
The principles of warfare include not disrupting the farming season, not marching when epidemics are prevalent, thereby showing love for one's own people; not exploiting the time of mourning or disaster in another state, thereby showing love for their people; not waging war in winter or summer, thereby protecting both sides. Therefore, even a powerful nation, if it indulges in endless warfare, will inevitably perish; even a peaceful world, if it neglects military preparedness, will inevitably face peril. When the world is stable, the sovereign achieves great success but still emphasizes military training. Spring and autumn hunts serve as military exercises, with feudal lords participating. Spring is for farming, and autumn is for military drills, all to ensure that war is never forgotten.
Ritual, Benevolence, Trustworthiness, Righteousness, Courage, Wisdom【Original text】
In ancient times, when pursuing fleeing enemies, one did not go beyond 100 steps; when following retreating enemies, one did not go beyond three she (a unit of distance, approx. 7.2 kilometers). Thus, it demonstrated ritual propriety. When dealing with defeated enemies, one showed compassion to the injured, thus demonstrating benevolence. When forming ranks before attacking, one beat the war drums, thus demonstrating trustworthiness. One fought for righteousness rather than profit, thus demonstrating righteousness. One showed mercy to surrendered enemies, thus demonstrating courage. One knew the beginning and end of war, thus demonstrating wisdom. The six virtues, when practiced in time and teaching, serve as the way to govern the people, a practice from ancient times. — The Art of War of Wu Lie: Benevolent Foundations
【Translation】
In ancient times, when pursuing fleeing enemies, one did not go beyond 100 steps; when following retreating enemies, one did not go beyond 90 li (a unit of distance, approx. 54 kilometers), demonstrating ritual propriety. When dealing with defeated enemies, one showed compassion to the injured, demonstrating benevolence. When forming ranks before attacking, one beat the war drums, demonstrating trustworthiness. One fought for righteousness rather than profit, demonstrating righteousness. One showed mercy to surrendered enemies, demonstrating courage. One knew the beginning and end of war, demonstrating wisdom. Implementing these six virtues as the code of conduct for the people is the political practice of ancient times.
Raising Arms to Punish Unrighteousness【Original text】
A wise ruler establishes rites, music, and laws, creating five punishments and raising arms to punish unrighteousness. He tours the states, examines the regions, and meets with feudal lords, assessing their adherence to rites and music. When there are rulers who defy orders, violate laws, betray virtue, defy heaven, and endanger meritorious rulers, he notifies all feudal lords, exposing their crimes. He then prays to the (the Sovereign Heaven), the sun, the moon, and the stars, and offers sacrifices to the earth, the gods of the four seas, the mountains, rivers, and ancestral temples. He then consults the ancient kings before the Grand Minister mobilizes troops among the feudal lords, saying: "The ruler of State X is unrighteous; we must attack him. The troops of all feudal lords should arrive in State X on such-and-such date, to join the sovereign in enforcing justice." The Grand Minister then issues orders to the officials and troops: "When entering the territory of the criminal state, do not desecrate the shrines, do not hunt, do not damage water conservancy projects, do not burn houses, do not cut down trees, do not seize livestock, grain, or tools. Protect the elderly and children, escort them home without harming them. Even if you encounter young warriors, do not treat them as enemies unless they resist. If they are injured, treat them with medicine and send them back." After punishing the main offenders, the sovereign and feudal lords help to restore order in that state, selecting the virtuous and establishing just rulers, restoring their official ranks, and bringing the state back to normal. — The Art of War of Wu Lie: Benevolent Foundations
【Translation】
A wise ruler establishes rites, music, and laws, imposes five punishments to govern the state, and raises arms to punish unrighteousness. He personally tours the states each year, meets with feudal lords, and assesses their adherence to rites and music. When there are feudal lords who defy orders, violate laws, betray virtue, defy heaven, and endanger meritorious rulers, he notifies all feudal lords, exposing their crimes, and then prays to heaven, the earth, and the ancestors. The Grand Minister then mobilizes troops among the feudal lords, issuing the order: "The ruler of State X is unrighteous; we must attack him. The troops of all feudal lords should arrive in State X on such-and-such date to join the sovereign in enforcing justice." The Grand Minister then instructs the officials to issue orders to the troops: "When entering the territory of the criminal state, do not desecrate the shrines, do not hunt, do not damage water conservancy projects, do not burn houses, do not cut down trees, do not seize livestock, grain, or tools. Protect the elderly and children, escort them home without harming them. Even if you encounter young warriors, do not treat them as enemies unless they resist. If they are injured, treat them with medicine and send them back." After punishing the main offenders, the sovereign and feudal lords help to restore order in that state, selecting the virtuous and establishing just rulers, restoring their official ranks, and bringing the state back to normal.
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