Zuo Zhuan, Lü Shichunqiu, Zhan Guo Ce

Author: (Spring and Autumn Period) Zuo Qiuming / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
[Original Text]
In the tenth year of the Zhuanggong era, the Qi army attacked our state. The duke was about to go to war, and Cao Ji requested an audience. His fellow villagers said, "Those who eat meat plan this; why do you need to ask?" Ji replied, "Those who eat meat are narrow-minded and cannot plan far ahead." So he went to see the duke.
[Translation]
In the spring of the tenth year of the Zhuanggong era, the Qi army attacked the state of Lu. The duke was about to go to war, and Cao Ji requested an audience with the duke. His fellow villagers said, "Those in high positions will handle this; why do you need to participate?" Cao Ji replied, "Those in high positions are narrow-minded and cannot plan far ahead." So he went to the court to meet the duke.
[Original Text]
He asked, "What can you rely on to fight?" The duke said, "The food and clothing that bring comfort, I dare not keep to myself; I must share them with others." He replied, "Small favors have not been extended to all the people, so they will not follow you in battle." The duke said, "Sacrifices of jade and silk, I dare not exaggerate; I must be truthful." He replied, "Small acts of faith are not enough to win the favor of spirits, so they will not bless you." The duke said, "In matters great and small, though I may not be able to examine them all, I must handle them with justice." He replied, "This is a display of loyalty to the people, so you can fight. If you fight, please let me follow you."
[Translation]
Cao Ji asked the duke, "What can you rely on to fight against Qi?" The duke replied, "The food and clothing that bring comfort, I dare not keep to myself; I must share them with others." Cao Ji said, "These small favors have not been extended to all the people, so they will not follow you in battle." The duke said, "Sacrifices of jade and silk, I dare not exaggerate; I must be truthful." Cao Ji replied, "These small acts of faith are not enough to win the favor of spirits, so they will not bless you." The duke said, "In matters great and small, though I may not be able to examine them all, I must handle them with justice." Cao Ji said, "This is a display of loyalty to the people, so you can fight. If you fight, please let me follow you."
[Original Text]
The duke rode with him and fought at Changshao. The duke was about to beat the drums to attack, but Ji said, "Not yet." The Qi army beat the drums three times. Ji said, "Now." The Qi army was defeated. The duke was about to chase them, but Ji said, "Not yet." He got off his horse, looked at the tracks, climbed onto the chariot, and leaned on the to look at the enemy. He said, "Now." So he chased the Qi army. After winning, the duke asked why. He replied, "War depends on morale. The first time the drums are beaten, the soldiers are full of morale; the second time, their morale declines; the third time, it is exhausted. When the enemy's morale is exhausted, ours is high, so we won. A large state is hard to predict; I feared they had hidden troops. Later, I saw their tracks were disordered and their flags were falling, so I chased them."
[Translation]
The duke and Cao Ji rode together and fought at Changshao. The duke was about to beat the drums to attack, but Cao Ji said, "Not yet." The Qi army had beaten the drums three times. Cao Ji said, "Now." The Qi army was defeated. The duke was about to chase them, but Cao Ji said, "Not yet." He got off his horse, looked at the tracks, climbed onto the chariot, and leaned on the to look at the enemy. He said, "Now." So he chased the Qi army. After winning, the duke asked why. Cao Ji replied, "War depends on morale. The first time the drums are beaten, the soldiers are full of morale; the second time, their morale declines; the third time, it is exhausted. When the enemy's morale is exhausted, ours is high, so we won. A large state is hard to predict; I feared they had hidden troops. Later, I saw their tracks were disordered and their flags were falling, so I chased them."
[Commentary]
In the tenth year of the Zhuanggong era (684 BC), Duke Huan of Qi attacked the state of Lu, citing the reason that Lu had once helped his rival, Prince Jiu, in his bid for the throne. At the time, Qi was strong and Lu was weak, and Lu was in a defensive position. This passage records Cao Ji advising the duke of Lu, ultimately leading to the victory of the weak Lu state over the strong Qi army at Changshao, reflecting Cao Ji's political foresight and outstanding military talent. The passage focuses on Cao Ji's "far-sightedness" by selecting materials around the theme of "discussing war."
The first section, through the dialogue between Cao Ji and the duke, emphasizes that the support of the people is the primary factor in determining the outcome of war, highlighting Cao Ji's strategic thinking of "winning the people's trust." The second section briefly describes Cao Ji's command of the Lu army in counterattacking, pursuing, and ultimately winning, showcasing his military command skills and foreshadowing the analysis of the victory in the following sections. The third section explains the reasons for the victory, emphasizing Cao Ji's ability to seize opportunities, his cautious yet decisive tactical thinking. The author selects materials with precision and crafts a high-concept narrative, extracting historical lessons from the story while vividly portraying the characters. Cao Ji is the main character the author deliberately portrays. He possesses outstanding military wisdom and command skills, able to remain calm, decisive, and commanding in the rapidly changing battlefield. Cao Ji is the authority and commander of the victory at Changshao. The author's praise and admiration for him are subtly embedded in the meticulous description. The passage records Cao Ji's concise and decisive actions: "requesting an audience," "asking about the war," "requesting to follow," and his hesitation in the battle—these all show the cleverness and competence of a strategist from a humble background with deep foresight. The author skillfully uses the rhetorical technique of contrast, highlighting Cao Ji's sense of responsibility and political fervor in defending his homeland by contrasting him with the "villager." In the contrast between Cao Ji and the duke, the duke's dullness and impulsiveness contrast with Cao Ji's sharpness and composure. If the author intentionally or unintentionally makes the duke appear foolish, it proves the statement that "those who eat meat are narrow-minded," but it also allows Cao Ji's intelligence and talent to be more fully displayed. The entire passage is clear in narrative, appropriately detailed, with accurate and vivid dialogue, concise yet to the point, making it a famous and beloved passage in the Zuo Zhuan. P17-18