dog SECRET TEACHING
- JIANG ZIYA -
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DISPERSING AND ASSEMBLING King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”If the king, leading the army, has dispersed the army to several locations and the commanding general wants to have them reassemble at a specific time for battle, how should he use rules, rewards and punishments to achieve it?”
T'ai Kung answered:”In general, the way to employ the military, the masses of the whole army, will always be subjected to making changes between dividing and reuniting. The commanding general should first set the place and day for battle, then issue full directives and particulars to the generals and commanders setting the time, indicating whether to attack cities or besiege towns, and where each should assemble. He should clearly instruct them about the day for battle and time. The commanding general should then establish his encampment, array his battle lines, put up a gnomon (sundial) at the official gate, clear the road and wait. When all the generals and commanders have arrived, compare their arrival with the designated time. Those who arrived before the appointed time should be rewarded. Those who arrived afterward should be executed. In this way, both the near and distant will race to assemble and the whole army will arrive together, uniting their strength to engage in battle.” MARTIAL SHARPNESS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”In general, when employing the army, it is essential to have military chariots, courageous cavalry, and elite troops as vanguards, and then use a perceived opportunity to strike the enemy. In which situations can we strike?”
T'ai Kung answered:”Anyone who wants to launch a strike should carefully monitor and look for fourteen changes (situations) in the enemy. When any of these changes becomes visible, attack, for the enemy will certainly be defeated.” King Wu asked:”May I know what are the fourteen changes?” T'ai Kung said:”When the enemy has begun to assemble they can be attacked. When the men and horses have not yet been fed, they can be attacked. When the seasonal and weather conditions are not advantageous to them, they can be attacked. When they have not secured advantageous terrain, they can be attacked. When they are fleeing, they can be attacked. When they are not vigilant, they can be attacked. When they are tired and exhausted, they can be attacked. When the general is absent from the officers and troops, they can be attacked. When they are traversing long roads, they can be attacked. When they are fording the river, they can be attacked. When the troops have not had any leisure time, they can be attacked. When they encounter the difficulty of precipitous ravines or are on narrow roads, they can be attacked. When their battle array is in disorder, they can be attacked. When they are afraid, they can be attacked.” SELECTING WARRIORS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:” What is the way to select warriors?”
T'ai Kung replied:”Within the army, there will be men with great courage and strength who are willing to die and may even take pleasure in suffering wounds. They should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors who Risks the Blade’. Those who have very fierce disposition, who are robust and courageous, strong and explosive, should be assembled together and called ’Warriors who Penetrate the Lines’. Those who are extraordinary in appearance, bear long swords and advance with measured tread in good order should be assembled together and called ‘Courageous Elite Warriors’. Those who can straighten iron hooks, have great strength, and can go into enemy’s line and smash gongs and drums and destroy flags and pennants, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors of Courage and Strength’. Those who can scale heights and cover great distances, who are light-footed and excel at running should be assembled together and called ‘Invading Warriors’. Those who, while serving the ruler, lost their authority and want to gain merit again, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors who Fight to Death’. Those who are relatives of slain generals, the sons or brothers of generals, who want to avenge their deaths, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors who See Death Lightly’. Adopted sons, slaves or former prisoners-of-war, who want to cover up their pasts and achieve fame, should be assembled together and called the ‘Incited Dispirited’. Those who are lowly, poor and angry, who want to satisfy their desires, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors Committed to Death’. Those who have been imprisoned and then spared corporal punishment, who want to escape from their shame, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors Fortunate to be Used’. Those who combine skill and technique, who can bear heavy responsibilities, should be assembled together and called ‘Warriors Awaiting Orders’. These are the army’s selected warriors and one should pay great attention to the selection process.” TEACHING COMBAT
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”When we have assembled the masses to form the army and want to have the officers and men be assimilated with the way of combat. How should we proceed?”
T'ai Kung said:”For leading the whole army, you must have the gongs and drums by which to order and assemble the officers and masses. The generals should clearly instruct the commanders and officers, explaining the order repeatedly, thereby teaching them the use of weapons, mobilization, and stopping, all to be in accord with the movement of flags and signal pennants. Thus when teaching the commanders and officers, strive to have individuals complete his study of combat instructions and have them extend their study to ten men. Ten men who have completed their study of combat instructions will extend them to a hundred. And from a hundred who have completed their study, they extend it to a thousand. And from a thousand extend to ten thousand, and from these ten thousand extend to the whole army. When all have completed their study of combat, have the whole army practice together. In this fashion, you will be able to realize a Great Army and establish your awesomeness throughout the realm.” “Excellent!” said King Wu. FORCES EQUIVALENTS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”When chariots and infantry engage in battle, one chariot is equivalent to how many infantrymen? How many infantrymen are equivalent to one chariot? When cavalry and infantry engage in battle, one cavalryman is equivalent to how many infantrymen? How many infantrymen are equivalent to one cavalryman? When chariots and cavalry engage in battle, one chariot is equivalent to how many cavalrymen? How many cavalrymen are equivalent to one chariot?”
T'ai Kung replied:”Chariots are the wings of the army, the means to penetrate solid formations, to press strong enemies and to cut off their flight. Cavalry are the army’s fleet observers, the means to pursue a defeated army, to sever supply lines and to strike roving forces. Thus when chariots and cavalry are not engaged in battle with the enemy, one cavalryman is not able to equal one foot soldier. However, after the masses of the army have been arrayed in opposition to the enemy, when fighting on easy terrain, the rule is that one chariot is equivalent to eighty infantrymen, and eighty infantrymen equal to one chariot. One cavalryman is equivalent to eight infantrymen; eight infantrymen is equivalent to one cavalryman. One chariot is equivalent to ten cavalrymen; ten cavalrymen is equivalent to one chariot. The rule for fighting on difficult terrain is that one chariot is equivalent to forty infantrymen, and forty infantrymen are equivalent to one chariot. One cavalryman is equivalent to four infantrymen; four infantrymen are equivalent to one cavalrymen. One chariot is equivalent six cavalrymen; six cavalrymen is equivalent to one chariot. Now chariots and cavalry are the army’s strong weapons. Ten chariots can defeat one thousand men; one hundred chariots can defeat then thousand men. Ten cavalrymen can drive off one hundred men, and one hundred cavalrymen can drive off one thousand men. These are the approximate numbers.” King Wu asked:”What are the numbers for chariot and cavalry officers and their transformation?” T'ai Kung replied:”For the chariots – a leader for five chariots, a captain for ten, a commander for fifty and a general for one hundred. For battle on easy terrain five chariots comprise one line. The lines are forty paces apart, the chariots from left to right should be ten paces apart, with detachments sixty paces apart. On difficult terrain the chariots must follow the roads, with ten comprising a company and twenty a regiment. Front to rear spacing should be twenty paces, left to right six paces, with detachments thirty-six paces apart. If they venture of the road more than two li in any direction, they should return to the original road. As for the number of officers in the cavalry: a leader for five men; a captain for ten; a commander for one hundred; a general for two hundred. The rule for fighting on easy terrain: Five cavalrymen will form one line, and front to back their lines should be separated by twenty paces, left to right four paces, with fifty paces between detachments. On difficult terrain, the rule is front to back, ten paces; left to right, two paces; between detachments, twenty-five paces. Thirty cavalrymen comprise a company; sixty form a regiment. For ten cavalrymen, there is a captain. In action, they should not move out of the range of one hundred paces, after which they should circle back and return to their original positions.” “Excellent!” said King Wu. CHARIOT WARRIORS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”How does one select warriors for chariots?”
T'ai Kung said:”The rule for selecting warriors for chariots is to pick men under forty years of age, seven feet five inches or taller, whose running ability is such that they can pursue a galloping horse, race up to it, mount it and ride it forward and back, left and right, up and down, all around. They should be able to quickly furl up the flags and pennants and have the strength to fully draw an eight-picul crossbow. They should practice shooting front and back, left and right, until thoroughly skilled. They are termed ‘Martial Chariot Warriors’. You cannot but be generous to them.” CAVALRY WARRIORS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”How does one select warriors for the cavalry?”
T'ai Kung said:”The rule of selecting cavalry warriors is to take those under forty, who are at least seven feet five inches tall, strong and quick, who surpass the average. Men who, while racing a horse, can fully draw a bow and shoot. Men who can gallop forward and back, left and right and all around, both advancing and withdrawing. Men who, while racing a horse, can jump over moats and ditches, ascend hills and mounds, gallop through narrow confines, cross large water bodies, and race into a strong enemy, causing chaos among their masses. They are called the ‘Martial Cavalry Warriors’. You cannot but be generous to them.” BATTLE CHARIOTS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”What about battle chariots?”
T'ai Kung replied:”The infantry’s value comes from knowing changes and movement; the chariot’s value comes from knowing the terrain’s configuration; the cavalry values comes from discover the unknown short-cuts and side roads. Thus these three armies bear the same name, but their employment differs. In general, in chariot battles, there are ten types of situations on which demise is likely and eight on which victory can be achieved.” King Wu asked:”What are the ten fatal situations like?” T'ai Kung replied:”If after advancing, there is no way to withdraw, this is a fatal terrain for chariots. Passing beyond narrow defiles, to pursue the enemy some distance, this is terrain which will exhaust the chariots. When the land in front makes advancing easy, while that to the rear is treacherous, this is terrain that will entrap the chariots. Penetrating into narrow and obstructed areas from which escape will be difficult, this is terrain on which the chariots may be cut off. If the land is collapsing, sinking, and marshy, with black mud sticking to everything, this is terrain which will ‘labor’ the chariots. To the left is precipitous while to the right is easy, with high mounds and sharp hills. This is terrain contrary to the use of chariots. Luxuriant grass runs through the field, and there are deep, watery channels throughout. This is terrain which thwarts the use of chariots. When the chariots are few in number, the land easy, and one is outnumbered by enemy infantry, this is terrain on which the chariots may be defeated. To the rear are water filled ravines and ditches, to the left deep water and to the right steep hills. This is terrain on which chariots are destroyed. It has been raining day and night for more than ten days without stopping. The roads have collapsed so that it not possible to advance or to escape to the rear. This is the terrain that will sink the chariots. These ten are deadly terrain for chariots. Thus they are the means by which the stupid general will be captured and the wise general will be able to escape.” King Wu asked:”What about eight conditions of terrain that result in victory?” T'ai Kung replied:”When the enemy’s ranks – front and rear – are not yet settled, strike into them. When their flags and pennants are in chaos, their men and horses frequently shifting about, then strike into them. When some of their officers and troops advance while others retreat; when some move to the left, others to the right, then strike into them. When their battle array is not yet solid, while their officers and troops are looking around at each other, strike them. When in advancing, they appear full of doubts, and in withdrawing they are fearful, strike them. When the enemy’s whole army are suddenly frightened, all of them rising up in great confusion, strike into them. When you are fighting on easy terrain and twilight has not ended, strike into them. When, after traveling far, at dusk they are camping and their whole army are terrified, strike into them. These eight situations constitute conditions in which the chariots will be victorious. If the general is clear about these ten fatal situations and eight situations where victory is possible, then even if the enemy surrounds him on all sides – attacking with one thousand chariots and ten thousand cavalry from the front and the flanks – he will invariably be victorious.” “Excellent!” said King Wu. CAVALRY IN BATTLE
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”How should we employ the cavalry in battle?”
T'ai Kung responded:”For the cavalry, there are ten situations that can produce victory and nine that will result in defeat.” King Wu asked:”What are the ten situations that can produce victory?” T'ai Kung replied:”When the enemy first arrives and their lines and deployment are not yet settled, the front and rear not yet united, then strike into their forward cavalry, attack the left and right flanks. The enemy will certainly flee. When the enemy’s lines and deployment are well-ordered and solid, while their officers and troops want to fight, our cavalry should outflank them but not go far off. Some should race away, some race forward. Their speed should be like the wind, their explosiveness like thunder, so that the daylight becomes as murky as dusk. Change our flags and pennants several times; also change our uniforms. Then their army can be conquered. When the enemy’s lines and deployment are not solid, while their officers and troops will not fight, press upon them both front and rear, make sudden thrusts on their left and right. Outflank and strike them, and the enemy will certainly be afraid. When, at sunset, the enemy wants to return to camp and their army are terrified, if we can outflank them on both sides, urgently strike their rear, pressing them to the entrance of their fortifications, not allowing them to go in. The enemy will certainly be defeated. When the enemy, lacking the advantages of ravines and defiles for securing their defenses, penetrate deeply into their territory and sever their supply lines, they will certainly be hungry. When the land is level and easy and we see enemy cavalry approaching from all four sides, if we have our chariots and cavalry strike into them, they will certainly become disordered. When the enemy runs off in flight, their officers and troops scattered and in chaos, if some of our cavalry outflank them both on sides while others obstruct them to the front and rear, their general can be captured. When at dusk the enemy is turning back while his soldiers are extremely numerous, his lines and deployment will certainly become disordered. We should have our cavalry form platoons of ten and regiments of hundred, group the chariots into squads of five and companies of ten, and set out a great many flags and pennants intermixed with strong crossbowmen. Some should strike their two flanks, others cut off the front and rear, and then the enemy’s general can be taken prisoner. These are the ten situations in which the cavalry can be victorious.” King Wu asked:”What about the nine situations which produce defeat?” T'ai Kung said:”Whenever the cavalry penetrates the ranks of the enemy but does not destroy their formation so that the enemy feigns flight, only to turn their chariots and cavalry about to strike our rear – this is a situation in which the cavalry will be defeated. When we pursue a fleeing enemy into confined ground, ranging far into their territory without stopping, until they ambush both our flanks and sever our rear – this is a situation in which the cavalry will be encircled. When we go forward but there is no road back, we enter but there is no way out, this is referred to as ‘Heaven Trap’, ‘Earthly Cave’. This is fatal terrain for the cavalry. When the way by which we enter is constricted but the way out is distant; their weak forces can attack our strong ones; and their few can attack our many – this is terrain on which the cavalry will be exterminated. When there are great mountain torrents, deep valleys, tall luxuriant grass, forests and trees – these are conditions which will exhaust the cavalry. When there is water on the left and right, while ahead are large hills, and to the rear high mountains, and the army are fighting between the bodies of water while the enemy occupies both the interior and exterior ground – this is terrain that means great difficulty for the cavalry. When the enemy has cut off our supply lines, and if we advance, we will not have any route by which to return – this is troublesome terrain for the cavalry. When we are sinking into marshy ground while advancing and retreating must both be through quagmires – this is a terrain that will labor the cavalry. When on the left, there are deep water sluices, and on the right, there are gullies and hillocks, but the ground appears level – good terrain for advancing, retreating, and enticing an enemy – this terrain is a pitfall for the cavalry. These nine comprise fatal terrain for cavalry, the means by which the enlightened general will keep the enemy far off and escape and the ignorant general will be entrapped and defeated.” INFANTRY IN BATTLE
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”What about when infantry engage in battle with chariots and cavalry?”
T'ai Kung replied:”When infantry engage in battle with chariots and cavalry, they must rely on hills and mounds, ravines and defiles. The long weapons and strong crossbow should occupy the fore; the short weapons and weak crossbow should occupy the rear, firing and resting in turn. Even if large numbers of the enemy’s chariots and cavalry should arrive, they must maintain a solid formation and fight intensely while skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen prepare against attacks from the rear.” King Wu said:”Suppose there are no hills or mounds, ravines or defiles. The enemy arrives, and it is both numerous and martial. Their chariots and cavalry outflank us on both sides, and they are making sudden thrusts against our front and rear positions. Our army are terrified and fleeing in chaotic defeat. What should we do?” T'ai Kung replied:”Order our officers and troops to set up the chevaux-de-frise and wooden caltrops, arraying the oxen and horses into units, and place in their midst, and have them established a four sided martial assault formation. When you see the enemy’s chariots and cavalry are about to advance, our men should evenly spread out the chevaux-de-frise and caltrops and dig ditches at the back of it. Making them five feet deep and wide. It is called the ‘Cage of Fate’. Chariots should be arrayed as ramparts and pushed forward and back. Whenever they stop, set then up as fortifications. Our skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen should defend the left and right flanks. Afterward, order our army to fervently fight without respite.” “Excellent!” said King Wu. |
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