TIGER SECRET TEACHINGS
- JIANG ZIYA​ -

​ARMY'S EQUIPMENT
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”When the king mobilizes the armies, are there any rules for determining the army’s equipment, such as the implements for attack and defense, including type and quantity?”

T'ai Kung said:”A great question, my king! The implements for attack and defense each have their own categories. These implements will affect the effectiveness of the army. The source of awesomeness of the army.”

King  Wu  said:”I  would  like  to  hear  about  them.”

T'ai Kung replied:”As for the basic numbers when employing the army, if commanding ten thousand armed soldiers the rules for the various types of equipment and their employment are as follows.

Thirty-six Large Charging Chariots, with teams of skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers – for each side of the large chariots Altogether twenty four people in each chariots. The chariots have eight-foot wheels. On it, pennants and drums are set up. According to the art of war, such chariots are referred to as ‘Shaking Fear’. They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat strong enemies.

Seventy-two Large Flank Chariots equipped with teams of skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers comprise the flanks. They have five-foot wheels and winch-powered linked crossbows which fire multiple arrows for self-protection. They are used to penetrate solid formations and defeat strong enemies.

One hundred and forty-four Flank Supporting Small Chariots equipped with winch-powered linked crossbows to fire multiple arrows for self-protection. They have deer wheels and are used to penetrate solid formations and defeat strong enemies.

Thirty-six Crossbow Large Chariots equipped with skilled officers, strong crossbowmen, spear bearers, and halberdiers comprising the flanks, with ‘flying duck’ and ‘lightning’s shadow’ arrows for self protection. ‘Flying duck’ arrows have red shafts and white feathers, with bronze arrowheads. ‘Lightning’s shadow’ arrows have green shafts and red feathers, with iron heads. In the daytime, they display pennants of red silk six feet long by six inches wide, called ‘Blinding Light’.

At nigh, they hang pennants of white silk, also six feet long by six inches wide, called ‘Meteors’. They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat infantry and cavalry.

Thirty-six Great Attack Chariots. Carrying Praying Mantis Martial Warriors, they can attack both horizontal and vertical formations and can defeat the enemy.

Light Chariots for repelling mounted invaders, also called ‘Lightning Chariots’. The art of war refers to them as mounting ‘thunder attacks’. They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat both infantry and cavalry that are attacking at night.

One hundred and sixty Spear and Halberd Chariots, for repelling night invaders from the fore. Each carries three Praying Mantis Martial Knights. The art of war refers to them as mounting ‘thunder attacks’. They are used to penetrate solid formations, to defeat both infantry and cavalry.

Iron truncheons with large square heads weighting twelve catties, and shafts more than five feet long, twelve hundred of them. Also termed ‘Heaven’s Truncheon’. The Great Handle Fu Ax with an eight-inch blade weighing eight catties, and shaft more than five feet long, twelve hundred of them. Also termed ‘Heaven’s Ax’. Also the Iron Square Head Pounder, weighing eight catties, with a shaft of more than five feet, twelve hundred. Also termed ‘Heaven Pounder’. They are used to defeat infantry and hordes of mounted invaders. The Flying Hook, eight inches long. The curve of the hook is five inches long, the shaft is more than six feet long. Twelve hundred of them. They are thrown into the masses of soldiers to hook the soldiers.

To defend the army, deploy chariots equipped with wooden Praying Mantises and sword blades. Each chariots is twenty feet across, altogether twenty of them. On open, level ground the infantry can use them to defeat chariots and cavalry.

Wooden caltrops which stick out of the ground about two feet five inches, one hundred twenty. They are employed to defeat infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against invaders, and to intercept their flight.

Short-axle Quick-turning Spear and Halberd Chariots, one hundred and twenty of them. They were employed by Yellow Emperor to vanquish Chi You. They are used to defeat both infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against the invaders, and to intercept their flight.

For narrow roads and small bypaths, set out iron caltrops eight inches wide, having hooks four inches high and shafts of more than six feet, twelve hundred. They are for defeating retreating cavalry.

If, in darkness of night, the enemy should suddenly press an attack and the there are bound to be clashes, stretch out a ground net and spread out two arrow headed caltrops connected together with ‘weaving women’ – type caltrops on both sides.The points of the blades should be about two feet apart. Twelve thousand sets.

For fighting in wild expanses and in the middle of tall grass, there is the square-shank, arrow-shaped spear, twelve hundred of them. The method for deploying these spears is to have them stick out of the ground one foot five inches. They are used to defeat infantry and cavalry, to urgently press the attack against invaders and to intercept their flight.

In narrow roads and small bypaths, and constricted terrains, set out iron chains, one hundred twenty of them, to defeat infantry and cavalry, urgently press the attack against the invaders, and intercept their flight.

For protection and defense of the gates to fortifications, there are small mobile shields with spear and halberd tips affixed, twelve of them and winch-drive, multiple arrow crossbows for self-protection.

For the protection of the army, there are Heaven’s Net and Tiger’s Drop, linked together with chains, one hundred twenty of them. One array is fifteen feet wide and eight feet tall. For chariots with Tiger’s Drop and sword blades affixed, the array is fifteen feet wide and eight feet tall. Five hundred and twenty of them.

For crossing over moats and ditches, there is the Flying Bridge. One section is fifteen feet wide and more than twenty feet long. Eight of them. On top, there are swivel winches to extend them by linked chains.

For crossing over large bodies of water, there is the Flying River, eight of them. They are fifteen feet wide and more than twenty feet long and are extended by linked chains.

There is also the Heavenly Float with Iron Praying Mantis, rectangular inside, circular outside, four feet or more in diameter, equipped with winches. Thirty-two of them. When the Heavenly Floats are used to deploy the Flying River to cross a large lake, they are referred to as ‘Heaven’s Huang’ and also termed as ‘Heaven’s Boat’.

When in mountain forests or occupying the wilds, connect the Tiger’s Drops to make a fenced encampment. Employ iron chains, length of more than twenty fee, twelve hundred sets. Also employ large ropes with rings, girth of four inches, length of more than forty feet, six hundred; midsized ropes with rings, girth of two inches, length of forty feet or more, two hundred sets; and small braided cords with rings, length of twenty feet or more, twelve thousands.

Wooden canopies for covering the heavy chariots, called ‘Heaven’s Rain’, which fit together along serrated seams, each four feet wide and more than four feet long, one for each chariot. They are erected by using small iron posts.

For cutting trees, there is the Heavenly Ax, which weighs eight catties. Its handle is more than three feet long. Three hundreds of them. Also the mattock with a blade six inches wide and a shaft more than five feet long, three hundred.

Copper  rams  for  pounding,  more  than  five  feet  long,  three  hundred.

Eagle claws with square shafts, iron handles, and shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.

Square-shafted iron pitchforks with handles more than seven feet long, three hundred.

Square-shafted double-pronged iron pitchforks with shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.

Large sickles for cutting grass and light trees with shafts more than seven feet long, three hundred.

Great oar-shaped blades, weight of eight catties with shafts more than six feet long, three hundred.

Iron stakes with rings affixed at top, more than three feet long, three hundred.

Large hammers for pounding posts, weight of five catties, handles more than two feet long, on hundred twenty.

Armored soldiers, ten thousand. Strong crossbowmen, six thousand. Halberdiers with shields, two thousand. Spearmen with shields, two thousand. Skilled men to repair offensive weapons and sharpen them, three hundred.

These then are the general numbers required for each category when raising an army.”

King  Wu  said:”I  accept  your  instructions.”
THREE FORMATIONS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”In employing the army, there are the Heavenly Formation, the Earthly Formation and the Human Formation. What are these?”

T'ai Kung replied:”When you accord your formation to celestial objects like the sun and moon, the stars, the planets and the handle of the Big Dipper – one on the left, one on the right, one in front and one to the rear – this is referred to as the Heavenly Formation.

When you accord your formations to the hills and mounds, rivers and streams giving you advantage at the front, rear, left and right, this is referred to as the Earthly Formation.

When you create your formation according to the type of chariots and horses, the strategies that you are using, this is referred to as the Human Formation.”

“Excellent!”  said  King  Wu.
FAST BATTLES
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”If the enemy surrounds us, severing both our advance and retreat, breaking off our supply lines, what should we do?”

T'ai Kung replied:”These are the most distressed troops in the world! If you employ them explosively, you will be victorious; if you are slow to employ them, you will be defeated. In this situation, if you deploy your troops into ‘Four Martial Assault Formation’. Use your military chariots and valiant cavalry to assault and startle their army, and attack them with haste. Then you can thrust across them.”

King Wu asked:”After we have broken out of the encirclement, if we want to take advantage of it to gain victory, what should we do?”

T'ai Kung said:”The Left Army should assault to the left and the Right Army should assault to the right. But do not get entangled in protracted fighting with the enemy over any one road.

The Central Army should alternately attack from the front and attack the rear. Even though the enemy is more numerous, their general can be driven off.”
CERTAIN ESCAPE
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led our troops deep into the territory of the feudal lords where the enemy unites from all quarters and surrounds us, cutting off our road back home and severing our supply lines. The enemy is numerous and extremely well-provisioned, and gained the terrain advantage. We want get out – how can we?”

T'ai Kung said:”In the matter of effecting a certain escape, your equipment is the key while courageous fighting is foremost. If you investigate and learn where in the enemy’s formation weakly defended, the places where there are no men, you can then effect a certain escape.

Order your generals and officers to carry the black pennants and take up the implements of war. Require the soldiers to put wooden gags into their mouths. Then move out at night. Men of courage, strength and swiftness, who will risk danger, should occupy the front to level enemy’s fortifications and open a passage for the army. Skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen should compose an ambushing force which will remain in the rear. Your weak soldiers, chariots and cavalry should occupy the middle. When deployment is complete, slowly advance, being very cautious not to startle or frighten the enemy. Have the Large Charging Chariots defend the front and rear and the Large Flank Great Chariots protect the left and right flanks.

If the enemy should be startled, have your courageous, strong risk-takers fervently attack and advance. The weaker troops, chariots and cavalry should bring up the rear. Your skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen should conceal themselves in ambush. If you determine that the enemy is in pursuit, the men lying in ambush should swiftly attack their rear. Make your fires and drums numerous to confuse the enemy, and attack as if coming out of the very ground or dropping from Heaven above. If the army fight courageously no one will be able to withstand us!”

King Wu said:”In front of us lies a large body of water, or broad moat, or deep water hole which we want to cross. However, we do not have equipment such as boats and oars. The enemy has fortifications and ramparts which limit our army’s advance and block off our retreat. Patrols are constantly watchful; passes are fully defended. Their chariots and cavalry press us in front; their fighters attacking us from the rear. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung said:”Large bodies of water, broad moats and deep water holes are usually not defended by the enemy. If they are able to defended them, their troops will certainly be few. In such situations, you should use the Flying River with winches and also Heaven’s Huang to cross the army over. Our courageous, strong, skilled soldiers should move where we indicate, rushing into the enemy, breaking up his formations, all fighting to the death.

First of all, burn the supply wagons and provision, and clearly inform the men that those who fight courageously will live, while cowards will die. After they have broken out and crossed the bridges, order the rear elements to set a great conflagration visible from afar. The troops moving forth must take advantage of the cover afforded by grass, trees, hillocks and ravines ready to spring an ambush. The enemy’s chariots and cavalry will certainly not dare to pursue them too far. Using the flames as a marker, the first to go out should be ordered to proceed as far as the flame and then stop to reform into ‘Four Martial Assault Formation’. In this way, the army will be fervent and sharp and fight courageously, and no one will be able to withstand us.”

King  Wu  said:”Excellent!”
PLANNING FOR THE ARMY
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords where we encounter deep streams or water in large valleys, ravines and defiles. Our army have not yet fully forded them when Heaven lets loose a torrent, resulting in a sudden flood surge. The rear can not maintain contact with the front portion. We don’t have equipment to cross the river and the supply has been cut off. I want to finish crossing, to keep the army from becoming bogged down. What should I do?”

T'ai Kung said:“If the leader of the army and commander of the masses does not first establish his plans, the proper equipment will not be prepared. If his instructions are not precise and trusted, the officers and men will not be trained. Under such conditions, they cannot comprise a conquerors army.

In general, when the army is involved in a major campaign, everyone should be trained to use the equipment. For attacking a city wall or surrounding a town, there are armored assault chariots, overlook carts, and battering rams, while for seeing inside the walls, there are the ‘cloud ladders’ and ‘flying towers’. If advance of the army is stopped, then there are

Large Charging Chariots, for defending both front and rear. For severing roads and blocking streets, there are the skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen who control the two flanks. If you are encamping or building fortifications, there are the Heaven’s Net, the Martial Drop, the chevaux-King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords where we encounter deep streams or water in large valleys, ravines and defiles. Our army have not yet fully forded them when Heaven lets loose a torrent, resulting in a sudden flood surge. The rear can not maintain contact with the front portion. We don’t have equipment to cross the river and the supply has been cut off. I want to finish crossing, to keep the army from becoming bogged down. What should I do?”

T'ai Kung said:“If the leader of the army and commander of the masses does not first establish his plans, the proper equipment will not be prepared. If his instructions are not precise and trusted, the officers and men will not be trained. Under such conditions, they cannot comprise a conquerors army.

In general, when the army is involved in a major campaign, everyone should be trained to use the equipment. For attacking a city wall or surrounding a town, there are armored assault chariots, overlook carts, and battering rams, while for seeing inside the walls, there are the ‘cloud ladders’ and ‘flying towers’. If advance of the army is stopped, then there are Large Charging Chariots, for defending both front and rear. For severing roads and blocking streets, there are the skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen who control the two flanks. If you are encamping or building fortifications, there are the Heaven’s Net, the Martial Drop, the chevaux-de-frise, and the caltrops.

In the daytime, climb the cloud ladder and look off into the distance. Set up five colored pennants and flags. At night, set out ten thousand fire-cloud torches, beat the thunder drums, strike the war drums and bells, and blow the sharp sounding whistles.

For crossing over moats and ditches, there are the Flying Bridges with mounted winches and cogs. For crossing large bodies of water, there are boats called Heaven’s Huang and Flying River. For going against the waves and up current, there are the rafts and the rope pulled River Severance. When the equipment to be used by the army is fully prepared, what worries will the commander-in-chief have?”
DE FRISE AND CALTROPS
In the daytime, climb the cloud ladder and look off into the distance. Set up five colored pennants and flags. At night, set out ten thousand fire-cloud torches, beat the thunder drums, strike the war drums and bells, and blow the sharp sounding whistles.

For crossing over moats and ditches, there are the Flying Bridges with mounted winches and cogs. For crossing large bodies of water, there are boats called Heaven’s Huang and Flying River. For going against the waves and up current, there are the rafts and the rope pulled River Severance. When the equipment to be used by the army is fully prepared, what worries will the commander-in-chief have?”
APPROACHING BORDERS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Both the enemy and our army have reached the border where we are in a standoff. They can approach, and we can also advance. Both deployments are solid and stable; neither side dares to move first. We want to go forth and attack them, but they can also come forward as well. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung said:”Divide the army into sections. Have our advance troops deepen the moats and increase the height of the ramparts, but none of the soldiers should go forth. Array the flags and pennants, beat the leather war drums, and complete all the defensive measure. Order our rear army to stockpile supplies and foodstuffs without causing the enemy to know our intentions. Then send forth our elite troops to secretly launch a sudden attack at their rear, striking where they do not expect it, attacking where they are not prepared. Since the enemy does not know our real situation, they will not advance.”

King Wu asked:”Suppose the enemy knows our real situation and has fathomed our plans. If we move, they will be able to know what we are up to. Thus they send forth their elite troops, concealed in the deep grass, to ambush us on the narrow roads. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung replied:”Every day have the vanguard go forth and instigate skirmishes with them in order to psychologically wear them out. Have our older and weaker soldiers to drag brushwood to stir up the dust, beat the drums and shot, and move back and forth – some going to the left, some to the right, never getting closer than a hundred paces from the enemy, to create an illusion that we have a large army. Their general will certainly become mentally fatigued, and their troops will become fearful. In this situation, the enemy will not dare come forward.

Then our advancing troops will sometime continue forward to attack their interior, other times their exterior. With our army all fervently engaging in battle, the enemy shall certainly be defeated.”
MANEUVERING
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led our troops deep into the territory of the feudal lords and are confronting the enemy. The two deployments, encamp across each other, are equal in numbers and strength, and neither dares to move first. I want to cause the enemy’s general to become terrified; their officers and men to become dispirited; their battle array to become weak; their reserve army wants to run off; and those deployed in front are shaken. I want to beat the drums, set up a clamor, and take advantage of it to attack and cause the enemy to run off. How can we do it?”

T'ai Kung said:”In this case, send our troops out about ten li from the enemy’s rear and have them conceal themselves on both flanks. Send your chariots and cavalry out about one hundred li and have them assume positions to cut across both enemy’s front and rear. Multiply the number of flags and pennants, and increase the number of gongs and drums. When the battle starts, beat the drums, set up a clamor and have your men all rise up together. The enemy’s general will surely be afraid and his army will be terrified. Large and small groups cannot come to each other’s rescue; upper and lower ranks cannot help each other; and the enemy will definitely be defeated.”

King Wu asked:”Suppose the enemy has gained terrain advantage thus we cannot conceal troops on the flanks and moreover our chariots and cavalry have no way to cross behind them and assume positions to cut the enemy’s front and the rear. The enemy anticipates my plans and makes preemptive preparations. Our officers and soldiers are dispirited, our generals are terrified. If we engage in battle, we will not be victorious. What then?”

T'ai Kung replied:”An interesting question. In this case, five days before engaging in battle, dispatch distant patrols to observe their activities and analyze their forward movement in order to prepare an ambush and await them. We must meet the enemy on ‘death’ ground’. Spread our flags and pennants out over great distance, disperse our arrays and formations. We must race forward to meet the enemy. After the battle has started, make a sudden retreat, beating the gongs to signal it. Withdraw about three li, beyond the ambush, then turn about and attack. Your concealed troops should simultaneously arise. Some should penetrate the flanks; others attack their vanguard and rear guard positions. If the army fervently engages in battle, the enemy will certainly run off.”
GONGS AND DRUMS
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords where we are confronting the enemy. The weather has been either extremely hot or very cold, and it has been raining incessantly day and night for ten days. The ditches and ramparts are all collapsing; defiles and barricades are unguarded; our patrols have become negligent; and the officers and men are not alert. Suppose the enemy comes at night, and our army is unprepared while the upper and lower ranks are confused and disordered. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung said:”In general, for the army, alertness makes for solidity, laziness results in defeat. Order our guards on the ramparts to unceasingly challenge everyone. Have all those bearing the signal flags, both inside and outside encampment, watch each other, responding to each other’s order with countersigns, but do not allow them to make any noise. All efforts should be externally oriented.

Three thousand men should comprise a detachment. Instruct and constrain them with warning, requiring each of them to exercise vigilance at his post. If the enemy approaches, when they see our state of readiness and alertness, they will certainly turn around. As a result, their strength will become exhausted and their spirits dejected. At that moment, send forth our elite troops to follow and attack them.”

King Wu asked:”The enemy, knowing we are following him, conceals elite troops in ambush while pretending to continue to retreat. When we reach the ambush, their troops turn back and attack us, some attacking our front, others our rear, whiles some press towards our fortifications. Our army are terrified, and in confusion fall out of formation and leave their assigned positions. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung said:”Divide into three forces, then follow and pursue them, but do not cross beyond their ambush. When all three forces have arrived, some should attack the front and rear, while others should penetrate the two flanks. Make your command clear. Fervently attack, advancing forward, and the enemy will certainly be defeated.”
SEVERED ROUTES
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords where, confronting them, we have each assumed defensive position.

The enemy has severed our supply routes and occupied positions cutting across both our front and rear. If I want to engage them in battle, we cannot win; but if I want to maintain our position, we cannot hold out for long. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung replied:”In general, when you venture deep beyond the enemy’s borders, you must investigate the configuration and strategic advantages of the terrain and concentrate on seeking out terrain advantages. Rely on mountains, forests, ravines, rivers, streams, woods, and trees to create a secure defense. Carefully guard passes and bridges and moreover be certain you know the advantages of terrain conveyed by the various cities, towns, hills, and funeral mounds. In this way, the army will be solidly entrenched. The enemy will not be able to sever our supply routes, nor be able to occupy positions cutting across our front and rear.”

King Wu asked:”Suppose after our army has passed through a large forest or across a broad marsh and are on flat, accessible terrain, due to some miscommunication, our allies are not here and the enemy suddenly falls upon us. If we engage them in battle, we cannot win; if we assume a defensive position, it will not be secure. The enemy has outflanked us on both sides and occupied positions cutting across our front and rear. The army is terrified. What should be done?”

T'ai Kung replied:”Now the rule for commanding an army is always to first dispatch scouts forward so that when you are two hundred li from the enemy, you will already know their position. If the terrain is not to our advantage, then use the Large Charging Chariots to serve as a cover and advance. Also establish two rear guard armies to the rear. The distance between the main forces and the rear guard armies can be as far as one hundred li away, or as near as fifty li away. Thus when the alarm sounded or an urgent situation arises, both front and rear will know about it, and the army will always be able to complete their deployment into solid formation, never suffering any destruction or harm.”

“Excellent!”  said  King  Wu.
OCCUPYING ENEMY TERRITORY
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose, being victorious in battle, we have deeply penetrated the enemy’s territory and occupy his land. However, large walled cities remain that cannot be subjugated, while their second army holds the defiles and ravines, standing off against us. We want to attack the cities and besiege the towns, but I am afraid that their second army will suddenly appear and strike us. If their forces inside and outside unite in this fashion, they will oppose us from both within and without.

Our army will be in chaos; the upper and lower ranks will be terrified. What should be done?”

T'ai Kung said:”In general, when attacking cities and besieging towns, the chariots and cavalry must be kept at a distance. The encamped and defensive units must be on constant alert in order to obstruct the enemy both within and without. When inhabitants have their food cut off – those outside being unable to transport anything in to them – those within the city walls will be afraid, and their general will certainly surrender.”

King Wu said:”Suppose that when the supplies inside the city are cut off – external forces being unable to transport anything in – those in the city clandestinely concoct secret plans, and then sally forth at night, throwing all their forces forward. Some of their chariots, cavalry and elite troops assault us from within; others attack from without. The officers and troops are confused, the army defeated in chaos. What should be done?”

T'ai Kung said:”In this case, you should divide your forces into three armies. Be careful to evaluate the terrain’s configuration and then strategically emplace them. You must know in detail the location of the enemy’s second army as well as his large cities and other fortifications. Leave them a passage in order to entice them to flee. Pay attention to the defense of the escape passage. The enemy will be afraid, and if they do not enter the mountains or the forests, they will return to the large towns or run off to join the second army. Use our chariots and cavalry to attack the front [of escaping troops]; do not allow them to escape. Since those remaining in the city will think that the first to go out have a direct escape route, their well-trained troops and skilled officers will certainly move forth, with the old and weak remaining. Do not engage in battle. Just sever their supply routes, surround and guard them, and you will certainly outlast them.

Do not set fire to what the people have accumulated; do not destroy their palaces or houses, nor cut down trees at grave sites and altars. Do not kill those who surrender nor slay your captives. Instead, show them benevolence and righteousness, extend your generosity to them. Announce to the people that the fault lies in only the ruler. In this way, the entire city will then submit.”

“Excellent,”  said  King  Wu.
FIRE WARFARE
King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”Suppose we have led our troops deep into the territory of the feudal lords where we encounter deep grass and heavy growth which surround our army on all sides. The army has traveled several hundred li; men and horses are exhausted and have halted to rest. Taking advantage of the extremely dry weather and a strong wind, the enemy ignites fires upwind from us. Their chariots, cavalry and elite forces are concealed in ambush to our rear. The army becomes terrified, scatter in confusion and run off. What can be done?”

T'ai Kung said:”Under such circumstances, use the cloud ladders and flying towers to look far out to the left and right, to carefully investigate front and rear. When you see the fires arise, then set fires in front of our own forces spreading them out over the area. Also set fires to the rear. If the enemy comes, withdraw the army and take up entrenched positions on the blackened earth to await their assault. In the same way, if you see flames arise to the rear, you must move far away. If we occupy the blackened ground with our strong crossbowmen and skilled soldiers protecting the left and right flanks, we can also set fires to the front and rear. In this way, the enemy will not be able to harm us.”

King Wu asked:”Suppose the enemy has set fires to the left and right and also to the front and rear. Smoke covers our army, while his main forces appear from over the blackened ground. What should we do?”

T'ai Kung replied:”In this case, assuming you have prepared a burnt section of the ground, go into ‘Four Martial Assault Formation’ and have strong crossbowmen cover the flanks. This method will not bring victory, but will also not end in defeat.”

King Wu asked T'ai Kung:”How can I know whether the enemy’s fortifications are empty or full, whether they are coming or going?”

T'ai Kung said:”A general must know the ways of heaven, the advantages of terrain and human affairs. You should mount high and look out far in order to see the enemy’s changes and movements. Observe his fortifications, and then you will know whether they are empty or full. Observe his officers and troops and then you will know whether they are coming or going.”

King  Wu  asked:”How  will  I  know  it?”

T'ai Kung said:”Listen to see if his drums are silent, if his bells make no sound. Look to see whether there are many birds flying above the fortifications, if they were not startled into flight. If there are no dust clouds overhead, you will certainly know the enemy has tricked you with dummies.

If enemy forces precipitously go off – but not very far – and then return before assuming proper formation, they are rushing their officers and men too quickly. When they act too quickly, the forward and rear are unable to maintain good order. When they cannot maintain good order, the entire battle disposition will be in chaos. In such circumstances, quickly dispatch troops to attack them. Even if you use a small number to strike a large force, they will certainly be defeated.”
< Dragon Secrets | Leopard Secrets >