第 1 章 始计篇

Sunzi said: War is the most important matter of the state.

It relates to the life and death of the people, and also relates to the survival or demise of the state.

Therefore, we must study it very seriously.

To judge whether war can be won, one can compare the situations of both sides from five aspects.

These five aspects are: the Way, Heaven, Earth, the General, and the Law.

The meaning of the Way is that the ruler and the people have common ideas.

In this way, the people are willing to face difficulties together with the ruler, and even willing to die for the ruler, without betraying.

Heaven refers to the changes in weather and seasons, such as cloudy days, sunny days, cold days, hot days, and the alternation of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Earth refers to the distance of the route, whether the terrain is dangerous or flat, whether the battlefield is wide or narrow, and whether it is an easy place to survive or a dangerous place.

The General refers to whether the general has five good qualities: wisdom, integrity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.

Law refers to the organization and regulations of the army, such as how troops are organized, what responsibilities officers have, and how military supplies are managed.

These five aspects, the generals all know.

However, only those who truly understand can win battles, and those who do not understand will lose battles.

Therefore, it is also necessary to compare the specific situations of both sides.

It is necessary to look at: which side's ruler governs the country better.

Which side's generals have more talent.

Which side has more advantage in timing and terrain.

Which side's military laws are implemented better.

Which side's military strength is stronger.

Which side's soldiers are trained better.

Which side's rewards and punishments are clearer.

By comparing these situations, I can know who will win and who will lose in the war.

If you can accept my military thoughts and use me to lead troops in battle, you will definitely win, and I will stay.

If you cannot accept my military thoughts and use me to lead troops in battle, you will definitely lose, and I will leave.

If you think my military thoughts are good and are willing to accept them, I can create a favorable situation for you and help you from the outside.

Creating a favorable situation means seizing good opportunities and taking correct actions when the war situation is constantly changing.

In using troops for battle, the most important thing is to use strategies.

Therefore, one must achieve: if you have ability, make the enemy think you have no ability; if you want to act, make the enemy think you will not act.

If the distance is close, make the enemy think it is far; if the distance is far, make the enemy think it is close.

If the enemy covets benefits, use benefits to lure it, and then eliminate it.

When the enemy is in internal chaos, seize the opportunity and immediately eliminate it.

When the enemy is powerful, always be on guard against it.

When the enemy's army is elite, be careful to avoid it.

When the enemy is easily angered, deliberately provoke it to anger, making it lose its reason.

When the enemy is cautious, find a way to make it arrogant.

When the enemy is well-rested, find a way to make it tired.

When the enemy is internally united, find a way to create conflicts among them.

Attack when the enemy is unprepared, strike when the enemy does not expect it.

These are the clever methods of military strategists in using troops, which cannot be fully predetermined in advance.

Before the battle begins, through analysis and calculation, believing that victory is possible is because there are many conditions for victory.

To think that one cannot win is because the conditions for victory are few.

With many conditions for victory, one can win; with few, one cannot win.

If there are no conditions for victory at all, then it is even more impossible to win.

Through such comparative analysis, I can know the outcome of the war.