第 1 章 始计篇

Sun Tzu said, war is the most important matter of the state.

It concerns the life and death of the people, and also concerns the survival of the state.

Therefore, we must study it carefully.

To judge whether war can be won, one can compare from five aspects.

These five aspects are: the way, heaven, earth, the general, and laws.

The meaning of the way is that the ruler and the people have the same thoughts.

In this way, the people are willing to face difficulties with the ruler, and even willing to die for the ruler.

Heaven refers to changes in weather and seasons, such as cloudy days, sunny days, cold days, and hot days.

Earth refers to the distance of the route, whether the terrain is dangerous or flat, and whether the battlefield is wide or narrow.

The general refers to whether the commander has good qualities, such as intelligence, honesty, kindness, bravery, and strictness.

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

These five aspects are known by the generals.

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

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

It is necessary to see: which side has a better ruler.

Which side has more capable generals.

Which side has more advantage in timing and terrain.

Which side has better military laws.

Which side has stronger military forces.

Which side has soldiers who are better trained.

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

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

If you cannot accept my ideas and use me to lead troops in battle, we will definitely fail, and I will leave.

If you accept my ideas, I can create a favorable situation for you.

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

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

Therefore, it is necessary to achieve: when you have ability, make the enemy think you have no ability.

When you want to act, make the enemy think you will not act.

When the distance is close, make the enemy think it is far.

When the distance is far, make the enemy think it is close.

If the enemy is greedy for profit, use profit to lure it, and then destroy it.

If the enemy is internally chaotic, seize the opportunity to immediately destroy it.

If the enemy is powerful, always guard against it.

If the enemy's army is elite, pay attention to avoiding it.

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

These are the clever methods used by military strategists in employing troops.

Before the battle begins, through analysis and calculation, if victory is considered possible, it is because there are many conditions for victory.

If victory is considered impossible, it is because there are few conditions for victory.

If there are many conditions for victory, victory can be achieved; if few, victory cannot be achieved.

Through such comparison, I can know the outcome of the war.