第 12 章 火攻篇

Sun Tzu said, there are five types of targets when using fire to attack the enemy.

The first type is to burn the enemy's soldiers and horses.

The second type is to burn the enemy's food and grass.

The third type is to burn the enemy's weapons and chariots.

The fourth type is to burn the enemy's warehouses.

The fifth type is to burn the enemy's roads and transportation tools.

To use fire to attack the enemy, first prepare the materials for starting the fire.

Also choose the right time and day.

A good time is when the weather is very dry.

A good day is when the moon moves to the positions of the four stars: Ji, Bi, Yi, and Zhen.

When the moon reaches these positions, it often becomes windy.

When using fire attacks, troops should be deployed based on the situation of the fire.

If the fire starts burning inside the enemy, troops should be sent in advance to support from outside.

If the fire has already started, but the enemy remains quiet, wait a bit and do not attack immediately.

Wait until the fire is at its peak, then assess the situation.

Attack if possible; if not, stop.

Fire can also be set from outside.

When setting fire from outside, there is no need for help from people inside.

As long as the time and conditions are favorable, fire can be set.

If the fire is burning in an upwind location, do not attack from a downwind location.

The wind blows for a long time during the day, and it will stop at night.

The army must know the changes of these five types of fire attack, and use fire attack only when conditions are favorable.

Using fire to assist in attack is very effective and makes it easy to win.

Using water to assist in attack can make the force stronger.

Water can block the enemy, but it cannot burn the enemy's things like fire does.

Winning a battle and gaining land and cities, but not being able to hold onto the victory, this is very dangerous.

This situation is called "Fei Liu".

Therefore, a wise ruler must carefully consider this issue.

A good general must also properly handle this issue.

If it is not beneficial to the country, do not wage war.

If you are not sure of winning, do not use troops.

Do not start a war until it is very dangerous.

The ruler of a state cannot wage war just because he is angry.

A general cannot fight the enemy just because he is unhappy.

Do what is beneficial to the state, and stop if it is not beneficial.

After being angry, one can be happy again.

After being unhappy, one can also be happy again.

However, once a state is gone, it cannot be regained; once a person dies, they cannot be revived.

Therefore, a wise ruler must be very cautious in dealing with war.

A good general must pay great attention to war.

This is the key to making the country stable and protecting the army.