第 2 章 作战篇

Sunzi said, war requires much preparation.

It is necessary to dispatch one thousand chariots, one thousand transport vehicles, and lead one hundred thousand soldiers.

The army must travel a long distance and requires much grain.

The expenses of the army while abroad, the costs of messengers coming and going, and the materials for repairing weapons and chariots, all require spending much money every day.

Only after preparing these can the army of one hundred thousand set out.

Therefore, war must be quick and must be won.

If the war lasts too long, soldiers will become tired, weapons will break, and the state will run out of money.

If soldiers are tired, weapons are broken, and the state has no money, other states will come to attack.

At that time, even a very clever person will find it difficult to solve the problem.

During war, one only hears of victories due to swift action, and never hears of victories due to delaying time.

A long war is not beneficial to the country.

Therefore, those who do not understand the disadvantages of war will not truly understand the advantages of war.

A general who is good at war will not repeatedly conscript soldiers or repeatedly transport food.

The army's equipment is prepared domestically, but food must be obtained in enemy territory.

In this way, the army's food supply is sufficient.

A country becomes poor because of war, often due to the need for long-distance transportation of supplies.

Long-distance transportation of supplies makes the people poor.

In places where the army passes through, goods become expensive.

When goods become expensive, the people's money is spent.

When the money is spent, the people have to pay more taxes.

The strength of the people is exhausted, the money is spent, every household in the country is empty, and the people's wealth will be spent by seven-tenths.

The country's wealth, war chariots broken, war horses sick, armor, bows and arrows, shields, oxen, carts, these things will be spent by six-tenths.

Therefore, a wise general will find a way to obtain food from the enemy.

Obtaining one zhong of food from the enemy is equivalent to transporting twenty zhong of food from one's own country.

Obtaining one dan of fodder from the enemy is equivalent to transporting twenty dan of fodder from one's own country.

To make soldiers bravely kill the enemy, they must be made angry.

To make soldiers seize the enemy's property, they must be rewarded with property.

Therefore, in chariot warfare, whoever first captures ten or more enemy chariots will be rewarded.

Also, replace the enemy's flags with one's own flags, and incorporate these chariots into one's own troops.

For captured prisoners, treat them well, comfort them, and make them fight for oneself.

This is the method of defeating the enemy and making oneself stronger.

Therefore, in war, the value lies in being able to achieve victory quickly, not fighting for too long and consuming strength.

The general who understands the methods of using troops is the guardian of the people's fate and the country's safety.