第 5 章 兵势篇

Sun Tzu said, managing a large army is like managing a small team, this relies on good organization.

Commanding a large army in battle is like commanding a small team, this relies on clear signals.

The entire army fighting the enemy will not fail, this relies on correctly using the changes between orthodox and unorthodox.

Attacking the enemy is as easy as hitting an egg with a stone, the key is to use strong force to hit the enemy's weak points.

During battle, usually use orthodox troops to engage the enemy on the front, and use unorthodox troops to win unexpectedly.

A person who knows how to use unorthodox troops, his methods change a lot, just like the operation of heaven and earth has no end, like rivers and seas will not dry up.

Like the sun and moon, setting and rising again; like the four seasons, passing and returning.

Music has only five basic notes, but their combinations and changes, can never be fully heard.

Colors have only five basic colors, but their combinations and changes, can never be fully seen.

Tastes have only five basic tastes, but their combinations and changes, can never be fully tasted.

The methods of warfare are only orthodox and unorthodox, but the combination and changes of orthodox and unorthodox have no end forever.

Orthodox and unorthodox produce each other and change each other, like a circle, with no beginning and no end, who can fully understand it.

When the water flow is very fast, it can wash away large stones, this is because the water flow has powerful strength.

The eagle attacks the small bird, and can kill it in an instant, this is because the eagle grasps the best timing and position, and moves quickly.

Therefore, a general who knows how to fight creates a situation that is very dangerous, and his attack rhythm is very short and fast.

The dangerous situation is like a fully drawn bow, with great force.

The short and fast rhythm is like pulling the trigger of the bow, the action is sudden.

On the battlefield, there are many flags, people and horses are in chaos, the situation is very complex, but one's own command and organization must not be chaotic.

When two armies are engaged in a melee, the situation is unclear, but victory must be grasped in one's own hands.

One army is in chaos because the other army is managed better.

One army is timid because the other army is more courageous.

One army is weak because the other army is more powerful.

Whether an army is well-managed depends on its organization.

Whether soldiers are courageous depends on the situation and momentum created by the army.

Whether an army is powerful depends on its usual training.

A person who knows how to manipulate the enemy shows the enemy some real or false situations, and the enemy will act based on these situations.

Give the enemy a little benefit as bait, and the enemy will come for the benefit, thus allowing manipulation of the enemy.

On one hand, use these methods to manipulate the enemy; on the other hand, prepare oneself.

Therefore, a person who knows how to fight seeks to create a favorable momentum, rather than just demanding soldiers.

He will choose suitable people to utilize this momentum.

A general who can create a favorable situation, commanding the army is like turning wood and stones.

The characteristic of wood and stones is that they do not move on flat ground, and they will roll down on steep slopes.

Square ones are easy to stop, round ones are easy to roll.

Therefore, the situation created by those who are good at fighting is like letting a round stone roll down from a very high and steep mountain, with great force and fast speed.

This is what is called the situation.