Chapter 1
Wu Qi, attired in the robes of a Confucian scholar, presented himself to Duke Wen of Wei with a discussion on military strategy.
Duke Wen said, "I have no interest in military affairs."
Wu Qi replied, "I infer your intentions from superficial phenomena and observe your future ambitions from your past words and deeds. Why should you conceal your true intentions? Currently, you slaughter animals throughout the year, tan their hides, paint them red, adorn them with patterns of rhinoceros and elephants, and yet these garments are neither warm in winter nor cool in summer. The long spears you manufacture measure two husband and four feet, while the short ones are one husband and two feet. You cover heavy chariots with leather and encase their wheels and hubs. They are not magnificent to behold nor convenient for hunting. What purpose do you serve with these things? If you intend to use them for war, yet you do not seek those who can wield them. This is like a hen sitting on eggs fighting with a wildcat or a suckling puppy attacking an old lion. Despite their fighting spirit, they are doomed to death. In ancient times, the ruler of Chengsang valued only culture and neglected military preparations, leading to the destruction of his state. The ruler of Youhu, relying on his numerous troops and aggressive nature, neglected culture and also lost his country. Wise rulers, having learned from these examples, must cultivate culture internally and prepare for war externally. Therefore, to face the enemy and dare not engage in battle is not righteousness; to weep over the fallen soldiers is not benevolence."
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen personally arranged a banquet, with his wife serving wine, to entertain Wu Qi in the ancestral temple and appointed him as the general in charge of the defenses of the Western River. Later, Wu Qi engaged in seventy-six battles with various vassal states, winning sixty-four outright and achieving draws in the remaining twelve. The territory of Wei expanded by a thousand li in all directions, all thanks to Wu Qi's achievements!
Wu Qi said, "In the past, rulers who sought to govern their countries well must first educate and be close to the people. There are four situations in which it is inadvisable to take action: when the will of the country is not unified, it is not advisable to send troops out; when the army is not united, it is not advisable to go into battle; when the battle formation is not orderly, it is not advisable to advance; when the actions of the soldiers are not coordinated, victory is impossible. Therefore, a wise ruler, when preparing to lead his people into battle, must first ensure unity before engaging in war. Even so, he dare not confidently rely on his own plans but must offer sacrifices to the ancestral temple, divine the omens, consult the weather, and only then act upon receiving a favorable omen. By letting the people know that their ruler cherishes their lives and laments their deaths, to such a meticulous extent, and then leading them into battle, they will consider it honorable to fight to the death and disgraceful to retreat and survive."
Master Wu said, "The 'Way' is used to restore people's innate goodness, 'Righteousness' is used to establish one's achievements, 'Strategy' is used to seek advantage and avoid harm, and 'Essentials' are used to consolidate and preserve one's accomplishments. If one's actions do not conform to the 'Way' and one's deeds do not align with 'Righteousness' yet holds great power and occupies important positions, infinite calamities will surely arise. Therefore, 'Sages' appease the world with the 'Way,' govern the country with 'Righteousness,' mobilize the people with 'Ceremony,' and soothe them with 'Benevolence.' When these four virtues are promoted, the country flourishes; when abandoned, it declines. Hence, when Shang Tang conquered Xia Jie, the people of Xia rejoiced, and when Zhou Wu conquered Yin Zhou, the people of Yin did not oppose him. This is because their wars conformed to the laws of heaven and aligned with human sentiments."
Regarding war, it was said, "To govern a country and its military, one must educate the people with 'Ceremony,' encourage them with 'Righteousness,' and inspire their courage. When people possess courage and strength, they can go to war when powerful and defend when weak. However, it is easier to achieve victory than to consolidate it. Therefore, among the countries engaged in war, those that win five battles out of five invite calamity; those that win four out of four exhaust their strength; those that win three out of three can become hegemons; those that win two out of two can become kings; and those that win one out of one can establish an empire. Hence, few have conquered the world through numerous victories, but many have perished as a result."
Master Wu said, "There are five causes of war: the struggle for fame, the struggle for profit, accumulated hatred, internal strife, and famine. There are also five types of warfare: righteous war, powerful war, rigid war, brutal war, and rebellious war. Wars to prohibit tyranny and eliminate chaos, to rescue the endangered, are called righteous wars; wars fought by relying on numerical superiority to conquer other countries are called powerful wars; wars waged out of anger are called rigid wars; wars undertaken against reason and for greed are called brutal wars; and wars launched despite domestic turmoil and exhaustion are called rebellious wars. There are different methods to deal with these five types of warfare. Righteous wars must be subdued with reason, powerful wars with humility, rigid wars with persuasion, brutal wars with stratagem, and rebellious wars with force."
Duke Wu asked Wu Qi, "I would like to know the methods for governing the military, counting the population, and consolidating the country."
Wu Qi replied, "In ancient times, wise rulers strictly observed the etiquette between ruler and subject and the laws between superior and inferior, enabling officials and civilians to find their places, educating them according to customs, and recruiting capable individuals to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. In the past, Duke Huan of Qi recruited fifty thousand brave warriors, which helped him become the hegemon among the vassal states. Duke Wen of Jin assembled forty thousand warriors as his vanguard to gain prominence in the world, and Duke Mu of Qin established thirty thousand shock troops to subdue neighboring enemies. Therefore, rulers who aspire to strengthen their countries must conduct a census and organize the brave and strong into one unit, those willing to demonstrate their loyalty and bravery into another, those capable of climbing, jumping, and running swiftly into a third, those exiled from office due to offenses but desiring to redeem themselves into a fourth, and those who have abandoned their posts but wish to wash away their shame into a fifth. These five units are the elite of the military. With just thirty such individuals, they can break through enemy encirclement from within or destroy enemy cities from without."
Duke Wu said, "I would like to know the methods to ensure stable formations, solid defenses, and victorious battles."
Wu Qi replied, "Immediate results can be achieved, let alone mere knowledge! If you can appoint those with virtue and talent to important positions and exclude those without, then the formations will be stable. When the people live and work in peace and respect their officials, then the defenses will be solid. When the civilians all support their ruler and oppose enemy states, then victory in battle is assured."
Once, Duke Wu consulted with his ministers about state affairs, and none of their opinions surpassed his. After retiring from court, he had a pleased expression. Wu Qi advised him, "In the past, King Zhuang of Chu consulted with his ministers about state affairs, and none of them could match him. Yet, after retiring from court, he had a worried expression. Shen Gong asked him, 'Why do you have a worried expression?' King Zhuang replied, 'I have heard that there are no saints in the world and no wise men in a country. Those who can obtain them as teachers can become kings, and those who can have them as friends can become hegemons. Now, I am incompetent, and my ministers are even less so. Chu is truly in danger.' This is what King Zhuang of Chu feared, yet you are pleased instead. I am privately deeply concerned."
