Chapter 2
Wu Hou said to Wu Qi, "Currently, Qin threatens us from the west, Chu surrounds us from the south, Zhao faces us from the north, Qi presses against us from the east, Yan blocks us from the rear, and Han guards against us in front. The armies of these six states surround us on all sides, creating a very unfavorable situation. I am very worried about this. What should we do?"
Wu Qi replied, "The key to ensuring national security lies firstly in vigilance. Now that you have already established vigilance, you are far from peril. Allow me to analyze the battle arrays of these six states. Qi's array is large but not solid; Qin's array is scattered but each part can fight independently; Chu's array is orderly but cannot last long; Yan's array excels in defense but lacks mobility; Han and Zhao's arrays are neat but ineffective."
"The people of Qi are strong-willed and the country is wealthy, but the ruler and his officials are arrogant and extravagant, neglecting the interests of the people. The government is lax and treatment is unequal, leading to disunity within the army. The deployment of troops is heavy in the front and light in the rear, so their array is large but not solid. To defeat them, we must divide our army into three parts, each attacking their left and right wings, while another part attacks from the front. Their array can then be broken. The people of Qin are tough, the terrain is difficult, the government is strict, rewards and punishments are clear, and the soldiers are eager to fight, so they can fight independently in a scattered array. To defeat them, first lure them with benefits. When their soldiers leave their commanders due to competition for benefits, strike their chaotic and scattered troops and set up ambushes to seize opportunities for victory. Their commanders can then be captured. The people of Chu are weak-willed, the territory is vast, the government is chaotic, and the people are exhausted. Therefore, their array is orderly but cannot last long. To defeat them, harass their camps, first defeat their morale, then suddenly attack and suddenly withdraw, making them exhausted in response. Do not engage in decisive battles with them, and their army can be defeated in this way. The people of Yan are honest, cautious in action, valiant and righteous, lacking in deception. Therefore, they excel in defense but lack mobility. To defeat them, press them as soon as we come into contact, attack and withdraw, and raid their rear. This will make them suspicious and fearful from top to bottom. Then, ambush our cavalry on the road where the enemy will retreat, and their commanders can be captured by us. Han and Zhao are states in the Central Plains. Their people are gentle, their government is peaceful, and their people are weary of disasters and wars. They disdain their commanders and are dissatisfied with their treatment. The soldiers have no loyalty to die for their commanders, so their array is neat but ineffective. To defeat them, use a strong array to approach them. When the enemy attacks, resist them; when they retreat, pursue them. This will exhaust their army. These are the general situations of these six states."
"Since this is the case, then among our entire army, there must be warriors like 'Tiger Benches,' whose strength can easily lift a tripod and whose agility can catch up with horses. In battle, seizing enemy flags and killing enemy commanders require such capable people. Such talents must be selected, cherished, and promoted. They are the elite of the army. Those who are skilled in using various weapons, strong and agile, and determined to kill the enemy must be promoted so that they can be used in decisive battles. Treat their parents and wives well, encourage them with rewards, and warn them with punishments. Make them the backbone of strengthening the array for prolonged battles. If these issues can be clearly understood, we can defeat twice our number of enemies."
Wu Hou said, "Very good."
Wu Qi said, "There are eight situations in which we can engage the enemy without needing to consult divination. The first is when they march day and night in severe winds and cold, fell trees to cross rivers, and disregard the hardships of their troops. The second is when they depart late in the midsummer heat, do not rest on the way, march rapidly, are hungry and thirsty, and only rush to distant places. The third is when they have been on campaign for a long time, food supplies are exhausted, the people are resentful, rumors arise frequently, and the commander cannot stop them. The fourth is when military supplies are depleted, firewood is scarce, it rains continuously, and there is nothing to plunder. The fifth is when their troops are few, they are not accustomed to the local climate and soil, horses and men are sick, and neighboring reinforcements have not arrived. The sixth is when they are transported by road at dusk, the troops are tired and frightened, hungry and haven't eaten, and they take off their armor to rest. The seventh is when the officers and men lack prestige, and the morale of the army is unstable. The army is frequently startled, and they are isolated without support. The eighth is when the deployment is not yet complete, the camping is not yet finished, and they have only crossed half of the mountains and dangers. In such cases, we should attack swiftly without hesitation."
"There are six situations in which we should avoid engaging the enemy without needing to consult divination. The first is when the enemy has vast territory and a large, sufficient population. The second is when the ruler loves his subjects, and benevolence is widespread. The third is when rewards and punishments are strict and actions are timely. The fourth is when merit is recognized and positions are assigned based on ability, and capable people are appointed. The fifth is when the army is numerous and well-equipped. The sixth is when they have neighboring help and support from large states. Whenever these conditions are inferior to those of the enemy, we should avoid engaging in battle with them without hesitation. This is what is meant by advancing when it is feasible and retreating when it is difficult."
Wu Hou asked, "I would like to understand the enemy's internal situation by observing their external appearance and their true intentions by observing their actions, thereby judging victory or defeat. Can you tell me about this?"
Wu Qi replied, "When the enemy comes in a scattered and reckless manner, with flags in disarray and horses and men looking around, we can make them panic with one strike against ten. When the enemy's various armies have not yet converged, the ruler and his officials are in disagreement, fortifications are not yet completed, prohibitions are not yet enforced, and the army is noisy, unable to advance or retreat, in such a situation, we can fight with half our strength against double theirs and remain undefeated in a hundred battles."
Wu Hou asked in what situations we can attack the enemy.
Wu Qi replied, "In using troops, one must ascertain the enemy's strengths and weaknesses and strike at their vulnerabilities. Attack when the enemy is newly arrived and their deployment is not yet set. Attack when they have just eaten and are not yet on guard. Attack when they are in a state of confusion and fleeing. Attack when they are exhausted. Attack when they have not occupied advantageous terrain. Attack when the weather and season are unfavorable to the enemy. Attack when the army is in disorder. Attack when they have traveled a long distance and their rear has not yet rested. Attack when they are crossing water halfway. Attack when they are passing through dangerous passes and narrow roads. Attack when their array changes frequently. Attack when their commanders are separated from their troops. Attack when their morale is terrified. Whenever encountering the above situations, send elite troops to charge at the enemy first and continue to dispatch reinforcements to support them. It is necessary to attack swiftly without hesitation."
