Laying Plans

Sun Tzu said: "War is a matter of vital importance to the state; it is a domain of life and death, a road to survival or ruin. Hence, it is imperative to study and examine it thoroughly."

Therefore, we must assess war based on five factors and weigh them with strategies to uncover the truth: the first is the moral principle (Dao), the second is heaven (natural conditions), the third is earth (terrain), the fourth is the commander, and the fifth is discipline (laws and regulations). Moral principle refers to the alignment of the people's will with their ruler's, so they can be willing to die or live with him without fearing danger. Heaven encompasses the movements of Yin and Yang, the cycles of cold and heat, and the seasonal regulations. Earth involves distances, dangers or ease of movement, vastness or narrowness, and opportunities for life or death. A commander must possess wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and strictness. Discipline pertains to the organization, administrative hierarchy, and logistical support of the army. All these five factors are known to every commander. Those who understand them will win; those who do not will not win. Therefore, we must weigh these factors with strategies to uncover the truth: which ruler has the moral principle? Which commander is capable? Which side has the advantage of heaven and earth? Which side enforces discipline? Which army is stronger? Which soldiers are better trained? Which side has clearer rewards and penalties? Based on these, I can predict the outcome of war.

If a commander listens to my strategies and applies them, he will surely win and should be retained. If he does not listen to my strategies and applies them, he will surely lose and should be dismissed. Strategies must be beneficial and acceptable to the commander before they can be implemented to create advantageous situations that support the military operations. Momentum is gained by exploiting favorable conditions to exercise control and authority.

War is a matter of deception. Hence, when you are capable, pretend to be incapable; when you are using forces, pretend to be inactive; when you are near, pretend to be far away; and when you are far away, pretend to be near. Entice the enemy with benefits, and take advantage of their chaos. Be prepared for the enemy's strength, and avoid their peak power. Provoke them when they are angry, and humble them when they are arrogant. Exhaust them when they are at ease, and alienate them when they are united. Attack them when they are unprepared and strike them when they least expect it. These are the strategies of war, which cannot be prematurely disclosed.

Before engaging in war, those who have planned and calculated thoroughly in the temple (council chamber) will have more advantages; those who have not planned and calculated thoroughly will have fewer advantages. More planning leads to victory, less planning leads to defeat, and how much less can one expect from those who have not planned at all? Based on this observation, the outcome of war is evident.