III. Attacking by Stratagem
III. Attacking by Stratagem
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Sun Tzu said: In general, the method of using troops is this. Keeping a state intact is best; breaking it is second. Keeping an army intact is best; breaking it is second. Keeping a battalion intact is best; breaking it is second. Keeping a company intact is best; breaking it is second. Keeping a squad intact is best; breaking it is second.1 So to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the height of skill. To subdue the enemy’s army without fighting is the height of skill.
So the best use of troops is to attack the enemy’s plans; next, to attack his alliances; next, to attack his army; the worst is to attack walled cities. Attacking cities is a method for when there is no other choice. Making ready the great shields and the covered assault carts and preparing the siege engines takes three months to finish; piling up the earthen ramps against the walls takes another three months. If the general cannot master his anger and sends his men swarming up the walls like ants, a third of his soldiers are killed and the city still does not fall. This is the calamity of attack.
So those skilled at using troops subdue the enemy’s army without battle, take his cities without attacking them, and destroy his state without a long campaign. They must contend for the world by keeping things intact, so that their troops are not worn down and the advantage can be kept intact. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.
So the method of using troops is this. At ten to one, surround them; at five to one, attack; at two to one, divide. If equal, be able to fight; if fewer, be able to slip away; if no match, be able to avoid them. A small force that holds stubbornly is captured by a large one.
The general is the support of the state. If the support is complete, the state will surely be strong; if the support has gaps, the state will surely be weak. There are three ways in which a sovereign brings trouble on his army. Not knowing that the army cannot advance, he orders it to advance; not knowing that the army cannot retreat, he orders it to retreat. This is called hobbling the army. Not knowing the affairs of the Three Armies,2 he takes part in their administration, and the soldiers are confused. Not knowing the expedients of the Three Armies, he takes part in their command, and the soldiers are doubtful. When the Three Armies are both confused and doubtful, trouble from the feudal lords arrives. This is called throwing the army into disorder and handing victory to the enemy.
So there are five ways to know who will win. One who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will win. One who understands how to use large and small numbers will win. One whose superiors and subordinates want the same thing will win. One who is prepared and waits for the unprepared will win. One whose general is able and is not interfered with by the sovereign will win. These five are the way to know victory.
So it is said: One who knows himself and knows the enemy will not be in danger in a hundred battles. One who does not know the enemy but knows himself will win one and lose one. One who knows neither the enemy nor himself will be defeated in every battle.