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《兵徵 - Signs of War 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources Related resources |
| 1 | 兵徵: |
武王問太公曰：「吾欲未戰先知敵人之強弱，豫見勝負之徵，為之奈何？」 太公曰：「勝負之徵，精神先見，明將察之，其敗在人。 謹候敵人出入進退，察其動靜，言語祅祥，士卒所告。 凡三軍說懌，士卒畏法，敬其將命，相喜以破敵，相陳以勇猛，相賢以威武，此強徵也。 三軍數驚，士卒不齊，相恐以敵強，相語以不利，耳目相屬，祅言不止，眾口相惑，不畏法令，不重其將，此弱徵也。 三軍齊整，陳勢已固，深溝高壘，又有大風甚雨之利；三軍無故，旌旗前指，金鐸之聲揚以清，鼙鼓之聲宛以鳴。此得神明之助，大勝之徵也。 行陳不固，旌旗亂而相繞；逆大風甚雨之利，士卒恐懼，氣絕而不屬；戎馬驚奔，兵車折軸；金鐸之聲下以濁，鼙鼓之聲濕如沐。此大敗之徵也。 凡攻城圍邑，城之氣色如死灰，城可屠；城之氣出而北，城可克；城之氣出而西，城必降；城之氣出而南，城不可拔；城之氣出而東，城不可攻；城之氣出而復入，城主逃北；城之氣出而覆我軍之上，軍必病；城之氣出高而無所止，用日長久。 凡攻城圍邑，過旬不雷不雨，必亟去之，城必有大輔。此所以知可攻而攻，不可攻而止。」 武王曰：「善哉。」 |
| King Wu asked Tai Gong, "I wish to know the strength and weakness of my enemy before battle begins, and foresee signs of victory or defeat. How should I do this?" Tai Gong said, "Signs of victory or defeat are first revealed in the spirit and energy; a wise general who observes these will find the enemy's failure lies within themselves." Carefully observe the enemy's movements in and out, their advances and retreats; examine their activities and stillness, their words and omens, as well as reports from their soldiers. Generally, when the three armies are cheerful and content, soldiers fear the law, respect their commander's orders, rejoice in defeating the enemy together, display courage in battle formation, and admire valor and martial might, these are signs of strength. When the three armies are frequently alarmed, soldiers are disorganized, fear the enemy's strength and speak anxiously about unfavorable omens, their ears and eyes are constantly on alert, ominous words do not cease, many voices confuse one another, they no longer fear laws and commands, nor respect their commander—these are signs of weakness. When the three armies are well-organized, formations are solid, deep ditches and high fortifications have been built, and there is also the advantage of strong winds or heavy rain; When for no apparent reason, the banners point forward, the sounds of bells and clappers are clear and resounding, and the drums sound deep and loud. This indicates divine assistance and is a sign of great victory. When formations are not secure, banners become disordered and entangled; they defy the advantage of strong winds or heavy rains, soldiers are frightened, their morale is broken and they no longer unite; war horses panic and run wildly, war chariots break their axles; the sounds of bells and clappers become low and muffled, the drumbeats are damp as if soaked. These are signs of a great defeat. Generally, when attacking and surrounding a city, if the color of the city's aura resembles dead ashes, the city can be sacked; if the city's energy flows northward, the city may be captured; if the city's energy flows westward, the city will surely surrender; if the city's aura flows southward, the city cannot be captured; if the city's aura flows eastward, the city should not be attacked; if the city's energy emerges and then returns inward, the city commander will flee north. If the city's aura rises above our army, the troops will surely suffer illness; if the city's energy ascends high and has no end, the campaign will be prolonged. When besieging a city or encircling a town, if after ten days there is no thunder or rain, one must quickly withdraw, for the city will surely have great reinforcements. This is how one knows to attack when it is possible and to halt when it is not." King Wu said, "Well said." |
URN: ctp:liu-tao/bing-zheng