| | 孙子吴起... : |
孙子武者，齐人也。以兵法见于吴王阖庐。阖庐曰：“子之十三篇，吾尽观之矣，可以小试勒兵乎？”对曰：“可。”阖庐曰：“可试以妇人乎？”曰：“可。”于是许之，出宫中美女，得百八十人。孙子分为二队，以王之宠姬二人各为队长，皆令持戟。令之曰：“汝知而心与左右手背乎？”妇人曰：“知之。”孙子曰：“前，则视心；左，视左手；右，视右手；后，即视背。”妇人曰：“诺。”约束既布，乃设鈇钺，即三令五申之。于是鼓之右，妇人大笑。孙子曰：“约束不明，申令不熟，将之罪也。”复三令五申而鼓之左，妇人复大笑。孙子曰：“约束不明，申令不熟，将之罪也；既已明而不如法者，吏士之罪也。”乃欲斩左右队长。吴王从台上观，见且斩爱姬，大骇。趣使使下令曰：“寡人已知将军能用兵矣。寡人非此二姬，食不甘味，愿勿斩也。”孙子曰：“臣既已受命为将，将在军，君命有所不受。”遂斩队长二人以徇。用其次为队长，于是复鼓之。妇人左右前后跪起皆中规矩绳墨，无敢出声。于是孙子使使报王曰：“兵既整齐，王可试下观之，唯王所欲用之，虽赴水火犹可也。”吴王曰：“将军罢休就舍，寡人不愿下观。”孙子曰：“王徒好其言，不能用其实。”于是阖庐知孙子能用兵，卒以为将。西破强楚，入郢，北威齐晋，显名诸侯，孙子与有力焉。 |
| | Sun Zi Wu was a native of Qi. He presented his theories on military strategy to King Helu of Wu. King Helu said, "I have read all thirteen chapters of your work; may we test them on a small scale with troops?" He replied, "Yes." King Helu said, "Can we test it with women?" He said, "Yes." Thus he was granted permission. The king summoned beautiful women from the palace, and a total of 180 were obtained. Sun Zi divided them into two units, appointing the king's two favorite concubines as captains of each unit, and ordered all to carry halberds. He gave orders saying, "Do you know your hearts and the positions of your left and right hands and backs?" The women replied, "We do." Sun Zi said, "When I say 'Forward,' look at your hearts; 'Left,' look at your left hands; 'Right,' look at your right hands; "Backward, then look at your backs." The women said, "Yes, sir." After the commands were given, he set up axes and hammers for punishment, then issued them three times with five repetitions each. Then, when the drum was beaten to signal "Right," the women burst into laughter. Sun Zi said, "If the commands are not clear and the orders not thoroughly explained, that is the general's fault." He repeated the three commands with five explanations each and then beat the drum for "Left," but the women laughed again. Sun Zi said, "If the commands are not clear, and the orders not thoroughly explained—that is the general's fault; once they have been clearly given but still not followed properly, that is the soldiers' and officers' fault." He then ordered to execute the captains of both units. King Wu was watching from a pavilion and, upon seeing that his beloved concubines were about to be executed, became greatly alarmed. He hurriedly sent an envoy to issue orders saying, "I now know that the general is capable of commanding troops. Without these two concubines, my meals tasteless and I cannot enjoy them; I beg you not to execute them." Sun Zi said, "I have already accepted the command as general. When a general is in the field, he does not always obey the sovereign's orders." He then executed the two captains and displayed their bodies to make an example of them. He appointed the next in line as new captains, and then beat the drum again. The women moved left, right, forward, backward, knelt, and stood in perfect accordance with the rules and standards, not daring to make a sound. Sun Zi then sent an envoy to report to the king, saying, "The troops are now well-disciplined. Your Majesty may come down and observe them personally. They can be used as you wish; even if ordered into water or fire, they will obey." King Wu said, "General, you may now rest and return to your quarters. I do not wish to come down and watch." Sun Zi said, "The king merely likes the words but cannot use their true meaning." Thus King Helu knew that Sun Zi was capable of commanding troops and finally appointed him as general. To the west, he defeated the powerful state of Chu, entering Ying; to the north, he intimidated Qi and Jin, gaining fame among the feudal lords. Sun Zi played a significant role in these achievements.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
孙武既死，后百馀岁有孙膑。膑生阿鄄之闲，膑亦孙武之后世子孙也。孙膑尝与庞涓俱学兵法。庞涓既事魏，得为惠王将军，而自以为能不及孙膑，乃阴使召孙膑。膑至，庞涓恐其贤于己，疾之，则以法刑断其两足而黥之，欲隐勿见。 |
| | After Sun Wu's death, more than one hundred years later there was Sun Bin. Sun Bin was born between A and Juan; he too was a descendant of the later generations of Sun Wu. Sun Bin once studied military strategy together with Pang Juan. After Pang Juan served the state of Wei, he became a general under King Hui. However, believing his own abilities to be inferior to Sun Bin's, he secretly sent for him. When Sun Bin arrived, Pang Juan feared that he was more capable than himself and resented him. He then had him punished by cutting off both his feet and tattooing his face, intending to keep him hidden from view.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
齐使者如梁，孙膑以刑徒阴见，说齐使。齐使以为奇，窃载与之齐。齐将田忌善而客待之。忌数与齐诸公子驰逐重射。孙子见其马足不甚相远，马有上、中、下、辈。于是孙子谓田忌曰：“君弟重射，臣能令君胜。”田忌信然之，与王及诸公子逐射千金。及临质，孙子曰：“今以君之下驷与彼上驷，取君上驷与彼中驷，取君中驷与彼下驷。”既驰三辈毕，而田忌一不胜而再胜，卒得王千金。于是忌进孙子于威王。威王问兵法，遂以为师。 |
| | A Qi envoy was sent to Liang, and Sun Bin secretly met with the envoy in his capacity as a penal prisoner, persuading him. The Qi envoy found him remarkable and secretly transported him back to Qi. Tian Ji, a general of Qi, treated Sun Bin kindly as a guest. Tian Ji often raced against the sons of high-ranking officials in Qi with heavy wagers involved. Sun Zi observed that their horses were not greatly different in speed, and noted that the horses could be classified into superior, medium, and inferior ranks. Sun Zi then said to Tian Ji, "You may place a heavy wager; I can ensure your victory." Tian Ji believed him and placed a bet of one thousand gold pieces with the king and other nobles. When the race was about to begin, Sun Zi said, "Now use your inferior horse against their superior one; take your superior horse and match it against their medium one; and take your medium horse and match it against their inferior one." After the three heats, Tian Ji lost once but won twice, ultimately winning a thousand gold pieces from the king. Tian Ji then recommended Sun Zi to King Wei. King Wei asked about military strategy, and thus appointed him as his teacher.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
其后魏伐赵，赵急，请救于齐。齐威王欲将孙膑，膑辞谢曰：“刑馀之人不可。”于是乃以田忌为将，而孙子为师，居辎车中，坐为计谋。田忌欲引兵之赵，孙子曰：“夫解杂乱纷纠者不控棬，救鬬者不搏撠，批亢擣虚，形格势禁，则自为解耳。今梁赵相攻，轻兵锐卒必竭于外，老弱罢于内。君不若引兵疾走大梁，据其街路，冲其方虚，彼必释赵而自救。是我一举解赵之围而收獘于魏也。”田忌从之，魏果去邯郸，与齐战于桂陵，大破梁军。 |
| | Later, when Wei attacked Zhao, the situation became dire for Zhao, which then requested aid from Qi. King Wei of Qi wanted to appoint Sun Bin as general, but Sun Bin declined, saying, "A man who has been punished cannot do so." Thus they appointed Tian Ji as general and Sun Zi as military advisor, who remained in a supply wagon, seated to devise strategies. Tian Ji wanted to lead the troops directly to Zhao, but Sun Zi said, "To untangle a complicated knot, one should not grasp it tightly; to rescue those in combat, one need not join the fray. Strike at their vulnerable points and exploit their weaknesses. When the situation is blocked and the enemy's strength restrained, they will resolve themselves naturally." Now that Wei and Zhao are fighting each other, their light troops and elite soldiers must be exhausted in the field, while the elderly and weak remain inside. You would do better to lead your troops quickly toward Daliang, occupy its roads and passages, and strike where they are weakest. They will then have no choice but to abandon Zhao and return to defend themselves. This way, with one move we can relieve the siege of Zhao and gain an advantage over Wei." Tian Ji followed his advice, and as expected, Wei withdrew from Handan. The two sides then engaged in battle at Guiling, where the Qi forces decisively defeated the Wei army.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
后十三岁，魏与赵攻韩，韩告急于齐。齐使田忌将而往，直走大梁。魏将庞涓闻之，去韩而归，齐军既已过而西矣。孙子谓田忌曰：“彼三晋之兵素悍勇而轻齐，齐号为怯，善战者因其势而利导之。兵法，百里而趣利者蹶上将，五十里而趣利者军半至。使齐军入魏地为十万灶，明日为五万灶，又明日为三万灶。”庞涓行三日，大喜，曰：“我固知齐军怯，入吾地三日，士卒亡者过半矣。”乃弃其步军，与其轻锐倍日并行逐之。孙子度其行，暮当至马陵。马陵道陜，而旁多阻隘，可伏兵，乃斫大树白而书之曰“庞涓死于此树之下”。于是令齐军善射者万弩，夹道而伏，期曰“暮见火举而俱发”。庞涓果夜至斫木下，见白书，乃钻火烛之。读其书未毕，齐军万弩俱发，魏军大乱相失。庞涓自知智穷兵败，乃自刭，曰：“遂成竖子之名！”齐因乘胜尽破其军，虏魏太子申以归。孙膑以此名显天下，世传其兵法。 |
| | Thirteen years later, Wei and Zhao attacked Han, and Han urgently requested aid from Qi. Qi sent Tian Ji to lead the forces there, marching directly toward Daliang. Pang Juan of Wei heard about it and withdrew from Han to return, but the Qi army had already passed by and moved westward. Sun Zi said to Tian Ji, "The armies of the three Jin states have always been fierce and bold in battle, yet they look down on Qi. Qi is known as timid; a skilled general should take advantage of their momentum and guide it to his benefit." According to the art of war, an army marching a hundred li for profit will lose its commanding general; one marching fifty li for profit will have only half its troops arrive. "Order the Qi army to make ten thousand cooking fires when entering Wei territory, five thousand the next day, and three thousand on the following day." After marching for three days, Pang Juan rejoiced and said, "I have always known the Qi army to be timid. After entering my territory for just three days, more than half their soldiers have already fled." He then abandoned his infantry and led his light and elite troops at double speed to pursue them. Sun Zi estimated the distance of their march and predicted that by dusk they would arrive at Maling. The road to Maling was narrow, with many obstacles and choke points on the sides—ideal for an ambush. He then felled a large tree, whitewashed it, and wrote on it: "Pang Juan will die beneath this tree." He then ordered ten thousand archers from the Qi army to lie in ambush on both sides of the road, instructing them: "At dusk, when you see a fire lit, shoot together." As expected, Pang Juan arrived at night beneath the felled tree and saw the white writing. He then lit a fire to illuminate it. Before he had finished reading, the ten thousand Qi archers shot simultaneously, causing great chaos and disarray in the Wei army. Pang Juan realized that his strategy had failed and his troops were defeated, so he took his own life, saying, "Thus I have completed the name of this upstart!" Qi then capitalized on its victory to completely defeat the Wei forces and captured Crown Prince Shen of Wei, bringing him back. Sun Bin thus became famous throughout the land, and his military strategies were passed down through generations.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
吴起者，卫人也，好用兵。尝学于曾子，事鲁君。齐人攻鲁，鲁欲将吴起，吴起取齐女为妻，而鲁疑之。吴起于是欲就名，遂杀其妻，以明不与齐也。鲁卒以为将。将而攻齐，大破之。 |
| | Wu Qi was a native of Wei; he loved to study the art of war. He once studied under Zengzi and served King Lu. When the people of Qi attacked Lu, Lu wanted to appoint Wu Qi as general. However, Wu Qi had married a woman from Qi, and this caused suspicion in Lu. To prove his loyalty and gain recognition, Wu Qi then killed his wife to demonstrate that he would not side with Qi. Lu finally appointed him as general. He led the army in an attack on Qi and decisively defeated them.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
鲁人或恶吴起曰：“起之为人，猜忍人也。其少时，家累千金，游仕不遂，遂破其家，乡党笑之，吴起杀其谤己者三十馀人，而东出卫郭门。与其母诀，啮臂而盟曰：‘起不为卿相，不复入卫。’遂事曾子。居顷之，其母死，起终不归。曾子薄之，而与起绝。起乃之鲁，学兵法以事鲁君。鲁君疑之，起杀妻以求将。夫鲁小国，而有战胜之名，则诸侯图鲁矣。且鲁卫兄弟之国也，而君用起，则是弃卫。”鲁君疑之，谢吴起。 |
| | Some people of Lu criticized Wu Qi, saying, "Wu Qi's character is suspicious and ruthless. When he was young, his family had amassed a fortune of thousands of gold pieces. After failing to secure an official post while traveling and seeking employment, he squandered the wealth. Mocked by his fellow townspeople, Wu Qi killed more than thirty men who had slandered him before leaving Weishui Gate in Wei heading east." Before parting with his mother, he bit his arm and swore an oath: "If Wu Qi does not become a high-ranking official or minister, I will never return to Wei again." He then went on to study under Zengzi. After a short while, his mother died, but Wu Qi never returned home. Zengzi disapproved of this and severed ties with him. Wu Qi then went to Lu, studied the art of war, and served King Lu. King Lu doubted him, so Wu Qi killed his wife in order to be appointed as general. Lu was a small state; if it gained the reputation of having won military victories, other feudal lords would plot against Lu. Moreover, Lu and Wei were allied states like brothers; if your Majesty employs Wu Qi, it means abandoning Wei." King Lu remained doubtful and dismissed Wu Qi.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
吴起于是闻魏文侯贤，欲事之。文侯问李克曰：“吴起何如人哉？”李克曰：“起贪而好色，然用兵司马穰苴不能过也。”于是魏文候以为将，击秦，拔五城。 |
| | Wu Qi then heard that King Wenhou of Wei was virtuous, and wished to serve him. King Wenhou asked Li Ke, "What sort of man is Wu Qi?" Li Ke replied, "Wu Qi is greedy and fond of women, but in the art of war, even Sima Rangju cannot surpass him." Thus King Wenhou of Wei appointed Wu Qi as general. He attacked Qin and captured five cities.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
起之为将，与士卒最下者同衣食。卧不设席，行不骑乘，亲裹赢粮，与士卒分劳苦。卒有病疽者，起为吮之。卒母闻而哭之。人曰：“子卒也，而将军自吮其疽，何哭为？”母曰：“非然也。往年吴公吮其父，其父战不旋踵，遂死于敌。吴公今又吮其子，妾不知其死所矣。是以哭之。” |
| | As a general, Wu Qi shared the same clothes and food with his lowest-ranking soldiers. He did not sleep on a mat, did not ride a horse when traveling, personally wrapped up provisions for the wounded, and shared hardships with his soldiers. When one of his soldiers developed an abscess, Wu Qi suckled out the pus to treat him. The soldier's mother heard about this and wept. Someone asked, "He is your son, yet the general personally suckled his wound—why are you crying?" The mother replied, "It's not like that. Last year General Wu suckled my husband's wound; my husband fought without turning his back and was killed by the enemy." "Now General Wu is again suckling my son's wound. I do not know where he will die." That is why I am crying."
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
文侯以吴起善用兵，廉平，尽能得士心，乃以为西河守，以拒秦、韩。 |
| | King Wenhou, recognizing Wu Qi's skill in military affairs, his integrity and fairness, and his ability to win the hearts of soldiers, appointed him as governor of Xihe to resist Qin and Han.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
魏文侯既卒，起事其子武侯。武侯浮西河而下，中流，顾而谓吴起曰：“美哉乎山河之固，此魏国之宝也！”起对曰：“在德不在险。昔三苗氏左洞庭，右彭蠡，德义不修，禹灭之。夏桀之居，左河济，右泰华，伊阙在其南，羊肠在其北，修政不仁，汤放之。殷纣之国，左孟门，右太行，常山在其北，大河经其南，修政不德，武王杀之。由此观之，在德不在险。若君不修德，舟中之人尽为敌国也。”武侯曰：“善。” |
| | After King Wenhou died, Wu Qi served under his son, King Wuhou. King Wuhou traveled downstream along the Xihe River, and in midstream, he looked back and said to Wu Qi, "How magnificent is this natural fortress of mountains and rivers! This is Wei's greatest treasure!" Wu Qi replied, "It lies in virtue, not in strategic terrain. "In the past, the Sanmiao clan had Dongting to its left and Pengli to its right; yet because they neglected virtue and righteousness, Yu destroyed them." "The capital of Xia Jie had the Yellow River and Ji River to its left, Mount Taihua to its right, Yique to the south, and Yangchang Pass to the north; yet because he ruled with cruelty, Tang deposed him." "The state of Yin Zhou had Mengmen to its left and Taihang Mountain to its right, Changshan to the north, and the great Yellow River flowing southward; yet because he governed without virtue, King Wu killed him." From this we can see that it lies in virtue, not strategic terrain. "If Your Majesty does not cultivate virtue, then all the people on these boats will become enemies." King Wuhou said, "Well spoken."
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
（即封）吴起为西河守，甚有声名。魏置相，相田文。吴起不悦，谓田文曰：“请与子论功，可乎？”田文曰：“可。”起曰：“将三军，使士卒乐死，敌国不敢谋，子孰与起？”文曰：“不如子。”起曰：“治百官，亲万民，实府库，子孰与起？”文曰：“不如子。”起曰：“守西河而秦兵不敢东乡，韩赵宾从，子孰与起？”文曰：“不如子。”起曰：“此三者，子皆出吾下，而位加吾上，何也？”文曰：“主少国疑，大臣未附，百姓不信，方是之时，属之于子乎？属之于我乎？”起默然良久，曰：“属之子矣。”文曰：“此乃吾所以居子之上也。”吴起乃自知弗如田文。 |
| | (Immediately) appointed Wu Qi as governor of Xihe, he gained great fame. Wei established the position of prime minister and appointed Tian Wen to it. Wu Qi was displeased, and said to Tian Wen, "May I discuss our merits with you?" Tian Wen replied, "Yes." Wu Qi said, "Commanding the three armies, making soldiers willing to die for me, and ensuring enemy states dare not plot against Wei—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "Administering the hundred officials, winning the affection of the people, and filling the treasuries—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "Defending Xihe so that the Qin army dares not face eastward, and Han and Zhao submit to Wei—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "In these three aspects, you are all inferior to me, yet your position is higher than mine. Why is that?" Tian Wen replied, "The ruler is young and the state is in doubt; the ministers have not yet pledged loyalty, and the people do not trust. At such a time, would it be entrusted to you? Or to me?" Wu Qi fell silent for a long time, then said, "It would be entrusted to you." Tian Wen said, "This is why I hold the position above yours." Wu Qi thus realized he was not as capable as Tian Wen.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
田文既死，公叔为相，尚魏公主，而害吴起。公叔之仆曰：“起易去也。”公叔曰：“柰何？”其仆曰：“吴起为人节廉而自喜名也。君因先与武侯言曰：‘夫吴起贤人也，而侯之国小，又与强秦壤界，臣窃恐起之无留心也。’武侯即曰：‘柰何？’君因谓武侯曰：‘试延以公主，起有留心则必受之。无留心则必辞矣。以此卜之。’君因召吴起而与归，即令公主怒而轻君。吴起见公主之贱君也，则必辞。”于是吴起见公主之贱魏相，果辞魏武侯。武侯疑之而弗信也。吴起惧得罪，遂去，即之楚。 |
| | After Tian Wen died, Gongsu became prime minister, married a princess of Wei, and resented Wu Qi. Gongsu's servant said, "It is easy to get rid of Wu Qi." Gongsu asked, "How?" His servant said, "Wu Qi is a man of integrity and takes pride in his reputation. You should first tell King Wuhou, 'Wu Qi is a virtuous man, yet Your Majesty's state is small and borders the powerful Qin. I secretly fear that Wu Qi may not wish to remain here.'" King Wuhou would then ask, "What should be done?" You can then tell King Wuhou: 'Try offering him a princess in marriage. If Wu Qi wishes to remain, he will certainly accept it. If he has no intention of staying, he will surely refuse." Use this to determine his intentions.'" You then summon Wu Qi and return with him, but immediately have the princess act angry and disrespectful toward you. Wu Qi will see that the princess looks down on you, and he will certainly refuse the marriage." Thus, when Wu Qi saw how the princess looked down upon the prime minister of Wei, he indeed refused King Wuhou's offer. King Wuhou was suspicious but did not believe it completely. Fearing punishment, Wu Qi left Wei and went to the state of Chu immediately.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
楚悼王素闻起贤，至则相楚。明法审令，捐不急之官，废公族疏远者，以抚养战鬬之士。要在强兵，破驰说之言从横者。于是南平百越；北并陈蔡，却三晋；西伐秦。诸侯患楚之强。故楚之贵戚尽欲害吴起。及悼王死，宗室大臣作乱而攻吴起，吴起走之王尸而伏之。击起之徒因射刺吴起，并中悼王。悼王既葬，太子立，乃使令尹尽诛射吴起而并中王尸者。坐射起而夷宗死者七十馀家。 |
| | King Daowang of Chu had long heard of Wu Qi's virtue; upon his arrival, he was appointed prime minister of Chu. He clarified the laws and carefully issued orders, eliminated unnecessary officials, dismissed distant relatives of the royal family, and used the resources to support soldiers engaged in warfare. His main goal was to strengthen the military, and he refuted the empty talk of those advocating for alliances or divisions between states. Thus, to the south he pacified the Baiyue tribes; to the north he annexed the states of Chen and Cai, repelling the Three Jin states; and to the west he attacked Qin. The feudal lords were troubled by Chu's growing strength. Therefore, the noble relatives of Chu all wished to harm Wu Qi. When King Daowang died, members of the royal family and high-ranking ministers rebelled and attacked Wu Qi. Wu Qi fled to the king's corpse and took refuge beneath it. The attackers who struck at Wu Qi shot arrows at him, which also hit King Daowang's body. After the funeral of King Daowang, his son ascended the throne and ordered the Lingyi to execute all those who had shot at Wu Qi and also struck the king's corpse. Over seventy families were executed for their involvement in shooting Wu Qi, with entire clans wiped out.
|
| | 孙子吴起... : |
太史公曰：世俗所称师旅，皆道孙子十三篇，吴起兵法，世多有，故弗论，论其行事所施设者。语曰：“能行之者未必能言，能言之者未必能行。”孙子筹策庞涓明矣，然不能蚤救患于被刑。吴起说武侯以形势不如德，然行之于楚，以刻暴少恩亡其躯。悲夫！ |
| | Grand Historian said: The military strategies commonly praised by the world, such as Sunzi's thirteen chapters and Wu Qi's Art of War, are widely available in this age; therefore I will not discuss them, but instead focus on their actions and policies they implemented. It is said: "Those who can act may not necessarily be able to speak, and those who can speak may not necessarily be able to act." Sunzi's strategy clearly outwitted Pang Juan, yet he could not prevent the disaster that led to his own punishment. Wu Qi advised King Wuhou that virtue was more important than strategic terrain, yet when he implemented this in Chu with harsh and ruthless methods lacking compassion, it led to his own death. How tragic!
|
