Nine Configurations

(Passages from the T'ung tien)

The kind of We asked Sun Wu: "On dispersive terrain,' the officers and troops are thinking of their families. As we cannot engage in battle with them, we must solidly defend our positions and not go forth. If the enemy attacks our small cities; plunder our fields; prevent us from gathering firewood; block our major roads; and awaits our emptiness and depletion to urgently advance and attack, what should we do?"
Sun Wu replied: "When the enemy has deeply penetrated our capital region, putting numerous fortifications and cities behind them, their officers and men regard the army as their family, are focused in their intentions, and lightly enter into battle. [On the contrary] our troops are in their native state; they feel secure on their territory and embrace life. Therefore in battle formation they are not firm, when they engage in battle they are not victorious. We should assemble the people and gather the masses; collect the foodstuffs, livestock, and cloth; defend the walled cities and prepare [to defend] the passes; and dispatch light troops to sever their supply routes. If they are not able to provoke us in battle; their provisions fail to arrive; and there's nothing in the countryside that they can plunder, their Three Armies will be in difficulty. Take advantage of the situation to entice them, and then we can be successful.
...


Four Changes

(Tomb Text)

[...There are roads that are not followed; there are armies that are not attacked]; there are fortified cities that are not assaulted; there is terrain for which one does not tend; there are orders from the ruler [which are not implemented].
As for the roads that are not followed: when we enter [enemy territory] shallowly, then affairs to the fore will not be known. When we enter deeply, then advantages to the rear can not be consolidated. If we move then it will not be advantageous; if we remain still then we will be imprisoned. In such cases do not follow them.
As for armies that are not attacked: our two armies have intercepted each other and encamped. We estimate that our strength is sufficient to destroy their army and capture their general. [However], if we estimate it from a long-range perspective, there are [those who excel in] unorthodox strategic power and skillful tactics among them, and the army... general. In such cases, even though the army can be attacked, do not attack it.
As for fortified cities that are not assaulted: We estimate that our strength is sufficient to seize it. If we seize it, it will not be of any advantage to the fore; if we gain it we will not be able to protect it at the rear. If our strength [equals?] theirs, the city certainly will not be taken. If, when we gain the advantages of a forward (positions) the city will then surrender by itself, while if we do not gain such advantages (the city) will not cause harm to the rear - in such cases, even though the city can be assaulted, do not assault it.
As for terrain that is not contested: in mountain valleys where the water [flow?] is unable to sustain life ...empty... In such cases do not contend for it.
As for orders of the ruler which are not implemented: if the ruler's orders are contrary to these "four changes," then do not implement them...Implement...Affairs...changes, then he knows how to employ the military.


Two Questions

(Passages Preserved in the T'ung-tien)

The king of Wu asked Sun Wu: "The enemy is courageous and unafraid, arrogant and reckless. His soldiers are numerous and strong. What should we do?"
Sun Wu said: "Speak and act submissively in order to accord with their intentions. Do not cause them to comprehend [the situation], and thereby increase their indolence. In accord with the enemy's shifts and changes, submerge [our forces] in ambush to await [the moment]. Then do not look at their forward motion, nor look back to their rearward movement, but strike them in the middle. Even thought they are numerous, they can be taken. The Tao for attacking the arrogant is to not engage their advance front."

The king of Wu asked Sun Wu: "The enemy is securely holding the mountains and ravines, occupying all the advantageous positions. Their provisions are also sufficient. [Even though] we challenge them they do not come forth. They take advantage of cracks [in our defense] to raid and plunder. What should we do?"
Sun Wu said: "Segment and deploy our forces to defend the strategic points; exercise vigilance in preparations, do not be indolent. Deeply investigate their true situation, secretly await their laxity. Entice them with profit, prevent them from gathering firewood. When they have not gained anything in a long time, they will inevitably change by themselves. Wait until they leave their strongholds; seize what they love. [Even though] the enemy forcibly occupies precipitous passes, we will still be able to destroy them."


King of Wu's Questions

(Tomb Text)

The king of Wu asked Sun-tzu: "When the six generals divide up and occupy Chin's territory, who will perish first? Who will be solid and successful?"
Sun-tzu said: "The Fan and Chung-hang clans will be the first to perish."
"Who will be next?"
The Chih clan will be next."
"Who will be next?"
"The Han and Wei will be next. The Chao have not lost their ancient laws, so the state of Chin will revert to them."
The king of Wu said: "May I hear the explanation?"
Sun-tzu said: "Yes. The Fan and Chung-hang clans, in regulating their fields, take eighty paces as the length and one hundred sixty paces as the breadth, and impose taxes of one fifth [of the produce] on them. The field [under administration] are narrow, the warriors attached [to the fields] numerous. [Because] they impose a tax of one-fifth, the ducal house is rich. The ducal house is rich, the attached warriors are numerous. The ruler is arrogant, the ministers extravagant. They hope for achievement and frequently engage in warfare. Thus I say they will perish first.
"[The Chih, in regulating their fields, take ninety paces as the length and one hundred eighty paces as the breadth, and impose taxes of one fifth on them. The fields under administration are narrow, the attached warriors numerous. Because they impose a tax of one-fifth, the ducal house is rich.] The ducal house is rich, the attached warriors numerous. The ruler is arrogant, the ministers extravagant. They hope for achievement and frequently engage in warfare. Thus the Chih will be next after the Fan and Chung-hang.
The Han and Wei, in regulating their fields, take a hundred paces for the length and two hundred paces for the breadth, and impose taxes of one fifth on them. The lands under administration are narrow, the attached warriors are numerous. Taxing them at one fifth, the ducal house is rich. Their ruler is arrogant, the ministers extravagant. The hope for achievement and frequently engage in warfare. Thus I say Han and Wei will be next after the Chih.
The Chao, in regulating their fields, take a hundred and twenty paces for the length and two hundred forty paces for the breadth. The duke does not impose any taxes on them. The ducal house is poor, their attached warriors few. The ruler is frugal, the ministers [respectful] and they thereby govern a rich populace. Thus I say it is a solid state. The state of Chin will revert to them."
The king of Wu said: "Excellent." The Tao of the true king... [must be] to generously love his people."