Before Setting Out for War-Zhuge Liang

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Need for Strengthening Domestic and External Issues-Zhuge Liang

English

Since ancient times, when the country is about to go to war, the ruler will select the most capable to be the commander-in-chief to bring the state out of trouble. Before the army sets off, abstinence have to be practiced for three days and rituals are to be held at the ancestral temple to pay respect to the ancestors. During the ritual, the ruler will stand at the south and the commander-in-chief at the north. The Grand Mentor will pass an axe to the ruler, a symbol of authority. The ruler will present the axe to the commander-in-chief and say:"From now on, you have the command of the troops. In battle, when the enemy is weak, attack; when the enemy is strong, retreat; Do not, because of your position, belittle others; Do not be stubborn and refuse to listen to other people's opinion; Do not, because of the accomplishment you have made, lose credibility and loyalty of your men; You should only rest when all your troops are resting; Share the weals and woes with your troops. Only when you have done the above, your men will do their best thus enabling you to achieve victory over our enemy."

The commander-in-chief after listening to the lecture by the ruler, will then swear loyalty to the ruler and proceed to lead the troops to war. Before the troops are out of the city gates, the ruler will say:"Please bear in mind the timing of attack and retreat. From now on, the troops fate and movements will all depend on you." From then on, the commander-in-chief will have absolute authority over the troops and he can use the wise to plan strategies and the brave to fight battles. Thus he can score victories, achieve accomplishments creating a legacy for himself.

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Modern

古往今来，在国家遇到危难时，国君便会挑选贤德的人作为将帅，以便解除国难。出征之前，则斋戒三日，进入太庙祭祀列祖列宗，国君南面而站，将帅北面而站，太师双手奉上象征权力的斧头，国君接过大斧头，拿着斧柄授予将帅说：“从现在起，军队便有你指挥了。” 国君又说：“战斗中遇到敌人实力薄弱就进攻，遇到敌人实力强大就退却；不可因为自己身居高位而瞧不起人；不可固执己见而听不进他人的建议；不可凭着自己的功勋卓越而失去为人忠信的品德；部队没有坐下休息时，作为将帅不可首先坐下来休息；与部队同寒暑，共劳逸。同甘苦，共危难。能做到这些，部下必定会尽心竭力。这样必定能打败敌人。”

将帅听完国君的告诫后，便宣誓效忠，然后便打开凶门，率军出征。国君临别时，跪着推动车轮说：“部队进退时要把握住时机。从现在开始，部队中的一切行动都由你决定了。”如此，将帅便具有绝对权力，也能够使用有智谋之士的策略，让勇猛顽强的人效命于沙场。从此，可百战百胜，立下汗马功劳，扬名后代，福及子孙。

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Original

古者国有危难，君简贤能而任之，齐三日，入太庙，南面而立，将北面，太师进钺于君。君持钺柄以授将，曰：“从此至军，将军其裁之。”复命曰：“见其虚则进，见其实则退。勿以身贵而贱人，勿以独见而违众，勿恃功能而失忠信。士未坐勿坐，士未食勿食，同寒署，等劳逸，齐甘苦，均危患，如此则士必尽死，敌必可亡。”将受词，凿凶门，引军而出，君送之，跪而推毂，曰：“进退惟时，军中事不由君命，皆由将出。”若此，则无天于上，无地于下，无敌于前，无主于后。是以智者为之虑，勇者为之斗，故能战胜于外，功成于内，扬名于后世，福流于子孙矣。

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