Characteristics of Good Generals-Huang Shi Gong

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Characteristics of Good Generals-Huang Shi Gong

English

The Military Pronouncement states:"The general should be of high integrity; able to be calm when needed; able to be fair and strict; able to accept criticism; able to judge disputes; able to attract and employ capable men; able to select and accept advice; able to know the customs of states able to map mountains and rivers; able to discern defiles and obstacles; and able to handle military authority." Thus it is said that the wisdom of the benevolent, plans of the Sage, words of the wood carriers, opinions of court officials and the affairs of ascension and decline - all these are what the general should seek out and hear about. If the general can 'thirst' for capables, then strategies can be executed. If the general refuse to ask and listen to advice, then those that are capable will leave. If he refuse to take into consideration any plans set out by strategists, the strategists will leave. If good and evil are treated alike, the meritorious will grow weary. If the general is stubborn, his subordinates will shirk all responsibility. If he brags, his assistant will not will not make any accomplishment. If he believes slander, he will lose the hearts of the people. If he is greedy, treachery will be unchecked. If he is licentious, his officers and men will follow suit. If the general has one of the fault mentioned before, the masses will not submit. If he has two of them, the army will lack discipline. If he has three of them, his subordinates will not fight. If he has four of them, the entire state is in danger.

Modern

《军谶》上说：“将领应该廉明，能镇静，能公正，能严肃，能接受规劝，能明断是非，能容纳人才，能博采众议，能知各国风俗，能通晓山川形势，能明了地形险阻，能掌握军队权柄。”所以说，“仁贤”的智谋，“圣明”的远虑，民众的议论，官员的意见，存亡兴衰的史迹，都是将领应当知道的。将领能思“士” 如渴，就会使有谋略的人归从。如果将领拒绝规劝，杰出的人物就会散去。不采纳其计策，谋士就会叛离。善恶不分，有功的人就会消极。一意孤行，下级就会归咎于上。自我夸耀，下级就不积极立功。听信谗言，众人就会离心离德。贪图财物，就无法禁止坏人坏事。迷恋女色，士卒就会淫乱无度。[以上八条]将帅身上有 了一条，就会众心不服。有了两条，就会军无法纪。有了三条，就会全军溃败，有了四条就会祸国殃民。

Original

《军谶》曰：“将能清，能净；能平，能整；能受谏，能听讼；能纳人，能采言；能知国俗，能图山川；能表险难，能制军权。”故曰，仁贤之智，圣明之虑，负薪之言，廊庙之语，兴衰之事，将所宜闻。将者，能思士如渴，则策从焉。夫将，拒谏，则英雄散；策不从，则谋士叛；善恶同，则功臣倦；专己，则下归咎；自伐，则下少功；信谗，则众离心；贪财，则奸不禁；内顾，则士卒淫。将有一，则众不服；有二，则军无式；有三，则下奔北；有四，则祸及国。

Applications

From: Huang Shi Gong Upper Strategy