Question 7-Q&A between Tang & Li Part 1

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Question 7-Q&A between Tang & Li Part 1

English

Tai Zhong said: "When the ancients approached enemy formations and then sent forth unorthodox troops to attack where unexpected, were they also using the method of 'mutual changes' for orthodox, unorthodox troops?"

Li Jing said: "In antiquity, most battles were a question of minimal tactics conquering those without any tactics, and of some minor degree of excellence conquering those without any capabilities. How can they merit being discussed as the art of war? An example is Xie Xuan’s destructions of Fu Jian. It was not because of Xie Xuan’s excellence but probably Fu Jian's incompetence."

Tai Zhong ordered the attending officers to find Xie Xuan’s biography and read it. After reading the biography, he said: "Fu Jian's management in which area was not good."

Li Jing said: "I observe that Fu Qian's biography records that 'Qin's army had all been broken and defeated, with only Mu Rong Chui's single force still intact. Fu Jian the Qin king, leading more than a thousand cavalry, raced over to join him. Chui’s son Bao advised Chui to kill Fu Jian but without results. From this, one sees that when the Qin’s armies were in turbulence, only Mu Rong Chui’s forces remain intact, so it is obvious that Fu Jian was probably betrayed by Chui's treachery. Now to be betrayed by others and yet still hope to conquer the enemy, is it not difficult? Thus I say that men such as Fu Jian lacked tactics."

Tai Zhong said: "Sun Zi said that 'one who plans extensively will conquer one who does less planning, so thus we know some planning will conquer no planning.' All affairs are thus."

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Modern

太宗问：古人临阵出奇，攻敌不意，这也是奇正变化的法则吗？

李靖答：古代的战斗，多是一些稍有智谋的人战胜没有智谋的人，一些稍有能力的人战胜没有能力的人，这些人哪能谈得上懂兵法呢?如东晋时谢玄在淝水击破了苻坚，不是谢玄善于用兵，而是苻坚不善于用兵的缘故。

太宗命侍臣拣出谢玄的传记阅览以后说：苻坚哪些地方处理不善呢？

李靖答：我看《苻坚载记》说：淝水之战时，秦各军都溃败，只有幕容垂一军[三万人]独能保持完整。符坚率领残兵千余骑，来到慕容全的营地，慕容垂的儿子慕容宝劝垂杀坚，垂未杀。从泰军溃败和慕容垂一军独能保持完整的情况来看，苻坚被慕容垂所陷害就是很明显了。既为人所陷害，还想战胜敌人，不就难了吗。所以我说，没有智谋的就是苻坚这一类的人。

太宗说：《孙子》说策划多的可以战胜策划少的，这样看来，策划少的就可以战胜没有策划的了。一切事情都是这样。

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