Army's Disposition-Six Teachings
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Army's Disposition (Tai Gong Six Teachings-Dragon Teaching Chapter 9)
本篇论述进攻作战的原则。
English
King Wu asked Tai Gong:"What is the Way of aggressive warfare?"
Tai Gong replied:"Army's attacking disposition should change in accord with the enemy’s movements. And changes coming from the confrontation between the two armies. Unorthodox and orthodox tactics are produced from inexhaustible resources of the mind. Thus the greatest affairs are not discussed, and employment of troops is not spoken about. Moreover, words which discuss ultimate affairs are not not to be discussed openly. The employment of troops is not so definitive as to be visible. They go suddenly, they come suddenly. Only when someone who can exercise sole control over the army, without being governed by other men, is a military weapon."
"If your plans are heard about, the enemy will make counterplans. If you are perceived, they will plot against you. If your objectives are known, they will put you in difficulty. If you are fathomed, they will endanger you."
"Thus one who excels in warfare has already won before the deployment of forces. One who excels at eliminating the misfortunes of the people manages them before they appear. Conquering the enemy, being victorious by being formless. The superior fighter has won before engaging in battle. Thus one who fights and attains victory in using blades is not a good general. One who makes preparation after the battle has been lost is not a superior sage. One whose skill is the same as the masses is not a superior artisan."
"In military affairs, nothing is more important than certain victory. In employing the army, nothing is more important than obscurity and silence. In movement, nothing is more important than the unexpected. In planning, nothing is more important than not being knowable. To be the first to gain victory, initially display some weakness to the enemy and only afterward do battle. Then your effort will be half, but the achievement will be doubled."
"The Sage observes signs from the movements of Heaven and Earth and knows its principles. He observes the movement of the sun and the moon and understand their seasonal activity. He follows the cycles of day and night, taken them as his constant. All things have life and death in accord with the principles of Heaven and Earth. Thus it is said that if one fights before understanding the situation, even if he is more numerous, he will certainly be defeated."
"One who excels at warfare will await events in the situation without making any movement. When he sees he can be victorious, he will arise; if he sees he cannot be victorious, he will desist. Thus it is said that he does not have any fear, he does not vacillate. Of the many harms that can beset an army, indecision is the greatest. Of disasters that can befall an army, none surpasses doubt."
"One who excels in warfare will not lose an advantage when he perceives it or be doubtful when he meets the opportunity. One who loses an advantage or lags behind the time for action will, on the contrary, suffer from disaster. Thus the wise follow the time and do not lose an advantage; the skilful are decisive and have no doubts. He strikes like a sudden clap of thunder, which does not give time to cover ears; strike like a flash of lightning, which does not give time to close the eyes. Advance as is suddenly startled; employ your troops as if deranged. Those who oppose you will be destroyed; those who come near will perish. Who can defend against such an attack?"
"Now when matters are not discussed and general preserves their secrecy, he is superior. When things are not manifest but he discerns them, he is wise. Thus if superior and wise, no enemies will act against him in the field, nor will any state stand against him."
"Excellent!" said King Wu.
Modern
武王问太公说：进攻的原则是什么?
太公说：作战的形势是随着敌人的行动而变化的，临机应变产生于两军对阵的时候，奇正运用来源于将帅智慧与思虑。所以，机要的大事不能泄露，用兵的策略不可外传，重大决策不容纷纷议论，作行动不可暴露于敌，忽往忽来，独断专行而不受制于人，这是用兵重要原则。一般作战，敌人探听到我军兴兵，就要研究应付的策略；敌人发现了我军行动，就要设法破坏我军行动；敌人了解了我军企图，必致为敌所困扰；敌人摸清了我军规律，必致为敌所危害。所以善用兵的人，取胜于展开 军队之前；善于除害的，消灭祸患于萌芽前；善于取胜的人，取胜于无形之中；最好的作战是不战而屈人兵。所以用死拚硬斗来取胜的将领，不算是好的将领；在失 败之后来设防的，不是聪明的人。智慧与一般人相同的，不是国家的导师；技术与一般人相同的，不能算是能工巧匠。用兵最重要的是所攻克，作战最重要的是保守 机密，行动最重要的是出敌不意，计谋最要的是不被识破。凡是未战而先胜的，都是先示弱于敌，而后进战，这样可以事半而功倍。
圣人观察天地的变化，反复探索其原因，根据日月的运行，遵季节的变化，比照昼夜长短等自然现象，掌握了普遍的规律，就知道万物的生死枯荣是随着天地的变化而变化的必然性。所以说，没有摸清敌人情况就去作战，虽然军队众多，也必定失败。
善于打仗的人，军队处于待机状态时不受干扰，看到有胜利把握就进攻，没有胜利把握就停止。所以说，不要惧怕，不要犹豫，用兵的害处，犹豫最大，军队的灾 祸，莫过于狐疑。善于打仗的人，看到有利的情况决不放过，遇到有利的战机决不迟疑。因为失去有利条件和错过有利时机而动，反而会使自己受害。因此，明智的 将冲抓住战机就不放过，机智的指挥者，一经决定就不犹豫。所以才能象迅雷一样使人不及掩开，象闪电一样使人不及闭眼，前进如惊马奔驰，战斗如狂风骤雨，阻 挡它的就被击破，靠近他的都被消灭，谁能抵抗得了这种军队呢!
将帅用兵，能不声不响而胸有成竹的叫做神，情况尚未明朗而看出端睨的叫做明。所以懂得神明的道理，作战就没有势均力敌的手，面前就没有敢于抵抗的敌国了。
武王说：好啊！
Original
武王问太公曰：攻战之道奈何？
太公曰：势因于敌家之动，变生于两阵之间，奇正发于无穷之源。故至事不语，用兵不言，且事之者，其言不足听也，兵之用者，其状不足见也，倏而往，忽而来，能独专而不制者兵也。夫兵闻则议，见则图，知则困，辨则危。故善战者，不待张军；善除患者，理于未生；善胜敌者，胜于无形；上战无与战。故争胜于白刃之前 者，非良将也；设备于已失之后者，非上圣也；智与众同，非国师也；技与众同，非国工也。事莫大于必克；用莫大于玄默；动莫神于不意；谋莫善于不识。夫先胜 者，先见弱于敌而后战者也，故事半而功倍焉。
圣人征于天地之动，孰知其纪，循阴阳之道而从其候，当天地盈缩因以为常，物有生死，因天地之形。故曰：未见形而战，虽众必败。
善战者，居之不扰，见胜则起，不胜则止。故曰，无恐惧，无犹豫，用兵之害，犹豫最大，三军之灾，莫过狐疑。善战者，见利不失，遇时不疑，失利后时， 反受其殃。故智者从之而不释，巧者一决而不犹豫，是以疾雷不及掩耳，迅电不及瞑目，赴之若惊，用之若狂，当之者破，近之者亡，孰能御之。
夫将有所不言而守者神也，有所不见而视者明也。故知神明之道者，野无衡敌，对无立国。
武王曰：善哉!
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