Strong Enemy-Six Teachings
From World's Chinese Wiki
Strong Enemy (Tai Gong Six Teachings-Leopard Teaching Chapter 3)
本篇论述对抗强敌和夜间袭击的战法。
English
King Wu asked Tai Gong:"Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords until we are opposed by the enemy’s assault forces. The enemy is numerous while we are few. The enemy is strong, while we are weak. The enemy approaches at night - some attacking the left, others the right. The whole army is shaken. We want to be victorious if we choose to attack or solid if we choose to maintain a defensive posture. How should we act?"
Tai Gong said:"In this situation, we refer to them as ‘Shaking Invaders’. It is more advantageous to go out and fight; you cannot be defensive. Select skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen, together with chariots and cavalry to comprise the left and right flanks. Then swiftly striking his forward forces and quickly attacking his rear as well. Some should strike the exterior, others the interior. Their troops will certainly be confused, their generals afraid."
King Wu asked:"Suppose the enemy has blocked off our forward units some distance away and is pressing an attack on our rear. He has broken up our elite troops and cut off our skilled soldiers. Our interior and exterior forces cannot communicate with each other. The army is in chaos, all running off in defeat. The officers and troops have lost their will to fight, the generals and commanders have no desire to defend themselves. What should we do?"
Tai Gong said:"Illustrious is your question, my King! You should make your commands clear and be careful about your orders. You should have your courageous, crack troops who are willing to confront danger sally forth - each man carrying a torch and two men to a drum. You must know the enemy’s location then strike both the interior and exterior. When our secret signals have been communicated, order them to extinguish the torches and stop beating all drums. The interior and exterior should respond to each other, each according to the appropriate time. When our army fervently attacks, the enemy will certainly be defeated and vanquished."
"Excellent!" said King Wu.
Modern
武王问太公说：领兵深入敌国境内，与敌人突击部队接触，敌众我寡，敌强我弱，而敌人又利用夜暗前来，既攻我的左翼，又攻我的右翼，全军震动，我想使进攻能胜利，防御能牢固，应该怎么办?
太公说：这样的敌人叫做“震寇”。我军利于出战，不宜防守，须挑选材士强弩，以战车、骑兵为左右翼，迅速攻击敌人正面，急剧袭击敌人侧后，既要攻击敌人阵外，又要攻入敌人阵内，这样，敌军必然混乱，敌军将冲也必然惊惶失措而被打败。
武王说：敌人在远处阻截我的前方，急速攻击我的后方，遮断我精锐的救兵，阻绝我应援的材士，使我内外失去联系，以致三军扰乱，散乱逃走，士卒没有斗志，将吏无心固守，应该怎么办?
太公说：高明啊，君王所提出的问题！在这种情况下，应该明审号令，出动我勇猛精锐的士卒，使每人携持火炬，二人同击一鼓，必须探知敌人的准确位置，然后部署军队，有的攻击敌人外部，有的冲入敌人内部。部队都佩带暗号，互相识别，扑灭火炬，停息鼓音，以便内外策应，大家都按预先约定的信号准确执行，全军猛烈的战斗，敌必败亡。
武王说：好啊!
Original
武王问太公曰：引兵深入诸侯之地，与敌人冲军相当，敌众我寡，敌强我弱，敌人夜来，或攻吾左，或攻吾右，三军震动。吾欲以战则胜，以守则固，为之奈何?
太公曰：为此者，谓之“震寇”。利以出战，不可以守，选吾材士强弩，车骑为之左右，疾击其前，急攻其后，或击其表，或击其里，其卒必乱，其将必骇。
武王曰：敌人远遮我前，急攻我后，断我锐兵，绝我材士，吾内外不得相闻，三军扰乱，皆散而走，士卒无斗志，将吏无守心，为之奈何?
太公曰：明哉，王之问也。当明号审令，出我勇锐冒将之士，人操炬火，二人同鼓，必知敌人所在，或击其表，或击其里。微号相知，令人灭火，鼓音皆止，中外相应，期约皆当，三军疾战，敌必败亡。
武王曰：善哉!
[Back to Jiang Tai Gong Six Teachings - Leopard Teaching]