Martial Enemy-Six Teachings
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Martial Enemy (Tai Gong Six Teachings-Leopard Teaching Chapter 4)
本篇论述与优势敌人遭遇，后退设伏的作战方法。
English
King WU asked Tai Gong:"Suppose we have led the army deep into the territory of the feudal lords where we suddenly encounter a martial and numerically superior enemy. If his martial chariots and valiant cavalry move to and attack our left and right flanks, and our army becomes so shaken, that their flight is unstoppable, what should I do?"
Tai Gong replied:"In this situation, you have what is termed as a ‘defeated army’. Those who are skillful in employing their forces will manage a victory. Those who are not will perish."
King Wu asked:"What can one do?"
Tai Gong replied:”Have our most skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen, together with our martial chariots and valiant cavalry, conceal themselves on both sides of the retreat route, about three li ahead and behind our main force. When the enemy pursues us, launch a simultaneous chariot and cavalry assault from both sides. In such circumstances, the enemy will be thrown into confusion and our fleeing soldiers will stop by themselves.”
King Wu continued asking:"Suppose the enemy’s chariots and cavalry are squarely opposite ours, but the enemy is numerous while we are few, the enemy strong while we are weak. Their approach is disciplined and spirited and our formations are unable to withstand them. What should we do?"
Tai Gong replied:"Select our skilled soldiers and strong crossbowmen, and have them lie in ambush on both sides, while the chariots and cavalry deploy into a solid formation and assume position. When the enemy passes our concealed forces, the crossbowmen should fire en masse into their flanks. The chariots, cavalry, and skilled soldiers should then urgently attack their army - some striking the front, others striking the rear. Even if the enemy is numerous, they will certainly flee."
"Excellent!" said King Wu.
Modern
武王问太公说：领兵深入敌国境内，突然遭遇敌人，人数甚多而且勇猛，并以武冲大战车和骁勇的骑兵包围我的两翼，全军震惊，纷纷逃跑，不可阻止，对此怎么办?
太公说：这样行动的军队叫做“败兵”。处理得好可以因此而胜取，处理不好也会因此而灭亡。
武王说：具体该怎么办呢？
太公说：埋伏我的材士强弩，并以武冲大战车和骁勇的骑兵配置在其两翼，伏击地域一般距离我主力前后约三里，敌人若来追击，就出动我的战车、骑兵，冲击敌人的两侧。这样敌人就会混乱，我逃跑的士卒就会自动停止。
武王说：敌我双方的战车、骑兵相遇，敌众我寡，敌强我弱，敌人前来，阵势整齐，士卒精锐，我要与敌对阵而战，难以抵挡，对此怎么办?
太公曰：挑选我材士强弩伏于两侧，战车骑兵布成坚阵防守。如敌人通过我埋伏的地方，就集中弓弩射击他的两翼，出动战车、骑兵和勇锐士卒，猛烈的攻击敌军，既要攻他的正面，又兵攻他的侧背，敌人虽然众多，必定被我打败。
武王说：好啊！
Original
武王问太公曰：引兵深入诸侯之地，卒遇敌人，甚众且武，武车骁骑，绕我左右，吾三军皆震，走不可止，为之奈何？
太公曰：如此者，谓之“败兵”。善者以胜，不善者以亡。
武王曰：为之奈何?
太公曰：伏我材士强弩，武车骁骑，为之左右，常去前后三里，敌人逐我，发我车骑，冲其左右。如此，则敌人扰乱，吾定者自止。
武王曰：敌人与我车骑相当，敌众我少，敌强我弱，其来整治精锐，吾阵不敢当，为之奈何?
太公曰：选我材士强弩，伏于左右，车骑坚阵而处，敌人过我伏兵，积弩射其左右，车骑锐兵疾击其军，或击其前，或击其后，敌人虽众，其将必定。
武王曰：善哉！
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