Three Doubts-Six Teachings
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Three Doubts (Tai Gong Six Teachings-Military Teaching Chapter 5)
本篇主要论述攻击强敌、离间敌人、瓦解敌军等策略。
English
King Wu inquired of Tai Gong: I want to attain our aim of overthrowing the Shang, but I have three doubts. I am afraid that our strength will be inadequate to attack the strong, unable to estrange his close supporters within the court and unable to cause disunity between Shang and his people. What should I do?
Tai Gong replied: Accord with the situation, be very cautious in making plans, and employ your material resources. Now in order to attack the strong, you must nurture their arrogance, and increase them to make them even more extended. What is too arrogant will certainly fall; what is too extended must have deficiencies. Attack the strong through growing his arrogance. Cause estrangement of his favored officials by using their favorites, and cause disharmony with his people by means of people.
Now in the way of planning, thoroughness and secrecy are treasured. You should become involved with him in numerous affairs and ply him with temptations of profit. Conflict will then surely rise.
If you want to cause his close supporters to become estranged from him, you must do it by using what he favor - making gifts to those he favors, giving them what they want. Tempt them with what they find profitable, use them to sow discord between ruler and close supporters, and causing the close supporters to be unable to attain their ambitions. Those who covet profits will extremely happy at the prospects, and they will continue seeding doubts among the close supporters and the ruler.
Now without doubt the Way for attacking is to first obfuscate the king’s clarity and then attack his army, destroying his greatness and eliminating the misfortune of the people. Debauch him with beautiful women, entice him with profit. Nurture him with (food) flavors and provide him with the company of female musicians. Then after you have caused his subordinates to become estranged from him, you must cause the people to grow distant from him while never letting him know of your plans. Appear to support him and draw him into your trap. Do not let him become aware of what is happening, for only then can you plan be successful.
When bestowing your beneficence on the people, you cannot begrudge the expenses. People are similar to cows and horses. Frequently make gifts of food and clothing and follow up by loving them.
The mind is the means to open knowledge; knowledge is the means to open up the source of wealth; and wealth is the means to open up the people. Gaining allegiance of the people is the way to attract worthy men. When one is enlightened by sagely advisers, he can govern all under Heaven.
Modern
武王问太公说：我想建功立业，但有三点疑虑：恐怕力量不足以进攻强敌；恐怕不能离间敌人的亲信；恐怕不能瓦解敌人的军队。对此怎么办呢？
太公说：一是因势利导；二是慎用计谋；三是使用钱财。要进攻强敌，必先助长它的恃强蛮横，使他更加猖狂自大。过于强横，必遭挫折；过于骄傲，必致失误。要进攻强大敌人，必先助长它的强暴；要离间敌人亲信，必先收买敌人亲信；要瓦解敌人军队，必先收揽敌国民心。运用计谋，以周密最为重要。许给故人一些好处，给与敌人一些利益，使他们互相争夺。
要想离间敌国君主所亲信的忠臣，应从他所宠爱的佞臣着手，用他们所想得到的东西送他，许给他们以丰厚的利益。利用他们[去播弄是非]，使其君主疏远忠臣，使这些忠臣不能得志。那些佞臣因为得到我们给与的利益很高兴，就会去制造敌人相互间的怀疑，而达到我离间他们的目的。
一般攻击强大敌人的方法是，首先蒙蔽敌国君主的耳目，然后才能进攻他强大的军队，摧毁他庞大的国家，以达到为民除害的目的。[蒙蔽敌人耳目的方法是：]用女色腐蚀他，用厚利引诱他，用美味养他，用淫乐迷乱他。既离间了他的亲信，也就会使他疏远人民，不让他发觉这是谋，推推拉拉把他引入了我们的圈套，而他还不明白我的意图，然后就可成事了。施恩惠于人民，不要吝惜财物，人民和牛马一样，经常喂养它们，就能使它们和你亲近。思考研究可以产生智慧，智慧可以产生财富，财富可以养育民众，民众中就可以涌现出贤才，大批贤才涌现出来就可以辅住君主统治天下。
Original
武王问太公曰，予欲立功，有三疑：恐力不能攻强、离亲、散众，为之奈何?
太公曰：因之，慎谋，用财。夫攻强必养之使强，益之使张，太强必折，太张必缺。攻强以强；离亲以亲；散众以众。凡谋之道，周密为宝。设之以事，玩之以利，争心必起。欲离其亲，因其所爱，与其宠人。与之所欲，示之所利。因以疏之，无使得志。被贪利甚喜，遗疑乃止。凡攻之道，必先塞其明，而后攻其强，毁其大，除民之害。淫之以色，啗之以利，养之以味，娱之以乐。既离其亲，必使远民，勿使知谋，扶而纳之，莫其意，然后可成。惠施于民，必无爱财，民如牛马，数馁食之，从而爱之。心以启智，智以启财，财以启众，众以启贤，贤之有启，以王天下。
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