Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 20

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Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 20, 踵军令

本篇主要论述军队向战场前进时的区分和任务，以及安全、警戒、纪律等。

English

What is referred to as the vanguard moves off from the main force about one hundred li, arriving at a designated place and an appointed time. It carries three-days supply of prepared food. It move in front of the main army. Only when they have confirmed the orders and signals, then they move off. Before they move off, one should reward them to motivate them, and deploy them as the disposition of each army changes. This is the method to move the troops.

The advance army moves in front of the vanguard. When order to move off is raised, it moves off from the main force double the vanguard’s distance – about one hundred li ahead of the vanguard, arriving at the designated place and time. They carry six-days supply of prepared food. They are ordered to prepare for the battle and deploy troops to occupy strategic positions. If the battle turns to the army’s advantage, they pursue the retreating enemy; if the forces are stalemated, they race into the enemy. If the vanguard encounters anyone who has turned back, they should execute him. What are termed the armies of generals, consist of four forces and they are the main, advance, vanguard, pockets of army and using them would allow the general to wrest victory.

The army has its squads of ten and five and the methods of dividing and reuniting. Before engaging in battle, duties are assigned, and designated units should occupy the strategic locations, passes, and bridges. When the orders for uniting to engage in battle is raised, they should all assemble. The main army sets out with a fixed daily ration and their combat equipment all complete. The orders are issued and they move; anyone does not follow orders is executed.

Now determine and assign forces to the strategic points within the borders of the state. After the advance army and vanguard have already set out, the people within the borders are not able to move about. Those who have received the king’s commands, who have been given and carry the proper tallies and tokens are officers acting in accord with their duties. Officers who are not acting in accord with their duties but yet move should be executed. When the main army has moved off, these officers – acting in accord with their duties – travel about and are employed to ensure that army affairs are mutually regulated. Accordingly, one who wants to wage warfare must first secure the interior.

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Modern

所谓踵军，通常与大军(主力部队)相距约一百里，按期到达会战地点，它应携带三天干粮，在大军的前面行进，还要预先规定好行动的信号，接到信号后就开始行动。踵军开始行动之前，应搞赏士卒，以激发他们的战斗意志。这就是踵军向战场前进的方法。

兴军，在踵军的前面行进，接到前进的信号就开始出发。它与大军的距离比距踵军远一倍，与踵军相距约一百里，也要按期到达会战地点，并应携带六天干粮，到达后作好战斗准备，同时派出分手(一部兵力)占领附近要点。战斗有利就追击败退的故人，后续部队要急速跟进策应他们。踵军遇有从兴军逃回的应予惩办。一般地说，将领善于指挥大军、踵军、兴军、分卒，这四部分军队，使它们相互配合，首尾相应，就能胜利地行军作战了。

军队有什伍的编制，有分散有集中，事先区分任务，据守要害、关卡、桥梁，到了战期，根据号令向规定的地点会合。大军应按规定及时补充粮食和各种物资，接到命令就开始行动，不按照命令行事的应予惩办。

凡宣布戒严的地区，在它的范围之内，当兴军、踵军已经出发，而主力还未出发的时候，境内的民众，一概不许通行。奉有君主命令并持有符节的，叫做传达任务的军官，这种人才准通行。不是传达任务的军官而擅自行动的应予惩罚。当主力出发以后，传达任务的军官才离开这个地区，回去参与军务。总之要进行战争，必须首先安定内部的秩序。

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Original

所谓踵军者，去大军百里，期于会地，为三日熟食，前军而行，为战台之表，合表乃起。踵军飨士，使为之战势。是谓趋战者也。兴军者，前踵军而行，合表乃起。去大军一倍其道，去踵军百里，期于会地，为六日熟食，使为战备，分卒据要害。战胜则追北，按兵而趋之。踵军遇有还者诛之。所谓诸将之兵，在四奇之内者胜也。兵有什伍，有分有合，豫为之职，守要塞关梁而分居之，战合表起，即皆会也。大军为计日之食起，战具无不及也，令行而起，不如令者有诛。凡称分塞者，四境之内，当兴军、踵军既行，则四境之民，无得行者。奉王之命，授持符节，名为顺职之吏。非顺职之吏而行者诛之。战台表起，顺职之吏乃行，用以相参。故欲战先安内也。

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