Why Avoid Attacking Cities-Sun Tzu
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Why Avoid Attacking Cities - Sun Tzu
English: The preparation of shields, weapons and equipment would take at least three months to complete. The preparation of the observation ramps would take another three months at least. Such long preparation may cause the general in charge to lose his patience and rationality. Thus he may launch an assault on the walls like ants, resulting in one third of his troops killed and the attacked city is still not conquered. This is the disastrous consequence of such assault.
Modern: 若要攻城，需制造攻城的大盾和四轮车，准备攻城器械，须三个月才完成；构筑攻城的土山又另须三个月。将帅不胜忿怒， 而下令攻城，驱使士兵像蚂蚁一样爬梯攻城，那士兵会死了三分之一，可是城却未攻下。这是攻城之灾。
Original: 修橹轒辒，具器械，三月而后成，距闉, 又三月而后已。将不胜其忿，而蚁附之，杀士三分之一，而城不拔之，此攻之灾也。
From: Sun Tzu Art of War Chapter 3