Wu Qi's Military Strategy, also known as The Art of War by Wu Zi, is a pivotal military treatise penned by the renowned general Wu Qi of the Warring States period. It stands as one of the representative works reflecting ancient military thought. The Art of War by Wu Zi primarily delves into the concept of warfare, opposing both bellicosity fueled by numerical superiority and neglecting martial preparations in favor of moral cultivation. It posits that only by strengthening cultural virtue internally and fortifying military defenses externally can a nation achieve greatness.
Wu Zi's Military Strategy advocates governance as the key to victory, emphasizing strict rewards and punishments. It champions the implementation of "heavy rewards for advancing and severe penalties for retreating" within the military, ensuring that orders are executed without question and discipline is unassailable. It proposes that "the method of employing troops lies first in training and discipline," advocating rigorous military training to equip soldiers with various combat skills and enhance the overall combat effectiveness of the army. The treatise emphasizes "selecting and enlisting outstanding talents," advocating rational division of labor and organization based on soldiers' physical strength, skills, and other conditions to achieve optimal military composition. It requires military leaders to be "versed in both civil and military affairs" and to embody the "five virtues" of reason, preparation, decisiveness, vigilance, and restraint, while mastering the four crucial elements: the opportunity of time, terrain, circumstances, and strength.
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