Long Tao: Lì Jūn (Inspiring the Army)

King Wu asked Tai Gong:
“I wish to make all officers and soldiers of the army rush to climb city walls first in sieges, charge foremost in field battles, feel anger upon hearing orders to halt, and rejoice at commands to advance. How can this be achieved?”

Tai Gong replied:
“A commander has three essential principles to overcome the enemy and secure victory.”

King Wu said:
“Could you elaborate on these principles?”

Tai Gong answered:
“A commander who refrains from wearing furs in winter, using fans in summer, or sheltering under canopies in rain is called a ‘Commander of Ritual.’ If a commander does not lead by example, he cannot understand the hardships of his soldiers. When crossing treacherous passes or muddy roads, a commander who dismounts and walks ahead is called a ‘Commander of Strength.’ If he does not labor alongside his men, he cannot grasp their toil. A commander who enters his quarters only after the army is settled and eats only after the troops are fed, who refrains from lighting lamps until the soldiers do, is called a ‘Commander of Restraint.’ If he cannot temper his desires, he cannot comprehend his soldiers’ hunger.

When a commander shares cold and heat, toil and hunger with his men, the army will rejoice at orders to advance and rage at commands to halt. In sieges, soldiers will brave arrowstorms to scale walls; in battles, they will charge relentlessly upon engagement. Soldiers do not naturally crave death or injury—it is the commander’s empathy for their suffering, his care for their needs, and his solidarity in hardship that stirs them to unwavering loyalty.”