Long Tao: Qí Bīng (Unconventional Tactics)

King Wu asked tai gong:
"What are the essential principles of employing military forces?"

tai gong replied:
"Ancient masters of warfare did not fight in the heavens or beneath the earth. Their success or failure lay entirely in creating an unfathomable momentum. Those who shape this momentum triumph; those who fail to do so perish.

When confronting the enemy in battle:

• Shedding armor, abandoning weapons, and appearing disorganized is to deceive and lure the foe.

• Occupying lush terrain aids concealed retreat.

• Seizing narrow valleys and rugged passes enables the few to strike the many.

• Holding low-lying marshes and wetlands blocks chariots and cavalry.

• Commanding mountain forests and narrow defiles hides troop movements.

• Deploying on open plains invites tests of courage.

• Striking swiftly as arrows, fiercely as triggered crossbows, shatters the enemy’s schemes.

• Setting ambushes and feigning weakness crushes armies and captures generals.

• Attacking from all directions disrupts enemy formations.

• Exploiting panic achieves victory with one against ten.

• Assaulting exhausted troops at night achieves victory with ten against a hundred.

• Ingenious bridges and boats cross deep rivers.

• Long spears and halberds dominate aquatic combat.

• Distant outposts and scouts conquer cities and seize lands.

• Clamorous advances mask cunning stratagems.

• Braving storms allows multi-pronged strikes.

• Posing as enemy messengers severs supply lines.

• Mimicking enemy uniforms facilitates retreat.

• Inspiring troops with righteousness fuels victory.

• Rewarding titles and riches drives loyalty.

• Severe punishments sustain weary fighters.

• Balancing joy and wrath, reward and penalty, ritual and authority, slowness and speed unifies the army.

• High, open terrain strengthens vigilance.

• Securing chokeholds fortifies defenses.

• Dense forests conceal maneuvers.

• Deep trenches, high walls, and ample provisions enable prolonged warfare.

Thus, without understanding offensive strategies, one cannot engage the enemy; without flexibility in command, one cannot achieve surprise; without grasping order and chaos, one cannot adapt.

If the commander lacks benevolence, the army will rebel; without courage, it loses strength; without wisdom, doubt spreads; without clarity, defeat follows; without meticulous planning, opportunities vanish; without vigilance, defenses crumble; without resolve, discipline collapses.

The commander is the army’s soul. His discipline becomes theirs; his incompetence breeds chaos. A wise commander ensures national prosperity and military might; a foolish one brings ruin and annihilation."

King Wu said:
"Your words are profound!"