A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF WAR
Written by Yuzheng Shao
Quming Wei
Translated by Lisheng Wu
Air Force Command College
Contents
Preface…………………………………………….……………..7
Volume Ⅰ. The Art of War………………………………………8
VolumeⅡ . Introduction
ChapterⅠ . General Introduction
Section 1. Historical Background
1.1 The Author…………………………………………….44
1.2 Properties of That Age…………………………………46
Section Ⅱ. The Influence and Value of the Art of War
2.1 The spread and influence in World History……………50
2.2 The Influence and value in modern society……………53
Chapter Ⅱ. The Synopsis of Each Article
Section 1. Estimates
1.1 War is a matter of vital importance to the state………..58
1.2 Therefore, appraise it in terms of the five fundamental factors and make comparisons of the various conditions of the antagonistic sides in order to ascertain the results of a war…………………………….58
1.3 Taking the field situation into consideration and acting in accordance with what is advantageous………………………………59
1.4 All warfare is based on deception……………………….60
1.5 Estimates made before a battle…………………………..60
Section 2. Waging War
2. 1 The cost of materials will amount to one thousand pieces of gold when one hundred thousand troops are dispatched…………….61
2.2 what is valued in war is victory, not prolonged operations…………………………………………………………….61
2.3 Winning a battle and becoming stronger………………..62
2.4 The general who understands how to employ troops is the minister of the people’s fate and arbiter of the nation’s destiny……...62
Section 3. Offensive Strategy
3.1 Subduing the enemy's troops without battle………………62
3.2 What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy…and the worst policy is to attack cities……………………..63
3.3 When our troops are ten to the enemy’s one, surround him. When five times his strength, attack...