The Art of War by Sun Tzu: Chapter 2 – Waging War
Justcuz Fan ClubThis text presents Sun Tzu's strategic insights on the economics and practicalities of warfare, emphasizing the importance of swift victory and the perils of prolonged conflict. It details the costs of maintaining an army, the impact of war on state resources and civilian populations, and strategies for sustainable military campaigns through utilizing enemy resources.
12 - 18 years old
Sun Tzu said: In the art of warfare, when deploying an army, there are a thousand chariots for swift attacks, a thousand leather-covered supply wagons, a hundred thousand armored soldiers, and provisions transported from a thousand li away. In such cases, the expenses of the court and the army, the costs of entertaining envoys and advisors, the materials like glue and lacquer for repairing weapons, and the maintenance of chariots and armor—all these amount to a thousand pieces of gold per day. Only then can an army of a hundred thousand be mobilized.
When engaging in battle, one must strive for victory. A prolonged war blunts the soldiers' edge and saps their morale; attacking cities exhausts strength; keeping the army in the field for too long drains the state's resources.
Once the army is weakened, morale crushed, strength depleted, and wealth exhausted, neighboring lords will take advantage of this vulnerability to rise up. Even the wisest strategist will be unable to salvage the consequences.
Thus, we have heard of hasty victories achieved through clumsy methods, but never of a prolonged war won through "clever" delays. There has never been a case where a prolonged war benefited a nation.
Therefore, one who does not fully understand the harms of warfare cannot fully grasp its benefits.
A skilled commander avoids conscripting troops twice or transporting provisions three times. Weapons and equipment are taken from the home country, but grain is seized from the enemy—thus, the army's food supply can be sustained.
A state becomes poor due to an army because of long-distance transportation, which impoverishes the people. Near the army's camp, prices soar; inflated prices drain the people's wealth, and when wealth is exhausted, the state is forced to impose harsh levies.
With strength sapped and wealth depleted, the central regions are left destitute. The people lose seven-tenths of their assets; the state's resources—broken chariots, worn-out horses, armor, arrows, halberds, shields, and ox-drawn wagons—are reduced by six-tenths.
Thus, a wise commander ensures the army feeds on the enemy. Seizing one zhong (a unit of volume) of grain from the enemy is equivalent to transporting twenty zhong from our own country; capturing one dan (a unit of weight) of fodder is equivalent to transporting twenty dan from home.
To make soldiers fight fiercely, stir their anger; to make them seize the enemy's wealth, offer rewards.
For example, in chariot battles, if more than ten enemy chariots are captured, reward the first soldier to seize one. Replace the enemy's banners with our own, integrate the captured chariots into our ranks, and treat the captured soldiers well. This is called "defeating the enemy and growing stronger."
Thus, warfare values victory, not prolonged campaigns.
A general who understands warfare is the arbiter of the people's fate and the master of the state's security.
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