Chapter 2 — Waging War

Sunzi said: In general, the method of employing troops is this: when there are a thousand swift chariots, a thousand leather-covered chariots, a hundred thousand armored soldiers, and provisions transported a thousand miles, then expenditures at home and in the field, allowances for envoys and guests, materials such as glue and lacquer, and the maintenance of chariots and armor will cost a thousand pieces of gold each day. Only then can an army of one hundred thousand be raised. When such an army is employed in battle, what matters is swift victory. If war is prolonged, weapons grow dull and ardor is blunted; if cities are attacked, strength is exhausted; if the army is kept long in the field, the state’s resources prove insufficient. Once weapons are dull, ardor blunted, strength exhausted, and wealth depleted, the feudal lords will rise to exploit the weakness. Then, though there may be wise men, none can make good what follows. Thus, in war we have heard of clumsy haste, but we have never seen skillful delay. Never has there been a prolonged war that benefited a state. Therefore, one who does not fully understand the harm inherent in employing troops cannot fully understand the advantages of employing them.

One skilled in employing troops does not levy soldiers twice or transport provisions three times. He draws equipment from his own state but takes provisions from the enemy; thus the army can have food enough.

What impoverishes a state through its army is transporting supplies over great distances. When supplies are transported far, the common people are impoverished. Near an army, goods are sold at high prices; when prices are high, the people’s wealth is exhausted. When their wealth is exhausted, they are pressed by levies and labor service. With strength spent and wealth depleted, the households of the heartland are left empty. Of the common people’s resources, seven-tenths are lost; of the public treasury’s resources, six-tenths are lost through broken chariots, worn-out horses, armor and helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, mantlets and large shields, draft oxen and heavy wagons.

Therefore, a wise commander makes it his business to feed upon the enemy. One measure of the enemy’s grain is equal to twenty of ours; one load of his fodder is equal to twenty loads of ours.

Thus, what makes men kill the enemy is anger; what makes them seize advantage from the enemy is material reward. Therefore, in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots are captured, reward the first man to take one, replace the enemy’s banners and flags, mingle the captured chariots with your own and use them, and treat captured soldiers well and maintain them. This is called defeating the enemy and growing stronger.

Thus, in war, prize victory, not protraction. Therefore, a commander who understands warfare is the arbiter of the people’s fate and the master of the state’s security or peril.

Sunzi said: As a general rule for employing an army, if there are a thousand swift four-horse chariots, a thousand leather-covered chariots, a hundred thousand armored troops, and provisions transported a thousand miles, then the expenses at home and in the field, the costs of entertaining envoys and advisers, materials such as glue and lacquer, and the maintenance of chariots and armor will amount to a thousand pieces of gold a day. Only then can an army of a hundred thousand be mobilized. When such an army is used in battle, what matters is swift victory. If the campaign is prolonged, weapons grow dull and ardor is blunted. If cities are attacked, strength is exhausted. If an army remains in the field for long, the state’s resources become inadequate. Once weapons are dull, ardor blunted, strength exhausted, and wealth depleted, the other lords will take advantage of this weakness and rise against you. Even if you have wise advisers, they will be unable to make the outcome favorable. Thus, in warfare we have heard of clumsy haste, but we have never seen skillful delay. There has never been a prolonged war that benefited a state. Therefore, one who does not fully understand the harms of employing an army cannot fully understand the advantages of employing an army.

Those skilled in employing an army do not levy troops a second time and do not transport provisions a third time. They obtain equipment from their own state but take provisions from the enemy; therefore, the army can have sufficient food.

A state is impoverished by its army when supplies must be transported far away. When supplies are transported far away, the common people become poor. Near an army, prices rise; when prices rise, the common people’s wealth is exhausted. When their wealth is exhausted, they are pressed by levies and labor service. With strength exhausted and wealth depleted, households within the heartland are left empty. Seven-tenths of the people’s resources are lost. Of the public resources, broken chariots, worn-out horses, armor and helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, protective mantlets, draft oxen, and heavy wagons consume six-tenths.

Therefore, a wise commander makes every effort to feed his army from the enemy. One measure of the enemy’s grain is equivalent to twenty of ours, and one measure of his bean stalks and straw is equivalent to twenty of ours.

Therefore, what makes soldiers kill the enemy is anger; what makes them seize advantage from the enemy is material reward. Thus, in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots are captured, reward the first to capture one, replace the enemy’s banners and flags, mix the captured chariots with your own and use them, and treat captured soldiers well and care for them. This is called defeating the enemy and becoming stronger.

Therefore, warfare values victory, not prolonged operations. Thus, a commander who understands warfare is the arbiter of the people’s lives and the master of the state’s security or danger.