孙子吴起列传

Sun Wu, a native of the state of Qi, presented his theories on warfare to King Helu of Wu. The king said, "I have read through all thirteen of your chapters. Can you give me a small demonstration with troops?" Sun Wu replied, "I can." "Can you try it with women?" asked the king. "I can," came the reply. The king consented, and he ordered the palace beauties out—some one hundred eighty women. Sun Wu divided them into two companies, appointing the king's two favorite concubines as captains of each. He told every woman to grasp a halberd, then instructed them: "Do you know your heart, your left hand, your right hand, and your back?" The women answered, "We do." Sun Wu continued, "Forward march—look toward your heart. Left turn—look toward your left hand. Right turn—look toward your right hand. About face—look toward your back." The women replied, "Yes."

Sun Wu, a native of the state of Qi, presented his theories on warfare to King Helu of Wu. The king said, "I have read through all thirteen of your chapters. Can you give me a small demonstration with troops?" Sun Wu replied, "I can." "Can you try it with women?" asked the king. "I can," came the reply. The king consented, and he ordered the palace beauties out—some one hundred eighty women. Sun Wu divided them into two companies, appointing the king's two favorite concubines as captains of each. He told every woman to grasp a halberd, then instructed them: "Do you know your heart, your left hand, your right hand, and your back?" The women answered, "We do." Sun Wu continued, "Forward march—look toward your heart. Left turn—look toward your left hand. Right turn—look toward your right hand. About face—look toward your back." The women replied, "Yes."

Sun Wu, a native of the state of Qi, presented his theories on warfare to King Helu of Wu. The king said, "I have read through all thirteen of your chapters. Can you give me a small demonstration with troops?" Sun Wu replied, "I can." "Can you try it with women?" asked the king. "I can," came the reply. The king consented, and he ordered the palace beauties out—some one hundred eighty women. Sun Wu divided them into two companies, appointing the king's two favorite concubines as captains of each. He told every woman to grasp a halberd, then instructed them: "Do you know your heart, your left hand, your right hand, and your back?" The women answered, "We do." Sun Wu continued, "Forward march—look toward your heart. Left turn—look toward your left hand. Right turn—look toward your right hand. About face—look toward your back." The women replied, "Yes."

Once the orders were given, he set up the executioner's axe and repeatedly drummed the commands. When he drummed the right turn, the women burst out laughing. Sun Wu said, "If the orders are unclear and the commands are not familiar, that is the general's fault." He repeated the drumbeat three times and drummed the left turn, and again the women laughed. Sun Wu said, "If the orders are unclear and the commands are not familiar, that is the general's fault. But if the orders are clear and yet you fail to obey them, that is the officers' and soldiers' fault."

He then ordered the execution of the two company captains. King Helu, watching from the terrace, was greatly alarmed at seeing his beloved concubines about to be killed. He hastily sent an envoy with the message: "I already know that the general is skilled in commanding troops. Without these two women, I cannot taste the sweetness of food. I beg you not to execute them." Sun Wu replied, "Having received the king's appointment as general, I must obey orders in military matters even when the monarch's commands are at variance." He accordingly executed the two captains and paraded their bodies before the army.

He then ordered the execution of the two company captains. King Helu, watching from the terrace, was greatly alarmed at seeing his beloved concubines about to be killed. He hastily sent an envoy with the message: "I already know that the general is skilled in commanding troops. Without these two women, I cannot taste the sweetness of food. I beg you not to execute them." Sun Wu replied, "Having received the king's appointment as general, I must obey orders in military matters even when the monarch's commands are at variance." He accordingly executed the two captains and paraded their bodies before the army.

He then appointed the next two women as captains, and when he drummed again, the women turned left, right, forward, backward, knelt and rose—all performed perfectly according to rule, without a single sound. Sun Wu then sent a messenger to report to the king: "The troops are now perfectly trained and disciplined. Your Majesty may descend to observe them and employ them however you wish. They would march through fire and water if commanded."

The king replied, "The general may rest and return to his quarters. I have no desire to descend and observe." Sun Wu said, "The king only admires my words but cannot put them into practice."

The king replied, "The general may rest and return to his quarters. I have no desire to descend and observe." Sun Wu said, "The king only admires my words but cannot put them into practice."

From this, Helu knew that Sun Wu could command troops, and eventually made him a general. Sun Wu then western Wu, defeated the powerful state of Chu, entered its capital Ying, and to the north asserted dominance over Qi and Jin, gaining renowned prestige among the lords—all with Sun Wu's invaluable assistance.

More than a century after Sun Wu's death, there appeared Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile →. Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → was born in the region of E and Juan, and was a descendant of Sun Wu. Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → once studied the art of warfare together with Pang JuanPang JuanHere's the translation of "The General Who Feared His Own Friend" into English: **The General Who Feared His Own Friend**He studied alongside the greatest strategist of the age — and spent his life destroying the kingdom that employed them both out of fear of that friend's talent.View profile →. Pang JuanPang JuanHere's the translation of "The General Who Feared His Own Friend" into English: **The General Who Feared His Own Friend**He studied alongside the greatest strategist of the age — and spent his life destroying the kingdom that employed them both out of fear of that friend's talent.View profile → eventually entered the service of Wei and was appointed general by King Hui of Wei. But Pang JuanPang JuanHere's the translation of "The General Who Feared His Own Friend" into English: **The General Who Feared His Own Friend**He studied alongside the greatest strategist of the age — and spent his life destroying the kingdom that employed them both out of fear of that friend's talent.View profile →, believing Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile →'s abilities exceeded his own, secretly had Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → summoned to Wei.

General Tian Ji of Qi, who admired and treated Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → as a distinguished guest, frequently engaged in horse races with the young nobles of Qi, wagering heavy bets. Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → observed that the horses were not greatly differing in ability, and he divided them into superior, medium, and inferior classes.

Thereupon Tian Ji recommended Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → to King Wei of Qi. When the king questioned Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → about the art of warfare, he made Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → his instructor.

Thereupon Tian Ji recommended Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → to King Wei of Qi. When the king questioned Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → about the art of warfare, he made Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → his instructor.

Later, Wei attacked Zhao, and Zhao, hard-pressed, appealed to Qi for help. King Wei of Qi intended to appoint Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → as general, but Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → declined, saying, "A man who has been mutilated is unfit for command." So Tian Ji was appointed general, with Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → serving as strategist, riding in a supply carriage and devising the plans.

Later, Wei attacked Zhao, and Zhao, hard-pressed, appealed to Qi for help. King Wei of Qi intended to appoint Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → as general, but Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → declined, saying, "A man who has been mutilated is unfit for command." So Tian Ji was appointed general, with Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → serving as strategist, riding in a supply carriage and devising the plans.

Tian Ji wished to lead the army directly to Zhao, but Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → said, "When confronting a tangled mess, one should not pull at the threads; when stopping a fight, one should not join the brawl. Strike where the enemy is overextended, exploit the gaps in their formation—once the situation becomes critical, they will resolve themselves. Now Wei and Zhao are locked in combat. Their finest troops are fully committed abroad while the old and weak struggle at home. If you lead our forces swiftly toward the great capital of Daliang, cut off their main roads, and strike where they are weakest, they will inevitably abandon Zhao to save themselves. Thus we can both lift the siege of Zhao and bring ruin upon Wei."

Tian Ji followed this advice. Wei indeed withdrew from Handan, and the two armies clashed at Guiling, where the forces of Wei suffered a devastating defeat.

Tian Ji followed this advice. Wei indeed withdrew from Handan, and the two armies clashed at Guiling, where the forces of Wei suffered a devastating defeat.

Sun BinSun BinHere's the translation of "The Strategist Born from Tragedy" into English: **The Strategist Born from Tragedy**He was the greatest student of military strategy of his generation — until his rival cut off his kneecaps. He rose again as the strategist who destroyed the same kingdom that had humiliated him.View profile → said to Tian Ji, "The troops of the three Jin states are naturally fierce and brave, and they despise the Qi army as cowards. They call us timid, but a skilled commander exploits exactly such misconceptions. According to the art of warfare: a force marching a hundred li to seize advantage will lose its commanding general; one marching fifty li will have only half its troops arrive. Let us have our Qi soldiers dig camps for ten thousand men today, for fifty thousand tomorrow, and for thirty thousand the day after."