Sun Bin's Art Of War
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''Sun Bin's Art of War'' is a Chinese treatise on
military strategy Military strategy is a set of ideas implemented by military organizations to pursue desired Strategic goal (military), strategic goals. Derived from the Greek language, Greek word ''strategos'', the term strategy, when first used during the 18th ...
that dates back to the
Warring States period The Warring States period in history of China, Chinese history (221 BC) comprises the final two and a half centuries of the Zhou dynasty (256 BC), which were characterized by frequent warfare, bureaucratic and military reforms, and ...
, an era of political instability and warfare in ancient China. It is credited to Sun Bin, who was believed to be a descendant of the famous military strategist
Sun Tzu Sun Tzu (; zh, t=孫子, s=孙子, first= t, p=Sūnzǐ) may have been a Chinese General, military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC). Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the au ...
. Sun Bin served as a military advisor in the Qi state during this period and is said to have authored this piece on
military tactics Military tactics encompasses the art of organizing and employing fighting forces on or near the battlefield. They involve the application of four battlefield functions which are closely related – kinetic or firepower, Mobility (military), mobil ...
. Historical records from the
Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
suggest that the original text of Sun Bin's Art of War comprised 89 chapters, accompanied by four volumes of illustrations. Unfortunately, the original work was lost by the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. While Sun Bin's ''Art of War'' and Sun Tzu's ''
The Art of War ''The Art of War'' is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the late Spring and Autumn period (roughly 5th century BC). The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu ("Master Sun"), is compos ...
'' share a similar name, they are distinct works by different authors.


Rediscovery

In April 1972, bamboo parchments of both
Sun Tzu Sun Tzu (; zh, t=孫子, s=孙子, first= t, p=Sūnzǐ) may have been a Chinese General, military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC). Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the au ...
's and Sun Bin's works were unearthed in the Yinque Hills (
Linyi Linyi ( zh, s=临沂 , t=臨沂 , p=Línyí) is a prefecture-level city in the south of Shandong province, China. As of 2011, Linyi is the largest prefecture-level city in Shandong, both by area and population, Linyi borders Rizhao to the eas ...
city,
Shandong Shandong is a coastal Provinces of China, province in East China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has served as a pivotal cultural ...
province). Due to natural deterioration, some of the parchments were damaged and difficult to read. After initial collection and studies by experts, the Cultural Relic Press published a new edition of ''Sun Bin's Art of War'', which was divided into two volumes, each containing 15 chapters, with a total of 11,000 words. After a decade of textual research and study, the Cultural Relic Press made a major adjustment to the book: the second volume was no longer considered to be Sun Bin's writings; the first volume was edited, and one chapter detailing five types of training was added. The current edition of ''Sun Bin's Art of War'' contains 16 chapters, with a total of 4891 words.


Contents


Chapter 1: Capturing Pang Juan

Describes the four stratagems employed in the Battle of Guiling: #A southward march at the initial stage of the war, to avoid a decisive battle with Pang Juan. #Launching a false attack and feigning retreat and defeat in Pingling, which reinforced Pang Juan's determination to attack
Handan Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwest of Hebei province, China. The southernmost prefecture-level city of the province, it borders Xingtai on the north, and the provinces of Shanxi on the west, Henan on the south and Shando ...
. #Direct advance on
Kaifeng Kaifeng ( zh, s=开封, p=Kāifēng) is a prefecture-level city in east-Zhongyuan, central Henan province, China. It is one of the Historical capitals of China, Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history, and ...
(capital city of the Wei state) to force Pang Juan to turn back to rescue Wei. #Ambush at Guiling to destroy the enemy in one move.


Chapter 2: Meeting King Wei

Sun Bin discusses warfare with
King Wei of Qi King Wei of Qi (), personal name Tian Yinqi (田因齊), was a ruler of the Qi (state), Qi state, reigning from 356 BC to 320 BC, or according to another source from 378 BC to 343 BC. He was the first ruler of Qi to style himself "king". Life ...
and states: "Only victory in war can bring about authority and prosperity". Sun believes that the historically progressive unification accomplished in the war had been an important means of facilitating the submission of
feudal Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was a combination of legal, economic, military, cultural, and political customs that flourished in Middle Ages, medieval Europe from the 9th to 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a way of struc ...
lords. To start a war, one must have "a storage of materials, a just cause for war" and "be well-prepared before launching an attack". Sun also pointed out that " rmongers will inevitably lose, and those who expect to make a fortune out of war will also suffer defeat and disgrace".


Chapter 3: King Wei asks for advice

Sun Bin advises King Wei and
Tian Ji Tian Ji (), courtesy name Qi (齐), was a military general of the Qi (state), Qi state during the early Warring States period (4th century BC) of History of China, Chinese history. Tian Ji met Sun Bin and recommended him to King Wei of Qi as a mi ...
, engaging them in a comprehensive discussion on his thoughts about strategy and tactics. The chapter focuses on resolute attacks on weakly defended key enemy positions and on the military philosophy of using
Tao The Tao or Dao is the natural way of the universe, primarily as conceived in East Asian philosophy and religion. This seeing of life cannot be grasped as a concept. Rather, it is seen through actual living experience of one's everyday being. T ...
and flexible principles to attain victory.


Chapter 4: Tian Ji asks how to construct a defense

Set in the
Battle of Maling The Battle of Maling () took place in Maling, currently Dazhangjia Town (), Shen County (), Henan Province, in 342 BC during the Warring States period (476–221 BC). The combatants were the State of Qi, who fought on behalf of the State of Ha ...
, Sun Bin and Tian Ji discuss the problems of battlefield positions in field operations. The combination of terrain, weapons and the types of soldiers is emphasized.


Chapter 5: Selection of the best soldiers

Comments on the basic principles of building and training an army, and on the factors of field command that will determine victory or defeat. On the topic of building an army, Sun Bin focuses on the employment of the best soldiers in terms of field command. He stresses 'five factors that will lead to constant victory': #''The commander who has won the sovereign's trust and has independent command will win.'' #''The one who knows the art of war will win.'' #''The one who gets uniform support from his soldiers will win.'' #''The one whose subordinates work in concert with each other will win.'' #''The one who is good at analyzing and utilizing terrain will win.'' There are also five corollaries that will lead to constant defeat: #''The one whose command is constrained by the sovereign will be defeated.'' #''The one who does not know the art of war will be defeated.'' #''The one who does not have the support of his soldiers will be defeated.'' #''The one whose subordinates do not work in harmony will be defeated.'' #''The one who does not know how to use spies will be defeated.''


Chapter 7: Eight formations

Discusses the methods of a commander and the principles of battle formation. It emphasizes that a commander must "be well versed in both meteorology and geography. He also must get the support of his people at home, while understanding the actual situation of his enemy. In a direct battle, he knows well the basic points of the eight formations. If one is sure of victory, he will fight; if unsure, he should not fight." Sun Bin also emphasizes "that in laying a formation, the army can be divided into three divisions. In each, the best soldiers should be placed as a vanguard, and every team should be followed with a sustainable reserve." He emphasizes "dividing the army into three teams" and "engaging one team in battle in while leaving the other two strictly in defense." Sun Bin says that an army must take an advantageous geographical position to attack an enemy in a less defensible position. "When land is flat, there should be more armed chariots; when the terrain is difficult, more cavalry should be sent: and when narrow and blocked, there should be more archers sent."


Chapter 14: Organization of military posts

Chapter 14 is similar to the military rules and regulations of the later ages. It may be divided into three parts: #Regulations for army organization and command, emphasizing that all types of organizations, units, and systems must completely and appropriately meet the requirements for battle. #Regulations for military operations under different enemy situations, different terrain, and different climates. Its focus is to emphasize flexibility in command and in the employment of soldiers, and on the need to make decisions according to the situation. #Specific rules on marching, camping, patrolling, guarding, war preparations, and logistics.


References

* C.C. Low & Associates (1997) ''Two Military Sages: Sun Zi and Sun Bin''. Singapore: Canfonian Pte Ltd.


External links


''Sun Bin: The Art of Warfare''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sun Bin's Art Of War Chinese classic texts Chinese military texts Martial arts manuals Military strategy books Zhou dynasty texts Warrior code 4th-century BC books Sun Tzu