Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“There was a man who had only 30 000 troops, and in the Middle Kingdom no one could resist him. Who is it? I answer: Sun Tzu. ”
According to the "Notes" by Sima Qian, Sun Tzu was the commander of the Duchy of Wu during the reign of Prince Ho-lü (514-495 BC). It is to the merits of Sun Tzu that the military successes of the Duchy of Wu are attributed, which brought him the title of hegemon to the prince. According to tradition, it is assumed that it was for Prince Ho-lui that the Treatise on the Art of War (500 BC) was written.
Treatise Sun Tzu had a fundamental impact on the entire military art of the East. Being the first of all treatises on the art of war, the treatise of Sun Tzu is constantly cited by Chinese military theorists from W Tzu to Mao Tse Dong. A special place in the military-theoretical literature of the East is occupied by comments to Sun Tzu, of which the first appeared in the Han era (206 BC - 220 AD), and new ones continue to be created to this day. , although Sun Tzu himself did not care about accompanying his treatise with examples and explanations.
Of all the “Seven Military Canons”, Sun Tzu’s “Military Strategy,” traditionally known as “The Art of War,” was most prevalent in the West. First translated by a French missionary about two centuries ago, it was constantly studied and used by Napoleon, and possibly by some of the Nazi high command. For the past two millennia, it has remained the most important military treatise in Asia, where even ordinary people knew its name. Chinese, Japanese, Korean military theorists and professional soldiers necessarily studied it, and many of the strategies played an important role in the legendary military stories Japan, starting from the VIII century.
It was long believed that the Art of War was the oldest and most profound military treatise of China. However, even if we neglect the probability of later overlays and changes, one cannot ignore the fact of a more than two thousand-year history of combat operations and the existence of tactics up to 500 BC and ascribe the actual creation of the strategy to Sun Tzu alone. The compressed, often abstract nature of his passages is given in evidence that the book was compiled at an early stage of development of Chinese writing, but an equally compelling argument can be made that such a philosophically sophisticated style is possible only with the experience of combat battles and the tradition of serious study of military subjects. . Basic concepts and common passages are more likely to speak in favor of an extensive military tradition and progressive knowledge and experience than in favor of "creation out of nothing."
Currently, there are three points of view about the time of creation of the “Art of War”. The first attributes the book to the historical figure Sun Wu, believing that the final version was made shortly after his death at the beginning of the 5th century. BC. The second, based on the text itself, ascribes it to the middle - second half of the period of the “Fighting Kingdoms” (4th or 3rd centuries BC.). The third, also based on the text itself, as well as on previously open sources, places it somewhere in the second half of the 5th century. BC.
It is unlikely that a genuine date will be established, however, it is likely that such a historical person existed, and Sun Wu himself not only served as a strategist and, possibly, commander, but also drew up the outline of the book bearing his name. Then, the most significant was passed from generation to generation in the family or in the school of the closest students, over the years, correcting and becoming more and more widespread. The earliest text was probably edited by the famous descendant of Sun Tzu Sun Binh, who also made extensive use of his teaching in his Military Techniques.
Many historical sources mention Sun Tzu, including "Shi Ji," but "Spring and Autumn W and Yue" offer a more interesting option:
"In the third year of the Helyu-wang rule, the commanders from Wu wanted to attack Chu, but no action followed. Zixu and Bo Xi said to each other:" We prepare soldiers and calculations on behalf of the ruler. These strategies will be beneficial for the state, and therefore the ruler must attack Chu. But he does not give orders and does not want to assemble an army. What should we do? "After some time, the king's ruler Wu asked Wu Xixiu and Bo Xi:" I want to send an army. What do you think about this? "Wu Zixu and Bo Xi replied:" We would like to receive orders. " He did not believe that these two held a deep hatred for Chu. He was very afraid that these two would lead the army only to be destroyed. He ascended the tower, turned his face to the southerly wind and sighed heavily. After some time, He sighed again. None of the ministers understood the thoughts of the ruler. U Tszyxuy realized that the governor would not make a decision, and then he recommended Sun Tzu.
Sun Tzu by the name of Wu was from the kingdom of W. He succeeded in military strategy, but lived far from the courtyard, so ordinary people did not know about his abilities. Wu Zixu, being well-informed, wise and insightful, knew that Sun-Tzu could penetrate the ranks of the enemy and destroy him. One morning when he was discussing military affairs, he recommended Sun Tzu seven times. Ruler U said: "Since you have found an excuse to nominate this husband, I want to see him." He asked Sun Tzu about military strategy, and every time he laid out one or another part of his book, he could not find enough words to praise. Very pleased, the governor asked: "If possible, I would like to subject your strategy to a little test." Sun Tzu said: “It is possible. We can conduct an inspection with the help of women from the inner palace. ” The ruler said: "I agree." Sun Tzu said: "Let your Majesty's two favorite concubines head two units, each leading one." He ordered all three hundred women to put on helmets and armor, carry swords and shields, and line up. He taught them the military rules, that is, to go forward, retreat, turn left and right, and turn around in accordance with the battle of the drum. He reported on the prohibitions and then ordered: “With the first beat of the drum, you should all gather, with the second strike attack with weapons in the hands, with the third line up in battle order. " Then the women, covering their mouths with their hands, laughed. Then Sun Tzu personally picked up the sticks and hit the drum, giving orders three times and explaining them five times. They laughed, as before. Sun Tzu realized that women would continue to laugh and not stop. Sun Tzu was furious. His eyes were wide open, his voice was like the roar of a tiger, his hair stood on end, and the caps of the cap broke on the neck. He told the Connoisseur of Laws: “Bring the executioner's axes.”
[Then] Sun Tzu said: “If the instructions are not clear, if they do not trust explanations and orders, then this is the fault of the commander. But when these instructions are repeated three times, and the orders are explained five times, and the troops still do not carry them out, it is the fault of the commanders. According to the instructions of the military discipline, what is the punishment? ”The law expert said:“ Decapitations! ”Then Sun Tzu ordered the commanders of two divisions, that is, the two favorite concubines of the ruler, to chop off the head.
Ruler W ascended to the site to observe when his two favorite concubines were about to be beheaded. He hastily sent the officer down with the order: “I realized that the commander could control the troops. Without these two concubines, food will be no joy to me. It’s better not to decapitate them. ” Sun Tzu said: “I have already been appointed commander. According to the rules for commanders, when I command an army, even if you give orders, I can carry out. ” [And beheaded them].
He again hit the drum, and they moved left and right, back and forth, turning around according to the prescribed rules, not daring to even squint. The units were silent, not daring to look around. Then Sun Tzu reported to the ruler W: “The army is already well obeying. I ask your majesty to look at them. Whenever you want to use them, even make them go through fire and water, it will not be difficult. They can be used to bring the Middle Kingdom in order. "
However, the ruler of U was unexpectedly dissatisfied. He said: “I know that you are superb in command of the army. Even if thanks to this I become a hegemon, there will be no place for their training. Commander, please disband the army and return to yourself. I do not wish to continue. Sun Tzu said: "Your Majesty loves only words, but cannot comprehend the meaning." Wu Zixu admonished: “I heard that the army is a thankless job and cannot be arbitrarily checked. Therefore, if someone forms an army, but does not come out with a punitive campaign, the military Tao will not manifest. Now, if your majesty is sincerely looking for talented people and wants to gather an army in order to punish the cruel kingdom of Chu, become a hegemon in the Middle Kingdom and frighten the appanage princes, if you do not appoint Sun Tzu as commander in chief, who will be able to cross Huai, cross Sy and go through a thousand Does it take to fight? ”
Then the ruler of U became inspired. He ordered to beat the drums in order to gather the headquarters of the army, convened the troops and attacked Chu. Sun Tzu took Shu, killing two renegade generals: Kai Yu and Zhu Yong. "
The biography contained in the Shi Ji further states that “in the west he defeated the mighty kingdom of Chu and reached Ying. In the north, Qi and Jin frightened, and his name became famous among the appanage princes. This happened thanks to the power of Sun Tzu. "
After 511 BC Sun-tzu was never mentioned by written sources either as the commander-in-chief of the troops, or as a courtier. Apparently, Sun Tzu, being a purely military man, did not want to participate in the court political games of that time and lived far from palace intrigues and chroniclers.
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