About the Illustrator

Wang Xuanming , a contemporary cartoonist in China, was born inBeijing in 1950. He was trained formally in commercial art and industrialart. Since 1972, he has been engaged in various aspects of artistic work.He frequently explores various ways of expressing his artistic talents. Besidesa lot of cartoons, picture books and illustrations, he makes oil paintings andposters. His works have on many occasions won awards in several artcompetitions and have been included in various art albums.

Wang’s works have been serialised in all the major newspapers andpublications in Beijing since 1980. His cartoons entitled DifferentGravitational Force are praised by famous Chinese artists. In 1987, heparticipated in the creation of the animated cartoon Brother Elephant, whichwon the hearts of many children when it first appeared on television.

In his Strategy and Leadership Series published by Asiapac Books, heuses a simple and humorous art form to introduce ancient Chinese militaryclassics to modern readers. The books were very well received when theywere first published in China; the Beijing Radio Station reviewed and highlyrecommended them to the public.

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Introduction

In modern times, Sunzi’s Art of War has enjoyed great popularity all overthe world. At a meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976) of Chinain 1961, British field marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976)proposed including Sunzi’s Art of War as an official textbook of coursesconducted at the World Military Academy. Sunzi’s Art of War is now acompulsory subject of study for students majoring in Strategies and theMilitary Sciences in most famous universities in the United States. One ofthese, the National Defense University, the most renowned military academyin the United States, has even put Sunzi’s Art of War to be the first lessonin a major course on strategy designed for US generals, followed by OnWar, another great military classic written by Prussian general Carl vonClausewitz (1780-1831).

At the first international symposium on Sunzi’s Art of War in 1989,American scholar James Clavell made the following thought-provokingremarks: “... if our military and political leaders in recent times had studiedthis work of a genius, the Vietnam War would not have occurred the way itdid; we would not have lost the war in Korea; the Bay of Pigs fiasco wouldnot have occurred; the hostage fiasco in Iran would not have come to pass;the British Empire would not have been dismembered; and in all probability,World Wars I and II would have been avoided.” Commenting on Japan’sdefeat in the Second World War, Osanai Hiroshi, a famous militarycommentator of Japan, said, “When we launched the war, we thought thatwe could manage ... that we could win if only we practised deified tactics,but Japan ended up the loser ... Had we studied Sunzi’s Art of War carefully,we would not have rashly launched the war.”

Sunzi’s Art of War, a military classic, covers widely the subject ofstrategizing. Containing extensive knowledge, dealt with in great depth, it isa crystallization of human wisdom, and has the potential to change thedirection the world is heading towards. Today, we can see how theapplication of strategizing principles has expanded beyond the battlefieldinto everyday life, revolutionizing what most have taken for granted in thequest for survival. Its influence is felt not only in state administration, but

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also in business management, public relations and diplomacy, and even sports.Thus we can see how flexibly Sun Wu’s strategizing principles can be applied,making it a resource for anyone desiring to meet any challenge.

It has been a great pleasure for me to illustrate all the thirteen chaptersand the annotations of Sunzi’s Art of War, and to make a comprehensiveand faithful presentation of the essence of Sun Wu’s thoughts. As is the casewith my other comics, relevant examples from Chinese feudal history havebeen added to each chapter in order to give a fuller depiction of the ideas inthe original work. I would also like to add that although some well-knownbattles in history have already been cited in other books, they are featuredhere for additional discussion and analysis. This allows the reader to takeinto account various elements involved in a large-scale war, including military,political and economic factors. It also touches on issues such as theappointment of generals, the deployment of troops and battle arrays, makingit possible to interpret this book from many different perspectives so thatbenefits can be drawn even after repeated readings.

I take the opportunity here to express my gratitude for the full supportthat Asiapac Books has given to the publication of Sunzi’s Art of War incartoons. I am especially grateful to Ms Lim Li Kok for her kindness andconfidence, and to Professor Sui Yun for the vivid and accurate translation,which has made the English version of Sunzi’s Art of War so appealing.

Wang Xuanming5 February 1997

Beijing

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Contents

Prologue 1

Chapter 1 Initial Assessments 20Before winning a battle, start planning first

Chapter 2 Waging War 44A war should be won quickly without beingprolonged

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Chapter 3 Attack by Stratagem 60To subdue the enemy without fighting is perfectvictory

Chapter 4 Disposition of Military Forces 82Never go to war unprepared

Chapter 5 Formation 96Creating favourable conditions and seizing theopportunity to win

Chapter 6 Weaknesses and Strengths 108Be adept at moving the enemy to where you wishinstead of being moved by the enemy

Chapter 7 Manoeuvring 124Convert unfavourable factors into favourableones and seize the opportunity to fight

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Chapter 8 Nine Variations of Tactics 142Make flexible adjustment of tactics accordingto changing circumstances of the battlefield

Chapter 9 Mobilisation 152Marching, camping and observation of thebattlefields

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Chapter 10 The Terrain 166The military geography should not be neglected

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Chapter 11 Nine Types of Strategic Ground 178To stage a surprise attack against the enemyand penetrate deeply into the enemy territory

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Chapter 12 Attack with Fire 196Act from inside in coordination with forcesattacking from outside assisted by fire

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Chapter 13 Intelligence 204Strategic reconnaissance is essential in war

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1

PROLOGUE

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Sun Zi — A Great Military Sage

The Spring and Autumn Period in Chinese history (770 — 467 BC) was full ofdrastic social and economic changes, with a complex political situation, frequentmilitary struggles and cultural upheavals. It was a time of transition for Chinesecivilization from the ancient to the medieval stage.

Since 685 BC, the State of Qi had becomeincreasingly stronger under the administration ofDuke Huang of Qi, who then became the firstoverlord among the states. It was in the State of Qithat Sun Wu was born around the year 545 BC.

In 672 BC, Chen Wan tookrefuge in the State of Qi when

internal turmoil broke out inthe State of Chen.

Theancestorof Sun Wuwas ChenWan, aprince ofthe Stateof Chen.

Sun Wu, better known as Sun Zi, was a native of the Stateof Qi who lived and worked in the State of Wu during theperiod of the Warring States (476-221BC) in China. Hismost famous work was The Art of War in 13 chapters.

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How aboutbeing a guestofficial in mystate?

I amcontent to beable to live inpeace here.

Living under others’roof, I will be envied ifI suddenly become ahigh-ranking official.So, I have to be very

careful ...

All right! Then, I will putyou in charge of thehandicraft industry.

I will domy best.

Chen Wanchanged his

name to Tian Wanafter settling down

in the State of Qi.

* The TianMansion

I will dogreat things

here.

After several generations, theTian family rose in power and

status. No one, not even thelords, would dare to look

down upon them.

Is thisthe Palace

of Qi? No, it’sthe TianMansion.

*

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In the war between the States of Qi and Lu,Sun Wu’s grandfather, the fifth-generation

grandson of Tian Wan, secured a great victoryand was rewarded by Duke Jing of Qi.

I will reward youwith Le’an city andgrant you thesurname Sun. Areyou satisfied?Ha! Ha!

Thank youfor your

rewards.

Owing to the influence of his family andsociety, Sun Wu was very much interestedin military activities early in his childhood.

I will be ageneral

when I growup.

Sun Wu studied very hard andbecame a very learned young

military strategist.

He’s upfor another

night.

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After 532 BC, internal unrest erupted in the State ofQi. Sun Wu decided to leave for the State of Wu torealize his ambition.

Living in the countryside of Wu, Sun Wumade friends with a lot of learned peopleand followed the political developmentsin Wu closely.

In 515 BC, He Lü became the

sovereign of Wu.He was an

ambitious ruler.

Who canmake Wu strongand assist me to

become theoverlord of all the

states?

Wu Zixu, a high-rankingofficial, said:

Sun Wu isan accomplishedmilitary strategist.

Why not sendfor him?

Due to the repeated efforts ofWu Zixu, the ruler of Wu finallygranted Sun Wu an audience.

This is the seventhtime that you have

recommended him. Allright, summon Sun

Wu.

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Are you thatmilitary

strategist?

Here is my Artof War in thirteenchapters for your

perusal.

Your views areso unique. Wellwritten indeed!

Military strategiesare related to the

interests and securityof a nation.They are

not a pastime ora game.

Youreally have

extraordinaryinsight!

I also like militarystrategies. Let’s

play a game usingthese strategies ...

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The State of Wu and the State of Chuwere bitter enemies for generations.

The King of Wu needed a military talentlike Sun Wu to help him become the

overlord of all the states.

Sound judgement and aflawless plan are needed for pre-

battle preparations, the use ofappropriate tactics, and analyses

of the enemy and ourselves ...

A military talentindeed! I have neverheard such brilliant

argument. Youdeserve myadmiration!

I appointyou as a

commander.

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Sun Wu immediately startedpreparations.

To compete with theState of Chu, the Stateof Wu must developproduction, practisethrift and constructdefence works ...

The chief enemies of Wuare the States of Chu and

Yue. To enhance itsstrength, Wu must form an

alliance with theneighbouring states.

He Lü married his daughter to the Marquisof Cai, forming a stable alliance betweenWu and Cai.

Sun Wu organized the forcesof Wu into three armies,strengthening thecommand system andtraining.

In 511 BC, Sun Wu commanded the Wuarmy to attack the State of Chu. It wasthe first battle under his command.

The true purpose of this battleis to seize the City of Yang, wipeout the rebels so as to clear the

northern bank of the HuaiheRiver of the Chu forces and get

rid of all obstacles on the way tocapturing the State of Chu.

To hide the true purpose of the action, SunWu pretended at the beginning of thebattle to launch a punitive expeditionagainst the City of Yi, luring the Chu armyto trudge all the way to the city forreinforcement.

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