(Images from Red Cliff: the John Woo movie that is the highest box-office grossing movie ever released in China).

I mentioned over dinner that I was in the process of editing some Chinese texts on military strategy.

Do you read or speak Mandarin I was asked? The thought in my head was: Is that relevant to understanding strategy? In seeking to understand complexity do not be distracted by superficiality.

Today, many people are familiar with Sun Tzu’s Art of War but it seems fewer, particularly in the West, are familiar with a contemporary text by Tian Rangju called mosty Sima Fa (The Grand Marshall’s Art of War). It is still considered to be one of the Seven Military classics of ancient China.

Some believe that Sima Rangju and Sun Tzu were relatives - descended from Chen Wan, who fled from the Chen State to Qi in 672 BC because of civil unrest in Chen. Chen Wan changed his clan name to Tian after reaching Qi, and the Tian became a prominent family in the politics of the state.

Sima Rangju lived at about the same time as Sun Tzu’s grandfather Tian Shu - during the reign of Duke Jing of Qi (547-490 BC). Tian Shu was a minister in the Qi court and Tian Rangju was a poor member of a lesser branch of the Tian clan. But both eventually distinguished themselves in battle, with the result that Tian Shu was granted a fief and a new sub-surname of Sun, while Tian Rangju was made Grand Marshall (Da Sima) of the Qi and thus became known as Sima Rangju. Sima literally means one who “controls” (si) “horses” (ma).

Qi, founded around 1046 BC was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States from around 722-221 BC. Its capital was Linzi, part of the present day city of Zibo in Shandong Province. In 221 BC, Qi was the last state of pre-Imperial China to be conquered by the State of Qin, the final obstacle which allowed the Qin Dynasty to consolidate its rule over China.

In modern times the text sometimes appears to be simple platitudes. But these are strategic manuals, designed to be committed to memory.

Here are some extracts from Sima Rangju’s guide. Remember: Benevolence is the Foundation of Victory.

1 - BENEVOLENCE

AUTHORITY AND GOVERNANCE
The foundation of good governance is benevolence and the application of righteousness. But if governance fails we must resort to authority. Authority is a product of conflict, not harmony. For this reason, if one must kill to ensure peace, then killing is permissible. If one must attack a state out of the love for the people, then attacking it is permissible. If one must stop war with war, this is permissible.

THE SIX VIRTUES OF WARFARE
In ancient times, a fleeing enemy was not pursued more than 100 paces, and retreating enemy was not followed for more than 3 days thereby showing propriety. The ancients did not exhaust the incapable and had sympathy for the wounded and sick, thereby demonstrating benevolence. They awaited the completion of the enemy’s formation before attacking, thereby showing integrity. They fought for honor and not for profit, thereby demonstrating righteousness. Moreover, they pardoned those who submitted, thereby showing courage. They knew the end and the beginning of war, thereby demonstrating wisdom. These six virtues form the code of conduct and rule of army management.

SIX PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING
The ways by which the kings governed the feudal lords were six:
1. With territory, they provided foundation.
2. With government directives, they established boundaries.
3. With codes of conduct, they drew them closer.
4. With gifts, they pleased them.
5. With strategies, they regulated behavior.
6. With weapons, they enforced submission.

NINE MEASURES TO ENFORCE HARMONY
The kings announced nine measures to enforce harmony:
1. Those who take advantage of or encroach weaker states will have their borders reduced.
2. Those who murder the Worthy or harm the people will be deposed.
3. Those who are brutal within their state and bully weaker states will be purged.
4. Those who cause the field lie fallow and the people to scatter will be reduced.
5. Those who rely on the advantage of terrain and refuse to submit, will be invaded.
6. Those who harm or kill their kin will be punished.
7. Those who depose or slay their ruler, will be exterminated.
8. Those who oppose orders and resist the government will extinguished.
9. Those who are rebellious and lustful both within and outside their borders will be destroyed.

2 - DUTY OF THE SON OF HEAVEN
The second part of Sima Fa is structured mostly around the comparison between the rule of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties (and two specific references to the Shun) to enable it to be committed to memory.  I have re-arranged the text to show how this works:

STRENGTH AND HARMONY
When the ancients instructed the people, they would establish the relationships between noble and yeoman; the virtuous and righteous; the talented and technically skilled; and the courageous and strong - uniting their strength and developing harmony. When practice becomes habit, the people will embody the customs. This then is the pinnacle of transformation through education.

XIA (21st century BC - 16th Century BC)
- the rulers of Xia Dynasty administered oaths within the army to mentally prepare the people.
- the Xia acted in accordance with Virtue and never employed weapons.
- in the Xia Dynasty, rulers bestowed rewards in court in order to make eminent the good.
- the war chariots of the Xia Dynasty are called “Hook Chariots”, and their advantage is smooth-riding.
- the Xia Dynasty used a black flag, representing the leadership of man.
- the Xia used the sun and the moon as their insignia, to signify brightness.
- they granted rewards but did not impose punishment. This was the height of instruction.

SHANG (16th Century BC - 11th Century BC)
- the rulers of Shang Dynasty swore oaths outside the gate because they wanted the people to understand the intention before battle.
- the Shang relied on righteousness, so they first used weapons.
- in the Shang Dynasty, they carried out executions in the marketplace to warn the evil.
- chariots of the Shang Dynasty are called “Yin Chariots” and their advantage is speed.
- the Shang’s flag was white representing the righteousness of Heaven.
- the Shang used the tiger as their emblem to signify awesomeness.
- they imposed punishment but did not grant rewards. This was the height of authority.

ZHOU (11th Century BC - 256 BC)
- King Wu of Zhou Dynasty administered an oath just before the two armies clashed, in order to stimulate the will to fight.
- the Zhou relied on force, so they invented and used all kinds of weapons.
- in the Zhou Dynasty, the rulers granted rewards in court and carried out execution in the marketplace to promote virtues and terrify the masses.
- war chariots from the Zhou Dynasty are called “Yuan Rong” and their advantage is structural strength.
- the Zhou’s flag was yellow, representing the Way of the Earth.
- the Zhou insignia was the dragon, esteeming culture.
- they used both rewards and punishment, and virtue declined.

3 - STRATEGY

WITS AND COURAGE
In general, warfare is a battle of wits and combat is a matter of courage. The deployment of formations is a matter of skill. Determine what your troops want and undertake only what they are capable of.

ADVANTAGE
For warfare, one must have Heaven, material resources and excellence. Seizing the initiative; when divining by the tortoise shell signifies victory, start preparing for war in a secretive manner. This is termed as “having Heaven”. When the masses are rich and prosperous and so is the state, that is termed as “having resources”. When your forces are drilled in the relative advantages of the formations, and give their best in preparation for battle, this is termed as “having excellence”.

PREPARATION
Increasing the strength of the army and making the formations solid; making the numbers adequate and constantly training the troops; relying on many talents to manage all military affairs; perceiving the nature of things and responding to the sudden events. This is termed as “preparation for the foreseeable”.

CONTROL
Being able to be large or small or firm or weak, to change formations, and to use large numbers or small groups, with respect to the enemy’s situation. All these are termed the “control of war”. Glory, profit, shame and death are referred to as the “Four Controls”. Being tolerant or being strict are merely just ways to prevent transgressions and change intentions.

IMPOSING ORDER
The way to impose order consists of benevolence, credibility, straightforwardness, unity, righteousness, change wrought by authority and centralized authority.

4 - BATTLE

DEFENCE AND ATTACK
In battle one can endure with numerical strength but only achieve victory if morale is high; one can endure with solid defense but only achieve victory when being endangered; one can endure if the troops want to fight but only achieve victory when the fighting spirit is high; with armor one is secure; with weapons, one attains victory.

STRATEGIC VS PHYSICAL
During war, strategic attack is the best way to achieve victory. Next is physical attack. The good general must understand and decisively determine whether a strategic attack or a physical attack can achieve victory.

FORMATION
In warfare, it is not the deployment of a battle formations that is difficult, it is the point in which that the men can be ordered into a formation fast that is difficult. It is not the point in which that the men can be ordered into a formation fast that is difficult, it is the ability of the men to exercise flexibility in using formations that is difficult. It is not the knowledge of formation that is difficult, it is the appropriate implementation of the formations that is difficult.

CAMPAIGNING
In a long campaign, if you are victorious, share the achievement and praise with the troops. If you are about to re-engage in battle, make your rewards exceptionally generous and the punishment heavier. If you fail to achieve victory, accept the blame yourself. If you fight again, assume a leading position and do not repeat the tactics used last time. Whether you win or not, do not deviate from this principle for it is the “True Principle”.

5 - TACTICS

SMALL AND LARGE TACTICS
When you only have a small force focus on solid defence. When you employ a large force ensure they are well-ordered. With a small force it is advantageous to win using unorthodox methods; with a large mass, it is best to use orthodox tactics. A large army must be able to advance and stop; a small army must be able to advance and withdraw. If your large body encounters a small enemy force, surround them at a distance but leave one side open. But, if you divide your forces and attack in turn, a small force can withstand a large mass.

USING THE ELEMENTS
In warfare, keep the wind to your back, the mountains behind, heights on the right and defiles on the left. Pass through wetlands, cross over damaged roads. Select camping grounds that are configured like a turtle’s back.

PROBING AND TESTING
In warfare, employ large and small numbers to observe the enemy’s tactical variations; advance and retreat to probe the strength of their defense. Endanger them to observe their fears. Be tranquil to observe if they become lax. Mount a surprise attack to test their discipline. Strike when they are tentative. Attack when they are unprepared so they are not able to fight with full strength. Attack the well ordered formation to break down the deployment. Use their failure to attack them, preventing them from executing their strategies, forcing them to abandon or hastily change their plans; and when they are fearful, ATTACK!

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