孫 子 兵 法 Sun Zi – The Art of War

Chinese strategy explained : know yourself and the ennemy, use deception, spies, and "win with ease". Tr. Giles (en, annotated) and Amiot (fr).

Introduction
I. Laying Plans
II. Waging War
III. Attack by Stratagem
IV. Tactical Dispositions

V. Energy
VI. Weak Points and Strong
VII. Maneuvering
VIII. Variation in Tactics
IX. The Army On The March

X. Terrain
XI. The Nine Situations
XII. The Attack By Fire
XIII. The Use of Spies

作戰第二

Waging War

Ts`ao Kung has the note: "He who wishes to fight must first count the cost," which prepares us for the discovery that the subject of the chapter is not what we might expect from the title, but is primarily a consideration of ways and means.

Sunzi II. 5.


因糧於敵故軍食可足也	糧不三載取用於國	善用兵者役不再籍

The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.1

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.2

1. Once war is declared, he will not waste precious time in waiting for reinforcements, nor will he return his army back for fresh supplies, but crosses the enemy's frontier without delay. This may seem an audacious policy to recommend, but with all great strategists, from Julius Caesar to Napoleon Bonaparte, the value of time – that is, being a little ahead of your opponent – has counted for more than either numerical superiority or the nicest calculations with regard to commissariat.

2. The Chinese word translated here as "war material" literally means "things to be used", and is meant in the widest sense. It includes all the impedimenta of an army, apart from provisions.

Giles II.8,9.

Ceux qui possèdent les vrais principes de l'art militaire ne s'y prennent pas à deux fois. Dès la première campagne, tout est fini ; ils ne consomment pas pendant trois années de suite des vivres inutilement. Ils trouvent le moyen de faire subsister leurs armées au dépens de l'ennemi, et épargnent à État les frais immenses qu'il est obligé de faire, lorsqu'il faut transporter bien loin toutes les provisions.

Amiot

Sun Zi II. 5.