Listen to this articleThe hundred Masters of War
Overview
Chinese Name: 孙武 / 孙子
English Name:Sun Wu,Sun Tzu , Sun Zi
Other Names: Ultimate Master of War兵圣
Born: 545BC
Died: 470BC
Achievements:
Defeated the State of Chu with fewer victories and more defeats 以少胜多大败楚国
Writing the thirteen masterpiece ‘The Art of War’ 编写巨作《孙子兵法》十三篇
The father of Eastern military science 东方兵学的鼻祖
Brief Biography of Sun Wu
Sun Tzu 孙武, was a famous strategist and statesman in the Spring and Autumn Period of China春秋战国时期. He was honored as the Great Sage of War or Sun Tzu.He was also known as the Great Sage of War and the Father of Oriental Military Science东方兵学的鼻祖.
Sun Tzu lived from the end of the 6th century BC to the beginning of the 5th century BC. He was recommended by Wu Zixu伍子胥, an important official of the State of Wu吴, and presented 13 works on the art of war to Helu阖闾, the king of Wu. In the Battle of Boju柏举之战, he led the Troops of the State of Wu to defeat the troops of the state of Chu楚, occupied the capital of Chu, and defeated the state of Chu.
His 13 pieces of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, known as the “holy book of military science”, ranked first among the seven books of Wu Jing武经.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War occupies an extremely important position in the military history, military academic history and philosophical thought history of China and even the world, and has been widely used in politics, economy, military affairs, culture, philosophy and other fields.
Sun Tzu and his military thoughts are famous both at home and abroad. They have a profound influence on the later generations and hold a high position in the world military history.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is regarded by the world as ‘the world’s first ancient book on the Art of War兵书圣典’. In modern times, not only in the military field, but also in the economy, sports and other aspects, it has received attention and application.
Sun Tzu’s military career
In 512BC, Helu discussed with Wu Zixu and prepared to march westward. At this time, Wu Zixu recommended Sun Tzu to him, making Helu agreed to meet Sun Tzu. While in seclusion, Sun Tzu had already written Sun Tzu’s Art of War. He brought his own art of war to see the king of Wu, Lu secretly praised, and appointed Sun Tzu as general of Wu. He often discussed various military and political problems with Sun Tzu and got satisfactory answers.
In 494BC, the Wu king GouJian勾践 offense. Wu army by Wu Zixu, Sun Tzu planning, arranged a lot of ‘Cheat Soldiers诈兵’ at night, divided into two wings, lit torches, to attack the Yue army, the Yue army was defeated soon. After a series of defeats, Gou Jian had to Sue Wu for peace.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War
Content abstract about these masterpieces
Sun Tzu’s Art of War, also known as Sun Wu’s Art of War, is the earliest existing book on war in China. It is also the world’s earliest known military works, 2300 years earlier than Clausewitz‘s ’On War论战‘, and is known as the ”Holy Book of Military Science“. There are thirteen of them, about six thousand words.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is a treasure of ancient Chinese military cultural heritage and an important part of excellent traditional culture. Its contents are extensive and profound, its thoughts are profound, and its logic is rigorous ,which is the concentrated embodiment of the essence of ancient military thoughts.
Part of the chapter summarized
The Beginning Chapter始计篇
It compares, analyzes and studies the political, military and other basic conditions that determine the outcome of a war from a macroscopic point of view, and predicts the development process and final outcome of a war, especially emphasizing the decisive role of careful planning before using troops.
Military chapter军行篇
It refers to factors of objective, stable and visible nature, such as strength of combat capacity and material preparation for war.
Military posture军事篇
It refers to subjective, variable, and contingent factors, such as the disposition of troops and the courage and timidity of morale.
Imaginary and real虚实篇
It is about how to disperse and gather, encircle and detour, and cause the strong enemy on the scheduled meeting place to win more than less.
Battle of armies军争篇
It is about how to “take being impractical” and “take trouble for advantage” to seize the advantage of the opportunity of battle.
Evaluation of Sun Tzu
The reason why Sun Wu was able to beat the rest of the world is clear.
Zhuge Liang
It is really a great thing that there were such books of war in China thousands of years ago.
Mao Zedong
