Teaching

Sun Tzu

Sun is his family name, and Tzu (spelled Zi in Pinyin) is an honorific in classic Chinese, roughly equivalent to Sir, or the Learned Gentleman. Sun Tzu was born in 400 BC and died in 320 BC. His given name is Wu, which means martial. His polite name is Changqing. Sun Tzu is traditionally believed to be the author of The Art of War, sometimes called the Sun Tzu, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy considered to be a prime example of Taoist strategy. Sun has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture, both as an author of the Art of War and as a legendary figure. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Sun's The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society, and his work has continued to influence both Asian and Western culture and politics.

Historians have questioned whether or not Sun was an authentic historical figure. Traditional accounts place him in the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722–481 BCE) as a heroic general of the King of Wu who lived c. 544—496 BCE. Scholars accepting his historicity place his writing of The Art of War in the Warring States Period (476–221 BCE), based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. Traditional accounts state that his descendant, Sun Bin, also wrote a master treatise on military tactics.

It is still a big question wheter Sun Tzu is a real figure or not. According to traditional sources, such as the 2nd century BCE biography written by Sima Qian, Sun was born in c. 400 BCE in Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722–481 BCE) and became a heroic general for the king of Wu, Helü. His victories then inspired him to write The Art of War. Historians place the writing of The Art of War in the Warring States Period (476–221 BCE), based on its description of warfare. The period was a time of constant war between seven nations (Zhao, Qi, Qin, Chu, Han, Wei and Yan) seeking to control all of China. He is thought to have died in c. 320 BCE.

The Art of War is attributed to Sun, and it was originally called the Sun Tzu Ping Fa, or simply the Sun Tzu. It presents a philosophy of war for managing conflicts and winning battles. Contrary to popular belief, it contains not only the writings of the original author, but also commentary and clarifications from later military philosophers, such as Li Quan and Du Mu. It is accepted as a masterpiece on strategy and often referenced by generals and theorists throughout history. Of the texts written before the unification of China in the 2nd century BCE, six major works survived, including The Art of War. During the Song Dynasty in the early 1st millenium CE, the six works were combined with a Tang Dynasty text into a collection called the Seven Military Classics. As a central part of that compilation, The Art of War formed the foundations of orthodox military theory in China. Illustrating this point, the book was required reading to pass the tests needed for imperial appointment to military positions.

Nowadays, the strategics made by Sun Tzu are no only used in war but also in many other fields, such as marketing and selling. No matter he is real or not, but his thought is inspire people in the world. He might be not conscious about it. But we still have to thank him for his The Art of War.

Sun Tzu said:

In a war, army forced by 100,000 people needs 1,000 carriages, 1,000 wagons, and 100,000 armies. Then this force goes to front line for about 1,000 li (1 li = 366.65 m or +/ 0.5 km). Obviously they need cost for the expert and maintenance cost. It costs 1,000 gold coins. If it can be fulfilled, then we can make 100,000 army forced.

The aim of the war is to win it in a short time. If it occurs in long time, it will not work because the knives will be blunt and so does the army. Another reason is it expands much money.

When the knives are blunt, the army is exhausted, and the money is gone, then it will be easier for enemy to attack. No on in that condition, no matter how tricky and smart he is, will win the war. I have heard there was a dumb who wins the war, but I have not heard the brain who wins the long time war. There is no any country which could win or get the advantage from a long time war.

That is why for them who do not know the loss of a war will not know what the advantage of the war is. The expert says do not do more than one mobilization for preparing provisions. If the equipment is from our country and food is from enemy, then our needs could be fulfilled.

Far away the distance from base camp to war field makes the country falls into miserable. War will cause inflation so that citizens have to pay tax. Often the tax is high so citizens will get poor as well. In the other hand, they will get suffer because of compulsory to be army. Expense for a war is 70% from income. Expense for maintenance could reach 60% from the income.

A wise commander will try to rob enemy’s provisions, especially food. 1 zhong (+/ 640 liter) enemy’s food equals to 20 zhong his own self. 1 shi (+/ 60 kg) animal’s food from the enemy equals to 20 shi of his own self.

War spirit of the army is the anger; while what is motivating them to win is money and reward. In war with carriage, give reward to first army who can rob more than 10 carriages that belong to enemy; then change the enemy’s flag into ours. Next use those carriages as ours and treat prisoners well. By doing this strategy, we could win the war and in another side we could have those carriages and prisoners as ours additional army. The most important thing in war is win it in a short time.

We should avoid long time war. A commander who knows the meaning of the war has to know that his army’s fate is in his hand. He is the one who can ascertain about his country’s fortune. (Putri)