


INTRODUCTION


Sun Wu and his Book
-------------------


Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:  [1] 

       Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch`i State.  His ART OF 
  WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, [2] King of Wu.  Ho 
  Lu said to him:  "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters.  
  May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight 
  test?"
       Sun Tzu replied:  "You may."
       Ho Lu asked:  "May the test be applied to women?"
       The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements 
  were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.  Sun Tzu 
  divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's 
  favorite concubines at the head of each.  He then bade them 
  all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus:   "I 
  presume you know the difference between front and back, right 
  hand and left hand?"
       The girls replied:  Yes.
       Sun Tzu went on:  "When I say "Eyes front,"  you must 
  look straight ahead.  When I say "Left turn," you must face 
  towards your left hand.  When I say "Right turn,"  you must 
  face towards your right hand.  When I say "About turn,"  you 
  must face right round towards your back."
       Again the girls assented.  The words of command having 
  been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes 
  in order to begin the drill.  Then, to the sound of drums, he 
  gave the order "Right turn."  But the girls only burst out 
  laughing.  Sun Tzu said:  "If words of command are not clear 
  and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then 
  the general is to blame."
       So he started drilling them again, and this time gave 
  the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst 
  into fits of laughter.  Sun Tzu:  "If words of command are 
  not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly 
  understood, the general is to blame.  But if his orders ARE 
  clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the 
  fault of their officers."
       So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies 
  to be beheaded.  Now the king of Wu was watching the scene 
  from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his 
  favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly 
  alarmed and hurriedly sent down the following message:   "We 
  are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle 
  troops.  If We are bereft of these two concubines, our meat 
  and drink will lose their savor.  It is our wish that they 
  shall not be beheaded."
       Sun Tzu replied:  "Having once received His Majesty's 
  commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain 
  commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am 
  unable to accept."
       Accordingly,  he had the two leaders beheaded,  and 
  straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in 
  their place.  When this had been done, the drum was sounded 
  for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the 
  evolutions, turning to the right or to the left, marching 
  ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect 
  accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.  Then 
  Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying:  "Your soldiers, 
  Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for 
  your majesty's inspection.  They can be put to any use that 
  their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and 
  water, and they will not disobey."
       But the King replied:  "Let our general cease drilling 
  and return to camp.  As for us, We have no wish to come down 
  and inspect the troops."
       Thereupon Sun Tzu said:  "The King is only fond of 
  words, and cannot translate them into deeds." 
       After that, Ho Lu saw that Sun Tzu was one who knew how 
  to handle an army, and finally appointed him general.  In the 
  west, he defeated the Ch`u State and forced his way into 
  Ying, the capital; to the north he put fear into the States 
  of Ch`i and Chin, and spread his fame abroad amongst the 
  feudal princes.  And Sun Tzu shared in the might of the King.


