Free The Art of War by Sun Tzu & James Clavell

enemy’s purpose. If the enemy shows an inclination to advance, lure him on to do so; if he is anxious to retreat, delay on purpose that he may carry out his intention.
    By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander in chief—a vital act in war.
    On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries either to or from the enemy’s country.
    Be stern in the council chamber, so that you may control the situation.
    If the enemy leaves a door open, you mush rush in.
    Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.
    Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
    At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterward emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
     
XII
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ATTACK BY FIRE
    T here are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl dropping fire among the enemy.
While Pan Ch’ao was still in Shan-shan, determined to end the extreme peril caused by the arrival of the envoy from the northern barbarian, Hsiung-nu, he exclaimed to his officers: “Never venture, never win! Unless you enter the tiger’s lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger’s cubs. The only course open to us now is to make an assault by fire on the barbarians under cover of night, when they will not be able to discern our numbers. Profiting by their panic, we shall exterminate them completely; this will cool the king’s courage and cover us with glory, besides ensuring the success of our mission.”
    The officers were eager to follow him but pointed out that it would be necessary to discuss the matter first with the chief minister.
    Pan Ch’ao then fell into a passion: “It is today,” he cried, “that our fortunes must be decided! The chief minister is only a humdrum civilian, who on hearing of our project will certainly be afraid, and everything will be brought to light. An inglorious death is no worthy fate for valiant warriors.”
    Accordingly, as soon as night came on, he and his little band quickly made their way to the barbarian camp. A strong gale was blowing at the time. Pan Ch’ao ordered ten of the party to take drums and hide behind the enemy’s barracks, it being arranged that when they saw flames shoot up, they should begin drumming and yelling with all their might. The rest of his men, armed with bows and crossbows, he posted in ambuscade at the gate of the camp. He then set fire to the place from the windward side, whereupon a deafening noise of drums and shouting arose on the front and rear of the enemy, who rushed out pell-mell in frantic disorder. Pan Ch’ao slew three of them with his own hand, while his companions cut off the head of the envoy and thirty of his suite. The remainder, more than a hundred in all, perished in the flames.
    On the following day, Pan Ch’ao went back and informed Kuo Hsun, the chief minister, of what he had done. The latter was greatly alarmed and turned pale. But Pan Ch’ao, divining his thoughts, said with uplifted hand: “Although you did not go with us last night, I should not think, sir, of taking sole credit for our exploit.”
    This satisfied Kuo Hsun, and Pan Ch’ao, having sent for Kuang, King of Shan-shan, showed him the head of the barbarian envoy. The whole kingdom was seized with fear and trembling, which Pan Ch’ao took steps to allay by issuing a public proclamation. Then, taking the king’s son as hostage, he returned to make his report to his own king.
    In order to carry out an attack with fire, we must have means available; the material for raising fire