Known was the aphorism "Who wants peace, must prepare for war." And although the war itself is an ungrateful and bloody affair, sometimes only it gives an opportunity to get what the country really needs. One of the first to understand and describe the ancient Chinese thinker Sun-tzu.
Historical evidence
In the 7-4 centuries BC, China was divided into many kingdoms. In the center they were more developed, and on the coast barbarian. This time is traditionally called the period of "Vesen and Oseney." At its end, there is an elevation of the kingdoms of Yue and W. It is at this stage that we find evidence of the military art of the talented military commander and philosopher Sun-tzu. He was not popular at court, but when there was a danger from the neighboring "insidious" Chu, the ruler was offered a preventive war. The problem was the lack of confidence in those commanders who served at the court of the ruler. Therefore, one of the ministers recommended that someone should be invited to the court to organize an army and make a successful military campaign with her. This commander was Sun Tzu.
The first test
Helyui-wan, the ruler of U, interviewed the invited commander. To all his questions about the strategy, Sun-tzu responded with quotations from his treatise. They were so exhaustive that it was impossible to see any shortcoming. But the ruler wanted to see the military strategy in practice. And then the commander suggested as a model harem of Helui-wang, consisting of 300 concubines. They were divided into 2 detachments led by the two beloved women of the prince, were given uniforms and explained the essence of the orders. But the beauties only laughed and did not follow the orders of the commander. Then, according to the laws of the war, Sun-tzu decided to execute the commanders of the detachments. Despite the protests of the ruler, he personally carried out the verdict. After that, the girl soldiers unquestioningly and absolutely accurately carried out all orders. Khalyuy-van got an army ready to perform, but the loss of his beloved concubines marred the prince's life. Nevertheless, he had to entrust the creation of the army of his kingdom Sun-tzu, he also led him on campaigns.
Military successes
Among the many books that proclaim certain postulates, those whose authors have been able to prove the validity of their doctrines are of particular value. In this regard, the Sun-tzu treatise is impeccable. The army he created in 30 thousand soldiers was able to capture the insidious kingdom of Chu, reach the territory of Yin. Further, sending his troops to the north, the commander frightened the powerful states of Qi and Jin. Specific princes trembled before his strength, skills and wisdom. Thanks to these campaigns, the ruler of the Helui-van became hegemon over the princes. But after the end of hostilities Sun-tzu retired from the noisy court, because his lot was war, and not court diplomatic games and intrigues. The ruler and his descendants were left with a specially written book "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.
Dialectics of War
The philosophical, ideological basis of the "Art of War" is the eclecticism of Confucianism, Taoism and Moisma. Such synthesis was able to show the war in its contradiction. On the one hand, war is the path of development, the soil of death and life, representing the great deeds of the state and ruler. On the other hand, this is the path of lies and deceit. The war must be conditioned by the basic five principles:
- The unity of the goals of the governing upper and the people;
- Timeliness (dao of the sky);
- Correspondence to space, place (the dao of the earth);
- The presence of a commander who can fully combine such qualities as nobility, trustworthiness and high skills;
- Organization and discipline of the troops, strict adherence to existing laws.
At the same time, we must not forget that the main goal of the war, paradoxical as it may sound - is the prosperity of the population, the protection of people's trust in their master. Therefore, military operations must be rapid, mobile and extremely effective. Starting from espionage and finishing directly with a military campaign - everything should be thought out and subordinated to a great goal. A common expression is this: "The ideal is a victory achieved without military action."
The relevance of the strategy of the Sun-tzu war
Despite the fact that more than two thousand years separate us from the time of writing the treatise of Sun-tzu, the books of contemporary oriental authors not only in the field of international politics, but also in the sphere of business, are imbued with his ideas. Business teachers believe that the laws of fighting have not changed, moving from battlefields to offices, courts and meeting rooms. Ideas of the fastest achievement of the goal and efficiency are the basis of modern business strategies. Their main them: victory without a fight or at the beginning of a battle, softness and speed as elements of force and the possibility of their application. Any, not only economic, competition requires the use of well-adjusted tactics and strategies, so getting acquainted with the treatise "The Art of War" will be interesting and useful for a wide range of readers - all who wish to achieve success in life.