The Art of War, English Translation with Chinese Script

By Yu & Hsieh

It is believed that Sun Tzu was a general in the Spring-Autumn period ( 770-476 BC), who assisted King Wu to carry out his plan to conquer the Kingdom of Chu. Sun Tzu's book titled ' Sun Tzu's Military Tactics' or commonly known as 'The Art of War' was written 2,500 years ago, and has been passed down from generation to generation with far reach

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yu & Hsieh
• Release date: Nov 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734073935

Book preview

1

Preface

It is believed that Sun Tzu was a general in the Spring-Autumn Period (770-476 BC), who assisted King Wu to carry out his plan to conquer the Kingdom of Chu. Sun Tzu’s book titled ‘Sun Tzu’s Military Tactics’ or commonly known as ‘The Art of War’ was written 2,500 years ago, and has been passed down from generation to generation with far reaching influence. In China today, new recruits of civil services, government sponsored business and industries and the military must pass the exam based on his book. It is also required study by West Point Cadets. Many businesses in the West also use this book to screen their new recruits. In the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic this year, we have found the tactics employed by the New York governor and the New York City mayor are along the line of those described in ‘Sun Tzu’s Military Tactics’. We recognize it is highly likely the reason that New York State finally controlled the virus spread, turning it from the epic center to the envy of the whole nation. ‘Sun Tzu’s Military Tactics’ provided many ways to win a battle, but only a few are listed here applicable to the New York State defense strategy against virus spread.

Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio believed in science. Based on the data of Coronavirus infection and death rates, they set up step by step strategy from shelter-in-place to total lockdown to partial reopening. They never rushed to reopen completely so as not to have the second outbreak. This is similar to the ‘temple calculation’ mentioned in Chapter 1, stating "The commander should compare the strength of the enemy with his own force, carefully calculate the odds of winning before setting up the battle strategy.

Governor Cuomo formed alliance with governors of New Jersey and Connecticut to set up same lockdown and reopening schedules so as to solidify the achievement of the battle strategy. This is similar to the concept mentioned in Chapter 11 "Form alliance in the interlocking scenario (a terrain open in all directions with neighboring states).

During the height of the pandemic, Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio gave briefings every day, in which they begged and nudged the residents to wear masks, wash hands diligently and keep social distance, and the New York State residents complied with these rules. Such transparency has galvanized New York government and its citizens to fight the pandemic, and together they put Coronavirus under control. This exemplified the winning strategy mentioned in Chapter 3 An army in which the rank and file share the same goal will win.

Chung Yu and Mei-Lin H. Yu

September 30, 2020 in Flushing, New York

前言

孫子相傳是春秋時代(西元前770至476年) 一位為吳王效命, 幫助他完成伐楚大計的將領。孫子的書 ‘孫子兵法’ 在二千五百年前完成, 代代相傳, 影響深遠。目前中國的政府機關, 國营企業及軍隊的新人都須通過 ‘孫子兵法’ 的考試。這本書也是西點軍校學生的必修課程, 而西方一些商業機構也用它来测驗新人。今年, 在冠状病毒大爆飛後, 我們發現紐約州用的很多策略和 ‘孫子兵法’ 中的計謀相同, 所以後來終於能克制疫情, 從 ‘ 震央 ’ 變成了全美羨慕的城 市。

孫子兵法中講述贏得戰爭的方法很多, 在此只指出其中 三個紐約州符合孫子兵法的冠狀病毒的應對政策 。

（1）州長古莫及市長白思豪相信科學。他們根據每天病毒感染及死亡的人數數據, 作出應對的方法, 從居家隔離到封城, 再到半開放, 一步步走來, 絕不輕舉妄動 全面開 放 , 以免病毒再次爆發。這和在第一篇提到的 ‘廟算’相同, 即將領須對敵我兩方的實力作一比較, 仔細計算我方勝算的機率, 再作出作戰方案。

（2）州長古莫與鄰州紐澤西及康涅狄格州長達成共識, 在封城及開放的時間表上同步, 以䅃固防疫成果。這點與在第十一篇提到 的 ‘衢地則合交‘, 衢地, 四達者’的理念是相同的。

（3）疫情嚴重期間, 州長及市長每天給居民作疫情報告, 苦口婆心地勸導居民要戴口罩, 勤洗手及保持社交距離, 而紐約居民也都尊守這些規定 。 這種公開的作法激發了紐約政府和它的公民與疫情抗戰 , 他們用一致的力量控制了冠狀病 毒 。這點驗証了第三篇提到的‘上下同欲者勝’。

余松，余謝美 玲

2020 年九月 三十 日 於紐約法拉 盛

孫子兵法 The Art of War

計篇第一 Chapter 1 Tactics

孫子曰：兵者，國之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。Sun Tzu stated, ‘Military operation is a vital business to a state. It is a