Treatise on Military Preparedness (Vol. 3)

Wubeizhi, Volume 3

If majesty is lacking, the people cannot be overcome by discipline. Military campaigns prioritize composure; if the troops are composed, the people’s strength remains sufficient.

Focus here

Even when weapons cross and blades meet, the infantry does not rush in a panic, and the chariots do not gallop uncontrollably. When pursuing a fleeing enemy, they do not break their formation. This is why they are not thrown into chaos.

The stability of the military depends on not losing the order of the ranks and files, and on not exhausting the strength of the men and horses. The pace—whether slow or fast—must not be excessive. These are the standing orders. In antiquity, Civilian Etiquette (Guo Rong): the formal rituals and soft manners of the domestic state did not enter the army, and Military Etiquette (Jun Rong): the stern, functional discipline of the soldier did not enter the civilian state.

If military etiquette enters the state, the virtue of the people is discarded meaning they become harsh and aggressive toward one another. If civilian etiquette enters the army, the virtue of the people is weakened meaning the soldiers become soft and lose their edge. Therefore, when in the civilian state, one’s speech is cultured and one’s words are warm. In the court, one is respectful and yielding. One cultivates the self to wait upon others. If not summoned, one does not come; if not asked, one does not speak. One is hesitant to step forward but quick to withdraw These circles in the original text emphasize the humble, non-aggressive nature of a gentleman in civil society.

However, in the army, one stands tall and unyielding. In the ranks, one pursues with determination. A person in armor does not bow original: "介者不拜" (Jiezhe bu bai). In full armor, a deep ritual bow is impractical and dangerous; military duty overrides domestic greeting rituals. From a war chariot, one does not lean on the crossbar to show respect. On the city walls, one does not run. In matters of danger, one does not rank by age meaning merit and command structure take precedence over civilian seniority.

Thus, Ritual (Li) and Law are the outside and inside of the same principle. The Civil and the Military are like the left and right hands. The virtuous kings of old clarified the virtue of the people and brought out the goodness of the people. Therefore, they had no...