TREATISE ON ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGY VOL. 30

EXAMINATION OF MILITARY STRATEGY

JIN PART 2

Their elite troops were all stationed with [Lü] Yan; once Yan died, [Lü] Guang fled on his own, and the Lü army was struck with shock and terror. Zhuan Referring to Lü Zhuan, the Duke of Taiyuan and son of Lü Guang sent his son, the Duke of Taiyuan, Zhuan, to attack Jincheng, and the Duke of Tianshui, Yan, to attack Lintao, Wushi, and Heguan; they captured all of them. [Qifu] Gangui sent a messenger to deceive Yan, saying: "The forces of Gangui have collapsed, and he has fled to Chengji." Yan wished to lead a contingent of light cavalry to pursue him. Geng Zhi, the Sima Sima: A high-ranking military official or adjutant responsible for operations and personnel, offered a warning, saying:

"Qifu Gangui is a man of extraordinary courage and strategy. How could he simply collapse at the first sign of our presence? Moreover, the informant cast his eyes upward and his expression was agitated; there is surely treachery afoot. We ought to arrange our ranks and move forward, keeping our infantry and cavalry in contact. Wait for all our units to arrive before attacking; only then will we be certain of victory."

Yan did not follow this advice. He advanced and encountered Gangui; he died in battle. [Lü] Guang led his troops back. Lü Zang Both occurred during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin

Yao Xing, the King of [Later] Qin, mobilized a great number of troops. He sent Yao Ping, the Duke of Yiyang, and others to invade Wei Northern Wei, and he personally led a massive army to follow after them. Ping captured the Wei outpost at Ganbi. Tuoba Gui, the Lord of Wei, dispatched Zhangsun Fei to serve as the vanguard, while he personally led...