Treatise on Military Preparedness, Volume 14

Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 23

Wei Rui

外一 Inventory code: Outer 1

...treating them like an approaching enemy. Pointing to his insignia of office The jie (节), a staff or tally representing imperial authority, he said: "The imperial court granted me this, not for it to be used as a mere decoration." Wei Rui possessed a natural authority that others dared not defy. He then ordered an advance to strike; the soldiers all fought with a resolve to die, and the Wei The Northern Wei Dynasty troops were defeated and fled.

Taking advantage of the momentum, he launched a sudden assault, capturing the position within two nights. He then proceeded to Hefei. Previously, the Marshal Hu Lue and others had attacked Hefei for a long time without success. Rui dammed the Fei River by night, and as the naval vessels arrived in succession, they attacked the Wei outer fortifications.

The Wei general Yang Lingyin led a force of fifty thousand and arrived suddenly. The troops were fearful and requested that a petition be sent for reinforcements. Rui laughed and said: "The enemy has reached the city walls; how could reinforcements arrive in time? Furthermore, if I increase my troops, they will also increase theirs. In warfare, surprise is what counts bing gui yong qi: a tactical principle emphasizing unconventional strategy or surprise over brute strength—does victory depend on mere numbers?" He then attacked and crushed them.

Rui ordered the army commander Wang Huaijing to build a fortification to guard the dam. However, the Wei forces attacked and captured it, following up their victory by advancing to the base of the embankment; their military momentum was very strong. The various generals wished to retreat, but Rui grew angry. He commanded his ceremonial parasols, fans, and commanding banners original: sanshan huichuang (繖扇麾幢), the symbols of a high-ranking commander's presence to be brought out and planted at the base of the embankment, demonstrating his resolve not to move. The Wei men came to breach...