Overview of Chinese Art of War

China had a long history that spanned almost 5000 years. If you have studied chinese history, you will realised that there were countless of battles and warfares fought on the land of China ever since ancient times. Most of the battles were fought between the chinese themselves, but also against foreign invaders largely from the steppe. The chinese armies often numbered hugely in tens of thousands.

During the period of Spring/Autumn (around 500 BC), China started to plunge into an era of constant warfare. One of the 100 schools of thoughts, the Military school, sprung up, represented by generals or military philosopher such as Sun Tze. Sun Tze wrote the world's 1st military classic (treatise) known as the Sun Tze's Art of War. It gives the first treatise on the use of strategy, tactics, planning etc. on any action relating to war, attack and defence.

Over the course of history, many other military classics appear, which enriched the military thinking and learning in chinese history.

Below outline the major chinese military classics that have survived till today:

>>1. Sun Tze's Art of War (孙子兵法)
This famous classics is written by Sun Tze in 6th century BC. Sun Tze or Sun Wu was a general of Wu kingdom during the Spring/Autumn Period. This is one of the most important chinese military classics, and is studied by many military academics around the world today. A good place to read Sun Tze's Art of War online is at http://sonshi.com/

>>2. Sun Bin's Art of War (孙膑兵法)
Written by Sun Bin during 4th century BC. It was said that Sun Bin was the descendent of Sun Wu (Sun Tze). Sun Bin was one of the representative teachers of the school of military.

>>3. Wu Zi's Art of War (吴子兵法)
Written by Wu Zi between 4th to 5th century BC. Wu Zi was the prime minister of the Chu State (楚国) during the Spring/Autumn Period

>>4. Wei Liao Zi's Art of War (尉缭子兵法)
Written by Wei Liao Zi during 3rd century BC. Wei Liao Zi was one of most important military advisor of Emperor Qinshihuang (1st Emperor of China, and Qin dynasty).

>>5. 6 Strategy (六韬)
It was believed to be written by Lu Shang (吕尚), General of Zhou during 200-100 BC.

>>6. 3 Strategy (三略)
Written by Lu Shang, General of Zhou during 200-10 BC

>>7. Li Wei Gong's Dialogue (李卫公问对)
Written during 7th century AD. It was a dialogue (question and answer) recorded between Emperor Taizong (of Tang dynasty) and famous general Li Wei Gong

>>8. 36 Strategies (三十六计)
Historians today have still been unable to establish the exact time period and the author of this military classic. This classic was discovered in 1941 in an old bookstore in Shanxi province, and later copied and published in Chengdu. This book was mentioned in some history classics for e.g. in the Biography of Wang Jingze (王敬则传). Judging from records, it should have a history of nearly two thousands years

This forum is for not only discussing these classics, but also for discussing and learning the chinese strategy, analyse battle , tactics ,weaponry etc.

Wow :o , GZ, you actually made a board just for Chinese warfare, I was just wondering if there would be such board here. You even spent time to make such a troublesome job.

Acording the statistics by a Chinese autor, Xu Bao Lin, there was 3380 military books in ancient China.

I like to add some books:

Wu Jing Zong Yao (武经总要), it was the official military manual for Song dynasty military, written by Zeng Gong Liang (曾公亮) and Ding Du (丁度). Although Song dyansty military bahavior was quite sad, but it didn´t stop them to make an effort to turn the situation around. This book was a sum-up off all the previous periods´ military experiences.

He Bo Shi Bei Lun (何博士备论) written by an official military schoolar of Song dyansty called He Qu Fei (何去非). The book was about analyses of ancient battles and military experiences before Song. Very nice book, also hold a great value for historical research. Here is a link if you could read traditional Chinese: He Bo Shi Bei Lun (何博士备论)

Ji Xiao Xin Shu (纪效新书) and Lian Bing Shi Ji (练兵实记), written by Ming dynasty general Qi Ji Guang (戚继光). Those books were about troop trainings, very useful for historical research.

Wu Bei Zhi (武备志), written by Mao Yuan Yi (茅元仪) during Ming dynasty. The book was about the military institutions of Ming dynasty (correct me if Iºm wrong). Vey nice book for historical research.

hey..thanks for the contribution.. anyway.. it's impossible for me to read all of them..I guess, I'll just try to master Sun Tze's Art of War and 36 strategies which are more common nowadays.

I read all of them (in Japanese of course) but theres very few English translations the only one I know of is by Ralph Sawyer.

Also dont try to master the Art of War, i been reading it every day since i was 12 and I still cant master it

well..you can't really master it.. you're not in war anyway, and you can't apply it in real life, although the Art of war is used by military and business people nowadays.

I remeber hearing somthing about Cao Cao writing a millitary book. I was wondering what the name was or if its still around. Or any info in general.

Oh I think thats the current art of war. He took out all the worthless parts. For example stuff like when outnumbering the enemy 2 to one split your forces (sandwhich them or have half the force move on)