故上兵伐謀, 其次伐交, 其次伐兵, 下政攻城
Destroy the enemy’s plan is the best.
攻城之法為不得已。修槽鎮輕、具器械、三月而後成
During the war, we need a full preparation to besiege a walled city. It will spend a lot of time.
將不勝其忿, 而儀附之
The general may lose their patience before the engines of attacking prepared.
拔人之城而非攻也, 人之國而非久也。
Therefore, the skilled generals will overthrow their kingdom without any operations. They will not harm individuals but destroy the government. The typical instance is the Wu Wang, who put an end of the Yin dynasty.
倍則分之
This means divide our armies, not enemy’s.
故小敵之堅, 大敵之擒也。
Though a small troop can wage a wall, it will be captured by a large troop probably.
不知三軍之事, 而同三軍之政者, 則軍士惑矣;
Opportunism and flexibility are different than the strategy of governing a state. Morality and li is only fitful for governing a state.
將能而君不御者勝
So many military disasters were caused by undue interference from distant government.