Generally,
raising an army of a hundred thousand and advancing it a thousand
li, the expenses to the people and the nation's resources are one
thousand gold pieces a day. ?
Those in commotion
internally and externally, those exhausted on the roads, and those
unable to do their daily work are seven hundred thousand families.
?
Two sides remain
in standoff for several years in order to do battle for a decisive
victory on a single day. ?
Yet one refusing
to outlay a hundred pieces of gold and thereby does not know the
enemy's situation is the height of inhumanity. ?
This one is
not the general of the people, a help to the ruler, or the master
of victory. ?
What enables
the enlightened rulers and good generals to conquer the enemy at
every move and achieve extraordinary success is foreknowledge. ?
Foreknowledge
cannot be elicited from ghosts and spirits;
it cannot be
inferred from comparison of previous events, or from the calculations
of the heavens, but must be obtained from people who have knowledge
of the enemy's situation. ?
Therefore there
are five kinds of spies used:
Local spies,
internal spies, double spies, dead spies, and living spies. ?
When all five
are used, and no one knows their Way, it is called the divine organization,
and is the ruler's treasure. ?
For local spies,
we use the enemy's people.
For internal
spies we use the enemy's officials.
For double
spies we use the enemy's spies.
For dead spies
we use agents to spread misinformation to the enemy. For living
spies, we use agents to return with reports. ?
Therefore,
of those close to the army, none is closer than spies, no reward
more generously given, and no matter in greater secrecy. ?
Only the wisest
ruler can use spies;
only the most
benevolent and upright general can use spies, and only the most
alert and observant person can get the truth using spies.
It is subtle,
subtle! ?
There is nowhere
that spies cannot be used. ?
If a spy's
activities are leaked before they are to begin, the spy and those
who know should be put to death. ?
Generally,
if you want to attack an army, besiege a walled city, assassinate
individuals, you must know the identities of the defending generals,
assistants, associates, gate guards, and officers. ?
You must have
spies seek and learn them.
You must seek
enemy spies.
Bribe them,
and instruct and retain them.
Therefore,
double spies can be obtained and used. ?
From their
knowledge, you can obtain local and internal spies.
From their
knowledge, the dead spies can spread misinformation to the enemy.
From their
knowledge, our living spies can be used as planned.
The ruler must
know these five kinds of espionage. ?
This knowledge
depends on the double spies.
Therefore,
you must treat them with the utmost generosity. ?
In ancient
times, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to I Chih, who served
the house of Hsia;
the rise of
the Chou dynasty was due to Lu Ya, who served the house of Yin.
?
Therefore,
enlightened rulers and good generals who are able to obtain intelligent
agents as spies are certain for great achievements. ?
This is essential
for warfare, and what the army depends on to move. ?
END
