One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies – 15. Rewards (Shang, 賞)

In general, if despite high walls, deep moats, and a hail of stones and arrows the officers and troops are to compete with each other to ascend the walls, or when the naked blades first clash they are to contend with each other in rushing forth, they must be enticed with heavy rewards. Then every enemy will be conquered. A tactical principle from the Three Strategies states: “Beneath heavy rewards there will certainly be courageous fellows.”

(Translation by Ralph D. Sawyer)

Notes:

• The title “Rewards” (shang, 賞) means “rewards for merit,“ or “awards.“

• The quote from the Three Strategies (San Lüe, 三略) is from the chapter Superior Strategy (Shang Lüe, 上略), and is a quote from the Military Pronouncements (Jun Chen, 軍讖): “The Military Pronouncements states: ‘Beneath fragrant bait there will certainly be dead fish. Beneath generous rewards there will certainly be courageous officers.'”

Original Text:

凡高城深池，矢石繁下，士卒爭先登；白刃始合，士卒爭先赴者，必誘之以重賞，則敵無不克焉。法曰：「重賞之下，必有勇夫。」

Historical Illustration:

At the end of the Later Han, every time the great general Cao Cao 曹操 (155-220 CE) successfully attacked and destroyed a fortified city, he rewarded the meritorious with all the spoils. If it were appropriate to reward a man‘s efforts, he would not begrudge even a thousand pounds. However, for wantonly bestowing rewards upon those without significant accomplishments he would not allow a penny. Thus he was able to be victorious in every battle.