One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies – 9. Trust (Xin, 信)

Whenever engaging an enemy in combat, if the officers and troops tread without fear or regret where ten thousand will die for every one that survives, it is always because trust has caused them to do so. When superiors esteem trust and employ the lower ranks with sincerity, they will exhaust their emotions without any doubts and never fail to be victorious in battle. A tactical principle from the Six Secret Teachings states: “One who is trustworthy will not be deceitful.”

(Translation by Ralph D. Sawyer)

Notes:

· The title “Trust” (xin, 信) refers to one of the five cardinal virtues, also mentioned by Sun Tzu in chapter I/9 as one of the virtues of the commander.

· The quote is from “The Six Secret Teachings” (Liutao, 六韜) – a classic on military strategy attributed to the “Grand Duke” (Taigong, 太公) – from a paragraph on “A Discussion of Generals“ in Chapter III “Dragon Secret Teaching“ (Longtao, 龍韜).

Original Text:

凡與敵戰，士卒蹈萬死一生之地，而無悔懼之心者，皆信令使然也。上好信以任誠，則下用情而無疑，故戰無不勝。法曰：「信則不欺。」

Historical Example:

The text relates the story how during the Three Kingdoms Period, Zhuge Liang decided to let go the current troops so as to permit them furlough. He said, “When I united these stalwart men and marched forth on this campaign, I emphasized trust as the foundation. ‘To gain an objective but lose one’s credibility’ was considered regrettable by the ancients. Those about to depart have bundled up their clothes and are waiting for the moment to leave. Their wives, stretching their necks, watch for them and count the days. Even though we confront great hardship on this campaign, righteousness cannot be abandoned.” He then insisted they all depart. Thereupon, those scheduled to leave were all elated and wanted to remain for one more battle. With every one of them becoming a match for ten enemy soldiers, they killed the enemy general and forced his army to retreat. The great victory of this single battle stemmed from trust.