Layers in the Wu Chi Military Text (2)
		A Taeko Brooks, University of Massachusetts at Amherst WSWG 18, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 6 December 2003 Outline (2) The Six Enemies Passage Much interest attaches to this extended passage at the beginning of WC 2, and Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann's paper addresses it (for her translation of it, see her Appendix). I accept in general her argument about the schematic nature of this passage. I would add that, in terms of the present conclusions, the passage is not only to be referred to the second WC layer (it can easily be shown to be anachronistic for Lord Wu's time, and to include cavalry, which are an 03c feature), but additionally, it appears to be intrusive in that layer: It is much longer than the majority of dialogues in the Lord Wu layer. In his question, Lord Wu asks what is to be done in the strategically difficult situation of being surrounded by enemies on all six sides (Chin on the W, Chu on the S, Jau in the N, and Chi on the E, plus Yen in rear and Han in front). Wu Chi's answer characterizes a different set of Seven rather than Six States (Chi, Chu, Yen, Chin, and the Three Jin, which would have included Ngwei itself). In particular, no advantage in the field is to be expected from any analysis which gives the soldiers of Ngwei the same character as those of its two enemies Jau and Han. It gives no advantage over two of the originally named enemies, and to that extent is not responsive to the question. It appears to have been included for its own sake, as an embellishment, and not as tactical advice. Ralph Sawyer (Seven Military Classics p458 n11) calls attention to the analysis of state military character in SZ 15. This passage is of a somewhat different nature, and does not have the problem that it fails to distinguish among the Three Jin states. It is ostensibly Sywndz's reply to a general question about warfare, not about the tactics to be adopted by one state, and it is supposedly given as part of a debate held before the Kind of Jau in 0250. Only three states are described (Chi, Ngwei, and Chin), and the character of their fighting is related to geographical and economic forces. Each of the three is said to be inferior to the next, and the best of them (Chin) is said to be inferior to the armies of the hegemons of earlier times, and so on back to Shang and Jou. The argument ends with a claim that Confucian principles are fundamental to military success. The WS references point to a later date for this passage than must be ascribed to WC 2:1. Sywndz, if his words are here being transcribed, would most probably have known of the WC passage, and his own theory may have been dimly suggested by it, but it is not a version of the WC passage. A relative chronology can perhaps be established by noting the question of whether Ngwei gave generous rewards for military merit. This passage (WC 2:1) describes the rewards in the Jin states as niggardly. Shang-jywn Shu 15 (which we date to shortly after 0265) describes the Ngwei rewards in particular as niggardly. The two agree, and they are probably to be referred to the same stretch of time. Sywndz 15, on the other hand, describes the rewards given by Ngwei to meritorious soldiers or their families as ruinously expensive for Ngwei. This can only reflect a later situation. Then WC 2:1, as reflecting the earlier situation, should precede SZ 15 and its date of 0250. I note that, in echoing this passage, the framing story WC 6:2 dramatically protrays the lavish rewards and honors given to meritorious soldiers. It thus updates the earlier WC 2:1 in this respect, to make it agree with later practice, as well as to credit Wu Chi (inconsistently with WC 2:1 itself) with the innovation. The actual historical sequence is then likely to be: (1) an early period, represented by SJS 15 and WC 2:1, in which Ngwei gave niggardly rewards (2) a later period, following a policy change in Ngwei, and represented by SZ 15 and WC 6:2, in which Ngwei gave generous rewards. All this would put WC 2:1 later than the rest of the second or Lord Wu layer, but earlier than SZ 15 (0250), and thus a single addition to the Wu Hou layer. I have at present no suggestion as to the source of the schematic WC 2:1 passage itself, except that it was probably not written within any of the three Jin states.   All lectures and abstracts posted on this site are Copyright © by their authors.   26 Nov 2003 / Contact The Project / Conferences Page