CHAPTER 1 - PLANNING
Quote :
"War, the greatest affair of a country. It is a matter of life and death
for the people, rise and fall of a nation. It requires careful examination and
considerations."
Explain :
This mark the opening of the chapter. One has to carefully examine what a war
will bring upon. It causes people to lose their home, family, property and life.
However, it can also gather country's wealth, land and resources. Fail to understand
the consequences of going into war will lead to failure and finally down fall
of the nation. This should be bear in mind.
Quote :
"Consideration and analysis of The Five Elements, " Dao
" - Moral
Unity, " Tian " - Weather Condition, "
Di " -
Geographical
Condition, " Jiang " - Leadership Quality, "
Fa "
-
Discipline and Organisation Structure, a must know for all commanders. Victory
to those who understand and no victory to those who does not. The Five Elements
will determine success or failure of conducting war."
Explain :
Compare and analyse The Five Elements will reveal the factors of success and failure
of all battle. Namely : Moral Unity, Weather Condition, Geographical Condition,
Leadership Quality, Discipline and Organisation Structure.
Moral Unity determines the cohesiveness
between the ruler and his subjects, the leader and his followers, the general
and his soldiers. Ultimately, to achieve full support by fellowman, putting aside
life and death matters and share the view of the ruler's is the goal of Moral
Unity. Only when a view or decision is fully supported will then orders be carried
out smoothly.
Weather Condition such as summer/winter,
drought/flood, will affect execution of plans. When weather is an element which
one cannot control, the best strategy will be taking full advantage of the condition
when permits. Going against the force of nature may proof rewarding when one overcomes,
but it usually spells destruction.
Geographical Condition here refers
to distance of near/far, mountainous/flat of battle zone, wide/narrow the battle
field is and whether the place favours attack/defense. This will limit the size,
type and performance of the troop.
Leadership Quality concerns the
general/commander's leading capability. There are five qualities of a good leader
: wisdom, trustworthiness,
benevolence, courage
and sternness. These five qualities will affect
the leading capability of a commander and effectiveness of his command being carried
out.
Discipline and Organisation Structure
is the system of level to level communication, how each level manage/discipline
and the management of logistic. It requires a fair, consistent and clear communication.
As communication is important in large organisation, it affects the overall effectiveness
of a system.
As The Five Elements are inter-related, no commander should ignore/fail to understand
the constructive/destructive nature of each element. Victory will fall upon those
who analysed and clearly understand The Five Elements.
Therefore, by asking who offers fairest reward and punishment, whose troop is
best trained, whose equipment is more efficient, who can deliver order/command
smoothly and thoroughly, who has better geographical/weather advantages, who has
more resourceful commanders, whether the ruler is wiser and has virtue, the winner
is clear.
Quote :
"Commanders who listen to my plan, victory, I'll stay. Commanders who don't
listen to my plan, defeat, I'll leave."
Explain :
When one listen, fault(if any) can be identified and constructive suggestions
can be given. This bring the fact that one should stay in an organisation which
listen.
Quote :
"Calculate advantages for planning, increases one's capability, using it
as supporting element. One establish capability of manage and control thru advantages
in possession."
Explain :
Calculation here refers to the discovery of any advantages/disadvantages oneself
has over opponent(s). Such information is valuable for planning and improving
competitive edge. The power of manage and control relies on, to certain degree,
element of competitive advantages over opponent(s).
Quote :
"Militarists, deceit. Incapable yet capable; Unutilise yet utilise; Far yet
near; Near yet far; Attracts with rewards; Take advantage of chaos; Prepared against
firm; Avoid the strong; Provoke the short-tempered; Praise the timid; Debilitate
the tough; Separate the united. Attack when one is unprepared, action while one
is unaware. This formula of militarists, do not predetermine."
Explain :
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