In this battle, Sun Wu's principles of using both direct and indirect maneuvers and of "speed being everything in the conduct of war" were fully applied, enabling him to amazingly lead his 30,000-strong force to victory over the 200,000-strong enemy, giving a perfect illustration of how a smaller force can defeat a force much superior in number.
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A Han Dynasty brick relief depicting Sun Zi (right) training female soldiers. To demonstrate his art of warfare to the King of Wu, Sun Wu once trained his palace ladies.
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In 484 BC, with the help of Sun Wu and Wu Zixu, the State of Wu became the strongest state of that time.
Unfortunately, when the State of Wu rose to prominence during theWarring States Period, Fu Chai, the king of Wu, became arrogant. He rejected worthy men and welcomed those of low quality, disregarding the criticism of those loyal to him and killing those who had rendered outstanding service. He even forced Wu Zixu to commit suicide, which boded ill for the future.
As for Sun Wu, after years of experience on the battlefield and in officialdom, he shunned all worldly vanities, and retired from his post in order to write scholarly works. He revisedThe Art of Warbased on his experiences in military training and operations.
No one knows of Sun Wu's last whereabouts. However, he left a timeless piece of work --Sun Zi Art of War. More than a century later, another great strategist, Sun Bin, appeared in Chinese history. Some people say he was a descendant of Sun Wu, and certain historical works endorse this. Sun Bin also bequeathed humankind an eternal martial classic,Sun Bin Art of War.
Author: Jeff
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