Sun Tzu's Art of War is a classic military work of China, written by Sun Wu.
Sun Wu was born in Qi at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was exiled to the State of Wu by the State of Qi, assisted the King of Wu in running the country and the army, became a famous vassal, and was honored as a "soldier saint". Sun Tzu's Art of War is known as "the sacred book of military science" and "the first book of ancient military science". It has played an extremely important guiding role in ancient Chinese military art and war practice.
Sun Tzu's Art of War is the earliest extant art book, which has always been highly respected and attracted many scholars.
Writing process
When Sun Wu moved to Wu, it coincided with the coup of Gongzi Guang. After Sun Guang acceded to the throne, Wu Zixu heard about his talent and recommended him to the Prince. Sun Wu took these thirteen articles to see the king of Wu, and was highly valued.
"History of Art and Literature" records: "Military strategist Sun Tzu, eighty-two articles, nine volumes". Thirteen of the eighty-two articles were written before meeting the king of Wu; Watch Queen Wu write more questions and answers. As late as the Tang Dynasty, Sun Tzu's Art of War had three volumes, of which the first volume was thirteen, and the second volume was two. Note Du Mu thinks that Cao Cao abridged eighty-two articles of Sun Tzu's Art of War into thirteen articles; However, some commentators believe that the Thirteen Lines was written by Sun Tzu himself, not the result of Cao Cao's abridgement, but a book compiled by Sun Wu's disciples later.