"The Discussion of Cao GUI" comes from "Zuo Zhuan: Ten Years of Duke Zhuang". It tells the historical facts of Cao GUI's comments on the war during the Battle of Changshao, and the historical fact that he used the principle of "strengthening one force, then weakening, and three times to exhaust" during the war to defeat the powerful Qi army. The following is the original text and translation of "The Debate on Cao GUI" that I compiled for you. I hope it will be helpful to you!
Original text:
In the spring of ten years, all the troops attacked me. The general fights. Please see Cao GUI. His countrymen said: "Meat-eaters plan for it, how can they do it?" GUI said: "Meat-eaters are despicable and cannot plan far." So he came to see him. Asked: "Why fight?" The Duke said: "If you have enough food and clothing, you don't have to focus on it. You must divide people." He said to him: "The small benefits are not everywhere, and the people won't follow." The Duke said: "I don't dare to sacrifice jade and silk. Yes, it must be based on faith." He said to him, "If you have little faith, you will be blessed by God." The public said, "Even if you can't detect the greatness of the prison, you must be loyal to it." Fight. If you fight, please follow. Fighting with a ladle. The general will encourage him. GUI said: "It's not possible." Qi people drummed three times. GUI said: "That's all right." The Qi army was defeated. The general will gallop to him. GUI said: "It's not possible." Looking down at the path, he climbed up to Shi and looked at it, saying: "It's possible." Then he chased Qi Shi.
Since it was defeated, the public asked why. He said to him: "Fighting requires courage. One burst of energy will be exhausted again, and three times it will be exhausted. I will be exhausted when others are exhausted, so I can overcome them. It is difficult to predict a large country, and I am afraid of the danger. I regard its path as chaotic, and hope that its flag will be swept away." , so we drove him away."
Translation:
In the spring of the tenth year of Duke Zhuang of Lu, the army of Qi attacked the State of Lu, and Duke Zhuang of Lu was about to fight. Cao GUI asked Duke Zhuang to meet him. His fellow countrymen said: "The people in power will plan this matter, so why do you want to participate?" Cao GUI said: "The people in power are ignorant and cannot make far-sighted plans." So he entered the palace to see Duke Zhuang. Cao GUI asked Zhuang Gong: "What do you rely on to fight against Qi?" Zhuang Gong said: "I dare not enjoy health-promoting things like food and clothing alone. I must share them with others." Cao GUI replied: "Such small favors are not common. People, people will not listen to you." Zhuang Gong said: "I never dare to report falsely or exaggerate the pigs, cattle, sheep, jade and silk fabrics used in sacrifices. I must repay them according to the truth." Cao GUI replied: "Little Xiao. If you can't trust your trust, God will not bless you." Zhuang Gong said, "Even if we can't investigate all the lawsuits clearly, we will definitely handle them according to the truth." Cao GUI said, "This is what I did." If you fight, please allow me to follow you."
Duke Zhuang of Lu and Cao GUI were riding in the same chariot. Fighting with the Qi army in Changshao. Duke Zhuang was about to beat drums and march, but Cao GUI said: "No." (After) Qi's army beat drums three times to march (after), Cao GUI said: "It's OK." (So) Qi's army was defeated. Zhuang Gong was about to give the order to pursue, but Cao GUI said: "No." Cao GUI got off his chariot and horse to look at the tracks of the Qi army's wheels, climbed on the chariot and horse, held the crossbar in front of the carriage, looked at the Qi army, and said, "That's all right. "So he pursued the Qi army.
After the victory, Duke Zhuang of Lu asked about the reason. Cao GUI replied: "Fighting relies on courage. The first drumming can boost the courage of the soldiers, the second drumming will weaken the courage, and the third drumming will exhaust the courage. The enemy His courage was exhausted and our courage was strong, so he defeated the Qi army. A big country like Qi is unpredictable, and (I) was worried about being ambushed there; I saw the chaos of their wheels, and saw them. The flag fell, so he ordered to pursue them."
About the author:
Zuo Qiu Ming (502 BC - 422 BC), whose surname was Zuo and whose first name was Qiu Ming (first name). It is said that his surname is Zuoqiu and his given name is Ming. Others say that his surname is Qiu and his given name is Ming. He was a native of Lu State in the late Spring and Autumn Period and a historian. A native of Donghengyu Village, Shiheng Town, Feicheng City, Shandong Province (Junzhuang, the capital of Lu State in the Spring and Autumn Period). Zuo Qiuming read a large number of ancient books on astronomy, geography, literature, history, etc., and was knowledgeable.