How to analyze the time of Sima Fa's writing?
Although Sima Fa is an ancient book in the pre-Qin period, there is no specific time for its completion. It is obviously wrong to write a book at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period according to Sui Shu Jing Ji Zhi, because it is clearly recorded in Historical Records that "Qi Weiwang made doctors chase Sima Gu Bing Law, which is attached, because it is called Sima Art of War." (Biography of Historical Records of Sima Rang) Therefore, it was written into a book during the Qi Weiwang period. In the 11th year of Zhou Xianwang (in the 17th year of Qi Huangong, in the first 358 years), Qi Huangong died and Qi Weiwang was established. In the 13th year of King Xian of Zhou (356 BC), it was changed to the first year of Yin in Qi Weiwang. The Chronology of Six Kingdoms in Historical Records mistakenly recorded the year of Yin Qiyuan as the twenty-fourth year of King Zhou An (378 BC). Some people conclude that Sima Fa was written in about 370 BC, which is obviously wrong. According to historians' records, Wang Wei has not been pro-government for nine years since he ascended the throne, which led to the death of his compatriots. Nine years later, he took charge of the government. "So he set out to attack Zhao and Wei in the west, defeated Wei and surrounded Qi Weiwang." (Historical Records Tian Jiazhong) Qi Weiwang "used his troops to exercise his power, let go of the arrogant law, and the princes made peace." This shows that Wang Wei ordered ministers to gather together to study the art of war, otherwise it would be impossible to "release the art of war" when the military power was used. In the 16th year of Qi Weiwang (34 1), Qi defeated Wei. It can be inferred that Sima Fa was written between 348 BC and 34 BC1year, when Wang Wei was in power.