Sun Wu training of troops

Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Helu of kingdom Wu try to make the country strong, strive to explore professionals.

In the same time, Sun Wu research the art of war in kingdom Wu, after years of effort, finally completed the "Art of War", He dedicated this book to the Duke Helu, and hope achieves their ambitions.

After Helu read "Art of War", he was admired. The king wanted to personally look at his actual talent, they summoned Sun Wu. The king said to him: "can you train troops for me?" Sun Wu said: "Yes, your majesty!” the king asked again: "Your training methods can also be used in women?”

"Yes, your majesty!”Sun Wu replied.

Helu elect one hundred eighty ladies to Sun Wu.

Sun Wu forms these girls to two teams. He select two of concubine which Helu best loved as the captain, and ask them standing in front of the team.

Sun Wu towards concubine and the girls said: "You all know the direction of front, right side left side and the back?" answered: "Yes." Sun Wu said: " Forward, to see the direction of the front; left, look to the left direction; right, look to the right direction; backwards, to see behind the direction. All actions according the drum, do you all understand? "They say:" understand "Sun Wu deployment has been set, and then ordered his soldiers to carry the ax, he point the ax and repeatedly explained military discipline, and offenders beheading.

Drums sounded, Sun Wu issued a command to turn right. The concubine and the girls, not only did not listen to commands, but laughing and joking. Sun Wu said: “The instruction not clear, the orders are not familiar with, this should be the general’s loss.", so again and again repeatedly described. Then drums, issue the command for turn left. The concubine and the girls laugh together again. Sun Wu said: " Military discipline and how to act, has made ​​it clear, everyone says to understand, but still do not obey the command, which is the intentional breach of discipline violation of military discipline captain to take the lead, should follow military disposal.." So he commands to behead two captains.

 The king saw his favorite concubine to behead; he was very shocked, hurried herald: “I already know general's ability, if I don’t have these two concubines, I even cannot eat and sleep, please don’t kill them.”Sun Wu said:" I've already ordered for the generals, the generals in the army, some of king's commands can not accept." Immediately, he beheaded the two captains together.

Again he specify another two concubine captain, continue to practice. At this time, then send Drum, whether left, right, forward, backward, kneel, stand, all to obey orders, but seriously, meet the requirements.

 Sun Wu feel training is completed, he sent reports to the king: " Soldiers have been training is completed, please review. These two teams of soldiers can be any command; even if they are called to a fire in the water would not disobedience...”

The king lost two favorite concubines, was very unhappy, with a wry smile: "it’s OK! The generals back to the house and take a rest I do not want to review it!"

After the event, Sun Wu apology to the king, then explain the reason of kill concubine: " Orders without exception, rewards and punishments fairly, which is a usual rule for a military commander; Use power and influence to control public, officials must be strictly requested, only the armed forces law-abiding, obey orders, we can defeat the enemy." The king accepted the explanation, giving up resentment of kill concubine, hired Sun Wu as general.

Kingdom Wu’s army under rigorous training of Sun Wu, had strict discipline and fighting strong. In 506 BC, kingdom Wu and kingdom Chu happened a fierce war, the two kingdom battle five times, Wu won five times, defeated kingdom Chu. Later, again, Wu striking terror into kingdom Qi and kingdom Jin these two powerful kingdom, kingdom Wu got high reputation in each kingdom in that period.

The Art of War was introduced into Japan c. AD 760 and the book quickly became popular among Japanese generals. 

Ho Chi Minh translated the work for his Vietnamese officers to study.

America's Asian conflicts against Japan, North Korea, and North Vietnam brought Sun Tzu to the attention of American military leaders. The Department of the Army in the United States, through its Command and General Staff College, has directed all units to maintain libraries within their respective headquarters for the continuing education of personnel in the art of war.

The book is not only popular among military theorists, but has also become increasingly popular among political leaders and those in business management. Despite its title, The Art of War addresses strategy in a broad fashion, touching upon public administration and planning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Tzu