Wei Liaozi: The Art of War of Master Wei Liao

Wei Liaozi, one of the Seven Military Classics, teaches that war rests on agriculture, law and discipline rather than omens. It covers organisation, punishment, rewards and the conduct of campaigns. Its author argues with King Hui of Liang that victory comes from good government at home, clear orders and fair rewards and punishments, not from the stars or the calendar. The book includes detailed regulations for squads, camps and marches. This is a complete new English translation, with names in modern pinyin and the text rendered as plain, readable English prose. Read alongside Sunzi, it shows how Chinese thinkers joined war to government, morale, law and the economy of a state. The Chinese military classics were studied by generals and statesmen for two thousand years and are still read for their insight into strategy, leadership and organisation.