A skilled warrior seeks victory from momentum, not by blaming his men. Hence he selects capable people and makes good use of momentum.
To employ momentum in battle is like rolling wood and stones. Wood and stones stay still on level ground, yet move on steep slopes. Square ones come to a halt, while round ones keep rolling.
Thus the momentum of a well‑led army is like a round boulder tumbling down a towering mountain – irresistible momentum.
Note
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
Momentum
Dominant battlefield situation formed by terrain, troop arrangement and morale.
Select people and use momentum
A core principle for commanders, focusing on overall situation rather than blaming soldiers.
Boulder rolling down mountain
A classic metaphor for overwhelming and unstoppable combat power.
The Battle of Hefei: Shaping Momentum over Demanding Perfection
In this chapter of The Art of War, Sun Tzu articulated a profound military philosophy: “Thus, a skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates; hence he can select the right men and exploit the situation.” The core of this wisdom is that the key to victory lies not in demanding the impossible from individual soldiers, but in creating an overwhelming, unstoppable strategic momentum. By carefully selecting the right personnel to harness this momentum, a leader can guarantee success.
The Sealed Strategy and the Mismatched Generals
This philosophy was brilliantly demonstrated by Cao Cao during the Battle of Hefei in 215 AD. As Cao Cao led his main forces on a campaign against Zhang Lu, he left over 7,000 troops to defend the crucial stronghold of Hefei under the command of three generals: Zhang Liao, Li Dian, and Yue Jin. Cao Cao’s selection was highly deliberate. Although the three generals had deep personal grievances and differing tactical views, Cao Cao recognized that their distinct personalities and military strengths were perfectly complementary. Anticipating their friction, Cao Cao handed a sealed letter to the Protector Army, Xue Ti, before his departure, with strict instructions: “Only open this when the enemy arrives.”
The Crisis and the Deciphered Orders
Shortly after Cao Cao’s departure, Sun Quan led an overwhelming force of 100,000 troops to besiege Hefei. Following Cao Cao’s prior orders, Xue Ti opened the sealed letter. The instructions were precise and uncompromising: “If Sun Quan arrives, Generals Zhang and Li shall go out to fight, while General Yue shall defend the city. You, the Protector, must not participate in the battle.” This directive perfectly showcased Cao Cao’s mastery of “selecting the right men.” He knew Yue Jin was naturally inclined toward defense and lacked the boldness for a preemptive strike, so he assigned him to hold the fortress. Conversely, he knew Zhang Liao possessed the courage and tactical brilliance needed for a daring offensive.
Turning Rivalry into Unstoppable Momentum
Upon reading the orders, Zhang Liao resolutely embraced the strategy of attacking to defend, offering to lead a suicidal charge with a broad-minded and heroic spirit. Initially silent, Li Dian was deeply moved by Zhang Liao’s selflessness and declared, “This is a matter of state; how can I let personal grudges override public duty? I will follow you.” Meanwhile, Yue Jin, who had been somewhat hesitant and afraid to offend either commander, was naturally relieved to be assigned to defend the city. Zhang Liao’s proactive leadership transformed their previous discord into a unified front against the enemy.
The Decisive Strike and the Legacy of Strategic Brilliance
Executing the plan flawlessly, Zhang Liao and Li Dian selected over 800 elite warriors and launched a surprise dawn raid against Sun Quan’s camp, which was still unprepared. The sudden, ferocious assault caught the Wu army completely off guard, shattering their morale. After breaking out of the encirclement, Yue Jin successfully defended Hefei with high morale. Sun Quan, having suffered a disastrous start and lost his initial momentum, failed to take the city after more than ten days of siege and was forced to retreat. From thousands of miles away, Cao Cao had accurately predicted his generals’ decisions and orchestrated a flawless defense. His masterful arrangement remains the ultimate historical embodiment of “selecting the right men to exploit the situation.”
故善戰者，求之于勢，不責于人，故能擇人任勢；任勢者，其戰人也，如轉木石，木石之性，安則靜，危則動，方則止，圓則行。故善戰人之勢，如轉圓石于千仞之山者，勢也。
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