Chapter 13 Section 6: Huang Shigong, the legendary man on the top of the mountain, and "Three Strategies"

Who is Huang Shigong?Later generations "go up to the poor and fall to the underworld" and can't find it.However, the "Three Strategies" entrusted with its name is just a famous military book in ancient China. In "Records of the Historian: The Family of the Marquis of Liu", the historian Sima Qian told the story of Zhang Liang, who was granted a letter by Duke Huangshi, a rare man in the upper reaches of the city.It is said that at the end of the Qin Dynasty, Zhang Liang, a very accomplished young man among the Korean nobles, tried to assassinate Qin Shihuang, but failed, so he changed his name and took refuge in Xiapi (now Pi County, Jiangsu Province).One day, when Zhang Liang was passing a bridge, he saw an old man deliberately throwing his shoe under the bridge and asked Zhang Liang to pick it up.Although Zhang Liang was stunned, facing the elder, he still picked up the shoe.However, the old man asked Zhang Liang to put on his shoes again, and Zhang Liang respectfully obeyed.The old man said with a smile, "You young man can teach you mysteries!" He asked Zhang Liang to meet at the bridge in the morning five days later.The first two times Zhang Liang was late, he was reprimanded by the old man.For the third time, Zhang Liang came to the bridge in the middle of the night to wait, and the old man also came. He was very happy and presented a book to Zhang Liang, saying: "You can become the emperor's teacher after reading this book. In another 10 years , the world will be at war. After 13 years, you will see my incarnation at the foot of Gucheng Mountain in Jibei—a piece of yellow stone." After finishing speaking, he floated away.Zhang Liang lived in Xiapi for nearly 10 years. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, the peasant uprising broke out. He followed Liu Bang to the west and became Liu Bang's military adviser.Three years later, Zhang Liang passed by Jibei, and he saw a yellow stone at the foot of Gucheng Mountain, so he sent someone to take it home and worship it.After Zhang Liang died, he was buried together with Huang Shi.Later generations called the old man who taught Zhang Liang and Zhang Liang "Huang Shi Gong".

"Three Strategies" is also known as "Huangshi Gongji" and "Huangshi Gong Sanlue".After many researches, it was neither written by Huang Shigong nor received by Zhang Liang, but probably written by a hermit who was familiar with Zhang Liang's deeds during the Qin and Han Dynasties.Its name has been seen in the Three Kingdoms period, and "Sui Shu·Jing Ji Zhi" began to describe it.Today there are "Xu Gu Yi Cong Shu" Ying Song version (see Figure 12), and Ming and Qing "Martial Arts Seven Books" and so on.The book is divided into three volumes, upper, middle and lower, with about 3,800 words.It is a famous military book discussing victory and capture from the perspective of the relationship between politics and military affairs.

"Three Strategies" believes that a wise monarch must first govern the country with Taoism, virtue, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety, and must select talents to manage state affairs.The author attaches great importance to the role of the people, pointing out that "for the way of the country, rely on the virtuous and the people", "heroes are the backbone of the country; common people are the foundation of the country".It further emphasizes that wars should start from the purpose of protecting the people, "helping the world's dangers", "removing the world's worries", "saving the world's disasters", and defeating unjust wars with just wars.

The prominent feature of "Three Strategies" in terms of military governance is that it not only attaches importance to the commanding role of generals, but also pays attention to the combat role of soldiers.The general is the commander who commands the entire army, creates a favorable situation, and defeats the enemy, while the soldiers are the main force who fight bravely and destroy the enemy.To this end, a general must have excellent moral character and extensive knowledge, be honest, calm, fair, and strict, be able to accept the opinions of his subordinates, be able to decide right from wrong, be able to accommodate talents, be able to accept the suggestions of everyone, and be able to understand the customs of the country. , can study the situation of mountains and rivers, can understand the terrain and obstacles, and can control the power of the army.A general must share weal and woe with his soldiers. A well has not been dug, but a general cannot be said to be thirsty; a military stove has not yet been built, so a general cannot be called hungry; Don't hold an umbrella in rainy days; go to danger with soldiers in wartime.Among the previous military books, there is no one that can discuss the relationship between generals and soldiers like "Three Strategies".

After the publication of "Three Strategies", it has been widely valued by the world.Wei Zheng, a virtuous minister of the Tang Dynasty, included its content in "Qun Shu Zhi Yao".The Song Dynasty designated it as one of the "Seven Books of Wu Jing".The Xixia Kingdom translated it into Xixia language. "Three Strategies" spread to Japan and Korea in the Tang Dynasty.It shows the great influence of "Three Strategies".