Three Strategies of Huang Shigong

The "Three Strategies of Huang Shigong" (黄石公三略) is a text on military strategy, one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China.cite book | last = Sawyer | first = Ralph D. | authorlink = | coauthors = Mei Mei-chün Sawyer | title = The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China | publisher = Westview Press | date = 1993 | location = | pages = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=N3z6OwIIf-IC | doi = | id = | isbn = 0813312280 ]

History and authorship

Like the "Six Secret Teachings", the "Three Strategies" is commonly attributed to Jiang Ziya, also known as Taigong. However, four other theories on the origins of the work have been put forth. The first is that the text was actually written and compiled by later followers of Taigong, rather than by the man himself. Another theory is that Huang Shigong himself may have written the text. Conservative classical scholars have declared the book a forgery. The final view is that the text was written around the end of the Former Han Dynasty by a reclusive follower of the Huang-Lao school of thought. [Sawyer (1993) pp. 281-289]

Content

As its title would suggest, the "Three Strategies of Huang Shigong" is organized into three sections, which can be interpreted as a hierarchy of importance or as simple indicators of position in the work. The work itself states that all three types of strategy are necessary for different styles of government. Much of the work is concerned with administrative control, but some important tactical concepts are also developed. Generals are placed in a high position, and must be unquestioned once they assume command. Attacks should be swift and decisive. [Sawyer (1993) pp. 289-291]

References