Research on the Categories of Military Texts in the Hanshu-Yiwenzhi 漢書•藝文志

Abstract

This paper is about military categories in Hanshu-Yiwenzhi 漢書•藝文志. Several Bingyinyang texts were excavated in Yinque 銀雀 Mountain, and one of them is Didian 地典 which is only surviving text listed in Hanshu-Yiwenzhi. Studying Didian develops our understanding of Bingyinyang and the other three military categories. There are four military categories - Bingquanmou 兵權謀, Bingxingshi 兵形勢, Bingyinyang 兵陰陽, and Bingjiqiao 兵技巧. As these four categories have close connections, studying only one category cannot allow us to understand it. Thus I compare and analyze them together. Before the military categories, I discuss Bing 兵 (Military) first, because it is the basic concept required to understand military texts. I discuss the basic difference between Bing and Zhuzi 諸子, also why they should be divided. Bingquanmou involves other three categories, the Quanmou 權謀 means doing whatever it takes to win a war. It wants to make sure our side wins, thus talks about where to look for predicting the result of a war. Bingxingshi is for someone who has already made the decision to launch a war, he stands in front of the battle field, so he wants to use quick and effective methods. Bingyinyang uses sophisticated theory to win a war, it is the theory of Yinyang and Five elements. Bingjiqiao is about weapons and disciplining soldiers. Bingyinyang texts had been lost for long, these have not been studied much yet. There is no standard to decide which text belongs to any one category. Besides Bingquanmou can cover other three categories, there is a controversy in categorizing the text of Bingyinyang. Through this paper I suggest a standard.