The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-23
FIT FOR COMMAND
AN ORIENTAL TALE WITH A
MORAL.
Chinese General Who Taught Soldiers
to Obey Orders and Won De-
served Recognition Of Merit
From His King.

Ho Lu said to Sun Tzu: II have
carefully perused your 10 chapters.
May I submit your theory of man.
aging soldiers to slight test?" Sun
Tzu replied: "You may" Ho Lu
asked: MAY the test be applied to
women?" The answer was again in
the affirmative. so arrangements were
made to bring $50 ladies out Of the
palace. Sun Tzu divided them into
two companies, according to Lionel
Giles translation Of "Sun Tzu on the
Art OF War;" and placed one of the
kings favorite concubines at the head
Of each. He then babe them all take
spears In their hands and addressed
them thus: II presume you know the
difference between front and back.
right hand and left hand?" The girls
replied: Eyes," Sun Tzu went on:
when I say Eyes 'front.' you must
look straight ahead. When say Left
turn you must face toward your left
hand. When say Right turn you
must face toward your right hand.
When say About turn you must
lace right around toward the back"
Again the girls assented. The words
of command having been thus ex.
planned, he set up the halberds and
battleaxes in order to begin the drill.
Then to the sound of drums he gave
the order Right turn" But the girls
only burst out laughing. Sun Tzu
said: IF words of command are not
clear and distinct, If orders are not
thoroughly understood, then the gen.
eral Is to blame" So he started drill
Ing them again and this time gave the
order: Left turn" whereupon the
girls once more burst into fits of
laughter. Sun Tzu said: IF words of
command are not clear and distinct,
II orders are not thoroughly under.
stood, the general is to blame. But
II his orders are clear and the soldiers
nevertheless disobey, then it is the
fault of their officers" So saying,
he ordered the leaders Of the two
companies to be beheaded.
Now the king of WI was watching
the scene from the top of the raised
pavilion, and when he saw that his
tavor1te concubines were about to be
executed he was greatly alarmed and
hurriedly sent down the following
message: 1--WE are now quite salts.
fed as to our generals ability to han.
die troops. If We are bereft of these
| two concubines our meat and drink
will lose their SAVIOR. It is our wish
that they shall not be beheaded." Sun
Tzu replied: Having once received
his majesty's commission to be gen.
eral OF his forces, there are certain
commands Of his majesty which, act
ing In that capacity, am unable to
accept" Accordingly he had the two
leaders beheaded and straightway in
stalled the pair next in order as lead
ers In their place. When this had
been done the drum was sounded for
the drill once more and the girls went
through all the evolutions, turning to
the right or the left, marching ahead
or wheeling back. kneeling or stand
Ing with perfect accuracy and pre-
cision, not venturing to utter a sound.
Then Sun Tzu sent messenger to the
king saying: "Your soldiers, sire, are
now properly drilled and disciplined.
and ready for your majesty's inspec.
ton. They can be put to any use that
their sovereign may desire. Bid them
go through fire and water, and they
will not disobey." But the king re.
piled: Let our general cease drill
Ing and return to camp. AS for us,
we have no wish to come down and
Inspect the troops" Thereupon Sun
Tzu said: "The king is only fond of
words. and cannot translate them into
Deeds" After that Ho Lu saw that
Sun Tzu was one who knew how to
handle an army and finally appointed
him general.