War has always been one of the most brutal and thought-provoking parts of human history. How can we achieve victory in this ruthless chess game? More than two thousand years ago, a debate between Xunzi and the Chu general Linwu left us with profound thoughts on the "way of using military force". This is not only a collision of military thoughts, but also the essence of ancient military wisdom. Today, looking at modern warfare, although tactics, technology, and battlefields have undergone earth shattering changes, some of its core concepts still have indelible value. From the dialogue between Xunzi and Lord Linwu, we can not only draw wisdom from military strategy, but also comprehend the profound philosophy behind military strategy. Linwu Jun's "favorable timing and location" and "preemptive strike" were opponents of Xunzi's argument, and he had his own unique insights on the "way of using weapons". When King Wuling of Zhao asked how to use military force, Lord Linwu replied, "When you have the right timing, you have the right location. Observe the changes of the enemy, and when they come later, they arrive first. This is the key technique for using military force." Lord Linwu's answer can be summarized as the classic military strategy of "timing, location, and harmony among people. He emphasized that the core element of using military force lies in mastering three conditions: 1. Timing - that is, natural conditions. War is often influenced by external factors such as climate and seasons. By mastering the "timing", one can launch attacks under favorable natural conditions. 2. Geographical advantage - that is, geographical advantage. In war, the control of terrain and topography is crucial. Natural barriers such as highlands, rivers, and mountains often affect the direction of war. Linwu Jun's "geographical advantage" refers to choosing a good battlefield and ensuring that one can have a geographical advantage. 3. Harmony - observing and judging the situation of both the enemy and ourselves. Linwu Jun emphasized the need to closely monitor the enemy's movements and changes, adjust tactics in a timely manner, seize the initiative before the enemy responds, and achieve the effect of "preemptive strike". When the enemy has not yet taken action, we act in advance so that we can seize the initiative and catch them off guard. The theory of Linwu Jun is not limited to the practical application of ancient warfare, and its underlying philosophical significance is also worth pondering. This overall concept of "favorable timing, favorable location, and harmonious people" is actually a macro strategic layout that requires leaders to possess extraordinary judgment and sharp intuition, and be able to find the most favorable opportunities in rapidly changing situations. However, Xunzi did not fully agree with the views of Lord Linwu on the principles of "using intelligence to defeat soldiers" and "strict adherence to principles and laws". Xunzi believed that although "favorable timing and location" are factors that cannot be ignored, they are not decisive factors. Xunzi placed greater emphasis on the strategic idea of 'using intelligence to win'. He emphasized that war is not just a confrontation of strength, but also a competition of wisdom. A wise monarch and general must respond to war through thoughtful strategies, rather than relying solely on external conditions. Xunzi believed that the essence of war is a contest of wisdom and strategy, which must pay attention to secrecy, cleverness, and flexibility. Xunzi's view on the use of military force is different from that of Lord Linwu's view of "favorable timing and location". He values more on how to defeat the enemy through intelligence and strategy. He gave many successful examples in history to illustrate that victory in war is often the triumph of the wise, rather than simply relying on favorable timing and location. At the same time, Xunzi also emphasized the "strictness of reason and law". He believes that a country and its military must establish sound laws and discipline in order to ensure victory in war. This means that any decision on the battlefield must follow certain rules and principles, rather than relying solely on chance and lucky tactics. Xunzi pointed out, "The military is the weapon of the country and should not be lightly activated." This sentence emphasizes the seriousness and importance of war. Any reckless behavior may lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, Xunzi proposed that successful generals must possess the wisdom of "knowing the heavens and the earth, knowing oneself and the enemy", and know how to make use of every detail in war, from the enemy's movements to their own military management. Every decision must be carefully considered to ensure that every step falls on the right track. The Way of War: Combining Intelligence and Strength. In summary, Xunzi's military philosophy emphasizes the importance of combining "wisdom" with "strength". In ancient wars, power was certainly indispensable, but more importantly, it was through clever strategies and far sighted vision to find and create advantages. Even under the conditions of favorable timing and location, without appropriate wisdom and decision-making, war may still be defeated due to strategic mistakes. Whether it is the "Hongmen Banquet" in the Chu Han War or the "Battle of Red Cliffs" during the Three Kingdoms period, they are full of the competition of wisdom and strategy. Taking the Battle of Red Cliffs as an example, although Cao Cao had a strong military and geographical advantage, he was too confident and ignored the enemy's strategy of using ships to launch a fire attack, ultimately leading to failure. On the contrary, the joint strategy of intelligence and courage by Zhou Yu and Liu Bei ultimately achieved victory. The modern significance of military thought, even today, Xunzi's military thought still has strong practical significance. Modern warfare, especially information warfare, relies more on high-tech means, but also cannot do without the support of strategy and tactics. In modern warfare, although "timing" and "geographical advantage" are no longer direct climate and geographical conditions, they are still closely related to "information timing" and "resource advantage". The strategic concept of 'preemptive strike' still applies today. Whether it is military action or commercial competition, often gaining an advantage in the forefront is necessary to stand out in fierce competition. The idea advocated by Xunzi of "using intelligence to win" is also ubiquitous in modern strategic decision-making. From international politics to corporate competition, from military conflicts to national security, all of these fields require decision-makers to possess a high level of wisdom and strategic vision. These ideas are not empty theories, but the crystallization of wisdom that can withstand the test of practice. Conclusion: The combination of wisdom and discipline. In summary, the debate between Xunzi and Lord Linwu on the "way of using military force" revealed the multifaceted and complex nature of military strategy. Although favorable timing and location are important, the most crucial factor is still the wisdom and strategy of the decision-makers. The strictness of reason and law is the foundation for ensuring the smooth progress of war and an indispensable principle in governing the country. Today, standing on Xunzi's shoulder, we can still gain profound enlightenment from it: behind any victory, there must be a perfect combination of wisdom and strength. (New Society)