Military strategists are the schools that studied military theories and engaged in military activities in the pre-Qin and early Han dynasties in China, and they are the essence of ancient Chinese military thoughts. Military strategists are the most practical, and their purpose is clear: to win. Therefore, in order to win, all kinds of tactics and innovations will come from military strategists. The four potential military strategists, also called the four schools of military strategists, are military terms, which refer to military tactics, military yin and yang, military situation and military skills. Han Shu Literature and Art Annals by Ban Gu.

1. Military tactics

Military strategist Ban Guyan said that it is characterized by "protecting the country with righteousness, using troops strangely, planning strongly, taking into account the situation, including yin and yang, and using skills." That is, the strategy and tactics we are familiar with at ordinary times have the widest meaning, and the method of winning is expounded from many aspects. Military strategists are not limited to the real battlefield where weapons are used, including military intelligence warfare, training and application of spies, striving for strategic space to unite with Lian Heng, vertical and horizontal diplomacy, and even applying economic theory to the enemy's strategic paralysis in economic warfare. This is the soul of a strategist.

Representative: Sun Wu.

2. Military situation

In terms of the situation of soldiers, Ban Gu said that its characteristics are "powerful people, thunderous, latecomers, pioneers, people who have left their homes, changeable people, and people who control the enemy with minor illnesses." Mainly refers to the use of tactics. According to the actual situation, the strategist uses the potential to control the enemy, guides the situation according to the situation, and puts himself in an invincible position first, so as not to be defeated.

Representative figures: Wei Liaozi and Xiang Yu.

3. Ice Yin and Yang

Soldiers are divided into yin and yang, and Ban Gu said that its characteristics are "timely, virtuous, fighting and helping others because of five victories and false ghosts and gods." Refers to the external environmental factors such as geography and astronomical phenomena that control the battlefield. It is not the skill of ghosts and gods that some people think. In four words, it is "the right time, the right place and the right people".

Representatives: Sun Bin, Sean, Zhang Jiao, Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, etc.

4. Military skills

Ban Guyan said that military skills are characterized by "skilled people, learning hands and feet, using tools and accumulating organs to build winners in attack and defense." It refers to all the basic military contents. Such as military food supply, logistics support, military medical care, military psychology, military management system, military training, soldier selection, weapons and equipment innovation and invention. Compared with the relatively abstract parts of military theory, such as tactics, yin and yang, situation, etc., military skills are the most concrete part of military theory, which can be said to be used immediately.

Representative figures: Mohist, Tian Dan and Qi Jiguang.