Liutao

六韜 (Six Secret Teachings)

Anonymous; traditionally but incorrectly attributed to the 11th-century BC strategist Jiang Ziya (Taigong) · c. 400-250 BC (compilation; traditional attribution to the Zhou-founding strategist Jiang Ziya is legendary) · Linzi, State of Qi (China) · other

Framed as secret counsel given to the Zhou founders, the text argues that winning the people's allegiance through fair government is itself the decisive weapon, prepared long before any army takes the field.