[Thisend，accordingtoTuMu，isbestattainedbyremainingonthedefensive，andavoidingbattle.Cf.supra，ss.11.]
Onfacileground，Iwouldseethatthereiscloseconnectionbetweenallpartsofmyarmy.
[AsTuMusays，theobjectistoguardagainsttwopossiblecontingencies：\"（1）thedesertionofourowntroops;（2）asuddenattackonthepartoftheenemy.\"Cf.VII.ss.17.MeiYao—ch`ensays：\"Onthemarch，theregimentsshouldbeinclosetouch;inanencampment，thereshouldbecontinuitybetweenthefortifications.\"]
47.Oncontentiousground，Iwouldhurryupmyrear.
[ThisisTs`aoKung’sinterpretation.ChangYuadoptsit，saying：\"Wemustquicklybringupourrear，sothatheadandtailmaybothreachthegoal.\"Thatis，theymustnotbeallowedtostraggleupalongwayapart.MeiYao—ch`enoffersanotherequallyplausibleexplanation：\"Supposingtheenemyhasnotyetreachedthecovetedposition，andwearebehindhim，weshouldadvancewithallspeedinordertodisputeitspossession.\"