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  [ss.12—14arerepeatedinchap.XI.ss.52.]

  15.Inwar,practicedissimulation,andyouwillsucceed.

  [InthetacticsofTurenne,deceptionoftheenemy,especiallyastothenumericalstrengthofhistroops,tookaveryprominentposition.[2]]

  16.Whethertoconcentrateortodivideyourtroops,mustbedecidedbycircumstances.

  17.Letyourrapiditybethatofthewind,[Thesimileisdoublyappropriate,becausethewindisnotonlyswiftbut,asMeiYao—ch`enpointsout,\"invisibleandleavesnotracks.\"]

  yourcompactnessthatoftheforest.

  [MengShihcomesnearertothemarkinhisnote:\"Whenslowlymarching,orderandranksmustbepreserved\"——soastoguardagainstsurpriseattacks.Butnaturalforestdonotgrowinrows,whereastheydogenerallypossessthequalityofdensityorcompactness.]

  18.Inraidingandplunderingbelikefire,[Cf.SHIHCHING,IV.3.iv.6:\"Fierceasablazingfirewhichnomancancheck.\"]

  isimmovabilitylikeamountain.

  [Thatis,whenholdingapositionfromwhichtheenemyistryingtodislodgeyou,orperhaps,asTuYusays,whenheistryingtoenticeyouintoatrap.]

  19.Letyourplansbedarkandimpenetrableasnight,andwhenyoumove,falllikeathunderbolt.

  [TuYuquotesasayingofT`aiKungwhichhaspassedintoaproverb:\"Youcannotshutyourearstothethunderoryoureyestothelighting——sorapidarethey.\"Likewise,anattackshouldbemadesoquicklythatitcannotbeparried.]

  20.Whenyouplunderacountryside,letthespoilbedividedamongstyourmen;

  [SunTzuwishestolessentheabusesofindiscriminateplunderingbyinsistingthatallbootyshallbethrownintoacommonstock,whichmayafterwardsbefairlydividedamongstall.]

  whenyoucapturenewterritory,cutitupintoallotmentsforthebenefitofthesoldiery.

  [Ch`enHaosays\"quarteryoursoldiersontheland,andletthemsowandplantit.\"Itisbyactingonthisprinciple,andharvestingthelandstheyinvaded,thattheChinesehavesucceededincarryingoutsomeoftheirmostmemorableandtriumphantexpeditions,suchasthatofPanCh`aowhopenetratedtotheCaspian,andinmorerecentyears,thoseofFu—k`ang—anandTsoTsung—t`ang.]

  21.Ponderanddeliberatebeforeyoumakeamove.

  [ChangYuquotesWeiLiaoTzuassayingthatwemustnotbreakcampuntilwehavegainedtheresistingpoweroftheenemyandtheclevernessoftheopposinggeneral.Cf.the\"sevencomparisons\"inI.ss.13.]

  22.Hewillconquerwhohaslearnttheartificeofdeviation.

  [Seesupra,SS.3,4.]

  Suchistheartofmaneuvering.

  [Withthesewords,thechapterwouldnaturallycometoanend.ButtherenowfollowsalongappendixintheshapeofanextractfromanearlierbookonWar,nowlost,butapparentlyextantatthetimewhenSunTzuwrote.ThestyleofthisfragmentisnotnoticeabledifferentfromthatofSunTzuhimself,butnocommentatorraisesadoubtastoitsgenuineness.]

  23.TheBookofArmyManagementsays:

  [Itisperhapssignificantthatnoneoftheearliercommentatorsgiveusanyinformationaboutthiswork.MeiYao—

  Ch`encallsit\"anancientmilitaryclassic,\"andWangHsi,\"anoldbookonwar.\"ConsideringtheenormousamountoffightingthathadgoneonforcenturiesbeforeSunTzu’stimebetweenthevariouskingdomsandprincipalitiesofChina,itisnotinitselfimprobablethatacollectionofmilitarymaximsshouldhavebeenmadeandwrittendownatsomeearlierperiod.]

  Onthefieldofbattle,[Implied,thoughnotactuallyintheChinese.]

  thespokenworddoesnotcarryfarenough:hencetheinstitutionofgongsanddrums.Norcanordinaryobjectsbeseenclearlyenough:hencetheinstitutionofbannersandflags.

  24.Gongsanddrums,bannersandflags,aremeanswherebytheearsandeyesofthehostmaybefocusedononeparticularpoint.

  [ChangYusays:\"Ifsightandhearingconvergesimultaneouslyonthesameobject,theevolutionsofasmanyasamillionsoldierswillbelikethoseofasingleman.\"!]

  25.Thehostthusformingasingleunitedbody,isitimpossibleeitherforthebravetoadvancealone,orforthecowardlytoretreatalone.

  [ChuangYuquotesasaying:\"Equallyguiltyarethosewhoadvanceagainstordersandthosewhoretreatagainstorders.\"TuMutellsastoryinthisconnectionofWuCh`i,whenhewasfightingagainsttheCh`inState.Beforethebattlehadbegun,oneofhissoldiers,amanofmatchlessdaring,salliedforthbyhimself,capturedtwoheadsfromtheenemy,andreturnedtocamp.

  WuCh`ihadthemaninstantlyexecuted,whereuponanofficerventuredtoremonstrate,saying:\"Thismanwasagoodsoldier,andoughtnottohavebeenbeheaded.\"WuCh`ireplied:\"Ifullybelievehewasagoodsoldier,butIhadhimbeheadedbecauseheactedwithoutorders.\"]

  Thisistheartofhandlinglargemassesofmen.

  26.Innight—fighting,then,makemuchuseofsignal—firesanddrums,andinfightingbyday,offlagsandbanners,asameansofinfluencingtheearsandeyesofyourarmy.

  [Ch`enHaoalludestoLiKuang—pi’snightridetoHo—yangattheheadof500mountedmen;theymadesuchanimposingdisplaywithtorches,thatthoughtherebelleaderShihSsu—minghadalargearmy,hedidnotdaretodisputetheirpassage.]

  27.Awholearmymayberobbedofitsspirit;

  [\"Inwar,\"saysChangYu,\"ifaspiritofangercanbemadetopervadeallranksofanarmyatoneandthesametime,itsonsetwillbeirresistible.Nowthespiritoftheenemy’ssoldierswillbekeenestwhentheyhavenewlyarrivedonthescene,anditisthereforeourcuenottofightatonce,buttowaituntiltheirardorandenthusiasmhavewornoff,andthenstrike.Itisinthiswaythattheymayberobbedoftheirkeenspirit.\"LiCh`uanandotherstellananecdote(tobefoundintheTSOCHUAN,year10,ss.1)ofTs`aoKuei,aprotegeofDukeChuangofLu.ThelatterStatewasattackedbyCh`i,andthedukewasabouttojoinbattleatCh`ang—cho,afterthefirstrolloftheenemy’sdrums,whenTs`aosaid:\"Notjustyet.\"Onlyaftertheirdrumshadbeatenforthethirdtime,didhegivethewordforattack.Thentheyfought,andthemenofCh`iwereutterlydefeated.QuestionedafterwardsbytheDukeastothemeaningofhisdelay,Ts`aoKueireplied:\"Inbattle,acourageousspiritiseverything.Nowthefirstrollofthedrumtendstocreatethisspirit,butwiththeseconditisalreadyonthewane,andafterthethirditisgonealtogether.Iattackedwhentheirspiritwasgoneandourswasatitsheight.Henceourvictory.\"WuTzu(chap.4)puts\"spirit\"firstamongthe\"fourimportantinfluences\"inwar,andcontinues:\"Thevalueofawholearmy——amightyhostofamillionmen——isdependentononemanalone:suchistheinfluenceofspirit!\"]

  acommander—in—chiefmayberobbedofhispresenceofmind.

  [ChangYusays:\"Presenceofmindisthegeneral’smostimportantasset.Itisthequalitywhichenableshimtodisciplinedisorderandtoinspirecourageintothepanic—

  stricken.\"ThegreatgeneralLiChing(A.D.571—649)hasasaying:\"Attackingdoesnotmerelyconsistinassaultingwalledcitiesorstrikingatanarmyinbattlearray;itmustincludetheartofassailingtheenemy’smentalequilibrium.\"]

  28.Nowasolider’sspiritiskeenestinthemorning;

  [Alwaysprovided,Isuppose,thathehashadbreakfast.AtthebattleoftheTrebia,theRomanswerefoolishlyallowedtofightfasting,whereasHannibal’smenhadbreakfastedattheirleisure.SeeLivy,XXI,liv.8,lv.1and8.]

  bynoondayithasbeguntoflag;andintheevening,hismindisbentonlyonreturningtocamp.

  29.Aclevergeneral,therefore,avoidsanarmywhenitsspiritiskeen,butattacksitwhenitissluggishandinclinedtoreturn.Thisistheartofstudyingmoods.

  30.Disciplinedandcalm,toawaittheappearanceofdisorderandhubbubamongsttheenemy:——thisistheartofretainingself—possession.

  31.Tobenearthegoalwhiletheenemyisstillfarfromit,towaitateasewhiletheenemyistoilingandstruggling,tobewell—fedwhiletheenemyisfamished:——thisistheartofhusbandingone’sstrength.

  32.Torefrainfrominterceptinganenemywhosebannersareinperfectorder,torefrainfromattackinganarmydrawnupincalmandconfidentarray:——thisistheartofstudyingcircumstances.

  33.Itisamilitaryaxiomnottoadvanceuphillagainsttheenemy,nortoopposehimwhenhecomesdownhill.

  34.Donotpursueanenemywhosimulatesflight;donotattacksoldierswhosetemperiskeen.

  35.Donotswallowbaitofferedbytheenemy.

  [LiCh`uanandTuMu,withextraordinaryinabilitytoseeametaphor,takethesewordsquiteliterallyoffoodanddrinkthathavebeenpoisonedbytheenemy.Ch`enHaoandChangYucarefullypointoutthatthesayinghasawiderapplication.]

  Donotinterferewithanarmythatisreturninghome.

  [Thecommentatorsexplainthisrathersingularpieceofadvicebysayingthatamanwhoseheartissetonreturninghomewillfighttothedeathagainstanyattempttobarhisway,andisthereforetoodangerousanopponenttobetackled.ChangYuquotesthewordsofHanHsin:\"Invincibleisthesoldierwhohathhisdesireandreturnethhomewards.\"AmarveloustaleistoldofTs`aoTs`ao’scourageandresourceinch.1oftheSAN

  KUOCHI:In198A.D.,hewasbesiegingChangHsiuinJang,whenLiuPiaosentreinforcementswithaviewtocuttingoffTs`ao’sretreat.Thelatterwasobligbedtodrawoffhistroops,onlytofindhimselfhemmedinbetweentwoenemies,whowereguardingeachoutletofanarrowpassinwhichhehadengagedhimself.InthisdesperateplightTs`aowaiteduntilnightfall,whenheboredatunnelintothemountainsideandlaidanambushinit.Assoonasthewholearmyhadpassedby,thehiddentroopsfellonhisrear,whileTs`aohimselfturnedandmethispursuersinfront,sothattheywerethrownintoconfusionandannihilated.

  Ts`aoTs`aosaidafterwards:\"Thebrigandstriedtocheckmyarmyinitsretreatandbroughtmetobattleinadesperateposition:henceIknewhowtoovercomethem.\"]

  36.Whenyousurroundanarmy,leaveanoutletfree.

  [Thisdoesnotmeanthattheenemyistobeallowedtoescape.Theobject,asTuMuputsit,is\"tomakehimbelievethatthereisaroadtosafety,andthuspreventhisfightingwiththecourageofdespair.\"TuMuaddspleasantly:\"Afterthat,youmaycrushhim.\"]

  Donotpressadesperatefoetoohard.

  [Ch`enHaoquotesthesaying:\"Birdsandbeastswhenbroughttobaywillusetheirclawsandteeth.\"ChangYusays:

  \"Ifyouradversaryhasburnedhisboatsanddestroyedhiscooking—pots,andisreadytostakeallontheissueofabattle,hemustnotbepushedtoextremities.\"HoShihillustratesthemeaningbyastorytakenfromthelifeofYen—ch`ing.Thatgeneral,togetherwithhiscolleagueTuChung—weiwassurroundedbyavastlysuperiorarmyofKhitansintheyear945A.D.Thecountrywasbareanddesert—like,andthelittleChineseforcewassoonindirestraitsforwantofwater.Thewellstheyboredrandry,andthemenwerereducedtosqueezinglumpsofmudandsuckingoutthemoisture.Theirranksthinnedrapidly,untilatlastFuYen—ch`ingexclaimed:\"Wearedesperatemen.Farbettertodieforourcountrythantogowithfetteredhandsintocaptivity!\"Astronggalehappenedtobeblowingfromthenortheastanddarkeningtheairwithdensecloudsofsandydust.

  ToChung—weiwasforwaitinguntilthishadabatedbeforedecidingonafinalattack;butluckilyanotherofficer,LiShou—

  chengbyname,wasquickertoseeanopportunity,andsaid:

  \"Theyaremanyandwearefew,butinthemidstofthissandstormournumberswillnotbediscernible;victorywillgotothestrenuousfighter,andthewindwillbeourbestally.\"

  Accordingly,FuYen—ch`ingmadeasuddenandwhollyunexpectedonslaughtwithhiscavalry,routedthebarbariansandsucceededinbreakingthroughtosafety.]

  37.Suchistheartofwarfare.

  [1]SeeCol.Henderson,op.cit.vol.I.p.426.

  [2]Foranumberofmaximsonthishead,see\"MarshalTurenne\"

  (Longmans,1907),p.29.

  VIII.VARIATIONINTACTICS

  [Theheadingmeansliterally\"TheNineVariations,\"butasSunTzudoesnotappeartoenumeratethese,andas,indeed,hehasalreadytoldus(VSS.6—11)thatsuchdeflectionsfromtheordinarycoursearepracticallyinnumerable,wehavelittleoptionbuttofollowWangHsi,whosaysthat\"Nine\"standsforanindefinitelylargenumber.\"AllitmeansisthatinwarfareweoughttoveryourtacticstotheutmostdegreeIdonotknowwhatTs`aoKungmakestheseNineVariationsouttobe,butithasbeensuggestedthattheyareconnectedwiththeNineSituations\"

  —ofchapt.XI.ThisistheviewadoptedbyChangYu.Theonlyotheralternativeistosupposethatsomethinghasbeenlost——asuppositiontowhichtheunusualshortnessofthechapterlendssomeweight.]

  1.SunTzusaid:Inwar,thegeneralreceiveshiscommandsfromthesovereign,collectshisarmyandconcentrateshisforces.

  [RepeatedfromVII.ss.1,whereitiscertainlymoreinplace.Itmayhavebeeninterpolatedheremerelyinordertosupplyabeginningtothechapter.]

  2.Whenindifficultcountry,donotencamp.Incountrywherehighroadsintersect,joinhandswithyourallies.Donotlingerindangerouslyisolatedpositions.

  [ThelastsituationisnotoneoftheNineSituationsasgiveninthebeginningofchap.XI,butoccurslateron(ibid.

  ss.43.q.v.).ChangYudefinesthissituationasbeingsituatedacrossthefrontier,inhostileterritory.LiCh`uansaysitis\"countryinwhichtherearenospringsorwells,flocksorherds,vegetablesorfirewood;\"ChiaLin,\"oneofgorges,chasmsandprecipices,withoutaroadbywhichtoadvance.\"]

  Inhemmed—insituations,youmustresorttostratagem.Indesperateposition,youmustfight.

  3.Thereareroadswhichmustnotbefollowed,[\"Especiallythoseleadingthroughnarrowdefiles,\"saysLiCh`uan,\"whereanambushistobefeared.\"]

  armieswhichmustbenotattacked,[Morecorrectly,perhaps,\"therearetimeswhenanarmymustnotbeattacked.\"Ch`enHaosays:\"Whenyouseeyourwaytoobtainarivaladvantage,butarepowerlesstoinflictarealdefeat,refrainfromattacking,forfearofovertaxingyourmen’sstrength.\"]

  townswhichmustbebesieged,[Cf.III.ss.4Ts`aoKunggivesaninterestingillustrationfromhisownexperience.WheninvadingtheterritoryofHsu—chou,heignoredthecityofHua—pi,whichlaydirectlyinhispath,andpressedonintotheheartofthecountry.Thisexcellentstrategywasrewardedbythesubsequentcaptureofnofewerthanfourteenimportantdistrictcities.

  ChangYusays:\"Notownshouldbeattackedwhich,iftaken,cannotbeheld,orifleftalone,willnotcauseanytrouble.\"

  HsunYing,whenurgedtoattackPi—yang,replied:\"Thecityissmallandwell—fortified;evenifIsucceedintakingit,itwillbenogreatfeatofarms;whereasifIfail,Ishallmakemyselfalaughing—stock.\"Intheseventeenthcentury,siegesstillformedalargeproportionofwar.ItwasTurennewhodirectedattentiontotheimportanceofmarches,countermarchesandmaneuvers.Hesaid:\"Itisagreatmistaketowastemenintakingatownwhenthesameexpenditureofsoldierswillgainaprovince.\"[1]]

  positionswhichmustnotbecontested,commandsofthesovereignwhichmustnotbeobeyed.

  [ThisisahardsayingfortheChinese,withtheirreverenceforauthority,andWeiLiaoTzu(quotedbyTuMu)ismovedtoexclaim:\"Weaponsarebalefulinstruments,strifeisantagonistictovirtue,amilitarycommanderisthenegationofcivilorder!\"Theunpalatablefactremains,however,thatevenImperialwishesmustbesubordinatedtomilitarynecessity.]

  4.Thegeneralwhothoroughlyunderstandstheadvantagesthataccompanyvariationoftacticsknowshowtohandlehistroops.

  5.Thegeneralwhodoesnotunderstandthese,maybewellacquaintedwiththeconfigurationofthecountry,yethewillnotbeabletoturnhisknowledgetopracticalaccount.

  [Literally,\"gettheadvantageoftheground,\"whichmeansnotonlysecuringgoodpositions,butavailingoneselfofnaturaladvantagesineverypossibleway.ChangYusays:\"Everykindofgroundischaracterizedbycertainnaturalfeatures,andalsogivesscopeforacertainvariabilityofplan.Howitispossibletoturnthesenaturalfeaturestoaccountunlesstopographicalknowledgeissupplementedbyversatilityofmind?\"]

  6.So,thestudentofwarwhoisunversedintheartofwarofvaryinghisplans,eventhoughhebeacquaintedwiththeFiveAdvantages,willfailtomakethebestuseofhismen.

  [ChiaLintellsusthattheseimplyfiveobviousandgenerallyadvantageouslinesofaction,namely:\"ifacertainroadisshort,itmustbefollowed;ifanarmyisisolated,itmustbeattacked;ifatownisinaparlouscondition,itmustbebesieged;ifapositioncanbestormed,itmustbeattempted;andifconsistentwithmilitaryoperations,theruler’scommandsmustbeobeyed.\"Buttherearecircumstanceswhichsometimesforbidageneraltousetheseadvantages.Forinstance,\"acertainroadmaybetheshortestwayforhim,butifheknowsthatitaboundsinnaturalobstacles,orthattheenemyhaslaidanambushonit,hewillnotfollowthatroad.Ahostileforcemaybeopentoattack,butifheknowsthatitishard—pressedandlikelytofightwithdesperation,hewillrefrainfromstriking,\"andsoon.]

  7.Henceinthewiseleader’splans,considerationsofadvantageandofdisadvantagewillbeblendedtogether.

  [\"Whetherinanadvantageouspositionoradisadvantageousone,\"saysTs`aoKung,\"theoppositestateshouldbealwayspresenttoyourmind.\"]

  8.Ifourexpectationofadvantagebetemperedinthisway,wemaysucceedinaccomplishingtheessentialpartofourschemes.

  [TuMusays:\"Ifwewishtowrestanadvantagefromtheenemy,wemustnotfixourmindsonthatalone,butallowforthepossibilityoftheenemyalsodoingsomeharmtous,andletthisenterasafactorintoourcalculations.\"]

  9.If,ontheotherhand,inthemidstofdifficultieswearealwaysreadytoseizeanadvantage,wemayextricateourselvesfrommisfortune.

  [TuMusays:\"IfIwishtoextricatemyselffromadangerousposition,Imustconsidernotonlytheenemy’sabilitytoinjureme,butalsomyownabilitytogainanadvantageovertheenemy.Ifinmycounselsthesetwoconsiderationsareproperlyblended,IshallsucceedinliberatingmyselfForinstance;ifIamsurroundedbytheenemyandonlythinkofeffectinganescape,thenervelessnessofmypolicywillincitemyadversarytopursueandcrushme;itwouldbefarbettertoencouragemymentodeliveraboldcounter—attack,andusetheadvantagethusgainedtofreemyselffromtheenemy’stoils.\"

  SeethestoryofTs`aoTs`ao,VII.ss.35,note.]

  10.Reducethehostilechiefsbyinflictingdamageonthem;

  [ChiaLinenumeratesseveralwaysofinflictingthisinjury,someofwhichwouldonlyoccurtotheOrientalmind:——\"Enticeawaytheenemy’sbestandwisestmen,sothathemaybeleftwithoutcounselors.Introducetraitorsintohiscountry,thatthegovernmentpolicymayberenderedfutile.Fomentintrigueanddeceit,andthussowdissensionbetweentherulerandhisministers.Bymeansofeveryartfulcontrivance,causedeteriorationamongsthismenandwasteofhistreasure.Corrupthismoralsbyinsidiousgiftsleadinghimintoexcess.Disturbandunsettlehismindbypresentinghimwithlovelywomen.\"

  ChangYu(afterWangHsi)makesadifferentinterpretationofSunTzuhere:\"Gettheenemyintoapositionwherehemustsufferinjury,andhewillsubmitofhisownaccord.\"]

  andmaketroubleforthem,[TuMu,inthisphrase,inhisinterpretationindicatesthattroubleshouldbemakefortheenemyaffectingtheir\"possessions,\"or,aswemightsay,\"assets,\"whichheconsiderstobe\"alargearmy,arichexchequer,harmonyamongstthesoldiers,punctualfulfillmentofcommands.\"Thesegiveusawhip—handovertheenemy.]

  andkeepthemconstantlyengaged;

  [Literally,\"makeservantsofthem.\"TuYusays\"preventthefromhavinganyrest.\"]

  holdoutspeciousallurements,andmakethemrushtoanygivenpoint.

  [MengShih’snotecontainsanexcellentexampleoftheidiomaticuseof:\"causethemtoforgetPIEN(thereasonsforactingotherwisethanontheirfirstimpulse),andhasteninourdirection.\"]

  11.Theartofwarteachesustorelynotonthelikelihoodoftheenemy’snotcoming,butonourownreadinesstoreceivehim;notonthechanceofhisnotattacking,butratheronthefactthatwehavemadeourpositionunassailable.

  12.Therearefivedangerousfaultswhichmayaffectageneral:(1)Recklessness,whichleadstodestruction;

  [\"Braverywithoutforethought,\"asTs`aoKunganalyzesit,whichcausesamantofightblindlyanddesperatelylikeamadbull.Suchanopponent,saysChangYu,\"mustnotbeencounteredwithbruteforce,butmaybeluredintoanambushandslain.\"

  Cf.WuTzu,chap.IV.adinit.:\"Inestimatingthecharacterofageneral,menarewonttopayexclusiveattentiontohiscourage,forgettingthatcourageisonlyoneoutofmanyqualitieswhichageneralshouldpossess.Themerelybravemanispronetofightrecklessly;andhewhofightsrecklessly,withoutanyperceptionofwhatisexpedient,mustbecondemned.\"

  Ssu—maFa,too,maketheincisiveremark:\"Simplygoingtoone’sdeathdoesnotbringaboutvictory.\"]

  (2)cowardice,whichleadstocapture;

  [Ts`aoKungdefinestheChinesewordtranslatedhereas\"cowardice\"asbeingoftheman\"whomtimiditypreventsfromadvancingtoseizeanadvantage,\"andWangHsiadds\"whoisquicktofleeatthesightofdanger.\"MengShihgivesthecloserparaphrase\"hewhoisbentonreturningalive,\"thisis,themanwhowillnevertakearisk.But,asSunTzuknew,nothingistobeachievedinwarunlessyouarewillingtotakerisks.T`aiKungsaid:\"Hewholetsanadvantageslipwillsubsequentlybringuponhimselfrealdisaster.\"In404A.D.,LiuYupursuedtherebelHuanHsuanuptheYangtszeandfoughtanavalbattlewithhimattheislandofCh`eng—hung.Theloyaltroopsnumberedonlyafewthousands,whiletheiropponentswereingreatforce.

  ButHuanHsuan,fearingthefatewhichwasinstoreforhimshouldbebeovercome,hadalightboatmadefasttothesideofhiswar—junk,sothathemightescape,ifnecessary,atamoment’snotice.Thenaturalresultwasthatthefightingspiritofhissoldierswasutterlyquenched,andwhentheloyalistsmadeanattackfromwindwardwithfireships,allstrivingwiththeutmostardortobefirstinthefray,HuanHsuan’sforceswererouted,hadtoburnalltheirbaggageandfledfortwodaysandnightswithoutstopping.ChangYutellsasomewhatsimilarstoryofChaoYing—ch`i,ageneraloftheChinStatewhoduringabattlewiththearmyofCh`uin597B.C.hadaboatkeptinreadinessforhimontheriver,wishingincaseofdefeattobethefirsttogetacross.]

  (3)ahastytemper,whichcanbeprovokedbyinsults;

  [TuMutellsusthatYaoHsing,whenopposedin357A.D.byHuangMei,TengCh`iangandothersshuthimselfupbehindhiswallsandrefusedtofight.TengCh`iangsaid:\"Ouradversaryisofacholerictemperandeasilyprovoked;letusmakeconstantsalliesandbreakdownhiswalls,thenhewillgrowangryandcomeout.Oncewecanbringhisforcetobattle,itisdoomedtobeourprey.\"Thisplanwasactedupon,YaoHsiangcameouttofight,wasluredasfarasSan—yuanbytheenemy’spretendedflight,andfinallyattackedandslain.]

  (4)adelicacyofhonorwhichissensitivetoshame;

  [Thisneednotbetakentomeanthatasenseofhonorisreallyadefectinageneral.WhatSunTzucondemnsisratheranexaggeratedsensitivenesstoslanderousreports,thethin—skinnedmanwhoisstungbyopprobrium,howeverundeserved.MeiYao—

  ch`entrulyobserves,thoughsomewhatparadoxically:\"Theseekaftergloryshouldbecarelessofpublicopinion.\"]

  (5)over—solicitudeforhismen,whichexposeshimtoworryandtrouble.

  [Hereagain,SunTzudoesnotmeanthatthegeneralistobecarelessofthewelfareofhistroops.Allhewishestoemphasizeisthedangerofsacrificinganyimportantmilitaryadvantagetotheimmediatecomfortofhismen.Thisisashortsightedpolicy,becauseinthelongrunthetroopswillsuffermorefromthedefeat,or,atbest,theprolongationofthewar,whichwillbetheconsequence.Amistakenfeelingofpitywillofteninduceageneraltorelieveabeleagueredcity,ortoreinforceahard—presseddetachment,contrarytohismilitaryinstincts.ItisnowgenerallyadmittedthatourrepeatedeffortstorelieveLadysmithintheSouthAfricanWarweresomanystrategicalblunderswhichdefeatedtheirownpurpose.Andintheend,reliefcamethroughtheverymanwhostartedoutwiththedistinctresolvenolongertosubordinatetheinterestsofthewholetosentimentinfavorofapart.Anoldsoldierofoneofourgeneralswhofailedmostconspicuouslyinthiswar,triedonce,Iremember,todefendhimtomeonthegroundthathewasalways\"sogoodtohismen.\"Bythisplea,hadhebutknownit,hewasonlycondemninghimoutofSunTzu’smouth.]

  13.Thesearethefivebesettingsinsofageneral,ruinoustotheconductofwar.

  14.Whenanarmyisoverthrownanditsleaderslain,thecausewillsurelybefoundamongthesefivedangerousfaults.

  Letthembeasubjectofmeditation.

  [1]\"MarshalTurenne,\"p.50.

  IX.THEARMYONTHEMARCH

  [Thecontentsofthisinterestingchapterarebetterindicatedinss.1thanbythisheading.]

  1.SunTzusaid:Wecomenowtothequestionofencampingthearmy,andobservingsignsoftheenemy.Passquicklyovermountains,andkeepintheneighborhoodofvalleys.

  [Theideais,nottolingeramongbarrenuplands,buttokeepclosetosuppliesofwaterandgrass.Cf.WuTzu,ch.3:

  \"Abidenotinnaturalovens,\"i.e.\"theopeningsofvalleys.\"

  ChangYutellsthefollowinganecdote:Wu—tuCh`iangwasarobbercaptaininthetimeoftheLaterHan,andMaYuanwassenttoexterminatehisgang.Ch`ianghavingfoundarefugeinthehills,MaYuanmadenoattempttoforceabattle,butseizedallthefavorablepositionscommandingsuppliesofwaterandforage.

  Ch`iangwassooninsuchadesperateplightforwantofprovisionsthathewasforcedtomakeatotalsurrender.Hedidnotknowtheadvantageofkeepingintheneighborhoodofvalleys.\"]

  2.Campinhighplaces,[Notonhighhills,butonknollsorhillockselevatedabovethesurroundingcountry.]

  facingthesun.

  [TuMutakesthistomean\"facingsouth,\"andCh`enHao\"facingeast.\"Cf.infra,SS.11,13.

  Donotclimbheightsinordertofight.Somuchformountainwarfare.

  3.Aftercrossingariver,youshouldgetfarawayfromit.

  [\"Inordertotempttheenemytocrossafteryou,\"accordingtoTs`aoKung,andalso,saysChangYu,\"inordernottobeimpededinyourevolutions.\"TheT`UNGTIENreads,\"IfTHEENEMY

  crossesariver,\"etc.Butinviewofthenextsentence,thisisalmostcertainlyaninterpolation.]

  4.Whenaninvadingforcecrossesariverinitsonwardmarch,donotadvancetomeetitinmid—stream.Itwillbebesttolethalfthearmygetacross,andthendeliveryourattack.

  [LiCh`uanalludestothegreatvictorywonbyHanHsinoverLungChuattheWeiRiver.TurningtotheCH`IENHANSHU,ch.

  34,fol.6verso,wefindthebattledescribedasfollows:\"Thetwoarmiesweredrawnuponoppositesidesoftheriver.Inthenight,HanHsinorderedhismentotakesometenthousandsacksfilledwithsandandconstructadamhigherup.Then,leadinghalfhisarmyacross,heattackedLungChu;butafteratime,pretendingtohavefailedinhisattempt,hehastilywithdrewtotheotherbank.LungChuwasmuchelatedbythisunlooked—forsuccess,andexclaiming:\"IfeltsurethatHanHsinwasreallyacoward!\"hepursuedhimandbegancrossingtheriverinhisturn.

  HanHsinnowsentapartytocutopenthesandbags,thusreleasingagreatvolumeofwater,whichsweptdownandpreventedthegreaterportionofLungChu’sarmyfromgettingacross.Hethenturnedupontheforcewhichhadbeencutoff,andannihilatedit,LungChuhimselfbeingamongsttheslain.Therestofthearmy,onthefurtherbank,alsoscatteredandfledinalldirections.]

  5.Ifyouareanxioustofight,youshouldnotgotomeettheinvadernearariverwhichhehastocross.

  [Forfearofpreventinghiscrossing.]

  6.Mooryourcrafthigherupthantheenemy,andfacingthesun.

  [Seesupra,ss.2.Therepetitionofthesewordsinconnectionwithwaterisveryawkward.ChangYuhasthenote:

  \"Saideitheroftroopsmarshaledontheriver—bank,orofboatsanchoredinthestreamitself;ineithercaseitisessentialtobehigherthantheenemyandfacingthesun.\"Theothercommentatorsarenotatallexplicit.]

  Donotmoveup—streamtomeettheenemy.

  [TuMusays:\"Aswaterflowsdownwards,wemustnotpitchourcamponthelowerreachesofariver,forfeartheenemyshouldopenthesluicesandsweepusawayinaflood.Chu—koWu—

  houhasremarkedthat’inriverwarfarewemustnotadvanceagainstthestream,’whichisasmuchastosaythatourfleetmustnotbeanchoredbelowthatoftheenemy,forthentheywouldbeabletotakeadvantageofthecurrentandmakeshortworkofus.\"Thereisalsothedanger,notedbyothercommentators,thattheenemymaythrowpoisononthewatertobecarrieddowntous.]

  Somuchforriverwarfare.

  7.Incrossingsalt—marshes,yoursoleconcernshouldbetogetoverthemquickly,withoutanydelay.

  [Becauseofthelackoffreshwater,thepoorqualityoftheherbage,andlastbutnotleast,becausetheyarelow,flat,andexposedtoattack.]

  8.Ifforcedtofightinasalt—marsh,youshouldhavewaterandgrassnearyou,andgetyourbacktoaclumpoftrees.

  [LiCh`uanremarksthatthegroundislesslikelytobetreacherouswheretherearetrees,whileTuMusaysthattheywillservetoprotecttherear.]

  Somuchforoperationsinsalt—marches.

  9.Indry,levelcountry,takeupaneasilyaccessiblepositionwithrisinggroundtoyourrightandonyourrear,[TuMuquotesT`aiKungassaying:\"Anarmyshouldhaveastreamoramarshonitsleft,andahillortumulusonitsright.\"]

  sothatthedangermaybeinfront,andsafetyliebehind.Somuchforcampaigninginflatcountry.

  10.Thesearethefourusefulbranchesofmilitaryknowledge[Those,namely,concernedwith(1)mountains,(2)rivers,(3)marshes,and(4)plains.CompareNapoleon’s\"MilitaryMaxims,\"no.1.]

  whichenabledtheYellowEmperortovanquishfourseveralsovereigns.

  [Regardingthe\"YellowEmperor\":MeiYao—ch`enasks,withsomeplausibility,whetherthereisanerrorinthetextasnothingisknownofHuangTihavingconqueredfourotherEmperors.TheSHIHCHI(ch.1adinit.)speaksonlyofhisvictoriesoverYenTiandCh`ihYu.IntheLIUT`AOitismentionedthathe\"foughtseventybattlesandpacifiedtheEmpire.\"Ts`aoKung’sexplanationis,thattheYellowEmperorwasthefirsttoinstitutethefeudalsystemofvassalsprinces,eachofwhom(tothenumberoffour)originallyborethetitleofEmperor.LiCh`uantellsusthattheartofwaroriginatedunderHuangTi,whoreceiveditfromhisMinisterFengHou.]

  11.Allarmiespreferhighgroundtolow.

  [\"HighGround,\"saysMeiYao—ch`en,\"isnotonlymoreagreementandsalubrious,butmoreconvenientfromamilitarypointofview;lowgroundisnotonlydampandunhealthy,butalsodisadvantageousforfighting.\"]

  andsunnyplacestodark.

  12.Ifyouarecarefulofyourmen,[Ts`aoKungsays:\"Makeforfreshwaterandpasture,whereyoucanturnoutyouranimalstograze.\"]

  andcamponhardground,thearmywillbefreefromdiseaseofeverykind,[ChangYusays:\"Thedrynessoftheclimatewillpreventtheoutbreakofillness.\"]

  andthiswillspellvictory.

  13.Whenyoucometoahillorabank,occupythesunnyside,withtheslopeonyourrightrear.Thusyouwillatonceactforthebenefitofyoursoldiersandutilizethenaturaladvantagesoftheground.

  14.When,inconsequenceofheavyrainsup—country,ariverwhichyouwishtofordisswollenandfleckedwithfoam,youmustwaituntilitsubsides.

  15.Countryinwhichthereareprecipitouscliffswithtorrentsrunningbetween,deepnaturalhollows,[Thelatterdefinedas\"placesenclosedoneverysidebysteepbanks,withpoolsofwateratthebottom.]

  confinedplaces,[Definedas\"naturalpensorprisons\"or\"placessurroundedbyprecipicesonthreesides——easytogetinto,buthardtogetoutof.\"]

  tangledthickets,[Definedas\"placescoveredwithsuchdenseundergrowththatspearscannotbeused.\"]

  quagmires[Definedas\"low—lyingplaces,soheavywithmudastobeimpassableforchariotsandhorsemen.\"]

  andcrevasses,[DefinedbyMeiYao—ch`enas\"anarrowdifficultwaybetweenbeetlingcliffs.\"TuMu’snoteis\"groundcoveredwithtreesandrocks,andintersectedbynumerousravinesandpitfalls.\"Thisisveryvague,butChiaLinexplainsitclearlyenoughasadefileornarrowpass,andChangYutakesmuchthesameview.Onthewhole,theweightofthecommentatorscertainlyinclinestotherendering\"defile.\"ButtheordinarymeaningoftheChineseinoneplaceis\"acrackorfissure\"andthefactthatthemeaningoftheChineseelsewhereinthesentenceindicatessomethinginthenatureofadefile,makemethinkthatSunTzuisherespeakingofcrevasses.]

  shouldbeleftwithallpossiblespeedandnotapproached.

  16.Whilewekeepawayfromsuchplaces,weshouldgettheenemytoapproachthem;whilewefacethem,weshouldlettheenemyhavethemonhisrear.

  17.Ifintheneighborhoodofyourcampthereshouldbeanyhillycountry,pondssurroundedbyaquaticgrass,hollowbasinsfilledwithreeds,orwoodswiththickundergrowth,theymustbecarefullyroutedoutandsearched;fortheseareplaceswheremeninambushorinsidiousspiesarelikelytobelurking.

  [ChangYuhasthenote:\"Wemustalsobeonourguardagainsttraitorswhomaylieinclosecovert,secretlyspyingoutourweaknessesandoverhearingourinstructions.\"]

  18.Whentheenemyiscloseathandandremainsquiet,heisrelyingonthenaturalstrengthofhisposition.

  [HerebeginSunTzu’sremarksonthereadingofsigns,muchofwhichissogoodthatitcouldalmostbeincludedinamodernmanuallikeGen.Baden—Powell’s\"AidstoScouting.\"]

  19.Whenhekeepsaloofandtriestoprovokeabattle,heisanxiousfortheothersidetoadvance.

  [Probablybecauseweareinastrongpositionfromwhichhewishestodislodgeus.\"Ifhecamecloseuptous,saysTuMu,\"andtriedtoforceabattle,hewouldseemtodespiseus,andtherewouldbelessprobabilityofourrespondingtothechallenge.\"]

  20.Ifhisplaceofencampmentiseasyofaccess,heistenderingabait.

  21.Movementamongstthetreesofaforestshowsthattheenemyisadvancing.

  [Ts`aoKungexplainsthisas\"fellingtreestoclearapassage,\"andChangYusays:\"Everymansendsoutscoutstoclimbhighplacesandobservetheenemy.Ifascoutseesthatthetreesofaforestaremovingandshaking,hemayknowthattheyarebeingcutdowntoclearapassagefortheenemy’smarch.\"]

  Theappearanceofanumberofscreensinthemidstofthickgrassmeansthattheenemywantstomakeussuspicious.

  [TuYu’sexplanation,borrowedfromTs`aoKung’s,isasfollows:\"Thepresenceofanumberofscreensorshedsinthemidstofthickvegetationisasuresignthattheenemyhasfledand,fearingpursuit,hasconstructedthesehiding—placesinordertomakeussuspectanambush.\"Itappearsthatthese\"screens\"werehastilyknottedtogetheroutofanylonggrasswhichtheretreatingenemyhappenedtocomeacross.]

  22.Therisingofbirdsintheirflightisthesignofanambuscade.

  [ChangYu’sexplanationisdoubtlessright:\"Whenbirdsthatareflyingalonginastraightlinesuddenlyshootupwards,itmeansthatsoldiersareinambushatthespotbeneath.\"]

  Startledbeastsindicatethatasuddenattackiscoming.

  23.Whenthereisdustrisinginahighcolumn,itisthesignofchariotsadvancing;whenthedustislow,butspreadoverawidearea,itbetokenstheapproachofinfantry.

  [\"Highandsharp,\"orrisingtoapeak,isofcoursesomewhatexaggeratedasappliedtodust.Thecommentatorsexplainthephenomenonbysayingthathorsesandchariots,beingheavierthanmen,raisemoredust,andalsofollowoneanotherinthesamewheel—track,whereasfoot—soldierswouldbemarchinginranks,manyabreast.AccordingtoChangYu,\"everyarmyonthemarchmusthavescoutssomewayinadvance,whoonsightingdustraisedbytheenemy,willgallopbackandreportittothecommander—in—chief.\"Cf.Gen.Baden—Powell:\"Asyoumovealong,say,inahostilecountry,youreyesshouldbelookingafarfortheenemyoranysignsofhim:figures,dustrising,birdsgettingup,glitterofarms,etc.\"[1]]

  Whenitbranchesoutindifferentdirections,itshowsthatpartieshavebeensenttocollectfirewood.Afewcloudsofdustmovingtoandfrosignifythatthearmyisencamping.

  [ChangYusays:\"Inapportioningthedefensesforacantonment,lighthorsewillbesentouttosurveythepositionandascertaintheweakandstrongpointsallalongitscircumference.Hencethesmallquantityofdustanditsmotion.\"]

  24.Humblewordsandincreasedpreparationsaresignsthattheenemyisabouttoadvance.

  [\"Asthoughtheystoodingreatfearofus,\"saysTuMu.

  \"Theirobjectistomakeuscontemptuousandcareless,afterwhichtheywillattackus.\"ChangYualludestothestoryofT`ienTanoftheCh`i—moagainsttheYenforces,ledbyCh`iChieh.Inch.82oftheSHIHCHIweread:\"T`ienTanopenlysaid:’MyonlyfearisthattheYenarmymaycutoffthenosesoftheirCh`iprisonersandplacetheminthefrontranktofightagainstus;thatwouldbetheundoingofourcity.’Theothersidebeinginformedofthisspeech,atonceactedonthesuggestion;butthosewithinthecitywereenragedatseeingtheirfellow—countrymenthusmutilated,andfearingonlylesttheyshouldfallintotheenemy’shands,werenervedtodefendthemselvesmoreobstinatelythanever.OnceagainT`ienTansentbackconvertedspieswhoreportedthesewordstotheenemy:

  \"WhatIdreadmostisthatthemenofYenmaydiguptheancestraltombsoutsidethetown,andbyinflictingthisindignityonourforefatherscauseustobecomefaint—hearted.’

  Forthwiththebesiegersdugupallthegravesandburnedthecorpseslyinginthem.AndtheinhabitantsofChi—mo,witnessingtheoutragefromthecity—walls,weptpassionatelyandwereallimpatienttogooutandfight,theirfurybeingincreasedtenfold.T`ienTanknewthenthathissoldierswerereadyforanyenterprise.Butinsteadofasword,hehimselftooamattockinhishands,andorderedotherstobedistributedamongsthisbestwarriors,whiletherankswerefilledupwiththeirwivesandconcubines.Hethenservedoutalltheremainingrationsandbadehismeneattheirfill.Theregularsoldiersweretoldtokeepoutofsight,andthewallsweremannedwiththeoldandweakermenandwithwomen.Thisdone,envoysweredispatchedtotheenemy’scamptoarrangetermsofsurrender,whereupontheYenarmybeganshoutingforjoy.T`ienTanalsocollected20,000ouncesofsilverfromthepeople,andgotthewealthycitizensofChi—motosendittotheYengeneralwiththeprayerthat,whenthetowncapitulated,hewouldallowtheirhomestobeplunderedortheirwomentobemaltreated.Ch`iChieh,inhighgoodhumor,grantedtheirprayer;buthisarmynowbecameincreasinglyslackandcareless.Meanwhile,T`ienTangottogetherathousandoxen,deckedthemwithpiecesofredsilk,paintedtheirbodies,dragon—like,withcoloredstripes,andfastenedsharpbladesontheirhornsandwell—greasedrushesontheirtails.Whennightcameon,helightedtheendsoftherushes,anddrovetheoxenthroughanumberofholeswhichhehadpiercedinthewalls,backingthemupwithaforceof5000pickedwarriors.Theanimals,maddenedwithpain,dashedfuriouslyintotheenemy’scampwheretheycausedtheutmostconfusionanddismay;fortheirtailsactedastorches,showingupthehideouspatternontheirbodies,andtheweaponsontheirhornskilledorwoundedanywithwhomtheycameintocontact.Inthemeantime,thebandof5000hadcreptupwithgagsintheirmouths,andnowthrewthemselvesontheenemy.Atthesamemomentafrightfuldinaroseinthecityitself,allthosethatremainedbehindmakingasmuchnoiseaspossiblebybangingdrumsandhammeringonbronzevessels,untilheavenandearthwereconvulsedbytheuproar.Terror—stricken,theYenarmyfledindisorder,hotlypursuedbythemenofCh`i,whosucceededinslayingtheirgeneralCh`iChienTheresultofthebattlewastheultimaterecoveryofsomeseventycitieswhichhadbelongedtotheCh`iState.\"]

  Violentlanguageanddrivingforwardasiftotheattackaresignsthathewillretreat.

  25.Whenthelightchariotscomeoutfirstandtakeupapositiononthewings,itisasignthattheenemyisformingforbattle.

  26.Peaceproposalsunaccompaniedbyasworncovenantindicateaplot.

  [Thereadinghereisuncertain.LiCh`uanindicates\"atreatyconfirmedbyoathsandhostages.\"WangHsiandChangYu,ontheotherhand,simplysay\"withoutreason,\"\"onafrivolouspretext.\"]

  27.Whenthereismuchrunningabout[Everymanhasteningtohisproperplaceunderhisownregimentalbanner.]

  andthesoldiersfallintorank,itmeansthatthecriticalmomenthascome.

  28.Whensomeareseenadvancingandsomeretreating,itisalure.

  29.Whenthesoldiersstandleaningontheirspears,theyarefaintfromwantoffood.

  30.Ifthosewhoaresenttodrawwaterbeginbydrinkingthemselves,thearmyissufferingfromthirst.

  [AsTuMuremarks:\"Onemayknowtheconditionofawholearmyfromthebehaviorofasingleman.\"]

  31.Iftheenemyseesanadvantagetobegainedandmakesnoefforttosecureit,thesoldiersareexhausted.

  32.Ifbirdsgatheronanyspot,itisunoccupied.

  [Ausefulfacttobearinmindwhen,forinstance,asCh`enHaosays,theenemyhassecretlyabandonedhiscamp.]

  Clamorbynightbetokensnervousness.

  33.Ifthereisdisturbanceinthecamp,thegeneral’sauthorityisweak.Ifthebannersandflagsareshiftedabout,seditionisafoot.Iftheofficersareangry,itmeansthatthemenareweary.

  [TuMuunderstandsthesentencedifferently:\"Ifalltheofficersofanarmyareangrywiththeirgeneral,itmeansthattheyarebrokenwithfatigue\"owingtotheexertionswhichhehasdemandedfromthem.]

  34.Whenanarmyfeedsitshorseswithgrainandkillsitscattleforfood,[Intheordinarycourseofthings,themenwouldbefedongrainandthehorseschieflyongrass.]

  andwhenthemendonothangtheircooking—potsoverthecamp—

  fires,showingthattheywillnotreturntotheirtents,youmayknowthattheyaredeterminedtofighttothedeath.

  [ImayquoteheretheillustrativepassagefromtheHOUHAN

  SHU,ch.71,giveninabbreviatedformbytheP`EIWENYUNFU:

  \"TherebelWangKuoofLiangwasbesiegingthetownofCh`en—

  ts`ang,andHuang—fuSung,whowasinsupremecommand,andTungChoweresentoutagainsthim.Thelatterpressedforhastymeasures,butSungturnedadeafeartohiscounsel.Atlasttherebelswereutterlywornout,andbegantothrowdowntheirweaponsoftheirownaccord.Sungwasnotadvancingtotheattack,butChosaid:’Itisaprincipleofwarnottopursuedesperatemenandnottopressaretreatinghost.’Sunganswered:’Thatdoesnotapplyhere.WhatIamabouttoattackisajadedarmy,notaretreatinghost;withdisciplinedtroopsI

  amfallingonadisorganizedmultitude,notabandofdesperatemen.’Thereuponheadvancestotheattackunsupportedbyhiscolleague,androutedtheenemy,WangKuobeingslain.\"]

  35.Thesightofmenwhisperingtogetherinsmallknotsorspeakinginsubduedtonespointstodisaffectionamongsttherankandfile.

  36.Toofrequentrewardssignifythattheenemyisattheendofhisresources;

  [Because,whenanarmyishardpressed,asTuMusays,thereisalwaysafearofmutiny,andlavishrewardsaregiventokeepthemeningoodtemper.]

  toomanypunishmentsbetrayaconditionofdiredistress.

  [Becauseinsuchcasedisciplinebecomesrelaxed,andunwontedseverityisnecessarytokeepthementotheirduty.]

  37.Tobeginbybluster,butafterwardstotakefrightattheenemy’snumbers,showsasupremelackofintelligence.

  [IfollowtheinterpretationofTs`aoKung,alsoadoptedbyLiCh`uan,TuMu,andChangYu.AnotherpossiblemeaningsetforthbyTuYu,ChiaLin,MeiTao—ch`enandWangHsi,is:\"Thegeneralwhoisfirsttyrannicaltowardshismen,andtheninterrorlesttheyshouldmutiny,etc.\"Thiswouldconnectthesentencewithwhatwentbeforeaboutrewardsandpunishments.]

  38.Whenenvoysaresentwithcomplimentsintheirmouths,itisasignthattheenemywishesforatruce.

  [TuMusays:\"Iftheenemyopenfriendlyrelationsbesendinghostages,itisasignthattheyareanxiousforanarmistice,eitherbecausetheirstrengthisexhaustedorforsomeotherreason.\"ButithardlyneedsaSunTzutodrawsuchanobviousinference.]

  39.Iftheenemy’stroopsmarchupangrilyandremainfacingoursforalongtimewithouteitherjoiningbattleortakingthemselvesoffagain,thesituationisonethatdemandsgreatvigilanceandcircumspection.

  [Ts`aoKungsaysamaneuverofthissortmaybeonlyarusetogaintimeforanunexpectedflankattackorthelayingofanambush.]

  40.Ifourtroopsarenomoreinnumberthantheenemy,thatisamplysufficient;itonlymeansthatnodirectattackcanbemade.

  [Literally,\"nomartialadvance.\"Thatistosay,CHENG

  tacticsandfrontalattacksmustbeeschewed,andstratagemresortedtoinstead.]

  Whatwecandoissimplytoconcentrateallouravailablestrength,keepaclosewatchontheenemy,andobtainreinforcements.

  [Thisisanobscuresentence,andnoneofthecommentatorssucceedinsqueezingverygoodsenseoutofit.IfollowLiCh`uan,whoappearstoofferthesimplestexplanation:\"Onlythesidethatgetsmoremenwillwin.\"FortunatelywehaveChangYutoexpounditsmeaningtousinlanguagewhichislucidityitself:\"Whenthenumbersareeven,andnofavorableopeningpresentsitself,althoughwemaynotbestrongenoughtodeliverasustainedattack,wecanfindadditionalrecruitsamongstoursutlersandcamp—followers,andthen,concentratingourforcesandkeepingaclosewatchontheenemy,contrivetosnatchthevictory.Butwemustavoidborrowingforeignsoldierstohelpus.\"HethenquotesfromWeiLiaoTzu,ch.3:\"Thenominalstrengthofmercenarytroopsmaybe100,000,buttheirrealvaluewillbenotmorethanhalfthatfigure.\"]

  41.Hewhoexercisesnoforethoughtbutmakeslightofhisopponentsissuretobecapturedbythem.

  [Ch`enHao,quotingfromtheTSOCHUAN,says:\"Ifbeesandscorpionscarrypoison,howmuchmorewillahostilestate!Evenapunyopponent,then,shouldnotbetreatedwithcontempt.\"]

  42.Ifsoldiersarepunishedbeforetheyhavegrownattachedtoyou,theywillnotprovesubmissive;and,unlesssubmissive,thenwillbepracticallyuseless.If,whenthesoldiershavebecomeattachedtoyou,punishmentsarenotenforced,theywillstillbeunless.

  43.Thereforesoldiersmustbetreatedinthefirstinstancewithhumanity,butkeptundercontrolbymeansofirondiscipline.

  [YenTzu[B.C.493]saidofSsu—maJang—chu:\"Hiscivilvirtuesendearedhimtothepeople;hismartialprowesskepthisenemiesinawe.\"Cf.WuTzu,ch.4init.:\"Theidealcommanderunitesculturewithawarliketemper;theprofessionofarmsrequiresacombinationofhardnessandtenderness.\"]

  Thisisacertainroadtovictory.

  44.Ifintrainingsoldierscommandsarehabituallyenforced,thearmywillbewell—disciplined;ifnot,itsdisciplinewillbebad.

  45.Ifageneralshowsconfidenceinhismenbutalwaysinsistsonhisordersbeingobeyed,[TuMusays:\"Ageneraloughtintimeofpeacetoshowkindlyconfidenceinhismenandalsomakehisauthorityrespected,sothatwhentheycometofacetheenemy,ordersmaybeexecutedanddisciplinemaintained,becausetheyalltrustandlookuptohim.\"WhatSunTzuhassaidinss.44,however,wouldleadonerathertoexpectsomethinglikethis:\"Ifageneralisalwaysconfidentthathisorderswillbecarriedout,\"etc.\"]

  thegainwillbemutual.

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