WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:05.160 The Art of War, Part two. This LibriVox recording is 2 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:10.519 in the public domain. Chapter nine, The Army on the March. 3 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:14.919 We come now to the question of encamping the army 4 00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:19.039 and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, 5 00:00:19.239 --> 00:00:22.719 and keep in the neighborhood of valleys. Camp in high 6 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.239 places facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order 7 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:31.679 to fight. So much for mountain warfare. After crossing a river, 8 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:36.000 you should get far away from it. When an invading 9 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.880 force crosses a river in its onward march, do not 10 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:41.960 advance to meet it in mid stream. It will be 11 00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:45.159 best to let half the army get across and then 12 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:49.079 deliver your attack. If you are anxious to fight, you 13 00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:51.479 should not go to meet the invader near a river 14 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:55.399 which he has to cross. More your craft higher up 15 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:58.560 than the enemy, and facing the sun, do not move 16 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:02.520 up stream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare. 17 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:07.359 In crossing salt marshes, your sole concern should be to 18 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:12.000 get over them quickly without any delay. If forced to 19 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:14.760 fight in a salt marsh, you should have water and 20 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:17.280 grass near you, and get your back to a clump 21 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:22.400 of trees. So much for operations in salt marshes. In 22 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:26.480 dry level country, take up an easily accessible position with 23 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:29.439 rising ground to your rights and on your rear, so 24 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:32.640 that the danger may be in front and safety lie behind. 25 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:37.719 So much for campaigning in flat country. These are the 26 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:41.359 four useful branches of military knowledge which enabled the Yellow 27 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:46.560 Emperor to vaguish four several sovereigns. All armies prefer high 28 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:49.920 ground to low, and sunny places to dark. If you 29 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:52.680 are careful of your men and camp on hard ground, 30 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:55.519 the army will be free from disease of every kind, 31 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:59.239 and this will spell victory. When you come to a 32 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:02.879 hill or a occupy the sunny side with the slope 33 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.719 on your right rear. Thus you will at once act 34 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:09.879 for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural 35 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:14.400 advantages of the ground. When, in consequence of heavy rains 36 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:16.960 up country, a river which you wish to ford is 37 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.159 swollen and flecked with foam, you must wait until it subsides. 38 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:25.919 Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running 39 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:31.360 between deep natural hollows, confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires, and 40 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:35.719 crevices should be left with all possible speed and not approached. 41 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:39.599 While we keep away from such places, we should get 42 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:42.800 the enemy to approach them. While we face them, we 43 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:46.759 should let the enemy have them on his rear. If 44 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.159 in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any 45 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:53.759 hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled 46 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:57.240 with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be 47 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:00.719 carefully routed out and searched for these. These are places 48 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:04.479 where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to 49 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.000 be lurking. When the enemy is close at hand and 50 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:11.159 remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of 51 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:14.280 his position. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke 52 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:17.199 a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance. 53 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:21.319 If his place of encampment is easy of access, he 54 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:25.639 is tendering a bait. Movement Amongst the trees of a 55 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:29.400 forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of 56 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:32.120 a number of screens in the midst of thick grass 57 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:36.080 means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. The 58 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:38.680 rising of birds in their flight is the sign of 59 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:43.439 an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. 60 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:47.680 When there is dust rising in a high column, it 61 00:03:47.800 --> 00:03:50.840 is the sign of chariots advancing. When the dust is 62 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:54.080 low but spread over a wide area, it betokens the 63 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:58.039 approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, 64 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.879 it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. 65 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:04.800 A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify 66 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:10.520 that the army is encamping. Humble words and increased preparations 67 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:13.800 are sides that the enemy is about to advance. Violent 68 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:17.600 language and driving forward as if to attack are sides 69 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:21.399 that he will retreat. When the light chariots come out 70 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.800 first and take up a position on the wings, it 71 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:26.319 is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle. 72 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:31.399 Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. 73 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.199 When there is much running about and the soldiers fall 74 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:38.279 into rank, it means that the critical moment has come. 75 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:43.000 When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is allure. 76 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:47.000 When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are 77 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:50.360 faint from want of food. If those who are sent 78 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:53.879 to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is 79 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:57.519 suffering from thirst. If the enemy sees an advantage to 80 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:00.199 be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the 81 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:04.560 soldiers are exhausted. If birds gather on any spot it 82 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:10.319 is unoccupied clamor by night betokens nervousness. If there is 83 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:14.399 disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If 84 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:18.240 the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. 85 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:21.800 If the officers are angry, it means that the men 86 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:25.759 are weary. When an army feeds its horses with grain 87 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:28.439 and kills its cattle for food, and when the men 88 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:30.839 do not hang their cooking pots over the camp fires, 89 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:33.959 showing that they will not return to their tents, you 90 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:36.959 may know that they are determined to fight to the death. 91 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:41.360 The sight of men whispering together in small knots or 92 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:45.160 speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank 93 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:49.879 and file. Two frequent rewards signify that the enemy is 94 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:53.439 at the end of his resources. Too many punishments betray 95 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:58.480 a condition of dire distress. To begin by bluster, but 96 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:02.439 afterwards to take fright the enemy's numbers shows a supreme 97 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:07.000 lack of intelligence. When envoys are set with compliments in 98 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:09.759 their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes 99 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:13.680 for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily 100 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:16.800 and remain facing ours for a long time without either 101 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.720 joining battle or taking themselves off again. The situation is 102 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:25.360 one that demands great vigilance and circumspection. If our troops 103 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:28.160 are no more in number than the enemy that is 104 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.920 amply sufficient, it only means that no direct attack can 105 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:35.560 be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate 106 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:38.920 all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, 107 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:44.519 and obtain reinforcements. He who exercises no forethoughts but makes 108 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:48.279 light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them. 109 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:51.879 If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, 110 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:55.879 they will not prove submissive, and unless submissive, they will 111 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:59.800 be practically useless. If when the soldiers have become attached 112 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:05.000 to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless. Therefore, 113 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:08.399 soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, 114 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:12.560 but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This 115 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.439 is a certain road to victory. If in training soldiers 116 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:21.079 commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well disciplined. 117 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:25.600 If not, its discipline will be bad. If a general 118 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:28.759 shows confidence in his men but always insists on his 119 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:35.240 orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual. Chapter ten, terrain, 120 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:42.079 we may distinguish six kinds of terrain to wit accessible ground, 121 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:48.600 entangling ground, temporizing ground, narrow passes, precipitous heights, positions at 122 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:52.319 a great distance from the enemy. Ground which can be 123 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:56.800 freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. With regard 124 00:07:56.839 --> 00:08:00.680 to ground of this nature, be before the enemy, occupying 125 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.800 the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line 126 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:07.519 of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage. 127 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.360 Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to reoccupy 128 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:15.600 is called entangling. From a position of this sort, if 129 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:18.920 the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. 130 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:21.959 But if the enemy is prepared for your coming and 131 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:26.480 you fail to defeat him, then return being impossible. Disaster 132 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:30.839 will ensue. When the position is such that neither side 133 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:33.559 will gain by making the first move, it is called 134 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:37.919 temporizing ground. In a position of this sort, even though 135 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:41.120 the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will 136 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:44.440 be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, 137 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:48.720 thus enticing the enemy in his turn. Then, when part 138 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.320 of his army has come out, we may deliver our 139 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:56.240 attack with advantage with regard to narrow passes, if you 140 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:59.639 can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned, and 141 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:03.080 await the advent of the enemy. Should the army forestall 142 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:06.000 you in occupying a pass, do not go after him 143 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:08.799 if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it 144 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:13.240 is weakly garrisoned. With regard to precipitous heights, if you 145 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:17.039 are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised 146 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:20.000 and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up. 147 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:23.679 If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not 148 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:27.000 follow him, but retreats and try to entice him away. 149 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:31.039 If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, 150 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.960 and the strength of the two armies is equal, it 151 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.919 is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will 152 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:41.919 be to your disadvantage. These six are the principles connected 153 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:45.600 with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post 154 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:50.399 must be careful to study them. Now the army is 155 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:55.080 exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, 156 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:59.000 but from faults for which the general is responsible. These 157 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:08.039 are flight, insubordination, collapse, ruin, disorganization, route other conditions being equal. 158 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:11.600 If one force is hurled against another ten times its size, 159 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:15.200 the result will be the flight of the farmer. When 160 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:18.639 the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, 161 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:23.200 the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong 162 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:26.799 and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. 163 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:31.120 When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on 164 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.759 meeting the enemy, give battle on their own account from 165 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:36.639 a feeling of resentment before the commander in chief can 166 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:38.879 tell whether or not he is in a position to fight. 167 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:43.120 The result is ruin. When the general is weak and 168 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:46.399 without authority. When his orders are not clear and distinct. 169 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:50.039 Where there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, 170 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.399 and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, 171 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:58.919 the result is utter disorganization. One a general unable to 172 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:02.600 estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage 173 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.840 a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a 174 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:08.759 powerful one and neglects to place picked soldiers in the 175 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:14.120 front rank. The results must be rout. These are six 176 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:17.919 ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by 177 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:22.440 the general who has attained a responsible post. The natural 178 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.919 formation of the country is the soldier's best ally. But 179 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:29.559 a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces 180 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:34.240 of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers, and distances 181 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:38.919 constitutes the test of a great general. He who knows 182 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:42.000 these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, 183 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.200 will win his battles. He who knows them not nor 184 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:50.159 practices them, will surely be defeated. If fighting is sure 185 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:53.440 to result in victory, then you must fight, even though 186 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:57.120 the ruler forbid it. If fighting will not result in victory, 187 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.960 then you must not fight, even at the ruler's bidding. 188 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.799 The general who advances without covening fame and retreats without 189 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:08.600 fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country 190 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:11.679 and do good service for his sovereign, is the duel 191 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:16.080 of the kingdom. Regard your soldiers as your children, and 192 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:19.639 they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look upon 193 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:22.799 them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand 194 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:27.679 by you, even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent 195 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:31.480 but unable to make your authority felt, kind hearted but 196 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:36.200 unable to enforce your commands, and incapable moreover of quelling disorder, 197 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.279 then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children. They 198 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:44.399 are useless for any practical purpose. If we know that 199 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:47.159 our own men are in a condition to attack, but 200 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.879 are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, 201 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:54.080 we have gone only half way towards victory. If we 202 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:57.200 know that the enemy is open to attack, but are 203 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.559 unaware that our own men are not in a condition 204 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:03.080 to attack, we have gone only half way towards victory. 205 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:06.519 If we know that the enemy is open to attack, 206 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:09.480 and also know that our men are in a condition 207 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.919 to attack, but are other aware that the nature of 208 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:15.759 the ground makes finding impracticable, we have still gone only 209 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:21.279 halfway towards victory. Hence, the experienced soldier, once in motion, 210 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:25.480 is never bewildered. Once he has broken camp, he is 211 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:29.440 never at a loss. Hence the saying, if you know 212 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.080 the enemy and know yourself, the victory will not stand 213 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:36.840 in doubt. If you know heaven and no earth, you 214 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:44.000 may make your victory complete. Chapter nine, The Nine Situations. 215 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:50.080 The Art of War recognizes nine varieties of ground. Dispersive ground, 216 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:55.360 fascil ground, contentious ground, open ground ground of intersecting highways, 217 00:13:55.639 --> 00:14:02.039 serious ground, difficult ground, hemmed in ground, desperate ground. When 218 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:05.240 a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is 219 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:10.000 dispersive ground. When he has penetrated into hustile territory but 220 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:14.480 to no great distance, it is fascile ground. Ground, the 221 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:17.799 possession of which imports great advantage to either side. Is 222 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:22.159 contentious ground. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement. 223 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:26.559 Is open ground. Ground which forms the key to three 224 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:30.279 contiguous states, so that he who occupies at first has 225 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:33.200 most of the empire at his command. Is a ground 226 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:37.559 of intersecting highways. When an army has penetrated into the 227 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.559 heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified 228 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:45.440 cities in its rear, it is serious ground. Mountain forests, 229 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:49.559 rugged steeps, marshes, and fens all country that is hard 230 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:54.159 to traverse. This is difficult ground, ground which is reached 231 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:57.120 through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire 232 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:00.960 by tortuous paths, so that a small of the enemy 233 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.559 would suffice to crush a large body of our men. 234 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:08.120 This is hemden ground, ground on which we can only 235 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:12.679 be saved from destruction by fighting without delay. Is desperate ground. 236 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:18.919 On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not on fascil ground. Halt 237 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:23.440 not on contentious ground, attack not on open ground. Do 238 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:26.080 not try to block the enemy's way on the ground 239 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:31.000 of intersecting highways. Join hands with your allies on serious ground, 240 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:34.799 gather in plunder a difficult ground. Keeps steadily on the 241 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:41.000 march on hemden ground. Resort to stratagem on desperate ground. Fight. 242 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:45.399 Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how 243 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:47.919 to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear 244 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:52.320 to prevent cooperation between his large and small divisions, to 245 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:55.879 hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers 246 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:59.879 from rallying their men. When the enemy's men were a unit, 247 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:03.240 they managed to keep them in disorder. When it was 248 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:06.840 to their advantage. They made a forward move when otherwise 249 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:10.799 they stop still. If asked how to cope with a 250 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:13.679 great host of the enemy in orderly array and on 251 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:16.639 the point of marching to the attack, I should say, 252 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:20.879 begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear. Then 253 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:25.279 he will be amenable to your will. Rapidity is the 254 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:29.759 essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make 255 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:35.360 your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. The 256 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:38.799 following are the principles to be observed by an invading force. 257 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:42.000 The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will 258 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:45.279 be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders 259 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:50.080 will not prevail against you. Make forays into fertile country 260 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:54.039 in order to supply your army with food. Carefully study 261 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:57.200 the well being of your men, and do not overtax them. 262 00:16:57.840 --> 00:17:01.559 Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army 263 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:06.839 continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans. Throw your 264 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:10.240 soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they 265 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:13.880 will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, 266 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:17.599 there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men 267 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:21.799 alike will put forth their uttermost strength. Soldiers when in 268 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:24.839 desperate straits, lose the sense of fear. If there is 269 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:28.119 no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they 270 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:31.119 are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. 271 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:36.880 If there is no help for it, they will fight hard. Thus, 272 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:40.279 without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly 273 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:44.000 on the Kiviv, without waiting to be asked. They will 274 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.519 do your will without restrictions. They will be faithful without 275 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:53.480 giving orders, they can be trusted. Prohibit the taking of omens, 276 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:58.720 and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, 277 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:03.119 no calamity need be feared. If our soldiers are not 278 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:06.319 overburdened with money, it is not because they have a 279 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:10.039 distaste for riches. If their lives are not unduly long, 280 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:14.200 it is not because they are disinclined to longevity. On 281 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:17.640 the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers 282 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:21.680 may weep those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those 283 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:25.200 lying down, letting the tears run down their cheeks. But 284 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:27.799 let them once be brought to bay, and they will 285 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:31.279 display the courage of a chu or a Kuei. The 286 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:35.599 skillful tachnician may be likened to the Shuei jan Nah. 287 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:38.039 This way, John is a snake that is found in 288 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:41.480 the Chung mountains. Strike at its head, and you will 289 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.640 be attacked by its tail. Strike at its tail, and 290 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:47.599 you will be attacked by its head. Strike at its middle, 291 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:50.559 and you will be attacked by head and tail. Both 292 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.880 asked if an army can be made to imitate the 293 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:57.759 Shuai jan I should answer yes. For the men of 294 00:18:57.839 --> 00:19:01.000 Wu and the men of Yue are enemies. Yet if 295 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.160 they are crossing a river in the same boats and 296 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:05.559 are caught by a storm, they will come to each 297 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:10.000 other's assistance, just as the left hand helps the right. Hence, 298 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:12.440 it is not enough to put one's trust in the 299 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:15.240 tethering of horses and the burying of chariot wheels in 300 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:19.039 the ground. The principle on which to manage an army 301 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:22.200 is to set up one standard of courage, which all 302 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:25.759 must reach. How to make the best of both strong 303 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:28.920 and weak, that is a question involving the proper use 304 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:33.799 of ground. Thus the skillful general conducts his army just 305 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:36.319 as though he were leading a single man willy nilly 306 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:39.759 by the hand. It is the business of a general 307 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:43.559 to be quiet and thus insure secrecy, upright and just, 308 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:47.920 and thus maintain order. He must be able to mystify 309 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:51.880 his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and 310 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:56.279 thus keep them in total ignorance. By altering his arrangements 311 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:59.960 and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. 312 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:04.000 By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents 313 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:08.519 the enemy from anticipating his purpose at the critical moments. 314 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:11.279 The leader of an army acts like one who has 315 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:14.240 climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder 316 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:18.000 behind him. He carries his man deep into hostile territory 317 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:21.720 before he shows his hand. He burns his boats and 318 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:24.920 breaks his cooking pots. Like a shepherd driving a flock 319 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:27.519 of sheep. He drives his men this way and that, 320 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:32.000 and nothing knows whither he is going to muster his 321 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:35.799 host and bring it into danger. This may be termed 322 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:40.160 the business of the general. The different measures suited to 323 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:43.759 the nine varieties of ground, the expediency of aggressive or 324 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:48.000 defensive tactics, and the fundamental laws of human nature. These 325 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:52.400 are things that must most certainly be studied when the 326 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:57.319 invading hostile territory. The general principle is that penetrating deeply 327 00:20:57.359 --> 00:21:02.799 brings cohesion. Penetrating but a short means dispersion. When you 328 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:05.799 leave your own country behind and take your army across 329 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:10.319 the neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When 330 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:13.319 there are means of communication on all four sides, the 331 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:17.559 ground is one of interesting highways. When you penetrate deeply 332 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:21.079 into a country, it is serious ground. When you penetrate 333 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:25.000 but a little way, it is facile ground. When you 334 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:28.119 have the enemy's strongholds on your rear and narrow passes 335 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:31.480 in front, it is hemmed in ground. When there is 336 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:36.079 no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground. Therefore, 337 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:39.559 on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity 338 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:42.440 of purpose. On fascile ground, I would see that there 339 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:45.880 is close connection between all parts of my army. On 340 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.880 contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear. On open ground, 341 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:52.960 I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses. On 342 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:57.799 ground of interesting highways, I would consolidate my alliances. On 343 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:00.720 serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream 344 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:04.480 of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on 345 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:08.000 along the road. On hemmed in ground, I would block 346 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:12.160 any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim 347 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:15.799 to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives, For 348 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:19.400 it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance 349 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:22.759 when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, 350 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:26.079 and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger. 351 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:31.079 We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we 352 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:34.359 are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to 353 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:37.839 lead an army on the march. Unless we are familiar 354 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.759 with the face of the country, its mountains and forests, 355 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:45.599 its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps, we shall 356 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:49.359 be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we 357 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:53.400 make use of local guides. To be ignored of any 358 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.519 one of the following four or five principles does not 359 00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:00.839 befits a warlike prince. When a warlike prince attacks a 360 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:05.119 powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration 361 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:08.920 of the enemy's forces. He overawes his opponents, and their 362 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:13.279 allies are prevented from joining against him. Hence, he does 363 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:16.480 not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor 364 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:19.480 does he foster the power of other states. He carries 365 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:23.359 out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. 366 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:27.759 Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow 367 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:33.240 their kingdoms. Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders 368 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:36.440 without regard to previous arrangements, and you will be able 369 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.759 to handle a whole army as though you had to 370 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:42.440 do with but a single man. Confront your soldiers with 371 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:46.880 the deed itself. Never let them know your design. When 372 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:50.279 the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes, but 373 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:54.440 tell them nothing. When the situation is gloomy, Place your 374 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:57.960 army in deadly peril and it will survive. Plunge it 375 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.839 into desperate straits, and it will off in safety. For 376 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:04.839 it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's 377 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:08.240 way that it is capable of striking a blow for victory. 378 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:13.279 Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to 379 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:17.720 the enemy's purpose. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, 380 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.400 we shall succeed in the long run in killing the 381 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:24.759 commander in chief. This is called ability to accomplish a 382 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:28.559 thing by sheer cunning. On the day that you take 383 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:32.680 up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, 384 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:36.759 and stop the passage of all emissaries. Be stern in 385 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:39.599 the council chamber, so that you may control the situation. 386 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:43.359 If the enemy leaves a door opened, you must rush in. 387 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:47.839 Forestall your opponents by seizing what he holds deer and 388 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:51.960 suddenly contrive to time his arrival on the ground. Walk 389 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:55.279 in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to 390 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:59.759 the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle at first. 391 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:02.599 The then exhibit the coyness of a maiden until the 392 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:06.319 enemy gives you an opening. Afterwards, emulate the rapidity of 393 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:09.039 a running hare, and it will be too late for 394 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:16.279 the enemy to oppose you. Chapter twelve, The attack by fire. 395 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:21.079 There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first 396 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:23.599 is to burn soldiers in their camp. The second is 397 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:27.039 to burn stores. The third is to burn baggage trains. 398 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:30.599 The fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines. The fifth 399 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:34.799 is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy. In order 400 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:37.920 to carry out an attack, we must have means available. 401 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:41.720