44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is
serious ground. When you penetrate but a little
way,
it is facile ground.
45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear,
and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground.
When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate
ground.
46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire
my men with unity of purpose. On facile ground,
I would
see that there is close connection between all parts
of my army.
47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.
48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye
on my defenses. On ground of intersecting
highways,
I would consolidate my alliances.
49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure
a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult
ground,
I would keep pushing on along the road.
50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way
of retreat. On desperate ground, I would
proclaim
to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their
lives.
51. For it is the soldier's disposition to offer
an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight
hard
when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when
he
has fallen into danger.
52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring
princes until we are acquainted with their
designs. We are
not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are
familiar
with the face of the country--its mountains and
forests,
its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.
We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to
account
unless we make use of local guides.
53. To be ignored of any one of the following four
or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state,
his generalship shows itself in preventing the
concentration
of the enemy's forces. He overawes his
opponents,
and their allies are prevented from joining against
him.
55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all
and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states.
He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his
antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture
their
cities and overthrow their kingdoms.
56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule,
issue orders without regard to previous arrangements;
and you will be able to handle a whole army as though
you had to do with but a single man.
57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself;
never let them know your design. When the
outlook is bright,
bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing
when
the situation is gloomy.
58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive;
plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come
off
in safety.
59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into
harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for
victory.
60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully
accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall
succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-
chief.
62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing
by sheer cunning.
63. On the day that you take up your command,
block the frontier passes, destroy the official
tallies,
and stop the passage of all emissaries.
64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you
may control the situation.
65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear,
and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the
ground.
67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate
yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive
battle.
68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden,
until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards
emulate
the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too
late
for the enemy to oppose you.
XII. THE ATTACK BY FIRE
1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking
with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in
their camp;
the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn
baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and
magazines;
the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.
2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have
means available. The material for raising fire
should
always be kept in readiness.
3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire,
and special days for starting a conflagration.
4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry;
the special days are those when the moon is in the
constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing
or the Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising
wind.