provisions it is lost; without supply stores it is lost.
Familiarity
We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.
We cannot lead an army unless we are familiar with the lay of the land—its mountains and forests, its gorges and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We cannot turn profit from advantages of terrain without making use of local guides.
In war we need to practice deceit, advantageous maneuvers and flexibility. Your decision to concentrate or divide your troops must be decided by circumstances.
Let your speed be that of the wind, your order that of the forest; your raids and plundering like fire; your defense as immovable as a mountain. Let your plans be as dark and impenetrable as the night; your movement like a thunderbolt.
When you plunder, divide the wealth amongst your men; when you capture new territory, divide the profits among the soldiers.
When you move, control the strategic balance of power. He who first masters the tactics of the circuitous and the direct will win. Such is the art and strategy of military combat.
The Book of Army Management states:
On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough, for which reason gongs and drums were created. Nor can they clearly see one another, for which reason they made banners and flags. Gongs and drums, banners and flags are the means by which to focus men’s ears and eyes. In forming a single united body, brave men will not have to advance alone, nor will cowards be able to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men.
In night fighting, then, use signal fires and drums, and when fighting by day, use flags and banners to influence the ears and eyes of your army.
Mental Discipline
An entire army may be robbed of its spirit, the commander’s mind overtaken. The soldier’s spirit is strongest in the morning; by noon it has begun to weaken; and in the evening his mind turns toward returning to camp. A clever general therefore avoids an enemy whose spirit is strong, but instead attacks when the opposition is sluggish and longs to regain its campgrounds. This is the way to manipulate the enemy’s spirits.
Disciplined and calm, he awaits disorder amongst the enemy: this is how to remain self-possessed.
To be near while awaiting those who are distant; to be rested while awaiting the fatigued; to be well-fed while the enemy is hungry: this is how to manipulate strength.
To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose flags are in perfect order; to refrain from attacking a confident and well-ordered army: this is how to manipulate circumstances.
Military wisdom dictates against advancing uphill against the enemy, or to oppose him when he descends. Do not pursue an enemy who pretends to flee; do not attack animated and well-ordered troops; so do not swallow bait offered by the enemy; and do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
When you surround an army, always leave them a way out.
1. Do not press a desperate foe with too much force.
2. Such is the art of warfare.
8: Tactical Variations
Sun Tzu wrote:
Here is the normal procedure for conducting military matters: the general receives his commands from the ruler, unifies the army, and concentrates his forces.
His criteria is:
1. Do not encamp on dangerous (entrapping) terrain.
2. On terrain where major roads intersect, unite with your allies.
3. Do not linger on isolated terrain.
4. Use strategic planning for encircled terrain.
5. On fatal (desperate) terrain you must fight.
6. There are roads that must not be followed.
7. There are armies that must be not attacked
8. There are fortified cities that must not be sieged.
9. There is terrain that must not be contested.
10. There are commands from the ruler that must not be followed.
Thus the general who thoroughly understands the advantages of tactical variations knows how to use his troops. Whereas the general who does not understand these, even if familiar with the configuration of terrain, will not be able to profit from his knowledge.
It follows that one who is well-versed in the art of varying his plans, and is acquainted with the Five Advantages [but does not know the techniques of the nine changes5], will be unable to lead and control his men.
The wise leader calculates the sum of gain and loss. If he perceives an advantage in the midst of difficulty, or a potential downside within an apparent advantage, their judgment can be trusted.
To subdue the enemy (feudal lords), inflict damage on them, keep them constantly engaged by making trouble for them, and lure them here and there any number of imaginary profits.
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the enemy’s not coming, but on our readiness to meet him; not on the chance that he will not attack, but on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
There are five dangerous (character) faults which may affect a general:
1. Recklessness, which leads to destruction;
2. Cowardice, which leads to capture;
3. A quick temper, which can be provoked by insults;
4. Obsession with honor, which is sensitive to shame;
5. Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.
These are the five dangerous traits that can lead to disaster in a war. The destruction of an army and the leader’s death invariably stems from these faults, and so one must be wary of them.
9: On the March
Sun Tzu wrote:
We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy.
Terrain
To cross mountains, seek valleys facing the sun and pass quickly. Camp in high places. If the enemy is encamped in the heights, do not climb up to battle them. This is mountain warfare.
After crossing a river, move far away from it. If the enemy is crossing a river in your direction, do not attack them in mid-stream. First let half the army cross, then attack.
If
