Chapter 9: The Army on the March
Sun Tzu said:
When positioning and observing the enemy:
- In mountains, camp in valleys, occupy high ground with sunlight, and avoid uphill battles.
- Near water, stay away from the edge; if the enemy crosses, strike when half have crossed, not at the water’s edge. For battle, occupy high ground away from currents.
- In marshes, move quickly, do not linger; if fighting, rely on water and grass, with trees at your back.
- In flat terrain, choose open ground, with high ground at your back, danger ahead, and safety behind.
These are the advantages of terrain, as used by the Yellow Emperor to defeat the Four Emperors.
Armies prefer high ground over low, sunlight over shade, and solid ground for health, ensuring victory without disease.
On hills or embankments, occupy the sunny side with high ground at your back—this is terrain’s aid.
When rain upstream causes flooding, wait for the water to settle before crossing.
Avoid terrain with gorges, wells, cages, nets, traps, or crevices—move away quickly.
Keep distant from such terrain, let the enemy approach it; face it, let the enemy have it at their back.
Near hazards, ponds, reeds, woods, or dense cover, search carefully for ambushes.
Signs to observe:
- Quiet enemies nearby rely on hazards.
- Distant enemies provoking battle want you to advance.
- Occupying open ground suggests advantage.
- Moving trees signal approach.
- Many obstacles in grass indicate deception.
- Rising birds reveal ambushes.
- Startled beasts indicate a surprise attack.
- High, sharp dust signals chariots; low, broad dust signals infantry; scattered dust signals woodcutting; sparse, moving dust signals camp setup.
- Humble words with increased preparations signal advance; aggressive words with strong advances signal retreat.
- Unprovoked peace offers suggest plots.
- Light chariots moving to the flanks signal formation.
- Frantic troop movements indicate a planned attack.
- Half advancing, half retreating signals a lure.
- Soldiers leaning on weapons indicate hunger.
- Water carriers drinking first indicate thirst.
- Ignoring clear gains indicates fatigue.
- Gathering birds signal an empty camp.
- Nighttime shouts indicate fear.
- Disorderly camps suggest an unsteady general.
- Moving banners signal chaos.
- Angry officers suggest exhaustion.
- Killing horses for food signals no provisions.
- Abandoned cooking pots signal desperation.
- Subdued, hesitant speech suggests lost morale.
- Frequent rewards indicate distress.
- Frequent punishments indicate trouble.
- Initial harshness followed by fear of troops shows poor leadership.
- Envoys offering apologies seek rest.
When an angry enemy approaches but delays engagement without retreating, observe carefully.
Armies do not benefit from sheer numbers, but from avoiding reckless advances, consolidating strength, assessing the enemy, and seizing opportunities.
Those who underestimate the enemy without preparation are captured.
Punishing troops before they are loyal breeds resentment and disobedience. Loyal troops without discipline are unusable.
Lead with civility, unify with discipline—this ensures success.
Consistent orders train obedient troops; inconsistent orders breed disobedience.
Consistent leadership aligns the army with the commander’s will.
發佈留言