第 8 章 九变篇

Sunzi said, the general leads troops in battle, must listen to the monarch's orders.

He first gathers soldiers, forming an army.

In places that are very difficult to travel, do not stop to rest.

In places that are easy to go to many places, make friends with neighboring countries.

In places without water and without food, do not stay, leave quickly.

In places easily surrounded by enemies, think carefully, make good plans.

If the army arrives at a place without roads, it must fight bravely.

Some roads, the army should not take.

Some enemies, the army should not fight.

Some cities, the army should not occupy.

In some places, the army should not compete.

Sometimes, the general can also not listen to the king's orders.

Therefore, if a general understands these nine changes, he is truly skilled in warfare.

If a general does not understand these nine changes, even if he knows the terrain, he cannot make good use of the terrain's advantages.

If commanding the army does not understand these changes, even if he knows five advantages, he cannot make the army very strong.

A clever general thinks about things, considering both advantages and disadvantages simultaneously.

When thinking about bad things, also think about good things, so things are easy to succeed.

When seeing good things, also think about bad things, so there will be no trouble.

Therefore, use what the enemy dislikes most to deal with him.

Use many complicated things to keep him very busy.

Use some benefits to make him run around.

The method of using troops is: do not think the enemy will definitely not come, think that you are already prepared.

Do not think the enemy will definitely not attack, think that your defense is very strong, the enemy cannot win.

A general has five major problems: only knowing to fight desperately, may die.

Being very afraid during battle, may be captured by the enemy.

Easily getting angry, may be provoked by the enemy into doing wrong things.

Too fond of one's good reputation, may impulsively do things because others say he is not good.

Because too protective of the common people, cannot bear the enemy harming the common people, and thus cannot do what should be done.

These five situations are all mistakes that generals are prone to make, very bad for the army.

Army failures and generals dying are often because of these five problems.

Therefore, we must know how serious these five problems are.