第 9 章 行军篇

Sunzi said, when the army walks and fights, it must clearly see the enemy's situation.

Pay attention to the following matters.

When walking in the mountains, stay close to valleys with water and grass.

When stopping to rest, choose a safe place.

Stay in high places, facing the sun.

If the enemy is in a high place, do not attack from below upwards.

This is the method for fighting in the mountains.

When crossing a river, rest in a place far from the river.

If the enemy crosses the river to attack you, do not fight them in the water.

Wait until part of the enemy has crossed the river and part has not yet crossed, then attack them, this is better.

If you want to fight with the enemy, do not approach the river.

When resting by the river, also be in a high place, facing the sun.

Do not rest or prepare for battle in lowlands downstream of the enemy.

This is the method for fighting by the river.

When passing through saline-alkali land and marshland, leave quickly and do not stop.

If you encounter the enemy there, occupy a place with water and grass, near the forest.

This is the method for fighting in saline-alkali land and marshland.

When resting on flat ground, choose a flat place.

It is best to have high ground behind, low in front, high behind.

This is the method for fighting on flat ground.

These four methods of resting the army have great benefits.

In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor could defeat enemies from all directions, and this is also an important reason.

Generally speaking, the army prefers dry high ground and dislikes damp low ground.

They should face the sun and avoid places that are dark and wet.

Resting in places with convenient living conditions and high terrain makes soldiers less likely to get sick.

This is an important reason for the army to win battles.

When resting on small hills and embankments, they must face the side towards the sun and have their backs against it.

These good arrangements for battle are the help brought by the terrain.

If it rains heavily upstream of the river and you see foam floating down in the water, wait until the water flow becomes stable before crossing the river.

This can prevent a sudden flood from arriving.

Whenever encountering very dangerous terrain, one must quickly leave, do not approach.

We stay away from it, let the enemy go near it.

We face it, let the enemy turn their backs to it.

When the army walks in mountains, by rivers, places with many reeds, or dense forests with thick vegetation, they must look carefully, over and over again.

Because these places easily hide enemy ambushes and bad people.

The enemy is very close to me, yet very quiet, this is because they occupy dangerous terrain.

The enemy is very far from me, yet comes to challenge, this is to make us move forward.

The enemy does not occupy dangerous places, yet stays on flat ground, they must have their advantages and thoughts.

Many trees moving in the forest means the enemy is coming towards us.

There are many blocking things in the grass, it means the enemy wants to deceive us.

Birds suddenly fly up, it means there are ambushes below.

Wild animals run in fear, it means the enemy is attacking on a large scale.

Dust flies high and sharp, it means the enemy's chariots are coming.

Dust flies low and wide, it means the enemy's infantry is coming.

Dust disperses into thin and long shapes, it means the enemy is cutting firewood.

Dust is little, rising and falling from time to time, it means the enemy is observing the terrain, preparing to rest.

The enemy's envoy speaks very politely, but the army is preparing to fight, this means they are about to attack us.

The enemy's envoy speaks very firmly, and the army is moving closer to us, this means they are preparing to leave.

The enemy's chariots come out first, occupying both sides, this means they are deploying in formation, preparing to fight.

The enemy did not agree in advance, suddenly coming to request peace, there must be bad intentions in this.

The enemy walks quickly, deploying chariots; this is hoping to fight us.

The enemy advances for a while, then retreats; this might be pretending to be chaotic, trying to deceive us.

Enemy soldiers lean on their weapons while standing; this means they are hungry, with no food.

Enemy soldiers draw water from a well, rushing to drink first; this means they are thirsty, with no water.

The enemy sees an advantage but does not move forward; this means they are too tired.

Birds are perched on the enemy's resting place; this indicates that it is already empty, with no people.

Someone shouts loudly at night among the enemy; this indicates that the soldiers are afraid in their hearts.

The enemy's resting place is very chaotic, with no order; this indicates that their general lacks authority.

The enemy's flags move chaotically; this indicates that their formation is in disarray.

The enemy's officers are easily angered; this indicates that their army is too exhausted.

The enemy uses grain to feed horses, kills animals to eat, packs up cooking utensils, and does not return to resting places; this is an enemy with no way out.

Enemy soldiers gather together and whisper, indicating that their general is unpopular.

The enemy repeatedly rewards soldiers, indicating that they have no other options.

The enemy repeatedly punishes subordinates, indicating that they are facing difficulties.

The general first treats soldiers harshly, then later fears them; this indicates that this general is not very intelligent.

The enemy finds reasons to send messengers to talk; this is because they want to cease fighting and rest.

The enemy comes angrily, but does not fight for a long time and does not leave; one must carefully observe what they intend to do.

In warfare, it is not the case that more soldiers are better.

As long as one does not underestimate the enemy and move recklessly, can concentrate forces, and understand the enemy's situation, it is sufficient to defeat the enemy.

That kind of person who lacks long-term thinking and underestimates the enemy while acting recklessly will certainly be captured by the enemy.

When the general punishes soldiers casually before they have become close to him and trust him, the soldiers will definitely not obey, making it very difficult to use them in battle.

If the soldiers have already become close and trust the general, but the general still does not enforce military discipline, such an army cannot fight either.

Therefore, the civil method is to teach soldiers with reason; the military method is to unify actions with military discipline.

Such an army will definitely achieve victory in battle.

If in peacetime, one can seriously execute orders and teach soldiers, the soldiers will develop the habit of obedience.

If in peacetime, one does not seriously execute orders and teach soldiers, the soldiers will develop the habit of disobedience.

The reason why orders can be seriously executed in peacetime is because the general and soldiers have gained mutual trust.