In this chapter, the principles for moving an army across different types of terrain are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the study of topography and on utilizing it to one’s advantage. Also stressed extremely heavily is the sheer value of awareness of the real situation, with the verb zhi (“know”) occurring thirteen times.2
Master Sun said,
There are the following types of terrain: accessible, hanging, branching, narrow, precarious, distant. The type through which I can go and my opponent can come is called “accessible.” On the accessible type of terrain, if I am the first to occupy the sunny heights and facilitate the routes for grain supply, this will be advantageous in battle. The type through which I can go but from which it is difficult to return is called “hanging.” On the hanging type of terrain, if the enemy is not prepared, I may go forth and conquer him; but if the enemy is prepared and I go forth, I will not conquer him; it is not advantageous for me. The type through which it is neither advantageous for me nor for the enemy to go forth is called “branching.” On the branching type of terrain, although the enemy may tempt me with advantage, I should not go forth; rather, I should lead my troops in a feigned withdrawal, inducing the enemy to come forth partially, upon which I should strike him. On the narrow type of terrain, if I occupy it first, I should fill it and await the enemy; if the enemy occupies it first and fills it, I should not enter it, but if he has not filled it, I should enter it. On the precarious type of terrain, if I occupy it first, I should occupy the sunny heights and await the enemy; if the enemy occupies it first, I should lead my troops in withdrawal and not enter it. On the distant type of terrain, if our configurations are comparable, it is difficult for either side to provoke the other to battle; if I do battle, it will not be advantageous for me. These six cases are all illustrations of the way of utilizing the terrain; comprehending them is an important responsibility of the general—they cannot be left unexamined.
Therefore,
there are the following different types of forces: put to flight, lax, depressed, collapsed, chaotic, routed. In all of these six cases, it is not a matter of a natural disaster, but the fault of the general. If the configurations of the two opponents are comparable, but if one opponent only uses one-tenth of his forces, they will be put to flight. If one’s troops are strong but his officers are weak, his army will be lax. If one’s officers are strong but his troops are weak, his army will be depressed. If one’s high officers are full of fury and their general does not rein them in, when they encounter the enemy they will seethe with resentment and do battle on their own initiative; the general not knowing his own ability to stop them, the army will collapse. If a general is weak and lacks sternness, if his precepts are not clear, and if the officers and troops have no constant regulations, their formations will be disordered, and the army will be chaotic. If a general, not understanding the enemy, joins in battle against a multitude with a small number of troops, striking the strong with the weak, and his forces lack a select vanguard, they will be routed. These six cases are all illustrations of the way of defeat; comprehending them is an important responsibility of the general—they cannot be left unexamined.
The types of terrain are a potential source of support in warfare. Understanding the enemy and creating the conditions for victory, calculating danger and distance—this is the way of the top general. He who engages in battle knowing these things will surely be victorious; he who engages in battle not knowing these things will surely be defeated.
Therefore,
if a battle is materializing in such a way that one will surely be victorious, yet one’s sovereign tells one not to do battle, one can persist with the battle; if a battle is materializing in such a way that one will not be victorious, yet one’s sovereign says that one must do battle, one can desist from the battle.
Therefore,
when advancing do not seek fame; when retreating do not shun culpability. Strive to protect the people and to do what is compatible with the best interests of one’s sovereign. A general like this is a state treasure.
Look upon the troops as infants.
Therefore,
you will be able to lead them through deep ravines.
Look upon the troops as beloved sons.
Therefore,
you will be able to have them follow you to the death.3
But if you are overly generous to the troops, you will not be able to depute them; if you dote upon the troops, you will not be able to order them; if you let them behave without discipline, you will not be able to control them. Like spoiled children, such troops cannot be used.
If I only know that my troops can strike but do not know that the enemy cannot be struck, I have only fulfilled half of the conditions for victory. If I know that the enemy can be struck but do not know that my troops cannot strike, I have only fulfilled half of the conditions for victory. If I know that the enemy can be struck and know that my troops can strike, but do not know that the type of terrain is such that I cannot do battle on it, I have only fulfilled half of the conditions for battle.
Therefore,
he who knows warfare moves without confusion, acts without constraint.
Therefore,
it is said, “If you know your opponent and you know yourself,4 victory will not be at risk; if you know heaven and you know earth,5 your victories will be unlimited.”