Maneuvering The Army

Sun Tzu said:

“As for positioning the army and observing the enemy:”

“To cross mountains follow, and stay close to the valleys, search out defendable ground, and occupy the sunny heights. If the enemy holds the sunny heights, do not ascend to engage them in battle. This is the way to position an army in the mountains.”

“After crossing rivers you must distance yourself from them. If the enemy is crossing a river to advance, do not engage them in the water. When half their forces have crossed the river, then it will be advantageous to strike them. If you want to engage the enemy in battle, do not position your forces near facing the invader but look for defendable ground and occupy the sunny heights. Do not take a position the downstream of current’s flow. This is the way to position the army near the rivers.”

“When you cross swamps and wetlands, strive on quickly getting away from them; do not linger. If you engage in battle in swamps or wetlands, you must stay in areas with marsh grass and keep groves of trees at your back. This is the way to deploy the army in swamps and wetlands.”

“On level terrain, position your troops on terrain that is easy to maneuver, with the right flank positioned with high ground to the rear, fatal terrain to the front, and defendable terrain to the rear. This is the way to deploy on the plains.

“These four positions, advantageous to the army, are the means by which the Yellow Emperor conquered the four emperors.”

“Generally, the army prefers heights and has no taste for the low ground, reveres the sunny side and despises the shady side. It nourishes its health and occupies places with resources, and avoids the hundred sicknesses. These factors mean certain of victory.”

“Where there are hills and embankments you must occupy the yang side, keeping them to the right rear. This is to the army’s advantage and exploits the natural assistance of the terrain.”

“When it rains upstream, the water rises. If you want to cross over, wait until it descends.”

“You must quickly get away from deadly configurations of terrain such as impassable ravines, Heaven’s Well, Heaven’s Jail, Heaven’s Net, Heaven’s Pit and Heaven’s Fissure. Do not approach them. When we keep them at a distance, the enemy is forced to approach them. When we face them, the enemy is compelled to have them at their rear.”

“When the army is flanked by high ground, wetlands with reeds and tall grass, mountain forests, or areas with thick undergrowth, you must search carefully and thoroughly, because theses are places where an ambush or spies would be concealed.”

“If an enemy in close proximity and remains quiet, they are relying on their tactical occupation of certain terrain. If they are far off and challenge you to battle, they want to advance because they occupy easy terrain to their advantage.”

“If large numbers of trees move, they are advancing. If there are visible obstacles in the undergrowth, it is to make us suspicious. If the birds take flight, he is lying in ambush. If the animals are in fear, enemy forces are preparing a sudden attack.”

“If dust rises high up in a straight column, chariots are coming. If it is low and broad, the infantry is advancing. If it is scattered in thin shafts, they are gathering firewood. If it is sparse, coming and going, they are encamping.”

“One who speaks humbly, but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat. One who speaks apologetically, is in need of rest.”

“One whose light chariots first fan out to take positions on the flanks is setting up for battle.”

“One who seeks peace without a treaty is executing calculations.”

“One whose troops are rapidly deployed is expecting reinforcements.”

“One whose troops half advance and half retreat is attempting to lure you.”

“Those who stand about leaning on their weapons are hungry. If those who draw water drink first, they are thirsty. When they see potential gain but do not advance, they are tired.”

“Where birds congregate it is empty. If the enemy cries out at night, they are afraid. If the army is unsettled, the general is weak. If their flags and pennants move about, they are in chaos. If the officers are irritable, they are exhausted.”

“If they kill their horses and eat the meat, the army lacks grain. If they hang up their cooking utensils and do not return to camp, they are desperate.”

“One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, he has lost his men. One who frequently grants rewards has depleted his resources. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of ineptitude.”

“One who has emissaries come forth with offerings want to rest.”

“If their troops are angered and approach our forces, only to maintain their positions without engaging in battle or breaking off the confrontation, you must carefully investigate it.”

“Warfare does not honor the number of troops being more numerous, for it only means that one can not aggressively advance. It is sufficient for you to consolidate your own strength, calculate the enemy, and attain the support of your men. Only one who lacks strategic planning and underestimates an enemy will inevitably be captured by the enemy.”

“If you impose punishments on the troops before they have given their loyalty, they will be disobedient. If they are disobedient, they will be difficult to employ.”

“Therefore if you command them with benevolence and unify them through the discipline, this is what is referred to as certain victory.”

If commands are consistently implemented to instruct the people, then the people will submit. If commands are not consistently implemented to instruct the people, then the people will not submit. The General whose commands are consistently carried out has established a mutual relationship with the troops.”