Nine Terrains

Sun Tzu said:

“The strategy for employing the military is this: There is dispersive terrain, marginal terrain, contentious terrain, open terrain, intersecting terrain, critical terrain, difficult terrain, encircled terrain and deadly terrain.”

• “When the warriors fight in their own territory, it is ‘dispersive terrain’.”
  
• “When they enter someone else’s territory, but not deeply, it is ‘marginal terrain’.”
  
• “If when we occupy it, it will be advantageous to us while if they occupy it, it will be advantageous to them, it is ‘contentious terrain’.”
  
• “When we can go and they can also come, it is ‘open terrain’.”
  
• “Land of the warriors surrounded on three sides such that whoever arrives first will gain the masses of All under Heaven is ‘intersecting terrain’.”
  
• “When one penetrates deeply into enemy territory, with many walled cities and towns to his back, it is ‘critical terrain’.”
  
• “Where there are mountains and forests, ravines and defiles, wetlands and marshes, wherever the road is difficult to negotiate, it is ‘difficult terrain’.”
  
• “Where the entrance is constricted, the return is circuitous, and with a small number they can strike our masses, it is ‘encircled terrain’.”
  
• “Where one fights with full force he will survive, but if he does not fight with full force he will perish, it is ‘deadly terrain’.”

“Therefore, on ‘dispersive terrain’ do not engage the enemy.”

“On ‘marginal terrain’ do not stop.”

“On ‘contentious terrain’ do not attack.”

“On ‘open terrain’ do not allow your forces to become isolated.”

“On ‘intersecting terrain’ unite and form alliances.”

“On ‘critical terrain’ plunder for provisions.”

“On ‘difficult terrain’ move through quickly.”

“On ‘encircled terrain’ be prepared.”

“On ‘deadly terrain’ engage in battle.”

“In ancient times those skilled in warfare were able to keep the enemy’s forward and rear forces from connecting; the many and few from relying on each other; the noble and peasants from coming to each other’s rescue; the upper and lower ranks from unity; the troops to be separated, unable to reassemble, or when assembled, not to be well-ordered. They moved when it was advantageous, halted when it was not advantageous.”

“If I dare to ask, if the enemy is numerous, disciplined, and about to advance, how should we respond to them? I would say, first seize something that they love for then they will do what you wish.”

“The essential factor in warfare is speed; to take advantage of the enemy’s absence; to travel unexpected routes; and to attack when they are not prepared.”

“In general, the Tao of an invader is that when one has penetrated deeply into enemy territory, the army will be unified, and the defenders will not be able to conquer you.”

“If one plunders the fertile countryside, then the army will have enough provisions. If you take care of your health, avoid fatigue and do not over-labor them, they will be united and their strength will build.”

“When you mobilize the army and calculate strategic plans, you must be formless.”

“Cast your troops into positions from which there is no escape and they will die without retreating. If there is no escape from death, the officers and soldiers will fully exert their strength.”

“When the troops are in desperate situations, they fear nothing. When the soldiers and officers have penetrated deeply into enemy territory, they will be united. When there is no alternative, they will fight.”

“Therefore even though the soldiers are not instructed, they are alert; though not seeking it, their devotion is obtained; though without promises they are faithful; without issuing orders they are trustworthy. Prohibit omens, eliminate doubt so that they will die without any other thoughts.”

“The soldiers do not have excessive wealth, it is not because they detest material goods. If they do not live long lives, it is not because they have no taste for longevity. On the day that the orders are issued the tears of the soldiers who are sitting will soak their sleeves, while the tears of those lying down will roll down their cheeks. However, if you throw them into a desperate situation, they will have the courage of Chuan Chu or Ts’so Kuei.”

“Therefore those who excel at employing the army may be compared to the shuaijan. The shuaijan is a serpent found on Mt. Ch’ang. If you strike its head the tail will respond; if you strike its tail the head will respond. If you strike the middle both the head and tail will attack. If I dare to ask, can we make our forces like the shuaijan, I would say we can. For example, the people of Wu and Yűeh hated each other; but if, when crossing a river in the same boat they encounter severe wind, they assisted each other like the left and right hands.”

“Therefore, hobbling the horses and burying the chariot wheels are inadequate to rely on to prevent the soldiers from fleeing. Unify their courage to be as one through the Tao of organization. Realize the appropriate employment of the strong and weak through the principles of terrain.”

“Therefore one who excels at employing the army leads them by the hand as if they were only one man, they cannot but follow.”

“It is essential for a general to be tranquil and remote, upright and self-disciplined, and able to mystify the eyes and ears of the officers and troops, keeping them ignorant. He alters his methods of affairs and changes his strategies to keep others from recognizing them. He shifts his position and traverses circuitous routes to keep others from being able to anticipate him.”

“At the moment the general has lead his troops into battle, it will be as if they ascended a height and abandoned their ladders. The general advances with them deep into the territory of the enemy and then releases the trigger. He commands his troops as if they are a herd of sheep. They are herded away, and then back, but no one knows where they are going.”

“Assembling the masses of the army, and then casting them into danger, is the responsibility of the general.”

“Adaptations to nine terrains-the advantages deriving from defensive and offensive maneuvers, as well as the patterns of human emotions-must be investigated.”

“In general, the Tao of the invader is:”

“When the troops have penetrated deeply, they will be unified, but where not deep, they will be inclined to scatter.”

“When the army has left the state, crossed the enemy’s border, and is on campaign, it is ‘isolated terrain’.”

“When the four sides are open to others, this is ‘intersecting terrain’.”

“When you have advanced deeply, it is ‘critical terrain’.”

“If you have penetrated only shallowly, it is ‘marginal terrain’.”

“If you have strongholds behind you and constrictions before you, it is ‘surrounded terrain’.”

“If there is no place to go, it is ‘deadly terrain’.”

“Therefore on ‘isolated terrain’ I must unify their will.”

“On ‘marginal terrain’ I have them group together.”

“On ‘contentious terrain’ I hurry our rear elements forward.”

“On ‘open terrain’ I focus on defense.”

“On ‘intersecting terrain’ I solidify our alliances.”

“On ‘critical terrain’ I maintain a continuous supply of provisions.”

“On ‘difficult terrain’ I quickly advance along the roads.”

“On ‘surrounded terrain’ I obstruct any openings.”

“On ‘deadly terrain’ I show the troops our resolve to fight to the death.”

“Therefore it is the nature of the army to defend when surrounded, to fight fervently when there are no other alternatives; and to obey orders when compelled by dangerous circumstances.”

“Therefore, one who does not know the plans of the enemy cannot forge preparatory alliances. One who does not know the topography of mountains and forest, gorges and defiles, swamps and wetlands cannot advance the army. One who does not employ local guides will not secure advantages of terrain. One who does not know any one of these matters cannot command the army of a true king.”

“Now when the army of a true king attacks a great nation, their masses are unable to assemble. When it applies its power to the enemy, their alliances cannot be formed. Therefore it does not contend with any alliances with other nations. It does not nurture the power of other nations. Have faith in ones self, apply your power to the enemy. Then his cities can be taken, his kingdom can be subjugated.”

“Bestow rewards not required by law, prescribe commands transcending policy. Direct the masses as though commanding one man. Give your troops commands, but do not explain the purpose to them. Compel them to face danger, but do not reveal to them the advantages.”

“Cast them into dangerous situations and they will be preserved; have them penetrate deadly terrain and they will live. Only after the troops have penetrated dangerous terrain will they be able to turn a defeat into a victory.”

“The concern of warfare lies in accord with and learning in detail the enemy’s intentions. If one then concentrates his strength toward the enemy, strikes a thousand li away, and kills their general, it is termed ‘being skillful in achieving objectives through wit and skill’.”

“Therefore on the day the government declares war, close off all borders, destroy all passports and tallies, and do not allow their emissaries to pass through. Hold strategic discussions in the temple in order to bring about the execution of affairs.”

“If the enemy opens the door, you must race in.”

“Attack what they love first. Do not fix any time for battle, calculate and react to the enemy in order to determine the strategy for battle.”

“For this reason at first be like an unwed maiden at home; later-when the enemy opens the door-be like a fleeing hare. The enemy will be unable to triumph against you.”