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even knows that we have got an army together。 If we seize the
present moment when the river is in flood； we shall appear before
his capital with startling suddenness； like the thunder which is
heard before you have time to stop your ears against it。 ＇See
VII。 ss。 19； note。＇ This is the great principle in war。 Even if
he gets to know of our approach； he will have to levy his
soldiers in such a hurry that they will not be fit to oppose us。
Thus the full fruits of victory will be ours。〃 All came about as
he predicted； and Hsiao Hsien was obliged to surrender； nobly
stipulating that his people should be spared and he alone suffer
the penalty of death。＇
take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness； make your way by
unexpected routes； and attack unguarded spots。
20。 The following are the principles to be observed by an
invading force： The further you penetrate into a country； the
greater will be the solidarity of your troops； and thus the
defenders will not prevail against you。
21。 Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your
army with food。
＇Cf。 supra； ss。 13。 Li Ch‘uan does not venture on a note
here。＇
22。 Carefully study the well…being of your men；
＇For 〃well…being〃； Wang Hsi means； 〃Pet them； humor them；
give them plenty of food and drink； and look after them
generally。〃＇
and do not overtax them。 Concentrate your energy and hoard your
strength。
＇Ch‘en recalls the line of action adopted in 224 B。C。 by the
famous general Wang Chien； whose military genius largely
contributed to the success of the First Emperor。 He had invaded
the Ch‘u State； where a universal levy was made to oppose him。
But； being doubtful of the temper of his troops； he declined all
invitations to fight and remained strictly on the defensive。 In
vain did the Ch‘u general try to force a battle： day after day
Wang Chien kept inside his walls and would not come out； but
devoted his whole time and energy to winning the affection and
confidence of his men。 He took care that they should be well
fed； sharing his own meals with them； provided facilities for
bathing； and employed every method of judicious indulgence to
weld them into a loyal and homogenous body。 After some time had
elapsed； he told off certain persons to find out how the men were
amusing themselves。 The answer was； that they were contending
with one another in putting the weight and long…jumping。 When
Wang Chien heard that they were engaged in these athletic
pursuits； he knew that their spirits had been strung up to the
required pitch and that they were now ready for fighting。 By
this time the Ch‘u army； after repeating their challenge again
and again； had marched away eastwards in disgust。 The Ch‘in
general immediately broke up his camp and followed them； and in
the battle that ensued they were routed with great slaughter。
Shortly afterwards； the whole of Ch‘u was conquered by Ch‘in； and
the king Fu…ch‘u led into captivity。＇
Keep your army continually on the move；
＇In order that the enemy may never know exactly where you
are。 It has struck me； however； that the true reading might be
〃link your army together。〃＇
and devise unfathomable plans。
23。 Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no
escape； and they will prefer death to flight。 If they will face
death； there is nothing they may not achieve。
＇Chang Yu quotes his favorite Wei Liao Tzu （ch。 3）： 〃If one
man were to run amok with a sword in the market…place； and
everybody else tried to get our of his way； I should not allow
that this man alone had courage and that all the rest were
contemptible cowards。 The truth is； that a desperado and a man
who sets some value on his life do not meet on even terms。〃＇
Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength。
＇Chang Yu says： 〃If they are in an awkward place together；
they will surely exert their united strength to get out of it。〃＇
24。 Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of
fear。 If there is no place of refuge； they will stand firm。 If
they are in hostile country； they will show a stubborn front。 If
there is no help for it； they will fight hard。
25。 Thus； without waiting to be marshaled； the soldiers
will be constantly on the qui vive； without waiting to be asked；
they will do your will；
＇Literally； 〃without asking； you will get。〃＇
without restrictions； they will be faithful； without giving
orders； they can be trusted。
26。 Prohibit the taking of omens； and do away with
superstitious doubts。 Then； until death itself comes； no
calamity need be feared。
＇The superstitious； 〃bound in to saucy doubts and fears；〃
degenerate into cowards and 〃die many times before their deaths。〃
Tu Mu quotes Huang Shih…kung： 〃'Spells and incantations should
be strictly forbidden； and no officer allowed to inquire by
divination into the fortunes of an army； for fear the soldiers'
minds should be seriously perturbed。' The meaning is；〃 he
continues； 〃that if all doubts and scruples are discarded； your
men will never falter in their resolution until they die。〃＇
27。 If our soldiers are not overburdened with money； it is
not because they have a distaste for riches； if their lives are
not unduly long； it is not because they are disinclined to
longevity。
＇Chang Yu has the best note on this passage： 〃Wealth and
long life are things for which all men have a natural
inclination。 Hence； if they burn or fling away valuables； and
sacrifice their own lives； it is not that they dislike them； but
simply that they have no choice。〃 Sun Tzu is slyly insinuating
that； as soldiers are but human； it is for the general to see
that temptations to shirk fighting and grow rich are not thrown
in their way。＇
28。 On the day they are ordered out to battle； your
soldiers may weep；
＇The word in the Chinese is 〃snivel。〃 This is taken to
indicate more genuine grief than tears alone。＇
those sitting up bedewing their garments； and those lying down
letting the tears run down their cheeks。
＇Not because they are afraid； but because； as Ts‘ao Kung
says； 〃all have embraced the firm resolution to do or die。〃 We
may remember that the heroes of the Iliad were equally childlike
in showing their emotion。 Chang Yu alludes to the mournful
parting at the I River between Ching K‘o and his friends； when
the former was sent to attempt the life of the King of Ch‘in
（afterwards First Emperor） in 227 B。C。 The tears of all flowed
down like rain as he bade them farewell and uttered the following
lines： 〃The shrill blast is blowing； Chilly the burn； Your
champion is goingNot to return。〃 ＇1＇ ＇
But let them once be brought to bay； and the