Sun Tzu's Art of War for Women. Catherine Huang

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СКАЧАТЬ you want to engage in battle, do not approach the enemy near a river which he has to cross. Rather, seek higher ground than that of the enemy facing the sun. Do not move against the current to meet the enemy. This is river warfare.

      When crossing salt marshes and wetlands, focus on getting across as quickly as possible, and then moving away from them without lingering. If you must fight in a salt marsh, seek an area close to water and grass, with trees to your back. This is wetlands warfare.

      On dry and level terrain, take an easily accessible position with elevated ground to your right and rear, so that the danger lies ahead and safety to the rear. This is flat terrain warfare.

      These advantageous forms of military deployment enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish the four emperors.

       Yin and Yang

      All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny (yang) places to the dark (yin). Camp close to grass and water to avoid the hundred illnesses, and you will be assured of victory.

      Where there are hills and embankments, occupy the sunny side with the slope to your right rear. This will benefit your soldiers and exploit the natural assistance of the ground.

      

      When heavy rains occur upstream, foam appears upon the water. If you wish to cross the river, wait until it subsides.

      Move quickly away from terrain with such deadly configurations as precipitous cliffs separated by swift torrents, deep gorges, confined areas, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses. These should not be approached.

      By avoiding such places, we may cause the enemy to approach them. Thus when we face the enemy, these terrains will be at his rear.

       Signs

      If within the neighborhood of your camp there are any hills, wetlands with tall reeds and grass, forests with thick undergrowth, you should carefully search them, for these are places where ambushes and spies may be hiding.

      1. If an enemy is nearby and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.

      2. If he stays away and tries to provoke you into battle, he wants you to advance because he holds an advantage of terrain.

      3. If his position offers easy access, he is tendering a bait. Movement in the trees shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of obstacles in the thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. If birds take flight, the enemy is setting an ambush. If the animals display fear, a sudden attack is on the way.

      4. When dust rises in a high column, chariots are advancing; when the dust is low and spread over a wide area, the infantry approaches. If the dust branches out in different directions, they have gone to gather firewood. Smaller clouds of dust that come and go are signs that the enemy’s army is encamping.

      5. They who speak softly but increase their preparations are about to advance. They who speak with belligerence while advancing quickly will retreat.

      

      6. When their light chariots deploy to the sides, they are preparing for battle.

      7. When they offer proposals without prior conditions, expect a devious plot.

      8. When there is much running about and the soldiers are formed into rank, the critical moment has come.

      9. When some enemy forces are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.

      10. If they stand about leaning on their spears, they are hungry.

      11. If those who draw water are the first to drink, then they are thirsty.

      12. If they see an advantage to be gained and make no effort to secure it, they are exhausted.

      13. Wherever birds may gather is an empty place.

      14. If the enemy cries out at night, they are afraid.

      15. If there is a disturbance in the camp, their leader is weak.

      16. If their flags and pennants are moved at random, they are confused.

      17. If the officers are angry, then the men are weary.

      18. If they kill their horses for food, they lack grain.

      19. If they hang up their cooking-pots over the campfires and do not return to camp, it means that they are desperate and determined to fight to the death.

      20. When the men whisper together in small groups, the leader has lost the masses.

      21. When he rewards his men too frequently, the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a dire distress. When he begins with bluster and then becomes fearful, he shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

      22. When envoys are sent with offerings, the enemy wishes for a truce.

      23. If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain facing yours for a prolonged time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, you should investigate the reason very carefully.

       Leadership

      Even if your troops are numbered no more than the enemy’s, that is sufficient, for he cannot advance. It is enough to concentrate your available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and wait for the right moment to attack.

      Only if you exercise no forethought and underestimate your opponent are you likely to be captured by them.

      If you punish soldiers before they have grown attached to you, they will not be submissive; in this case, they will be difficult to assign. If you fail to enforce punishments after the soldiers have become attached to you, they will still be useless.

      Therefore, soldiers must be treated first with humanity, but kept under control with iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.

      If commands are consistently enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be poor.

      A general who shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed will establish an advantageous mutual relationship.

10: Terrain

       Sun Tzu wrote:

       Different Terrains

      There are six major kinds (configurations) of terrain:

      1. Accessible: This is terrain into which our forces and those of the enemy can both advance. We occupy the high ground and sunny side, and maintain our supply routes in order to battle with advantage.

      2. Entangled: This is terrain that is easy to enter but from which it will be difficult to withdraw. If the enemy is unprepared here, we may be able to go forth and defeat them. But if the enemy is prepared and you advance without winning, we will be unable to withdraw and may suffer disadvantages.

      3. Temporizing: This is terrain where it is disadvantageous for us or the enemy СКАЧАТЬ