Passage 11-13
敢問:「敵衆整而將來, 待之若何?」曰:「先奪其所愛, 則聽矣」. 兵之情主速, 乘人之不及, 由不虞之道, 攻其所不戒也.
Asked: “If a large, organized enemy approaches, how should we meet them?” Answer: “First, seize what they treasure—then they will listen.” The nature of warfare demands speed—exploit the enemy’s unreadiness, take unexpected routes, attack where they are not vigilant.
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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 11-13:
Do Not Press a Cornered Enemy
Passage 7-15
故用兵之法, 高陵勿向, 背丘勿逆, 佯北勿從, 銳卒勿攻,...
The Price of Delay
Passage 2-4
故兵聞拙速, 未睹巧之久也; 夫兵久而國利者, 未之有也.
Speed Over Perfection
Passage 2-5
故不盡知用兵之害者, 則不能盡知用兵之利也.
Flexible Response
Passage 8-4
故將通於九變之利者, 知用兵矣. 將不通于九變之利, 雖知地...
The Cost of War
Passage 2-1
孫子曰: 凡用兵之法, 馳車千駟, 革車千乘, 帶甲十萬, ...
Resource Drain
Passage 2-2
其用戰也, 勝久則鈍兵挫銳, 攻城則力屈, 久暴師則國用不足...