Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 7 · Armed Struggle · 軍爭

Passage 7-10

掠鄕分衆, 廓地分利, 懸權而動, 先知迂直之計者勝, 此軍爭之法也.

Plunder the countryside to divide spoils among troops. Expand territory to share benefits. Weigh the balance before moving. He who first masters the circuitous and direct will win. This is the method of armed contention.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 7-10:

Sealing Enemy's Plans Passage 11-36 先其所愛, 微與之期, 賤墨隨敵, 以決戰事. 是故始如處女... The Crossbow Metaphor Passage 5-4 激水之疾, 至於漂石者, 勢也. 鷙鳥之疾, 至於毁折者, ... The Trigger Moment Passage 5-5 是故善戰者, 其勢險, 其節短. 勢如擴弩, 節如發機. Releasing Momentum Passage 5-11 故善戰人之勢, 如轉圓石於千仞之山者, 勢也. Swiftness of Decision Passage 11-35 是故政舉之日, 夷關折符, 無通其使, 厲於廊廟之上, 以誅... Timing and Conditions Passage 12-2 行火必有因, 煙火必素具. 發火有時, 起火有日. 時者, ...

More from Chapter 7: Armed Struggle (軍爭)

Passage 7-1: Sun Tzu said: In military operations, after the general receives orders from the... Passage 7-2: The difficulty of armed contention is making the circuitous direct and turning a... Passage 7-3: Move the entire army to contend for advantage—you cannot arrive in time. Abandon... Passage 7-4: Therefore, if you roll up armor and race day and night without rest, covering do... Passage 7-5: Racing fifty li for advantage, the lead commander falls, and half arrive. Racing... Passage 7-6: An army without equipment perishes. Without provisions, it perishes. Without sto... Passage 7-7: Without knowing the designs of neighboring rulers, you cannot forge alliances. W... Passage 7-8: Warfare is founded on deception, driven by advantage, and transformed through di... Passage 7-9: Therefore: - Swift as the wind - Silent as the forest - Ravenous as fire - Immov... Passage 7-11: The Military Administration states: “When words cannot be heard, use drums and g... Passage 7-12: Drums, gongs, flags, and banners unify the eyes and ears of the troops. Once uni... Passage 7-13: In night battles, use many torches and drums. In day battles, use many flags and... Passage 7-14: The army’s spirit (qì) can be seized; the general’s heart can be stolen. Morning... Passage 7-15: Principles of warfare: - Do not advance uphill against the enemy - Do not oppose...