Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-1

孫子曰: 凡處軍相敵: 絶山依谷, 視生處高, 戰隆無登, 此處山之軍也.

Sun Tzu said: When positioning the army to observe the enemy: Cross mountains and stay near valleys, observe the terrain and occupy high ground. Do not climb to attack heights—this is the method for mountain warfare.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-1:

Distant Terrain Passage 10-6 險形者, 我先居之, 必居高陽以待敵. 若敵先居之, 引而去... Entangling Terrain Passage 10-2 我可以往, 彼可以來, 曰通. 通形者, 先居高陽, 利糧道... Stalemated Terrain Passage 10-3 可以往, 難以返, 曰; 掛; 掛形者, 敵無備, 出而勝之... Earth (地) Passage 1-5 地者, 遠近, 險易, 廣狹, 死生也. Accessible Terrain Passage 10-1 孫子曰: 地形有通者, 有掛者, 有支者, 有隘者, 有險者... Precipitous Terrain Passage 10-5 隘形者, 我先居之, 必盈之以待敵; 若敵先居之, 盈而勿從...

More from Chapter 9: The Army on the March (行軍)

Passage 9-2: After crossing rivers, move away from the water. When the enemy crosses toward y... Passage 9-3: If you seek battle, do not confront the enemy near water. Observe the terrain an... Passage 9-4: Cross wetlands swiftly—do not linger. If you must engage in wetlands, position n... Passage 9-5: On level ground, occupy easy terrain with high ground to the right and rear. Pos... Passage 9-6: Armies prefer high ground to low, favor sunlight over shade, nurture life and oc... Passage 9-7: This is how terrain aids the army. When upstream rains cause rushing currents, w... Passage 9-8: When terrain features deep ravines, enclosed basins, natural prisons, tangled un... Passage 9-9: When the army’s flanks have difficult terrain, marshes, reeds, forests, or dense... Passage 9-10: When the enemy is near but quiet—he relies on difficult terrain. When distant an... Passage 9-11: Movement in the trees—the enemy approaches Many obstacles in the grass—suspicion... Passage 9-12: Reading dust: - High and sharp—chariots approaching - Low and wide—infantry appr... Passage 9-13: Humble words with increased preparations—advancing Aggressive words with forcefu... Passage 9-14: Rushing about and arranging chariots—preparing for decisive action Half advancin... Passage 9-15: Water-bearers drinking first—thirsty Seeing advantage but not advancing—exhauste... Passage 9-16: Night cries—fear Camp disturbance—general lacks authority Flags moving erratical... Passage 9-17: Hanging pots and not returning to quarters—desperate Earnest, rambling talks wit... Passage 9-18: First harsh, then fearful of troops—the height of incompetence Arriving with apo... Passage 9-19: Numbers alone do not guarantee victory. Avoid reckless advance. Unite forces, as... Passage 9-20: Punish troops before winning their loyalty—they will not submit; not submitting,... Passage 9-21: When orders are consistently enforced, the troops are trained to obey. When orde...