Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-13

辭卑而益備者, 進也. 辭詭而强進驅者, 退也. 輕車先出其側者, 陣也. 無約而請和者, 謀也.

Humble words with increased preparations—advancing Aggressive words with forceful displays—retreating Light chariots deploying on flanks—forming battle line Peace proposals without prior negotiation—plotting

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-13:

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... Manipulating Appearances Passage 1-13 利而誘之, 亂而取之, 實而備之, 强而避之, 怒而橈之, ... The Way of Deception Passage 1-12 兵者, 詭道也. 故能而示之不能, 用而示之不用, 近而視之... Exploiting Unpreparedness Passage 1-14 攻其無備, 出其不意, 此兵家之勝, 不可先傳也. Appear Where Unexpected Passage 6-5 微乎微乎, 至於無形; 神乎神乎! 至於無聲, 故能爲敵之司... Formlessness Passage 6-9 故形人而我無形, 則我專而敵分. 我專爲一, 敵分爲十, 是...

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

Passage 9-1: Sun Tzu said: When positioning the army to observe the enemy: Cross mountains an... 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 9-14: 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...