Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-16

夜呼者, 恐也. 軍擾者, 將不重也. 旌旗動者, 亂也. 吏怒者, 倦也. 殺馬肉食者, 軍無糧也.

Night cries—fear Camp disturbance—general lacks authority Flags moving erratically—disorder Officers angry—troops exhausted Slaughtering horses for meat—no provisions

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

Ask Sun →

Explore Further

These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-16:

Insubordination Passage 10-9 夫勢均, 以一擊十, 曰走. 卒强吏弱, 曰弛. 吏强卒弱,... Collapse Passage 10-10 大吏怒而不服, 遇敵懟而自戰, 將不知其能, 曰崩. Ruin Passage 10-11 將弱不嚴, 敎道不明, 吏卒無常, 陳兵縱橫, 曰亂. Disorganization and Rout Passage 10-12 將不能料敵, 以少合衆, 以弱擊强兵無選鋒, 曰北. 凡此... Five Dangerous Traits Passage 8-8 故用兵之法, 無恃其不來, 恃吾有以待也; 無恃其不攻, 恃... The Five Dangers Passage 8-9 故將有五危: 必死可殺也, 必生可虜也, 忿速可侮也, 廉潔...

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 9-13: 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 9-17: 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...