Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-21

令素行以敎其民, 則民服; 令不素行以敎其民, 則民不服; 令素行者, 與衆相得也.

When orders are consistently enforced, the troops are trained to obey. When orders are not consistently enforced, they will not obey. Consistent orders that are followed build mutual trust between commander and troops.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-21:

Assessing Advantage Passage 1-9 故校之以七計, 而塞其情. 曰: 主孰有道, 將孰有能, 天... Adaptable Governance Passage 8-5 治兵不知九變之術, 雖知地利, 不能得人之用矣. Quiet, Inscrutable, Upright Passage 11-23 故善用兵者, 攜手若使一人, 不得已也. Leading Without Destination Passage 11-26 帥與之期, 如登高而去其梯, 帥與之深, 入諸侯之地而發其機... Ruin Passage 10-11 將弱不嚴, 敎道不明, 吏卒無常, 陳兵縱橫, 曰亂. Know Heaven, Know Earth Passage 10-15 視卒如嬰兒, 故可與之赴深溪; 視卒如愛子, 故可與之俱死....

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 9-16: 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,...