Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-4

絶斥澤, 惟亟去無留, 若交軍於斥澤之中, 必依水草, 而背衆樹, 此處斥澤之軍也.

Cross wetlands swiftly—do not linger. If you must engage in wetlands, position near water and vegetation with forests behind—this is the method for wetland warfare.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-4:

Local Guides Passage 7-7 故不知諸侯之謀者, 不能豫交; 不知山林, 險阻, 沮澤之形... Earth (地) Passage 1-5 地者, 遠近, 險易, 廣狹, 死生也. Surrounded Ground Passage 11-8 山林, 險阻, 沮澤, 凡難行之道者, 爲圮地. The Five Fundamental Factors Passage 1-2 故經之以五事, 校之以計, 而索其情. 一曰道, 二曰天, ... 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... Making Victory Inevitable Passage 4-4 善守者, 藏於九地之下; 善攻者, 動於九天之上, 故能自保...

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 9-5: 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...