Chapter 9 — Marching the Army

Sunzi said: In general, when stationing an army and observing the enemy, cross mountains by keeping near valleys; face the sun and occupy high ground; when fighting on elevated ground, do not climb to attack. This is how to station an army in mountains. After crossing a river, you must move far from the water. When an invading enemy crosses a river to approach, do not meet him in the water. Let half his force cross and then strike him; this is advantageous. If you desire battle, do not meet an invader close beside the water. Face the sun and occupy high ground; do not face the current. This is how to station an army near water. Cross salt marshes quickly; do not linger. If you encounter an enemy within a salt marsh, you must keep near water and grass, with masses of trees at your back. This is how to station an army in salt marshes. On level ground, occupy easy terrain with high ground to your right and rear, deadly ground before you and secure ground behind you. This is how to station an army on level ground. These four advantageous ways of stationing an army enabled the Yellow Emperor to conquer the Four Emperors.

In general, an army prefers high ground and detests low ground, esteems sunlight and disdains shade, nourishes life and occupies substantial ground. Then the army will be free of a hundred illnesses. This is called certain victory. Among hills, embankments, and dikes, always occupy the sunny side and keep them to your right and rear. This is the advantage of warfare and the assistance of the ground. When rain has fallen upstream and foam comes down upon the water, if you wish to cross, wait until the waters subside.

Wherever the ground contains sheer ravines, Heaven’s Wells, Heaven’s Prisons, Heaven’s Nets, Heaven’s Pits, or Heaven’s Fissures, you must leave quickly and not approach them. Keep them far from us and near the enemy; face them while making the enemy place them at his back. If near the army there are dangerous defiles and obstacles, ponds and hollows, reeds and rushes, forests, or dense undergrowth, these must be searched thoroughly and carefully, for these are places where ambushes and spies conceal themselves.

When the enemy is near yet quiet, he relies on the strength of his ground. When he is far away yet challenges you to battle, he wants you to advance. When the place he occupies is easy of access, he is offering an advantage. When masses of trees move, he is coming. When many screens appear among the grass, he seeks to arouse suspicion. When birds rise in flight, there is an ambush. When wild beasts are startled, a surprise attack is coming. When dust rises high and sharp, chariots are approaching. When it hangs low and spreads broadly, infantry is approaching. When it is scattered in separate streaks, men are gathering firewood. When small clouds of dust move to and fro, the army is making camp. Humble words accompanied by increased preparations mean he will advance. Forceful words accompanied by an impetuous approach mean he will retreat. When light chariots emerge first and take position on the wings, he is forming for battle. When he seeks peace without a sworn covenant, he is plotting. When men rush about and troops are arrayed, the appointed moment has come. When some advance and others retreat, he is enticing you. When men lean on their weapons while standing, they are hungry. When water carriers drink before bearing water back, they are thirsty. When they see an advantage but do not advance, they are weary. When birds gather, the place is empty. When men call out at night, they are afraid. When the army is disturbed, the commander lacks authority. When banners and flags move about, there is disorder. When officers are angry, the men are exhausted. When they feed grain to horses, slaughter livestock for food, do not hang up their cooking pots, and do not return to their shelters, they are desperate enemies. When men gather in little groups and speak softly and at length, the commander has lost the multitude. Frequent rewards indicate distress; frequent punishments indicate exhaustion. He who is first brutal and afterward fears his men has reached the extreme of incompetence. Envoys who come with conciliatory messages seek a respite. If the troops angrily confront each other for a long time without joining battle and without withdrawing, the situation must be examined with the utmost care.

Thus, in war, mere superiority in numbers is not what is prized. It is enough not to advance recklessly, but to concentrate strength, assess the enemy, and win the support of your men. He who lacks forethought and treats the enemy lightly will surely be captured by others.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not submit; if they do not submit, they will be difficult to employ. If soldiers have already grown attached to you but punishments are not enforced, they cannot be employed. Therefore, command them through civil means and unify them through martial discipline. This is called certain victory. If orders have consistently been enforced when instructing the people, the people will submit. If orders have not consistently been enforced when instructing the people, the people will not submit. Consistent enforcement of orders means that the commander and the multitude are in accord.

Sunzi said: In general, when positioning an army and observing the enemy, cross mountains by keeping near valleys. Occupy high ground facing the sunny side. When fighting on elevated ground, do not climb up to engage the enemy. This is how to position an army in mountains. After crossing a river, move far away from it. When an invading enemy is crossing a river, do not meet him in the water. Let half his force cross and then attack it; this is advantageous. If you want battle, do not face the invader close to the riverbank. Occupy high ground facing the sunny side, and do not face the current. This is how to position an army near water. When crossing salt marshes, leave quickly and do not linger. If you encounter an enemy within a salt marsh, stay close to water and grass, with many trees behind you. This is how to position an army in salt marshes. On level ground, occupy open terrain with high ground to your right and rear, death ground in front, and life ground behind. This is how to position an army on level ground. The advantages of these four ways of positioning an army enabled the Yellow Emperor to defeat the four emperors.

Every army prefers high ground and dislikes low ground, values the sunny side and avoids the shady side, stays where life can be sustained, and occupies solid ground. Then the army will be free of the many illnesses, and this means certain victory. On hills, embankments, and dikes, always occupy the sunny side and keep them to your right and rear. These are military advantages and assistance from the ground. When rain falls upstream and foam comes down the river, those wishing to cross should wait until the water has settled.

Whenever the ground contains impassable ravines, natural wells, natural prisons, natural nets, natural pits, or natural fissures, leave them quickly and do not approach them. Keep them far from us and near the enemy; face them while making the enemy put his back to them. If near the army there are dangerous defiles, ponds, reed beds, forests, or dense thickets, they must be searched carefully and repeatedly. These are places where ambushes and spies hide.

An enemy who is near and remains quiet relies on the difficulty of his position. One who is far away and challenges you to battle wants you to advance. If the ground he occupies is easy, it offers him an advantage. Movement among many trees means the enemy is approaching. Many screens set up in the grass create suspicion. Birds taking flight indicate an ambush. Startled animals indicate a surprise attack. Dust rising high and sharp indicates chariots approaching. Dust that stays low and spreads broadly indicates infantry approaching. Dust dispersed in separate strands indicates parties gathering firewood. Small clouds of dust moving back and forth indicate an army making camp. Humble words accompanied by increased preparations indicate an advance. Forceful words accompanied by an aggressive forward drive indicate a retreat. Light chariots emerging first and taking positions on the flanks indicate formation for battle. A request for peace without a prior agreement indicates a plot. Troops running about and taking up formation indicate that the appointed time for battle has come. Half advancing and half retreating indicates a lure. Soldiers standing while leaning on their weapons are hungry. Men drawing water and drinking before carrying it back are thirsty. Seeing an advantage but not advancing indicates weariness. Birds gathering over a place indicate that it is empty. Cries in the night indicate fear. Disorder in the army indicates that the commander lacks authority. Moving banners and flags indicate confusion. Angry officers indicate exhaustion. Feeding grain to horses, slaughtering pack animals for food, putting away cooking pots, and not returning to shelters indicate a desperate enemy. Men whispering together in small groups and speaking softly indicate that the commander has lost the troops. Frequent rewards indicate distress. Frequent punishments indicate severe difficulty. A commander who begins with brutality and later fears his troops is extremely incompetent. An enemy who sends envoys with conciliatory words wants a respite. When opposing troops angrily confront each other but neither engage nor withdraw for a long time, the situation must be carefully examined.

Therefore, an army does not benefit merely from having more troops. It is enough not to advance recklessly, to concentrate strength, assess the enemy, and win the loyalty of the troops. One who is thoughtless and underestimates the enemy will certainly be captured.

If soldiers are punished before they have become attached to their commander, they will not submit. If they do not submit, they will be difficult to employ. If soldiers have already become attached but punishments are not enforced, they cannot be employed. Therefore, command them through civil methods and bring them into line through martial discipline. This means certain success. If orders are consistently enforced when the people are trained, the people will submit. If orders are not consistently enforced when the people are trained, the people will not submit. Consistent enforcement of orders means that the commander and the troops are in harmony.