Reading the terrain

Sun Tzu said: There are six types of military forms in the warring battlefield: "Thoroughfare", "Hookup", "Division", "Narrow", "Steepness", and "Distant".

Both we and the enemy can come and go to that battlefield which is called Thoroughfare;

In the Thoroughfare battlefield, it is necessary to occupy a place that is high and facing the sun, and create favorable conditions for the supply lines of the grain route, so as to create a favorable situation by engaging in battle.

The battlefield form that can be traveled to and is not easy to return is called Hookup;

In the Hookup battlefield, if the enemy is defenseless, one can attack and win; If the enemy is on guard, and one's attack is not guaranteed to win, it will be difficult to return and disadvantageous.

Any battlefield form in which neither one's attack nor the enemy's attack is not favorable. It's called Division;

In the Division battlefield, although the enemy lures us with advantage, do not attack;

It is advantageous to lead the troops away and lure the enemy to advance, one's troops can suddenly attack when their halfway forward.

The Narrow battlefield means that one's side occupies it first, and one must fill the pass with heavy troops and wait for the enemy;

If the enemy occupies the pass first and is heavily fortified, do not attack, and if the enemy does not defend the pass with heavy troops, quickly capture it.

The Steepness battlefield is that one occupy it first, and one must occupy a high and sunny place and wait for the enemy;

If the enemy has already occupied first, lead the troops away and do not attack.

In Distant battlefield, when the strength of the enemy and us is equal, it is difficult to provoke the will to fight, and if one is reluctant to fight, it will be disadvantaged.

Usually, the above six points are the principles of the battlefield;

This is the primary responsibility of a general, and it cannot but be examined and reflected.

Therefore, in the war, the army suffered failure in six ways: Flee, Loose, Sinking, Collapsing, Chaotic, and Defeat.

None of these six situations were caused by natural disasters, but by the negligence of the generals.

The strength of the enemy and us is equal, but one want to hit ten with one blow, and lead to failure, which is called Flee.

The soldier is strong, the officer is cowardly, and the one that leads to failure is called Loose.

The officer is strong and the soldier is cowardly, and the result of failure is called Sinking.

The officers are impatient and irritable and do not obey commands from the general, and when they encounter the enemy, they will go into battle without authorization, and the general does not understand their abilities, which leads to failure, is called Collapsing.

If the main general is weak and lacks majesty, the ideological education and the implementation of military law are not clear, the officers and soldiers have nothing to follow, and the dispatch of troops is disorderly, which leads to failure, is called Chaotic.

If the general cannot correctly judge the enemy's situation, and fight numerous strong enemy with weak troops and fewer people, without select an elite troops to fight, which leads to failure, is called Defeat.

Usually, the above six points are the regular pattern of failure;

This is the primary responsibility of a general, and it cannot but be examined and reflected.

The situation on the battlefield serves as an auxiliary condition to the conduct of war.

Accurately assessing the enemy's condition, devising strategies for victory, considering the terrain's obstacles and the distance of routes—these are the responsibilities of a brilliant general.

Understanding these principles and then leading the war will inevitably lead to success;

Failing to grasp these and commanding the battle will inevitably result in failure.

Therefore, if the laws of warfare dictate a certain victory, one should resolutely proceed even if the monarch commands otherwise.

Conversely, if the laws of warfare indicate an inevitable defeat, one should refrain even if the monarch insists on engaging.

Thus, an offensive is not pursued for personal glory, nor is a retreat executed to evade responsibility. The sole objective is to preserve the lives of the people and soldiers, aligning with the fundamental interests of the sovereign. Such a commander is an invaluable asset to the state.

A general who treats his soldiers like infants and cares for them with tenderness will find them willing to follow him into battle.

A general who treats his soldiers like beloved children and values them with deep affection will find them ready to share life and death with him.

However, if a general is kind to his soldiers yet unable to command them, cares for them yet cannot lead them effectively, and fails to punish those who break laws or commit misconduct—such soldiers are like spoiled children and cannot be used in warfare.

Understanding why our army can prevail but not understanding the weaknesses of the enemy offers a 50% chance of success;

Understanding the strengths of the enemy but not understanding why our army cannot prevail also offers a 50% chance of success;

Understanding the strengths of the enemy and why our army can prevail, but not understanding the unfavorable battlefield conditions, still offers a 50% chance of success.

Therefore, a truly knowledgeable general in warfare will act without confusion and devise strategies endlessly.

Thus it is said: Understanding the enemy and understanding our own side ensures continuous victory without failure;

Understanding the timing and the battlefield conditions ensures victory without end.