IX. THE ARMY ON THE MARCH

by Sun Tzu

　　1. Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question ofencamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy.Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhoodof valleys. 2. Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climbheights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare. 3. After crossing a river, you should get far awayfrom it. 4. When an invading force crosses a river in itsonward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream.It will be best to let half the army get across,and then deliver your attack. 5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not goto meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. 6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facingthe sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy.So much for river warfare. 7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concernshould be to get over them quickly, without any delay. 8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you shouldhave water and grass near you, and get your backto a clump of trees. So much for operations in salt-marches. 9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessibleposition with rising ground to your right and on your rear,so that the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind.So much for campaigning in flat country. 10. These are the four useful branches of militaryknowledge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquishfour several sovereigns. 11. All armies prefer high ground to low and sunnyplaces to dark. 12. If you are careful of your men, and camp on hardground, the army will be free from disease of every kind,and this will spell victory. 13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy thesunny side, with the slope on your right rear.Thus you will at once act for the benefit of your soldiersand utilize the natural advantages of the ground. 14. When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country,a river which you wish to ford is swollen and fleckedwith foam, you must wait until it subsides. 15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffswith torrents running between, deep natural hollows,confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses,should be left with all possible speed and not approached. 16. While we keep away from such places, we shouldget the enemy to approach them; while we face them,we should let the enemy have them on his rear. 17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there shouldbe any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass,hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thickundergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched;for these are places where men in ambush or insidiousspies are likely to be lurking. 18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet,he is relying on the natural strength of his position. 19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle,he is anxious for the other side to advance. 20. If his place of encampment is easy of access,he is tendering a bait. 21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that theenemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screensin the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. 22. The rising of birds in their flight is the signof an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a suddenattack is coming. 23. When there is dust rising in a high column,it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low,but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approachof infantry. When it branches out in different directions,it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood.A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the armyis encamping. 24. Humble words and increased preparations are signsthat the enemy is about to advance. Violent languageand driving forward as if to the attack are signs that hewill retreat. 25. When the light chariots come out first and takeup a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemyis forming for battle. 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenantindicate a plot. 27. When there is much running about and the soldiersfall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come. 28. When some are seen advancing and some retreating,it is a lure. 29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears,they are faint from want of food. 30. If those who are sent to draw water beginby drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained andmakes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted. 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied.Clamor by night betokens nervousness. 33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general'sauthority is weak. If the banners and flags are shiftedabout, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry,it means that the men are weary. 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and killsits cattle for food, and when the men do not hang theircooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that theywill not return to their tents, you may know that theyare determined to fight to the death. 35. The sight of men whispering together in smallknots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffectionamongst the rank and file. 36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy isat the end of his resources; too many punishments betraya condition of dire distress. 37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take frightat the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence. 38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths,it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. 39. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remainfacing ours for a long time without either joiningbattle or taking themselves off again, the situationis one that demands great vigilance and circumspection. 40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy,that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attackcan be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate allour available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy,and obtain reinforcements. 41. He who exercises no forethought but makes lightof his opponents is sure to be captured by them. 42. If soldiers are punished before they have grownattached to you, they will not prove submissive; and,unless submissive, then will be practically useless.If, when the soldiers have become attached to you,punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless. 43. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the firstinstance with humanity, but kept under control by meansof iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory. 44. If in training soldiers commands are habituallyenforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not,its discipline will be bad. 45. If a general shows confidence in his men but alwaysinsists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.