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----------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. When
you surround an army, leave an outlet free. 7], making itimpossible for the
enemy to guard against him. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his
commandsfrom the sovereign.
Pass quickly overmountains, and keep in the
neighborhood of valleys. 6: Fierce as a blazing firewhich no man can check.
But
in view of the next sentence, this isalmost certainly an interpolation.
Do not
swallow bait offered by the enemy. ]when you capture new territory, cut it up
into allotments for thebenefit of the soldiery. ]This is the art of handling
large masses of men. Tu Yu says preventthe from having any rest. But, as Sun
Tzu knew, nothing is tobe achieved in war unless you are willing to take
risks.
Once we can bring his force to battle, it is doomed tobe our prey. But
there are circumstances which sometimes forbid ageneral to use these
advantages.
]Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. Tu Mu adds
pleasantly: Afterthat, you may crush him.
The real difficulty comeswhen we
engage in tactical operations. They may be taught by familiar illustrations or
a dozendiagrams.
]if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if
quietlyencamped, he can force him to move.
]and hence we can hold the enemys
fate in our hands.
torelieve the town of O-yu, which was closely invested by a
Ch`inarmy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------IX.
A marvelous tale istold of Ts`ao Ts`aos courage and resource in ch.
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