Sun Tzu said: When encamping and confronting the enemy:
Cross mountains and camp in valleys. Occupy sunny, high ground. Never climb to attack an enemy on a hilltop. These are rules for mountain warfare.
After crossing a river, stay far from the bank. If the enemy crosses the water, do not meet them midstream. Strike when half their troops have crossed – this brings great advantage.
If you intend to fight, do not line up beside the river to face the foe. Choose high sunny ground, and never position yourself against the current. These are rules for river warfare.
When passing salt marshes, leave at once and do not linger. If battle must be fought here, take cover by grass and water, with dense woods to your rear. These are rules for marsh warfare.
On flat land, deploy on open ground. Keep your main force with high ground on the right. Place dangerous terrain to the front and safe retreats to the rear. These are rules for plain warfare.
Mastering the advantages of these four terrains was how the Yellow Emperor defeated the four rival tribal lords in ancient times.
Note
This passage lays out camping and combat rules for four terrains: mountains, rivers, marshes and plains. It details optimal positions and tactics like striking foes halfway across water. Mastery of such geographic edges enabled the Yellow Emperor to defeat rival tribal lords.
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
A legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, skilled at utilizing terrain to win wars.
Terrain tactics
Corresponding encampment and combat rules for mountain, river, marsh and plain.
Strike mid-crossing
A classic river battle tactic to defeat enemies when they are halfway across water.
Front danger, rear safety
Arrange formation with barriers ahead and retreat routes behind.
Geographical advantage
Make the most of land features to enhance military strength.
孫子曰：凡處軍相敵：絕山依谷，視生處高，戰隆無登，此處山之軍也。絕水必遠水，客絕水而來，勿迎于水內，令半濟而擊之利。欲戰者，無附于水而迎客，視生處高，無迎水流，此處水上之軍也。絕斥澤，惟亟去勿留，若交軍于斥澤之中，必依水草，而背眾樹，此處斥澤之軍也。平陸處易，右背高，前死後生，此處平陸之軍也。凡此四軍之利，黃帝之所以勝四帝也。
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