When the enemy draws near yet stays calm, they rely on favorable terrain. When they stay far away but provoke a fight, they mean to lure us forward. If they camp on flat ground, it must bring them advantages.
Moving trees mean enemy troops are approaching. Bushes filled with barriers reveal a feint. Flushed birds indicate hidden ambushes. Panicked beasts mean a full-scale assault is coming.
Dust rising high and sharp signals chariots. Low and widespread dust means infantry. Scattered drifting dust shows men gathering firewood. Sparse dust moving to and fro means they are pitching camp.
Humble words alongside increased preparations mean an impending attack. Bold words and advancing postures mask a retreat. Light chariots moving to the flanks mean they are forming battle lines. Unscheduled requests for peace hide plots.
Troops running to array for battle mean a fight is due. Half-advancing and half-retreating troops are laying bait. Soldiers leaning on weapons show hunger. Men who drink first after fetching water show thirst. They ignore obvious gains because of exhaustion.
Birds gathering over a camp means it is empty. Shouts at night reveal fear. Disorder in the army means the general lacks authority. Chaotic banners mean the ranks are in turmoil.
Irritable officers show worn-out troops. Horses being slaughtered for food means grain is exhausted. Discarded cooking vessels and deserted quarters mean they are desperate foes.
Constant murmuring among soldiers means the general has lost support. Frequent rewards show distress. Frequent punishments show troubles in command. A leader who is cruel first then afraid of his men is utterly incompetent.
Envoys coming to make apologies mean they seek rest. When enemies confront you fiercely yet neither fight nor withdraw for long, observe them with extreme caution.
Note
This segment covers comprehensive enemy observation tactics. It interprets signals from terrain, wildlife, dust, envoys, soldiers’ behaviors and camp conditions to judge foes’ motives, morale, supplies and command flaws for accurate battlefield judgment.
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.
Observe the enemy
Judge the enemy’s intention, strength and weakness from all kinds of external signs.
Feint and ambush
Common military tricks identified by natural and human clues.
Troop conditions
Signs reflecting hunger, thirst, fatigue, fear and low morale.
Command crisis
Manifestations of a general losing authority and control over troops.
敵近而靜者，恃其險也。遠而挑戰者，欲人之進也。其所居易者，利也。眾樹動者，來也。眾草多障者，疑也。鳥起者，伏也。獸駭者，覆也。塵：高而銳者，車來也；卑而廣者，徒來也；散而條違者，樵採也；少而往來者，營軍也。辭卑而益備者，進也。辭強而進驅者，退也。輕車先出其側者，陣也。無約而請和者，謀也。奔走而陳兵者，期也。半進半退者，誘也。仗而立者，飢也。汲而先飲者，渴也。見利而不進者，勞也。鳥集者，虛也。夜呼者，恐也。軍擾者，將不重也。旌旗動者，亂也。吏怒者，倦也。殺馬肉食者，軍無糧也。懸缶不返其舍者，窮寇也。諄諄翕翕，徐與人言者，失眾也。數賞者，窘也。數罰者，困也。先暴而後畏其眾者，不精之至也。來委謝者，欲休息也。兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必謹察之。
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