When invading a foreign land, troops stay united if marching deep, and disperse if staying near the border. An army leaving its own state enters isolated ground. Land with thoroughfares in all directions is intersecting ground. Deep penetration means deep ground; shallow entry means frontier ground. Ground with secure rear and narrow front is enclosed ground. Land with no escape is deadly ground.
On dispersed ground, unify the troops’ will. On frontier ground, keep units connected. On contested ground, race to the enemy’s rear. On accessible ground, defend vigilantly. On intersecting ground, strengthen alliances. On deep ground, ensure steady food supplies. On difficult ground, press forward quickly. On enclosed ground, block all escape routes. On deadly ground, make it clear that survival lies only in fighting.
It is human nature for soldiers: resist when surrounded, fight when forced, and obey when pressed hard.
Note
It defines nine battlefield grounds and tailored tactics for each, such as forming alliances on intersecting ground and securing provisions deep in enemy territory. It also explains soldiers’ natural instincts: resisting when encircled and fighting desperately under pressure.
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.
Terrain adaptation
Targeted tactics for different battle grounds.
Troop psychology
Soldiers’ reactions under siege, pressure and desperation.
Alliance & supply
Key supports for long-distance campaigns.
凡為客之道，深則專，淺則散；去國越境而師者，絕地也；四達者，衢地也；入深者，重地也；入淺者，輕地也；背固前隘者，圍地也；無所往者，死地也。是故散地吾將一其志，輕地吾將使之屬，爭地吾將趨其後，交地吾將謹其守，衢地吾將固其結，重地吾將繼其食，圮地吾將進其途，圍地吾將塞其闕，死地吾將示之以不活。故兵之情，圍則禦，不得已則鬥，逼則從。
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