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Art of War Chapter – 12.3
Victories without consolidation bring ruin. Rulers and generals must wage war only for tangible gains, never out of rage. Anger fades, but ruined states and lost lives cannot be recovered; prudence safeguards the nation and army.
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Art of War Chapter – 12.2
Adjust tactics flexibly for five fire attacks. Strike from windward only when flames blaze fiercely. Fire devastates foes thoroughly, while water merely blocks their advance; commanders must master all fire attack rules.
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Art of War Chapter – 12.1
Sun Tzu lists five fire attack targets: soldiers, provisions, carts, storehouses and troop formations. Prearrange fire tools and launch assaults on dry, windy days when the moon passes four specific constellations for favorable winds.
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Art of War Chapter – 11.8
Block passes and cut enemy envoys before war, devise thorough court plans. Strike swiftly at enemy gaps and seize their vital assets. Stay quiet as a maiden to lull guards, then dash like a hare to catch foes unprepared.
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Art of War Chapter – 11.7
Three military prerequisites are stressed: grasping rival plots, terrain and local guides. A dominant army relies on its own strength, uses special rewards, drives troops into deadly straits, feints compliance and concentrates forces to slay enemy generals far away.
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Art of War Chapter – 11.6
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.