Partial knowledge of troops, foes or terrain only yields half chances of victory. Skilled commanders stay clear and flexible. Full victory demands knowing oneself, enemies, weather and land conditions thoroughly.
Generals earn soldiers’ loyalty by treating them tenderly like kids, making troops willing to face deadly risks. However, blind indulgence without strict discipline spoils soldiers, rendering the army unfit for combat.
Terrain supports warfare. Top generals judge foes, calculate land risks and distances to win. They may defy royal orders for sure victory or avoid doomed fights, prioritizing people and state over personal fame or blame.
Sun Tzu lists six military failures all arising from flawed generalship, including flight, laxity, rout, etc. Uneven troop-officer morale, mutinous officers, loose discipline and poor enemy evaluation all lead to defeat, which commanders must guard against.
Sun Tzu divides battlefields into six terrain types and lays out targeted tactics for each. Generals must seize high ground, guard supply lines and avoid reckless assaults, as mastering terrain rules is their most vital military duty.