This section of The Art of War stresses knowing the exact time and battlefield to coordinate troops seamlessly. Without clear plans, army units cannot support each other. Skillful strategy can neutralize large enemy forces and seize victory regardless of their numerical strength.
Sun Tzu states hiding your battlefield forces foes to spread defenses thin everywhere. Troops weaken when passively guarding all fronts. Wu Zixu’s rotating border raids on Chu perfectly embody this logic, exhausting Chu’s scattered army and paving Wu’s final victory.