Generally, on
positioning the army and observing the enemy:
To cross mountains, stay
close to the valleys;
observe on high ground
and face the sunny side.
If the enemy holds the
high ground, do not ascend and do battle with him.
This is positioning the
army in the mountains. ?
After crossing a river,
you must stay far away from it.
If the enemy crosses
a river, do not meet him in the water.
When half of his forces
has crossed, it will then be advantageous to strike. ?
If you want to do battle
with the enemy, do not position your forces near the water facing the enemy;
take high ground facing
the sunny side, and do not position downstream.
This is positioning the
army near rivers. ?
After crossing swamps
and wetlands, strive to quickly get through them, and do not linger.
If you do battle in swamps
and wetlands, you must position close to grass, with the trees to your back.
This is positioning the
army in swamps and wetlands. ?
On level ground, position
on places that are easy to maneuver with your right backed by high ground, with
the dangerous ground in front, and safe ground to the back.
This is positioning the
army on level ground. ?
These are the four positions
advantageous to the army, which enabled the Yellow Emperor to conquer four rulers.
?
Generally, the army prefers
high ground and dislikes low ground, values the sunny side and despises the shady
side, nourishes its health and occupies places with resources, and avoids numerous
sicknesses.
These factors mean certain
victory. ?
Where there are hills
and embankments, you must position on the sunny side, with the hills and embankments
to your right back.
These are advantages
to the army. ?
Use the ground for assistance.
?
When the rainwater rises
and descends down to where you want to cross, wait until it settles. ?
Where there
is ground with impassable ravines, Heaven's Wells, Heaven's Prisons,
Heaven's Nets, Heaven's Pits, and Heaven's Fissures, you must march
quickly away from them.
Do not approach them.
?
When we distance from
them, draw the enemy to approach them.
When we move to face
the enemy, he will have them at his back. ?
When the army is flanked
by high ground, wetlands, tall reeds and grass, mountain forests, or areas with
thick undergrowth, you must search carefully and thoroughly, because these are
places where men lie in ambush or where spies hide. ?
If the enemy is close
and remains quiet, he occupies a natural stronghold. ?
If the enemy is far away
and challenges you to do battle, he wants you to advance, because he occupies
level ground that is to his advantage. ?
Continued
