If trees move,
he is advancing;
if there are obstacles
placed in the undergrowth, he wants to make us suspicious;
if the birds take flight,
he is lying in ambush;
if the animals are in
fear, he is preparing to attack; ?
if dust is high in straight
columns, his chariots are advancing;
if dust is low and wide,
his infantry is advancing.
If the dust is scattered,
he is gathering wood;
if the dust is sparse,
coming and going, he is encamping. ?
If he speaks humbly,
but increases warfare readiness, he will advance. ?
If he speaks belligerently
and advances aggressively, he will retreat. ?
If he speaks apologetically,
he needs a rest. ?
If his light chariots
move first and take position on the flanks, he is setting up for battle. ?
If he seeks peace without
a treaty, he is calculating. ?
If he sets up his troops
rapidly, he is expecting reinforcements. ?
If half of his troops
advances and half of his troops retreats, he is trying to lure you. ?
If the troops lean on
their weapons, they are hungry.
If the troops who draw
water drink first, they are thirsty. ?
If he sees advantage
but does not take it, he is tired. ?
If birds gather, he is
not there. ?
If his troops cry at
night, they are afraid. ?
If the army is unsettled,
the general is weak. ?
If the enemy's flags
and pennants move about, he is in chaos. ?
If the officers are irritable,
they are exhausted. ?
If his horses are fed
grain and his men meat, no longer hangs up cooking pots, and does not return to
camp, he is desperate. ?
If troops constantly
gather in small groups and whisper together, he has lost his men. ?
If he gives out rewards
frequently, he is running out of resources. ?
If he gives out punishments
frequently, he is in dire straits. ?
If he is brutal at first,
and then fears the masses, he is the extreme of ineptitude. ?
If he comes with offerings,
he wants to rest. ?
If his troops confront
you with anger, but do not do battle or leave their position, he must be investigated.
?
In warfare, numbers may
not necessarily be an advantage;
do not advance aggressively.
?
It is enough to consolidate
your strength, calculate the enemy, and get support from your men. ?
One who lacks strategic
planning and underestimates the enemy will be captured. ?
If one punishes the troops
before their loyalty is formed, they will be disobedient.
If they are disobedient,
they will be difficult to use.
If one does not punish
the troops after their loyalty is formed, they cannot be used. ?
Therefore, if he commands
them by benevolence, and unifies them by discipline, this is called certain victory.
?
If commands are consistently
enforced when training men, they will be obedient;
if commands are not consistently
enforced when training men, they will be disobedient. ?
If commands are consistently
executed, they are in accord with the general. ?
