1. Initial Assessments
War, the state, is a matter of life and death, survival or ruin. Wise forecast before the battle.
Careful calculation and accurate prediction.
2. Waging War.
A way should be won quickly without being prolonged. Taking provisions from the enemy. Put the enemy generals who have surrendered into important positions to disintegrate the enemy forces.
3. Attack by stratagem.
To subdue the enemy without fighting is perfect victory.Victory can be achieved without fighting.Blind command is bound to lead to disaster. Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat.
4. Disposition of military forces.
Never go to war unprepared.
5. Use of the military momentum.
Creating favourable conditions and seizing the opportunity to win.Changes between normal and special
circumstances. Vanquish the enemy with surprise attack. Deceive the enemy by pretending to be weak.
5. Weakness And Strengths.
Be adept at moving the enemy to where you wish instead of being moved by the enemy. Avoid the strong and attack the weak. Attack the enemy's vulnerable points. Understand the enemy's aim and be master of the battlefield. Make changes according to the circumstances.
6. Manoeuvring.
Convert unfavourable factors into favourable ones and seize the opportunity to fight. Gaining an advantageous position by turning slowness into high speed.
8. Variations of Tactics.
Make flexible adjustment of tactics according to changing circumstances of the battlefield. Do not encamp in places where it is difficult to manoeuvre. Do not linger on grounds where it is hard to move about and difficult to get supplies.
9. On The March.
Marching, camping and observation of the battlefields. Observe the movements of the enemy closely. Xiahou Chun advanced recklessly and fell into an ambush.
10. The terrain
The military geography should not be neglected.
Six situations leading to defeat may arise because of the fault of the
commander:
1. Defeat and flight.
2. The lax. A weak commander.
3. The sinking. The soldiers are weak.
4. The crumbling. The orders are not obeyed.
5. The chaotic. The command is in confusion.
6. The routed. Not knowing how to fight the enemy.
A good commander:
1. Should be good at combining the analysis of the enemy and the use of the terrain.
2. He should care for his soldiers, strengthen discipline and give due rewards or punishment.
3. He should have the authority to issue orders and make decisions.
4. He should never crave fame or evade responsibility.
Deceptive methods to overcome your enemies:
1) Pretend to be weak and timid when one is actually able to fight.
2) Pretend to be inactive when one is ready to fight.
3) Pretend to attack a faraway place when the target is near.
4) If the enemies are greedy, lure them with small gains.
5) Attack the enemies when they are in confusion.
6) When the enemy commander is bad-tempered, infuriate him.
A commander: should first be wise and resourceful. Equipped with abundant war experience, good military training, comprehensive analytical ability.
A general: should keep his words when granting rewards or meting out punishment. Never be caprious.
How to gain a quick victory? Avoid attacking strong fortifications, get supplies from the enemies, reward the officers and treat the captives kindly.
Taboos in launching an attack:
1) Don't attack the enemy who is retreating homeward.
2) Don't confront the enemy uphill.
3) Don't attack the enemy who is pretending to flee.