There are five methods of attacking with fire –

1. Burn the enemy troops in their camp or towns.
2. Burn the enemy stores.
3. Burn the enemy’s transportation.
4. Burn the enemy’s arsenals.
5. Use your archers to fire torched arrows into the enemy's camp to create chaos and disorder.

There must be a good reason for using fire to attack, and the equipment must be prepared and available. Additional to that, the weather and timing must be right when attacking with fire.

Dry weather is essential and the timing should be when the moon is at the following positions: 'star of the green dragon' (eastern); 'star of martial enigma' (northern); 'star of the white tiger' (western); and 'star of the red sparrow' (southern), for these are the days of rising wind.

When attacking by fire, you should respond differently according to the five methods of attack.

If your undercover spies started a fire in the enemy’s camp, you should respond by attacking immediately. When a fire breaks out but the enemy troops continue to remain calm, then you must wait instead of rushing in to attack for the enemy may have laid an ambush.

When the fire burns to an uncontrollable inferno, follow up with an attack if the situation allows; otherwise, wait till the moment is right.

Sometimes there comes a moment when the weather and timing is right to allow you to start off a fire attack from outside instead of inside the enemy’s camp. Remember to always set the fire according to the direction of the wind and not against it. Generally, when it is windy throughout the whole day, the night will probably be calm. Observe this accurately, as this is essential in planning for a successful fire attack.

All your armies must posses the knowledge of the five different methods of fire attacks, acquire a good knowledge of the weather and a good knowledge of the enemy's condition, in order to carry out a successful fire attack.

Thus, to attack by fire is intelligent for the effect is fast and obvious.

Attack by water only when you have a very strong army, for this tactic only result in the isolation of the enemy's troops, but it cannot destroy their supplies or equipment, thus it is not that effective as fire attacks.

Therefore, to win battles and make conquests and to take over all the subjects but failing to rebuild or restore the welfare of what he gains would be a bad omen, so called 'wasteful stay'.

An enlightened ruler plans well ahead, and good generals serve to execute the plans.

Do not act unless it is in the interest of the State. Do not use your troops unless you can win. Do not fight unless you are in danger.

No ruler should ever put troops into the field because he is angry; no general should fight because he is resentful. Move when there is benefit to be gained, quit when there is no more advantage. For an angry man can later become happy, a resentful man become pleased, but a kingdom once destroyed can never be restored nor can the dead be brought back to life again.

Hence an enlightened ruler is prudent and the good general should not be hasty. Thus a country is safe and the army is preserved.