THE NINE SITUATIONS (THE NINE VARIETIES OF GROUND)
"The art of War recognizes nine varieties of ground: dispersive ground; facile
ground; contentious ground; open ground; ground of intersecting highways;
serious ground; difficult ground; hemmed-in ground; desperate ground."
Maintain Disciplined Market Analysis, Even When
Neutral
"When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground, so
called because the soldiers, being near to their homes and anxious to see their
wives and children, are likely to seize the opportunity afforded by a battle and
scatter in every direction."
"On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not."
"On dispersive ground, inspire your men with unity of purpose."
Stop Losses Quickly
"When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is
facile ground."
"On facile ground, halt not."
"On facile ground, see that there is close connection between all parts of the
army."
Always Tighten Stops, Never Loosen
"Ground that is of great advantage to either side is contentious ground."
"On contentious ground, attack not."
"On contentious ground, hurry up your rear guard."
Always Maintain Protective Provisions
"Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground."
"On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way."
"On open ground, keep a vigilant eye on your defenses, fearing a surprise
attack."
Opportunistic Adaptation Of Strategies And Tactics To
Situation
"Ground that forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies
it first has most of the empire at his command, is ground of intersecting
highways."
"On ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies."
"On ground of intersecting highways, consolidate your alliances."
"We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted
with their designs.
Preserve And Protect Resources
"When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a
number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground."
"On serious ground, gather in plunder."
"On serious ground, ensure a continuous stream of supplies."
"The farther you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of
your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you. Make forays in
fertile country in order to supply your army with food."
Focused Knowledge And Experience
"Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens--all country that is hard to
traverse: this is difficult ground."
"In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march."
"On difficult ground, keep pushing on along the road."
"Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them.
Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually
on the move, and devise unfathomable plans."
"We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the
face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its
marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account
unless we make use of local guides."
Catastrophic Loss Protection
"Ground that is reached through gorges, and from which we can only retire by
tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a
large body of our men: this is hemmed-in ground."
"On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem."
"On hemmed-in ground, block any way of retreat to make it seem that you mean
to defend the position, whereas your real intention is to burst suddenly through
the enemy's lines."
Disciplined Risk Management
"Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without
delay: this is desperate ground."
"On desperate ground, fight."
"On desperate ground, proclaim to your soldiers the hopelessness of saving their
lives. The only chance of life lies in giving up all hope of it.
For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when
surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly
when he has fallen into danger."
Focus On Achieving Strategic Objectives
"The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a
snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be
attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike
at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both."
"Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, answer yes."
"You will not succeed unless your men have tenacity and unity of purpose, and
above all, a spirit of sympathetic cooperation. This is the lesson which can be
learned from the shuai-jan."
"The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage
that all must reach."
"The skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single
man by the hand."
"Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous
arrangements, and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to
do with but a single man."
Study, Observe, Remember, Compare, And Apply
"How to make the best of both strong and weak is a question involving the
proper use of ground."
Management Competence
"It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and
just, and thus maintain order."
Opportunistic Flexibility In Adapting Strategies And
Tactics To Situation
"To master his host and bring it into danger -- this may be termed the business
of the general. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the
expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of
human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied."
"For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that it is capable of
striking a blow for victory."
"Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the
enemy's purpose."
"By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall succeed in the long run in
killing the commander in chief--a vital act in war."
"Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until
you can fight a decisive battle."
"At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an
opening; afterward emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late
for the enemy to oppose you."
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