所以可以使三军士气衰歇，可是将军决心动摇。在早晨士气旺盛，中午士气低落，傍晚士气衰歇。善于用兵者，避敌人旺盛锐气，待敌人士气衰歇才攻击，此乃掌握士气用兵之法。
Use orderliness and stability to confront chaos and disorder. Use calmness and steadfastness to deal with noisiness and chaos. This is control of the psychological factor.
用自己的整齐对待敌人的混乱，用自己的冷静对待敌人的喧哗，这是掌握用兵时的心理方面。
Use proximity to battlefields to counter enemies who come from afar. Use well rested troops to counter tired and exhausted enemies. Use well fed troops to counter enemies that are hungry. This is control of the physical factor.
以自己的近对待敌人的远，以自己的安逸对待敌人的疲劳，以自己的饱食对待敌人的饥饿，这就是掌握用兵时体力的方面。
Never engage an approaching enemy who displays orderly flags and banners. Never engage an advancing enemy which shows an impressive and organized formation. This is control of the change factor.
不拦截旗帜整齐的敌军部队，不攻击阵容强大的敌军部队，这就是掌握机动变化。
Thus the art of applying military maneuvers includes the following:
Do not advance against an enemy who is encamped on high ground.
Do not engage an enemy who is assaulting downwards from high ridges.
Do not pursue an enemy who only pretends to retreat in desperation.
Do not attack the agile and motivated elite force of the enemy.
Do not fall for bait offered by the enemy.
Do not intercept an enemy who is returning to his home country.
In surrounding an enemy, always leave him an escape route.
Do not pursue a desperate enemy relentlessly
These are the ways and art of maneuvering and deploying troops.
用兵之方法是： 敌人在高处，不可攻击；不要迎战背后有高地依恃的敌人；不要追击假装撤退的敌人；不要攻击气势正盛的敌人；不要捡拾敌人以利诱我的饵食；不要截阻或追击想回家的敌军；包围敌人时，应该留一个逃生活口；敌人被困时，不可过度施压。
Chapter 8
Variation and Adaptation
In a military campaign, the general first receives orders from his ruler. He then assembles the troops and mobilizes the citizens. When on treacherous ground, you must never encamp. When on focal ground, you must attempt to ally with neighboring states. When on isolated ground, you must not stay there. When on constricted ground, you must plan and strategize. When on deathly ground, you must fight relentlessly.
大凡用兵的法则，首将先领命与君主，后征集兵队，编成军团，出征时，若在“圯地”不可扎营，若在“衢地”应结交邻国，若在“绝地”不可久留，若在“围地”要巧出计谋，若在“死地”要拼死奋战。
There are some routes and paths that must not be taken. There are some armies and troops that must not be assaulted. There are some cities that must not be attacked. There are some grounds that must not be contested. There are some military orders that need not be obeyed. Thus, the general who knows how to vary and adapt to changing situations so as to gain advantages is one who is skillful in applying the art of war. The general who is familiar with the terrain but does not know how to vary and adapt to changing situations will not be able to take advantage of what that terrain has to offer. In military command, if the general cannot master the art of variations and adaptability, he will not be able to deploy his troops to maximum advantage, despite understanding the five strategic considerations.
有些道路不宜走，有些敌军不宜打，有些城池不宜攻，有些要地不宜争，有的国君命令可以不执行。所以，将帅能够精通以上各种机变的运用，就是懂得用兵。将帅不能够精通机变的运用，虽然了解地形，也不能得到地利。将帅不能够精通机变的运用，虽然知道“五利”，也不能充分发挥军队的战斗能力。
Thus, the wise strategist will always weigh and consider the favorable and unfavorable factors in his deliberations. By factoring the favorable factors, the mission can be accomplished with confidence. By factoring the unfavorable factors, disasters and crises can be averted.
所以，聪明的将帅在考虑问题时，必定会兼顾到利害两方面条件。考虑到利，可以提高胜算，成功的信心。考虑到害，可以避免祸患和排除疑虑。
Control the neighboring warlords through the use of intimidation and threats. Harass and wear down the neighboring warlords through incessant creation of troubles and activities. Hasten and direct the movements of the neighboring warlords through the offer of benefits and baits.
要使各国诸侯屈服，就用诸侯最害怕的事威胁他；要使各国诸侯劳役，就用他不得不去做的事去驱使他；要使各国诸侯趋向你要的方向，就用小利去引诱他。
Thus, in the conduct of war, one must not rely on the failure of the enemy to come, but on the readiness of oneself to engage him. One must not rely on the failure of the enemy to attack, but on the ability of oneself to build an invincible defense.
用兵之法是，不要寄望敌人不会来，而要依靠自己，充分军备，严阵以待；不要寄望敌人不会进攻，而要依靠自己，使自己不易攻破。
Thus, there are five dangers that will plague any general. If he is reckless, he can be killed. If he is cowardly and desperate to live, he can be captured. If he is easily angered, he can be provoked. If he is sensitive to honor, he can be insulted. If he is overly compassionate to people, he can be disturbed and harassed. These five characteristics are the greatest potential pitfalls and mistakes of a general, and the cause of disasters in any military operation. The destruction of an army and the deaths of generals are caused by these five dangers, thus they should be examined thoroughly.
将帅有因性格上的缺陷而造成的危险；有勇无谋，只知道拼死，可能被诱杀；贪生怕死，临阵畏怯，可能被俘虏；急躁易怒，可能因被羞辱而败亡；在乎名声，可能受不了羞辱而败亡；一味爱民爱士卒，可以容易被烦扰。以上五点是将帅可能范下的错，而会殃及兵队。军队覆灭，将帅被杀，都是由着五种危险引起，所以不可不慎重，不可不深思。
Chapter 9
Troop Deployment and Movement
In the deployment of troops and in the analysis and assessment of the enemy, certain principles must be kept in mind. After crossing the mountains, move and stay close to the valleys. For a commanding view and to ensure better chances of survival, occupy high grounds. When the enemy has occupied high ground, do not attempt an assault. These are the principles for deploying troops in mountainous terrain.
凡军队行军作战和战场观察判断敌情时要注意以下原则：通过山地时，要靠近有水草的谷地；驻止时，要选择山地，使视野宽阔，但是如果敌人已占领高地则不要仰攻。这是在山地行军的法则。
After crossing a river, get as far away from its bank as possible and move on. When an invading force of the enemy is crossing a river, never engage it in the midst of the river itself. Rather, let half of its force cross the river first; then attack it, so that you can gain the advantage. If you are eager to attack an invading enemy, never engage him at the point where he plans to cross a river. For a commanding view and to ensure better chances of survival against the enemy, occupy high ground. Never move upstream to engage an enemy. These are the principles for deploying troops in marine battles.
横渡江河，要在离江河稍远的地方驻扎；如果敌人渡水来进攻，不要在水中攻击，应该等半数渡江河过后才攻击，这样才有利；如果要更敌军决战，不要靠近水边列阵；沿江河驻扎军队也应该驻扎在高处，使前面视野辽阔；不要在敌军下游驻扎或布阵；这些是江河地带行军法则。
When crossing s
alty swamps and marshes, move away quickly; never linger there. If you need to engage the enemy in salty swamps and marshes, stay close to areas that are lush with grasses and have your rear to the forest. These are the principles for deploying troops in salty swamps and marshes.
通过盐碱沼泽地带，要迅速离开，不可久留；如果在盐碱沼泽地带与敌军交战，必须靠近水草、背靠树林；这些是在盐碱沼泽地带行军的法则。
On level terrain, occupy positions that allow you ease of maneuvers. By ensuring that the right flank and support forces are on higher grounds, the danger is confined to the front, as the rear is secured and safe. These are the principles for deploying troops on level terrain.
在平陆地带驻军，要选择地势平坦的地方，主要是翼侧和后方依托高地，前低后高，这就是在平原地带行军作战法则。
By mastering the principles of the four different situations for deployment of troops, the Yellow Emperor was able to conquer the other warlords of the surrounding areas. In general, an army prefers to take up positions on high ground and detests occupying low ground. It favors positions that are bright and sunny and detests places that are dark. It prefers to nourish its troops by locating in areas where food and supplies are in abundance. An army that does not suffer from disease and sickness is bound to win more battles.
以上四种“处军”法则的好处，是黄帝能战胜“四帝”的重要原因。大凡驻军都喜欢高地而厌恶低处，偏向阳亮之地，厌恶阴湿之地，接近水草以保持供应，这样一来军队不易生病，也就给胜利多一个保障。
When in hilly areas, you need to be cautious and alert by camping on the sunnier side, and have the right flank and rear guard on higher ground. In this way, the troops will benefit because you are able to exploit the advantages of the terrain.
丘陵、堤防驻军，必须驻扎在向阳的一面，并且要把主要翼侧和后方依托着它。这样对于用兵有利，得到地形给于的辅助。
When there is rain upstream and the river is foaming, you must wait for the water to subside before trying to cross the river.
河流上游暴雨，看到水沫冲来，要渡河者应该带水势平稳以后再渡。
In any terrain, there are treacherous gullies, natural wells, natural prisons, natural nets, natural traps and natural crevices. Move quickly away when encountering them and never even be close to them. I will keep a distance from them, but will force the enemy near them. I will face them directly but will force the backs of the enemy towards them.
凡是遇到“绝涧”、“天井”、“天牢”、“天罗”、“天陷”、“天隙”等地形，必须迅速离开而不要靠近。我远离它，而是敌军靠近它。我面向它，敌方背对它。
The surrounding areas along the route that an army takes may have treacherous paths and ponds covered with grasses and reeds, marshlands, forested mountains and areas with thick undergrowth and vegetation. So in moving through such areas, it must be extra vigilant and embark on detailed and thorough searches. They provide good areas for ambushes laid by the enemy, or where his spies are hidden.
军队在行军时，在难以行走的路、湖沼、芦苇丛生的低洼地区、草木繁茂的山林地区，必须仔细反复的搜索，因为这些地方都容易隐藏伏兵或奸细。
When the enemy is nearby and yet is able to remain silent, he is relying on the strategic advantages conferred by the terrain. When the enemy attempts to provoke you into battle from a distance, he is trying to lure you forward to engage him. When the enemy camps on a level and accessible ground, there must be advantages and reasons to do so.
敌军离我方近，却能保持安静，那是他倚仗占据险要地形。敌军离我方远，却来挑战，那是企图诱我前进。敌军之所以占据平地，定有他的好处和用意
When the forest trees show signs of movement, the enemy may be approaching. When there are many obstacles of bundled grasses and hay along the way, the enemy may be trying to arouse your suspicion. When the birds suddenly rise in flight, there are likely ambushes nearby. When frightened animals rush out from the forest, the main force of the enemy is at hand.
树林里很多树在摇动，可能是敌军来袭；在草丛中设有许多遮蔽物，是敌人企图迷惑我；鸟群突然飞起，表示下面有埋伏；走兽到处跑，表示敌人大举来袭；
When the dust rises high and concentrated, the enemy chariots are approaching. When the dust rises low and is widespread, the enemy infantry is approaching. When the dust shows sign of scattering in different streaky directions, the enemy is sending out troops to cut and gather firewood. When the dust rises and settles occasionally in small patches, the enemy is setting up camp.
飞尘高而尖，可能是敌军战车向我开来；飞尘低而广，可能是敌军士卒向我奔来；飞尘疏散而细长，可能是敌人在打柴；飞尘少而时起时落，可能是敌军在扎营；
When the envoy of the enemy speaks humbly and lowly while preparations are being intensified, the enemy is planning to attack. When the envoy of the enemy speaks arrogantly and aggressively with threats to attack, the enemy is preparing to withdraw. When the envoy of the enemy asks for a truce when there is no prior agreement or understanding, the enemy is scheming.
敌方使者言辞谦卑而实际上又积极备战，表示是要向我进攻；敌方使者言辞强硬而军队有向我逼近，表示他要撤退；敌方使者在没有前提下求和，其中必有阴谋；
When the light chariots leave the main force to take up flank positions, the enemy is gearing up formation for the battle. When there is much movement among the soldiers and chariots of the enemy, rushing to take up positions, his reinforcements have arrived. When half of the enemy troops are advancing while the other half is withdrawing, he is attempting to lure you.
敌战车先出而占据翼侧，是在布列阵势；敌军急速奔走并摆开兵车列阵，是祈求与我决战；敌军半近半退，是要引诱我军
When the soldiers of the enemy are leaning against their weapons, they are hungry and short of food. When the enemy soldiers assigned to get water start to drink first, they are extremely thirsty and in need of water supplies. When the enemy sees an obvious advantage but does not want to seize it, he is severely tired and exhausted. When the birds gather around the enemy campsite, the site is empty. When the enemy soldiers scream and yell at night, they are in great fear. When the army of the enemy is disorderly and chaotic, the authority of the general is not respected. When the banners and flags of the enemy are shifted around frequently, the troops are in disarray. When the junior officers of the enemy are short-tempered and easily angered, they are tired and detest their responsibilities. When the enemy kills horses for food, there are no provisions in his camp. When the cooking utensils are hung away and the soldiers refuse to return to camp, the enemy is in a desperate situation.
敌军倚着兵器而站立着，是因为饥饿缺粮；打水的敌兵急于饮水，是因为干渴缺水；敌军见利不取，是因为疲劳过度。地方营寨上有鸟停集，那表示营寨是空的；敌营夜间有人惊呼，说明敌军心里恐惧；敌军纷扰无次序，是其将帅无威严；敌军旗帜摇动而不整齐，是因为其阵形已经混乱；敌军官吏急躁易怒，是因为过度疲劳困倦；敌人用粮食喂马，杀牲口吃，收起炊具，不返回营寨，是准备拼命突围的“穷寇”；
When the officers and men gather in small groups to speak softly and subdued tones, the general has lost their support. When the rewards are given out excessively, the general is lacking ideas. When punishments are carried out excessively, the general is in great distress. A general who behaves ruthlessly at the initial stage, and then begins to fear his own troops subsequently, is one who is neither intelligent nor capable. When the envoy of the enemy arrives with praises and gifts, they are signs that the enemy desires a truce. When the enemy arrives with much anger and ferocity, yet for a long time refuses to engage in
battle, or to withdraw, one must be very vigilant and study his behavior and motives carefully.
当兵士官吏成群结队，窃窃私语，将帅低声下气同部下讲话，表示敌将失去人心；一而再奖励士兵，表示敌军已没办法；一而再重罚部属，表示敌军陷入困境；将帅先对士卒凶暴，后害怕部下，是最不精明的。敌人借故派使者来谈判，措词委婉态度谦和，表示他想休战；敌军盛怒前来，但久不交战，又不离去，必须谨慎地观察其意图。
The strength of an army does not depend on superiority of numbers. Do not advance compulsively based on having large forces. Concentrate the strengths of your forces sufficiently and judge the moves and motives of the enemy accurately, so as to capture him. He who lacks strategic foresight and insight and underestimates his enemy will definitely end up being captured.
打战不在于兵力越多越好，只要不轻敌冒进，并集中兵力，了解敌情，就可以战胜敌人。无深谋远虑而又轻敌的将帅必定被人俘虏。
When the men are punished before their loyalty is secured, they will be rebellious and disobedient. If disobedient and rebellious, it is difficult to deploy them. When the loyalty of the men is secured, but punishments are not enforced, such troops cannot be used either.
将帅在士卒尚未亲近依附时，就冒然处罚士卒，士卒肯定不服，不服则难使用。士卒已经亲近依附，但不执行军纪军法，这样的军队也不可使用。
Thus, the general must be able to instruct his troops with civility and humanity and unite them with rigorous training and discipline so as to secure victories in battles. When orders are regularly enforced and used to train the soldiers, they will be obedient. When orders are not regularly enforced nor used to train the soldiers, they will not be obedient. When orders are regularly enforced, it is because of the mutual trust and confidence between the commander and his men.
Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China Page 18
