If the drawers of water drink at the river, the enemy is suffering from thirst. Disregard of booty that lies ready at hand is a sign of exhaustion. The clustering of birds round a position shows that it is unoccupied. Voices calling in the night betoken alarm. Disorder in the army is a sign that the general is disregarded. A changing about of flags and banners is a sign that the army is unsettled. If the officers be angry, it is because the soldiers are tired, _and slow to obey_. The killing of horses for food shows that the enemy is short of provisions. When the cooking-pots are hung up on the wall and the soldiers turn not in again, the enemy is at an end of his resources. Exceeding graciousness and familiarity on the part of the general show that he has lost the confidence of the soldiers. Frequent rewards show that discipline is at an end. Frequent punishments are a sign that the general is in difficulties. The general who first blusters, and then is obsequious, is without perception. He who offers apologies and hostages is anxious for a truce. When both sides, eager for a fight, face each other for a considerable time, neither advancing nor retiring, the occasion requires the utmost vigilance and circumspection. Numbers are no certain mark of strength. Even if incapable of a headlong assault, if the forces be united, and the enemy's condition ascertained, victory is possible. He who without taking thought makes light of the enemy is certain to be captured. If a general who is strange to the troops punish them, they cease to obey him. If they are not obedient, they cannot be usefully employed. If the troops know the general, but are not affected by his punishments, they are useless. By humane treatment we obtain obedience; authority brings uniformity. Thus we obtain victory. If the people have been trained in obedience from the beginning, they respect their leader's commands. If the people be not early trained to obedience, they do not respect their leader's commands. Orders are always obeyed, if general and soldiers are in sympathy. X GROUND Sun the Master said:-- With regard to the different natures of ground there are:-- Open ground; broken ground; suspended ground; defiles; precipices; far countries. Open ground is that where either side has liberty of movement: be quick to occupy any high ground in the neighbourhood and consider well the line of supplies. Broken ground. Advance is easy, but retreat from it is difficult. Here, if the enemy be not prepared, we may win: but should he be prepared, and defeat us, and retreat be impossible, then there is disaster. Suspended ground. The side that takes the initiative is under a disadvantage. Here, if the enemy offer some allurement, we should not advance: but rather, by feigning retreat, wait until he has put forth half his force. Then we may attack him with advantage.