If there be no alternative but death, the soldiers exert themselves to the utmost. In desperate places, soldiers lose the sense of fear. If there be no place of refuge, there will be no wavering. If deeply involved in the enemy's country, there is unity. If it be unavoidable, the soldiers will fight their hardest. Even without warnings they are vigilant; they comply without insistence; without stipulations they are tractable; without explicit instructions they will trust the general and obey him. Prohibit the discussion of signs and omens, and remove the soldiers' doubts; then to the moment of death they will be undistracted. Riches are denied the soldiers, not because money is a bad thing; old age is forbidden them, but not because long life is evil. Hardships and danger are the proper lot of the soldier. When the order for attack is given, the collars of those who are sitting may be wet with tears; tears may roll down the cheeks of those reclining; yet these men, in a desperate place, will fight with the courage of Chu and Kuei. Soldiers should be used like the snakes on Mt. Chang; which, if you hit on the head, the tail will strike you; if you hit the tail, the head will strike you; if you strike its middle, head and tail will strike you together. Should any one ask me whether men can be made to move like these snakes, I say, yes. The men of Wu and Yueh hate each other; yet, if they cross a river in the same boat and a storm overtake them, they help each other like the two hands. The horses may be tied, and the chariot wheels sunk in the mud; but that does not prevent flight. Universal courage and unity depend on good management. The best results from both the weak and strong are obtained by a proper use of the ground. The skilful warrior can lead his army, as a man leads another by the hand, because he places it in a desperate position. The general should be calm, inscrutable, just and prudent. He should keep his officers and men in ignorance of his plans, and inform no one of any changes or fresh departures. By changing his camps, and taking devious and unexpected routes, his plans cannot be guessed. As one taking away the ladder from under those mounted upon the roof, so acts the general when his men are assembled to fight. He penetrates into the heart of the enemy's country and then divulges his plans. He drives the army hither and thither like a flock of sheep, knowing not whither they go. Therefore the general should assemble the armies, and place them in a desperate position. The different natures of the Nine Grounds; the suiting of the means to the occasion; the hearts of men: these are things that must be studied. When deep in the interior of a hostile country, there is cohesion; if only on the borders, there is distraction. To leave home and cross the borders is to be free from interference. On distracting ground, unite the soldiers' minds. On disturbing ground, keep together.