And after this was carried out for three years, the people of Chin gathered an army, and came as far as the Western River. And when the soldiers of Wei heard this, without waiting for orders, they armed themselves and fell upon them; and they that went forth were 10,000 in number. And Lord Wen called Wu and said:-- "The words that you spoke unto me, have they not indeed been carried out?" And Wu answered and said:-- "I have heard that there are men, great and small; souls, grand and feeble. "As a trial, let 50,000 men, without merit, be collected, and placed under my command against the country of Chin. If we fail, the state will be the laughing-stock among the princes, and its power under heaven will be lost. If a desperate robber be hidden in a wide plain, and 1,000 men be pursuing him, their glances will be furtive like the owl, looking backward like the wolf, for they are in fear of harm from a sudden onslaught. "One desperate man can put fear in the hearts of a thousand. Now, if this host of 50,000 men become as a desperate thief, and are led against Chin, there is nought to fear." On hearing these words Lord Wen agreed, and adding further 500 chariots and 3,000 horse, the hosts of Chin were overthrown, all being due to the encouragement of the troops. On the day before the battle Wu gave orders to the forces, saying:-- "The army will attack the enemy's chariots, horse and foot, in accordance with our commands. If the chariots do not capture the enemy's chariots, or the horse those of the enemy's, or the foot the enemy's footmen, even if their army be overthrown, no merit will be gained." Therefore on the day of the battle, the orders were simple, and fear of Wei shook the heavens. INDEX A Abnormal manoeuvres, 31, 32 Advance, followed by retirement, a lure, 51 Advantages, the five, 45 Ally, war to be avoided, if enemy has powerful, 91 Altar, Wu made general before, 77; difficult matters to be laid before, 78 Ambition, one of five causes of war, 80 Ambush, likely places for enemy to be in, 49 Ammunition, lack of, may cause disaster, 41 Anger of officers, cause of, 51; not a fit reason for battle, 69 Animals, the six domestic, to be preserved by besiegers, 115 Apologies, what implied, by general who offers, 52 Archers, employment of, in sieges, 25, _note_ Armies, five, alternate onslaughts by, 111 Armistice, what betokened by sudden desire for, 51 Armour, cost of upkeep of, 21; and of renewing, 22; condition of, an influence in battle, 94 Arms, profession of, not highly regarded in China, 9; the five, 88, _note_ Army, control of the, 93-100; orderly, likened to father and children, 96 Articles of Suntzu, 17-74 Assault, by stratagem, 25 Attack, proportionate number required for, 26; on undefended positions, 35; place of, to be kept secret, 37; five ways of, by fire, 67-68; eight cases of, 89; reckless, 92 B