front of the citadel, in order to make the “kyoin (距闉)."[1] Wherefore, the general angered, his patience exhausted, orders his men to the assault before the time is ripe. Thus one third of them are killed to no purpose, because the attack was ill-timed.
Therefore the master of war causes the enemy’s forces to yield, but without fighting; he takes possession of his fortress, but without besieging it; he overthrows his government, but without lengthy fighting; and with his army intact takes the enemy’s kingdom. Without tarnishing his weapons he gains the complete advantage.
This is the assault by strategem.
By the rules of war, if ten times as strong as the enemy, we can crush him; with five times his strength we may attack him on all sides; with double his numbers, attack from two sides. If equal in strength we must exert ourselves to the utmost, and fight; if inferior in numbers, skilfully evade him; if altogether inferior, offer no chance of battle. A determined stand by inferior numbers is admirable; but they can but become captives.
The warrior is the country’s support. If the warrior
is loyal and wholehearted in his endeavours, the
- ↑ The "Kyoin" was a large tower or work constructed to give command over the interior of the enemy's fortress.
High poles were also erected, from the top of which, archers, each encased in an arrow proof box and raised by a rope and pulley, shot at the besieged.
