58
THE ARTICLES OF SUNTZU
XI
THE NINE GROUNDS
Sun the Master said:—
In respect to the conduct of war there are:—
Distracting ground; disturbing ground; ground of contention; intersecting ground; path-ridden ground; deeply-involved ground; difficult ground; enclosed ground; death ground.
At all times, when the prince fights in his own territory, it is called distracting[1] ground.
That ground a short way inside the enemy’s border is called disturbing ground.
Ground giving advantage to whichever side is in possession, is called ground of contention.
Ground to which either side has access, is called intersecting ground.
Ground between three provinces first
- ↑ This and the following are co called because the men are continually thinking of, and slipping back to their homes.
